We sailed the
Greek islands a few years back, Out of Athens, two weeks plus. , Originally we were going to bare
boat.
The thought hit me, I cannot speak Greek, Read Greek, nor have any local knowledge, so we decided to go with with Poisidon Charters, skipper , crew / cook. 60 foot sailing vessel Chrisitana for a two week plus ( skippered charter.). The Sasronic Gulf and Cycladice's. Included a land stay at Santorini for a couple of days.
Good stuff !
We acted as unofficial watch captains, and stood
helm watches, trimmed
sails, hauled up and lowered
sails, helped with
anchoring and
docking stern to, some times three and four boats deep . Nuts.
If we were bare boat chartering, after experiencing all those criss crossed
anchor lines , and walking over several boats with our stern lines, and to go ashore, we would absolutely have a
dinghy, and
anchor out away from all of that. And dink ashore. Most harbors that was possible.
As to the sailing, great winds, making fast knots for speed, covering many miles , well found vessel, no night sailing, great and fun Greek people, excellent fun times ashore, wonderful
history and sites of the birth place of western civilization. We had a flotiila of two additional bare boats with poisidon charters, and both of them had some major problems. That had to do with
navigation and seaman ship, not systems.
We had professional licensed skippers, and one lovely crew/cook, two different skippers of one week each for the two weeks. It was great sailing, partying, eating, hiking, and exploring those marvelous islands. Some of the seven passengers wanted to act as crew, others wanted to kick back and soak up the sunshine.
I am a USCG licensed master, and Erica is an excellent sailor, and I mean sailor. But her certifications were thru sailing clubs and well known world wide bare boat charter companies.
I would imagine we would qualify to bare boat in Greece, but we would certainly thoroughly check out the requirements. We have sailed the
south pacific,
Australia,
Mexico, much of the
Caribbean, and
motor vessel in
ireland up the river Shannon. Never had a problem with qualfication anywhere. But no idea about Greece, others have helped you out on that score.
Regardless of all that, we had a great time , super comfortable private
cabin, and got in a lot of sailing as crew. However, personally, I do not think we will do a
cabin type of sailing trip again. We prefer sailing and charting our own courses, but at times on those two weeks sailing the
Greek Islands , we were pleased that we had professional and local knowledge skipper and crew.
What I do not understand is that the charter company that you have elected to bare boat with, is not totally up front with you as to skipper and possibly crew
certification.
Sounds like you have a great and dedicated crew to me. But, would there be any problems with the authorities, especially if serious situations raise their nasty heads.
If it all comes together, have a grand and wonderful sailing
vacation. You are going to like it.
Absolutely, zero problems ashore. Always a grand and fun time.