|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Bareboat charter, skippered charter or a
flotilla? -
- Which area in Greece should we have our
sailing holiday? -
- How long should we book for? -
- What is the wind like in the Ionian?
-
- What qualifications do I need to
bareboat charter in the Ionian? -
- What type of boat should we charter?
-
- What size of boat should we charter?
-
- What time can we get on the boat – and
when do we have to bring it back? -
- What extra costs are there? -
- I have never moored stern to before
with an anchor. How can I learn? -
- What is navigation like in the
Ionian? -
- What do I need to pack for my
holiday? -
- What happens if the boat gets
damaged? -
- What happens if the boat breaks
down? -
- There are so many charter companies to
choose from – how do I ensure that the company I pick is
reputable? -
- What books / charts can I buy in
advance to plan our holiday? -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bareboat charter, skippered charter
or a assisted bareboat? |
|
|
|
|
Skippered charter
If you have no sailing experience whatsoever then you are
limited to a skippered charter. This means that a skipper
will live on board the boat with you for the duration of
your holiday and he will sail you to wherever you want to
go. You can do as much or as little work as you like,
although it is an excellent opportunity to learn how to
sail and you will be encouraged to get involved.
With the skipper sleeping onboard the boat (own berth please),
the cost is £520 per week on top of the normal bareboat price.
If you prefer the skipper to sleep off the boat the cost is an
additional £325 per week.
Assisted Bareboat Charter
This programme is designed for those of you who enjoy the safety
net of a lead crew, but who want more freedom and to build confidence.
With a maximum of six yachts plus a lead boat, the itinerary will
be more challenging and flexible. We also do not request that
you get to the destination at a certain time - meaning that you
can enjoy the best of the afternoon winds! There will be no set
group meals and if you need assistance in finding a suitable berth,
then the lead crew will be there to help you. This is the perfect
stepping stone to bareboat charter. The cost is only £200 per
week per boat on top of the normal bareboat price.
Bareboat
This is the best way to explore the islands if you have
relevant experience (see below). You have total freedom
on your sailing holiday, with the knowledge that you have
back up and help just a phone call away. You pick up the
boat and leave – and bring it back one or two weeks
later. You can explore anywhere you want to, with no
restrictions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Which area in Greece should we have our sailing holiday?
|
|
|
|
|
The Ionian of course! The Ionian is such a beautiful
region. The islands are lush green (due to the heavy rains
in winter and natural springs) all year round which
compares very favourably with the barren islands in other
areas of Greece.
The Ionian is also a sheltered area, resulting in
predictable wind patterns and very small swells. This
means that you can enjoy other aspects of your holiday
other than just sailing such as snorkelling, walking and
relaxing!
Many of our clients have been returning year after year
to the Ionian. Once you have been you will keep wanting
to come back! The people in the Ionian are extremely
welcoming and friendly – especially to bareboaters. You
will be looked after by all you encounter on your
travels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How long should we book for?
|
|
|
|
|
Our minimum charter lengths are for one week. The majority
of our clients book a two week charter, as you can really
explore the islands and relax. However 1 week is
sufficient to see all of the islands in our area.
Or if you really want to relax, book a boat for 3 weeks
or more…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is the wind like in the Ionian?
|
|
|
|
|
The winds are not as strong as in other areas of the Greek
Islands, mainly as it is not affected by the Meltemi
winds, which can blow for 5 or 6 days at a time at
strengths up to F7/F8.
There is plenty of wind to have fun sailing. Typically
winds will kick in about lunchtime and blow until
evening. This means that you can spend the morning
sailing gently to a lunch time stop, such as a secluded
bay, and go for a swim or snorkel, have lunch on board
and then have a sail to your evening destination.
The winds are fairly predictable and usually result in a
very calm evening and night. This means that you can
anchor off in confidence if you choose or have a
comfortable night on a quay.
For more detail on the weather in the Ionian, please click here:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What qualifications do I need to bareboat charter in the
Ionian?
|
|
|
|
|
We require evidence that you are able to handle
the boat in a safe and controlled manner. This can take the form
of a recognised qualification (RYA, ICC etc) or if no formal qualifications
are held (as is the case for a large proportion of experienced sailors)
phone us for a chat. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What type of boat should we charter?
|
|
|
|
|
Typically you have the choice of catamarans
or monohull yachts. Whilst catamarans offer more space on board,
this will severely limit your mooring up options (especially in
high season), and you will end up anchoring off in most places.
We only operate monohulls for this reason.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What size of boat should we charter?
|
|
|
|
|
All of our boats can be sailed by a crew of 2 or more. All
control lines for reefing, sail uphaul, genoa furling etc
are fed back to the cockpit. However if you are new to
chartering or Ionian style mooring (see later) then the
smaller boats will be easier to moor up safely with a
small crew. Smaller boats also offer you more options when
choosing a space to moor up.
If you are in any doubt, call us to discuss.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What time can we get on the boat – and when do we have to
bring it back?
|
|
|
|
|
Boats are returned to our base by 9am on your
day of departure. We then spend the next few hours cleaning, checking,
maintaining, polishing, refuelling, filling water tanks, scrubbing,
replacing linen etc etc etc. In short we have a lot of work to do,
before we let you on the boat. Typically the boat will be ready
by mid afternoon, and we will get you away from base on your day
of arrival. Therefore you get a full 7 nights away from base each
week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What extra costs are there?
|
|
|
|
|
Our charter price includes end of charter cleaning (which
the majority of other charter companies charge for) –
which is strange when it is mandatory….?! Beware comparing
prices on headline numbers only!
Additional costs to budget for when chartering from Nisos
Yacht Charter, include the following:
- Taxi transfers from Preveza airport to our base on Lefkas.
These cost 40 euros per taxi each way. Each taxi (air conditioned
Mercedes or similar) can take 4 passengers.
- Fuel is charged for at cost and is payable in advance of the
charter start at set rates dependent upon the size of yacht
booked.
- There are no mooring fees in the Ionian. It is expected that
if you are using a town quay or private pontoon, that you spend
some money in the town, ie at a supermarket or taverna. Please
be sensitive to this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have never moored stern to before with an anchor. How
can I learn?
|
|
|
|
|
Stern to mooring (laying out the anchor from the bow) is
not difficult, although a certain amount of knowledge and
practice is required. If you have not done this style of
mooring before, please let us know and we can provide
some tuition and advice when you arrive in Greece. A
couple of “live runs” with all the crew with instruction
from our skipper will stand you in good stead. Do not be
afraid to ask!
Another popular option is to embark on a one day
practical course prior to your holiday. All Points West
is a sailing school based in Swansea which runs such a
course - the one day will be spent reverse parking,
tripping fouled anchors, close quarter boat handling and
covering all the other aspects of mooring up you will
encounter in the Ionian. The course costs £295 for a crew
of up to six. They can be found at : www.allpointswest.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is navigation like in the Ionian?
|
|
|
|
|
Very simple! All boats are supplied with a
full set of charts, latest edition Pilot Guide, hand held and binnacle
compass and GPS. Most of our boats also have a plotter. Due to the
close proximity of the islands to each other, and lack of hazards
in the sea, navigation can be done mostly by sight. Water is generally
very deep (due to the steep mountains). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What do I need to pack for my holiday?
|
|
|
|
|
The most important items to pack (in soft bags please!)
are the obvious ones:
Sun cream; sun hat; swimming costumes and a camera!
If you are sailing in peak season, then it will be warm
night and day, but best to bring a sweater and trousers
just in case. Long sleeved shirts are a good idea to
protect you from the sun.
If you are chartering in the tail ends of the season,
bring some sweaters and trousers with you as it can get
cool in the evenings. Also bring a light weight
waterproof as there is a greater chance of rain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What happens if the boat gets damaged?
|
|
|
|
|
If in the unfortunate case that your boat gets
damaged or equipment lost during your charter, all we ask is that
you inform us as soon as possible. The boat insurance covers you
for total loss or damage to the boat with no financial exposure
to you at all..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What happens if the boat breaks down?
|
|
|
|
|
These are complex boats full of electrical items,
plumbing, woodwork, mechanical engines, sails all of which
are put under significant stresses from time to time!
Things may go wrong. Our maintenance programme is
extremely detailed and we work extremely hard to ensure
that we pick up all problems before they become a problem
for you. However, if you do have a problem, contact us as
soon as possible. We will either talk you through over the
radio or telephone how to rectify the situation, or
otherwise come and find you. We have an Atlantic 21 RIB
(ex RNLI) which is pretty quick and can be with you within
a couple of hours if required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are so many charter companies to choose from – how
do I ensure that the company I pick is reputable?
|
|
|
|
|
Pick a company which uses its own boats. Nisos do not use
any other boats. We only trust our own boats. Ask the
company the name of the boat you will be using – sometimes
they have never even seen the boat!
Ask to see feedback from previous customers.
Ask other peoples opinions on message boards.
Talk to the company in detail – are they responsive to
your questions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What books / charts can I buy in advance to plan our
holiday?
|
|
|
|
|
Planning your holiday should be a lot of fun. The
following books and charts can be purchased in the UK and
although they are on the boat, they will enable you to
plan itineraries and routes prior to departure.
The best and most informative books to buy, and ones
which you will use time after time are:
Ionian by Rod Heikel
This covers all places you are likely to encounter on
your holiday and is full of great tips and advice. Note
the acknowledgment to Nisos Yacht Charter Ltd in the
preface to the 5th edition!
Greek Waters Pilot by Rod Heikel
In as much detail as the Ionian, but covering all of the
Greek Islands and mainland. Hard back book – an absolute
must.
Charts G121 – The Inland Sea and
G12 – Lefkas to Zakynthos
 
All of the above can be purchased from Imray. Follow the
link: www.Imray.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
