Sailing Charters from Bodrum

[cristinawheeler]

We are two families (11 people) traveiling, and are looking for a reputable boat charter company. Someone in a forum chat on this site recommended a Turkish company. We would like to sail into the Cycladic islands, stopping and staying in Santorini. We do not have sailing experience, so would need a skippered boat and we will be traveling in July. Is it better to sail from Athens? I hear stories of the Meltemi... Any suggestions/recommendations would be most appreciated! Thanks - cristina

[mihpreda]

We used kiriacoulis.com to rent our boat in Bodrum and we were happy with the service.

They are a Greek company, so they may help you with formalities for crossing from Turkey into Greece.

[yeloya]

Santorini is about 100 nm from Bodrum, 170 from Marmaris and 130 from Athens. Unless you want to visit turkish costs as well, you better look for a charter company located in nearby islands. Regardless the company is greek or Turkish, if you want to visit both of these countries you will need to make entry exit procedures. If you do yr self it can be complicated and time consuming, if you use an agency both side it will cost you app. 300-350 €.
Meltemi is always stronger in the Aegian channel (the middle of Aegiean sea) , where you exactly want to be..It may go up to 35-38 knots but normally is quiter after the sun set and early in the morning.

If you are going to travel all together 11 people + skipper, you would need quite a big monohull (54-55 ft) or a large cat (44-45 ft) which is not always easy to find. If you need more info PM to me, I can help you.

Cheers

Yeloya

[vRUN]

Originally Posted by cristinawheeler

We are two families (11 people) traveiling, and are looking for a reputable boat charter company...

Hi christina,

With 11 people (and no sailors aboard) I'd go for a "gulet". A gulet with a full crew of 3. This will include a cook which means turkish delicacies by an expert - every day .

Marmaris is the place of action (they will deliver the boat from there to Bodrum anyway)
and Dalaman Airport usually turns out to be the cheaper destination.

A gulet with a crew is a safe bet...
never heard of serious trouble in my 10y+ of sailing in that area
(...except you might have to push them to set sail (instead of motoring)<g>)

Meltemi is'nt really the problem for your travel time/area:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...px-Etisiai.jpg

Last not least: While I do understand your wish to go to Santorini, you are going to skip the most beautiful sailing area in the med (to your east) for an island that "is worth a day or 2"

Reinhold

[Breffni]

Ask for Oguz
It's Antalya but you will be happy
info@guletforsale.net
Cheers
Breffni