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What Consumers Should Be Aware Of When Chartering in Greece


The Greek charter industry is a multi-million dollar tourism business with yacht bases throughout five seas and over 2000 islands. There are more than 3000 charter yachts in Athens alone. Poseidon Charters has 12 years of experience in Greece. We are aware of unorthodox business practices that have given the Greek yacht charter industry a tainted reputation. We have listened to daunting stories in Greece and at boat shows across the United States and Canada from disappointed consumers with their choice of yachts and charter companies. Regardless of the age or assumed size of a charter company anything can happen once you reach the marina in Greece...

A guarantee from your charter company is required when booking. Knowing the integrity of the company, the experience of the Captain and the exact boat model is imperative. A company should provide numerous, contactable, unbiased references before you sign any contract and deposit large sums of money. References pertaining to the company, boat and Captain are important to follow up. Greece is a paradox. There are many great deals and just as many poor boats, captains and operators. You get what you pay for.

Captain: Ensure that the Captain has a proper Captains license (the title of 'skipper' may be misleading). Insist that your Captain speak English. Many companies are cutting costs by hiring foreign skippers, from developing countries, who work cheaply and may not necessarily be qualified or experienced to sail in Greek waters. It is important to note that many Captains in Greece chain-smoke. Thus, if you wish a smoke free yacht it is important to negotiate this with the operators in advance.

Boat: Your boat must be a renowned manufacturer: Beneteau, Jeanneau, Hunter, Atlantic etc. Boats that have been customized in Greece could be any make or model and any number of decades old. For example, a customized boat calling itself 16 meters (52.8 ft) could be a 1982 42 foot model with an added 5 foot bow sprit and a 5.8 foot added 'sugar scoop' reverse stern. The implications are that you charter an old, smaller boat in a new, larger skin. Charter boats, unless meticulously well maintained, have a short lifespan and everything from the depth sounder to the marine heads may not be working or simply run-down. Age and maintenance are critical. The equipment must be new or in good working order and it must meet the safety standards required by the Greek Department of Merchant Marines. Price is reflected in the age, condition and equipment of the boat. For example, a Beneteau 50 2002 model rents for USD$6380 per week in high season. Conversely, a customized 16-meter boat may charter for half the Beneteau price. A certain standard of cleanliness must also apply. Many boats in Athens are left derelict for long periods of time and are never cleaned properly. In our opinion, when traveling all the way to Greece, do not risk 2 weeks on an old, run down boat in order to save a few hundred dollars per person. Ultimately, you get what you pay for.

Operator: There are no standards in Greece for pricing. Unfortunately, operators and boat owners are always ready to undercut each other. Knowledgeable owners and larger charter companies have tried for years to set certain standards and categories in yacht pricing. They have been unsuccessful. When pricing is cut everything else is affected including services. When guests pay less, a number of services can suffer:

  • You are not greeted when you arrive at the marina (the company you reserve with in the US over the telephone or the internet may not exist in Greece and may be dealing with a second or third party).
  • You receive a short boat 'check in' and itinerary briefing from the representative who may speak limited English and posses a laisser faire attitude.
  • You receive a poorly maintained boat with a dubious engine, electrical system, plumbing and bilges all of which can compromise safety.
  • You receive a boat that is unclean (western cleanliness and hygiene standards can be limited or are overlooked by operators to save money).

Unfortunately, we have heard of unpleasant scenarios in Greece. The most common is 'The Switch'. This is the typical situation where you pay for one boat and when you get to the departure point you are informed that something happened to that particular boat (technical problems or bad weather prevented the boat from returning to Athens). However, you receive an older but larger boat for the same price! The representatives will say that the boat is bigger so it is better and will make you feel that you are getting a better deal. They may even offer a small refund if you complain. You have no choice. You have come all the way to Greece to sail so you are forced to accept the older boat. In many cases, the boat is a no name model (not Beneteau or Jeanneau). The fact is that the operator never had a 2003 Beneteau to start off with or someone paying more than your contract came along after you signed up and bumped you off the boat.

Another common complaint from charterers is that they are completely overcharged for the diesel and provisioning. Charterers feel that they are getting a great deal on an older model boat only to find that they are charged USD$900 for the provisioning and $500 for the fuel upon their return. Ultimately they have paid more than a brand new boat! The charter company will not refund the security deposit until the fuel or provisioning bill is paid. To avoid a nasty debate on the dock we advise that you provision yourself at the huge 'Champion Marionopolis' Supermarket across from the marina in Athens (they deliver for free to the gang plank) and you fill the fuel yourself from one of the many diesel trucks that drive the marina piers (check that the counter on the truck is at 00.00 before you start to fill) . More importantly, we suggest that you charter a new model yacht. As a foreigner, you have no recourse, as the company you dealt in the US may not be the company that is listed on the contract. Again, you get what you pay for.

We suggest that you get credible references before signing any contract and you make sure to ask at least these four questions to the operator:

  1. Who are you dealing with in your country and in Greece?
  2. What is the make, model, year of construction and equipment aboard the boat?
  3. Who is the captain and what is his/her qualifications and number of years sailing in Greek waters? Do they smoke?
  4. What is your guarantee if there is a breakdown while on charter and if there is a big problem what is the refund policy?

Itinerary: Greece has important archaeological sites, wondrous geological formations, diverse beaches, delectable restaurants and unique shopping. You need to plan your itinerary well and make sure that no obstacles stand in the way of following the course that you have planned. Everything from exaggerated weather forecasts to limited knowledge of the bus schedules on certain islands may affect your experience. It is advisable to ensure that your Captain/skipper/guide has a thorough knowledge and enthusiasm of Greece.

Finally, keep an eye on sailing 'Chat rooms' where happy and unhappy charterers exchange their experiences. Topic: 'Sailing in Greece'
Related Internet Link:
http://members.sailnet.com/messageboard/readmessage.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6094
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