Holidays on a sailing boat.

By Giannis Karavas

The last years Kavala has become the departure port for chartering sailing boats, with destinations mostly in the Northern Aegean. Since 2007 is operating Kavala Sailing, trying to organize the chartering of the local boats.

Year after year, the number of those who chose to spend a part of their holidays in a sailing boat is rapidly increasing . Most impressive is the increasing number of the Greeks, who chose this kind of holidays. Αt the same time, in the summer of 2007, there was request for chartering our boats from the neighboring countries, mainly Bulgaria, added to our permanent friends from Germany and  Italy. 

THE COST FOR CHARTERING A SAILING BOAT

 -For chartering a 12 meters sailing boat in a very good condition, with three or four cabins and two W.C., the weekly cost will be approximately 1600- 2000 Euros. This depends of the boat and the period that you choose. The chartering usualy begins on Saturdays at 17.00 and ends next Saturday at 10.00.

-The cost of the fuel will not be more than 200 Euros.

-For reducing the cost of the holidays, using the kitchen and the refrigerator, cooking and eating breakfast and lunch in the boat, the weekly cost will not be more than 150 Euros per person.

-In the case that a skipper is demanded, the cost is around 130 Euros per day.

 Kavala Sailing is offering alternatively the chartering for three days ( Friday- Sunday) or five days (Monday- Friday) with a low cost, or to participate in our Sailing Weekends or Berth Charter Programs, where is paid one berth, the skipper, the fuel, linen, the breakfast and a lunch daily.  

For having successful sailing holidays there are some factors that ensure your pleasure, but at the same time the very important factor of security. Hereby, we give you some useful information, so that you will have your holidays started correct.

*Chose the right crew. In a boat the space limits are really “narrow”. In a 12 meters sailing boat with four cabins, can travel  8 people. But they should agree, not only with the criteria to share the expenses, but mainly to fit with each other. In the case that one, two or more of the crew members argue, the limitation of the 12 meters becomes really stiff.

*Organize your trip. The organization is the A and Ω for a successful trip. It is useful to share dues in the crew. They who are experienced in navigation will take over sailing the boat, others will take care of the provisions, the cleaning of the boat, cooking and organizing the daily activities. It is essential that everybody feels useful.

*Check  well your route. It is very important to plan well the route you are going to follow on the map . Collect all the information possible by using books (like the Greek Waters Pilot), meteo forecasts, even discussing with other seamen.

*Inspect carefully the boat and the motor. It is not an indiscretion to check everything in the boat. It is a necessary procedure. This is the only way to know where are the ropes, the safety material and the tools, everything that you might need in case of emergency. Inspect the condition of the motor, let it operate while the owner is there. Learn how operates the toilet, the gas, the refrigerator, the water supply circuit. Before your departure be assured for the existence of a pharmacy. It is also important that there is a fully equipped kitchen. Ask for linen (blankets, 2 pair of sheets per person, pillows, and shower towels). The boat has to be fully equipped, including in the standards GPS, autopilot and electronic navigation equipment, electric anchor winch, sprayhood, bimini, tender with outboard motor and warm water supply. Check that there are the maps of the area you are traveling to, a Greek Waters Pilot and everything required by the annual inspection of the boat.

*Never allow on board more passengers than she is authorized to carry.

*Insist that you take a tender with you. Without a big trouble a tender is easy to operate and will give you access to the coast. It will also help you with sea activities like fishing or diving. It is not necessary to have any documents to operate it.

*Moore the boat safely. Be assured that you Moore safely, no matter how much time it will take. This is important if you wish to wake up at the same point that you anchored, without causing any damages to neighboring boats.

*Beware of the water consumption. The sailing boats have quite big water tanks, but still you have to be careful. Don’t let the water running, especially when wash up.  

PREMISES AND LEGALITIES FOR CHARTERING A SAILING BOAT IN GREECE

 For chartering a sailing boat it is required that two of the crew members possess a document of competence in sailing, seamanship and navigation. If not, you can hire a professional skipper, which is an extra cost of around 130 euros per day.

The chartering period usually starts and ends on Saturdays, mainly during the high season.  The departure day, as well the number of days and the cost can change after agreement with the owner, for the low season, if you make an early booking. The boat is delivered by the owner usually at 15.00 of the day of departure and is redelivered by the charterer at 10.00 of the last day.

The earlier you make your booking the most possible is to find the boat that you prefer. Before the departure you will be asked to pay a deposit of around 1.000 euros, which will be redelivered after the inspection of the boat. The boat should be redelivered by the charterer with the reservoir full with fuel, as has been delivered by the owner.

In the case that the charterer cancels the chartering, an amount has to be paid, which varies from 30-100%, depending if the time of canceling.

We wish you pleasant Holidays!