HELP ME! Complete Beginner - Bareboat in Mediterranean for Honeymoon?

[SAI]

Hello Everyone!

I'm in the middle of planning my honeymoon and would love to do something different than most honeymoons. I've only got my RYA level 1 & 2 certification. I don't even know if i'll need to show proof of my certification to bareboat charter a boat in Greece (although the sailing school tells me I do). Can anyone help me with some useful information on bareboat chartering a boat in the Greek Islands, or knock some sense into me and tell me if this is a horrible idea? (i've never chartered a yacht in my life, let alone bareboat charter)

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome to the forum We have a member who runs a charter company in Greece Here is his link Ram (I hope its ok Ram!), I bet if ya write him he could give you some tips, he is real nice.
Cheers and Congratulation on your marriage!
Erika

[Zednotzee]

I went over to the RYA website (is that the slowest loading page on Earth?), & I think the RYA Level 1 & 2 are equivalent to the CYA Whitesail 1 & 2. Being of limited training & experience myself, I don't think I'd recommend sailing an area like that without a seasoned crewmember to act as mentor.
I'd go with a voyage charter- it's possible you could act as crew to an experienced skipper & reduce your costs a little. I think it would offer some peace of mind as well since you wouldn't have to provision the boat & wouldn't be responsible for maintaining anything.
The big downside is that it would be a little more crowded than you might like for a honeymoon!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by SAI

, or knock some sense into me and tell me if this is a horrible idea?

I think it could be a horrible idea.

I take it you are male? You have got your sailing ticket. Fine. But its your passion.

Does she sail?

What would be the most exciting thing she would desire to do for the week? What would be her dream holiday?

When me and Gazelda get married it will be her dream of a honeymoon.... cos otherwise I know she would make me regret it for the rest of my life..........

Just the thought of it is making my wallet squirm. LOL

[Ram]

Thanks Ocean Girl!

Sai, Greece is a wonderful place to sail, and a great place for a honeymoon, if you have some real experence sailing im sure you will do fine-drop me a PM and I would be happy to talk to you, if you like

[sailorboy1]

I think this is a VERY BAD idea unless you have cruised before. And MORE important that your soon to be wife as cruised with YOU before! Last year checking into boats I was interested in I came across more than 1 boat that had been bought by a newly married couple, cruised a few months, put on the hard, and the couple went their separate ways. In other words it only took a short cruise to break up a new marriage!

On the other hand if you and her have cruised together I think it is a GREAT idea. Send off application etc to the charter companies and they will let you know if your experience etc is good enough for them as it doesn't matter what any of us say. But unless the 2 of you have cruised together I'm not sure it is a good idea even with a crewed boat (not counting one of those 70' yatch thingies)

PS - Mark do you call Nic Gazelda when she can hear you?

[Solitude]

I agree with Mark and Don. This is all about the two of you.... If this is your passion forget it. However to be fair to you too you both need to share what you want to do. Why not go to Greece and do some day sailing or head out on a captained boat over a short period. That way if she hates it its only one part of your honeymoon.

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think it could be a horrible idea.

I take it you are male? You have got your sailing ticket. Fine. But its your passion.

Does she sail?

What would be the most exciting thing she would desire to do for the week? What would be her dream holiday?

When me and Gazelda get married it will be her dream of a honeymoon.... cos otherwise I know she would make me regret it for the rest of my life..........

Just the thought of it is making my wallet squirm. LOL

OH boy are you in for a fun honnymoon..LOL.....NOT!!

[S&S]

Originally Posted by Solitude

I agree with Mark and Don. This is all about the two of you.... If this is your passion forget it. However to be fair to you too you both need to share what you want to do. Why not go to Greece and do some day sailing or head out on a captained boat over a short period. That way if she hates it its only one part of your honeymoon.

Winner for "good advice of the day".