Ionian - good base for looking at boats?

[blueglass]

"Mere marketing" is the relatively easy bit. The difficult bit is dealing with all the time wasters, identifying the serious buyer and turning the interest into a sale. Particularly difficult when the owner is in England and the boat is in Corfu (in this case).

in my case, with the owner, (me) in the UK, the boat in Corfu and a very difficult and exacting buyer in the Netherlands.
Pinnacle had to work hard keeping the ball rolling. Negotiations took a couple of months of skilful handling by Colin.

 

[dslittle]

AndrewB, I am very surprised to hear your view on Pinnacle.
I have know them for many, many years, and have never heard any criticism of their business activities whatsoever. In fact everyone that has Purchased or Sold a boat through them has had nothing but compliments on their honesty, enthusiasm and personal passion for their business activities.
As I previously mentioned, I know them personally so I am fully aware of their high levels of integrity, in a social sense or in Business. I have been a friend since they first came to Corfu, where they then managing a charter company, then moving to providing an excellent Gardianage service, and developing and growing into their own Charter Business and the Brokerage Business.
As I am not aware of the full details of your transaction, I cannot comment on that, but I will stand up, be counted and defend them, and totally disagree with your recommendation for Forumites to avoid them.
You couldn't be further wrong...!

+1. I trust them implicitly. This thread contains the ONLY criticism that I have ever heard of Pinnacle who have been in business for a good number of years now.

I have dealt with another Broker who were far less scrupulous but considered the issue to be my fault for not being meticulous enough myself...

Having met Pinnacle as a customer, we have become friends and I echo the sentiment that their integrity is the highest.

Obviously, I do not know the details of AndrewB's issues BUT sour grapes do not make Pinnacle bad brokers. This Forum will quickly identify bad service providers, I would be very surprised if anyone else on here endorses AndrewB's feelings towards Pinnacle.

 

[tedgorton]

one of the best places to look for used boats (Bavarias) in the Ionian is the Sail Ionian website... widely respected as the best charter company in the ionian for maintenance, better than Nielson and WAY ahead of Sunsail and Sailing Holidays, for example. run by an English family. no commission charged to sellers or buyers. I have been chartering with them for 5 years and so far no complaints.

 

[SailingDestiny]

I have a boat listed with Colin of Pinnacle Yachts (Destiny a Hallberg Rassy 352) who are great.The boat is now on the hard in Aegina as it was cheaper to keep on the hard there than at Gouvia Marina in Corfu. She is priced to sell .. if you get down that way!

 

[Ravi]

I dealt with Pinnacle when I was buying a boat in Greece last year. Although, I, eventually, bought my boat from a different broker, my impression of Pinnacle was very positive. In fact, I would say they were the best of the many brokers I dealt with in Greece. Professional, friendly and helpful.

 

[1bobt]

At long last I'll be able to kick the work habit next spring and I'm therefore planning to look for a boat. We love the Ionian despite the crowds so that'll be our destination.

The boats that I'm interested in (syndicate shares mostly on Chris Hawes site) are variously based in Nidri, Preveza and Lefkas, with the odd one or two in Corfu. My plan is to spend a month, probably next June, in the Ionian to allow plenty of time to make an informed choice.

Mrs t_m is firmly of the opinion that we should base ourselves in Nidri - it's a holiday destination with a good selection of hotels. Is this likely to be the most convenient base for getting a look at boats? Or would I be better off in Lefkas or Preveza where the big marinas are.

I assume car/boat hire would be easy from any of these places?

Any thoughts welcome.

Beware of a surveyor called .....initials G.V. dealing in shares of boats