Bare Boat in Greece

Jackdaw · Mar 22, 2015

We go every year, and always in the shoulder seasons. Late March-April, or September. Normally in the spring. Nice weather and much less people. Water cold. Often we are the 'first yacht of the season' in many ports, and the locals seem to throw a party for that. Also much easier to find a mooring; in summer basins are often full by 10AM. Where you leave from will be based on what waters you are going to sail. If you are thinking about the Cyclades, then best leave from Lavrion, and not Athens. Winds are often out of the North or South, in particular in Summer when the Meltimi blows 20-30 knots most days for a few hours. Itinerary is what you make of it, and how much time. We often go for a week (vacation limitation for me) and can reach Santorini, but that is in a FAST boat. Most people do a island hop and day for 20-25 NM legs. Greek people are great.

Typical trip.

First yacht of the year, the other 3 live there year round.

Yacht basin at Santorini

15 knots towards Paros.

Jackdaw · Mar 22, 2015

rfrye1 said:
JackDaw,

I read that some countries are getting more strict about requiring the ICC License (International version of ASA). Do you see this issue is Greece? I chartered in Croatia a few years ago and it wasn't an issue.

Thanks. Bob

Indeed, by law an ICC is required in Greece. This is presented to the port authorities when getting your charter licence. Part of the HUGE bureaucracy! But I can tell you that I have seen a wide range of things accept in place of the ICC. Perhaps more so with smaller charter companies, and perhaps ones with a good relationship with the port captain! Check with your company to see that they say.

sailoral27 · Mar 23, 2015

rfrye1 said:
Hi Y'all,
Considering a bareboat in Greece. I've heard and read the horror stories of crowds and heat during the summer months, so we usually plan trips during the shoulder seasons. Any suggestions on timing/time of year? And weather? I've sailed in both Turkey and Croatia, so I assume the weather is similar.

Also I welcome suggestions for itineraries and where to sail from.

Thank you.
Bob.

You will be disappointed in Greece after sailing in Croatia. The docking is much easier in Croatia, the marinas are modern and the food and wine are great.

ddrockies · Mar 25, 2015

Heading to the Ionian in 4 weeks. Have ICC certs, and Advanced CYA. So far, prior to the trip, all has been smooth, and lots of info on internet. Will report back after two week bareboat. Starting Lefkas, island hoping south to Zakinthos, then island hop back. Not expecting crowds as this is shoulder season. Will be nice to swim in the water rather than skate on top of it....eh.

Jackdaw · Mar 25, 2015

ddrockies said:
Heading to the Ionian in 4 weeks. Have ICC certs, and Advanced CYA. So far, prior to the trip, all has been smooth, and lots of info on internet. Will report back after two week bareboat. Starting Lefkas, island hoping south to Zakinthos, then island hop back. Not expecting crowds as this is shoulder season. Will be nice to swim in the water rather than skate on top of it....eh.

Beauty!

Check with your company and see if a copy of Heikell's Greek Waters Pilot is on the boat. The ABSOLUTE BIBLE for sailing in Greece. You might even want to pick up your own copy. It's that good.

http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Waters-Pilot-Yachtsmans-Islands/dp/1846235219

This is a very useful website. We liked it to much we found a way to download the entire site onto our ipad so we could use it off-line and on the water.

http://www.sailingissues.com/greek.html

inarathree · Mar 25, 2015

Jackdaw- Pogo 12.50?

Jackdaw · Mar 25, 2015

inarathree said:
Jackdaw- Pogo 12.50?

Very good eye!

ddrockies · Mar 25, 2015

Thanks for heads up. I do have the Greek Piolot Guide, and the new 8th edition of Ionian with sailing directions, etc. Jackdaw---any do not miss locations you can share? Best of the Best of the Best ones?

Jackdaw · Mar 25, 2015

ddrockies said:
Thanks for heads up. I do have the Greek Piolot Guide, and the new 8th edition of Ionian with sailing directions, etc. Jackdaw---any do not miss locations you can share? Best of the Best of the Best ones?

You are in the Ionian right? In summer it can be a zoo, but in the off-season and the wind is right, anchor in the north cove under the monastery at Paleokastritsa on Korfu. The sun sets over the ruins. Bucket list stuff.

Jackdaw · Mar 25, 2015

Oh. BY FAR the best mobile app for navigating the area is iSailor.

Not only is the app great, but they use Sea Ray charts which are by far the best in the med. Most other use old British Admiralty charts that were created by Lucky Jack Aubrey and a lead line.

Built in at extra cost is current and future weather/wind (very nice) and AIS (essential!). Get a Greek data SIM for 10 euro and you are golden.

Buckeye T · Mar 31, 2015

In the Ionian, the bay's on the north end of Antipaxos are on our family's don't miss list, incredibly brilliant blue water and very clean.

We also like Vourkari on the northern end of Kea in the Cyclades as well.

Get to Gaios right at 5 pm in order to secure a spotright after the touris boats leave, by six the dock may be full. Even earlier in Fiskardo

ddrockies · Mar 31, 2015

Thanks Jackdaw, and Buckeye T for the info. will follow your advice. Getting pretty excited to leave now.