Greece as a place to buy a boat and get experience?

[philaw]

I may want to borrow that friend at some point. You'll have an incredible trip.

Originally Posted by David1033

Thanks for that. Unfortunately (for me ), I have to agree with you. Fortunately (for me, and my wife) I'm not foolhardy enough to think I can just go it alone .

Adriatic to Portugal I reckon will take about six - eight weeks, taking it reasonably easy, revisiting one or two places from the past, I think.

Luckily, a friend of ours has his Ocean master's papers. He's crossed the Atlantic a couple of times, sailed the Caribbean for about ten years or so, and now lives in the UK. I think I can persuade him to come with us.

[David1033]

Originally Posted by philaw

I may want to borrow that friend at some point. You'll have an incredible trip.

He may well be amenable. I could ask if he fancies a cruise in the islands, after our Med. trip, LOL.

[AndyMedsail]

Hi, I bought a boat in Greece in 2005, been sailing with the family here ever since, we used to sail down to the Isles of Scilly on a 26 footer when the kids were young. The Ionian is where I have experience, it's amazing sailing here. You can see if it's for you by chartering a boat first. I keep the boat near Preveza and this is the entrance to an inland sea that's stunning and very close to the airport.. We normally go into the inland sea for a few days before hauling out.
I have a 1984 Brce roberts 43, she's long keel with plenty of water tanks, fuel appcity and a strong Perkins 4236 engine,.she's up for sale, I've had a series of health issues and my cruising days are done.
Have a look at the Ionian, it's spectacular. You need to have your RYA cerificate of competence here.

[philaw]

Thanks! If you had to pick a location around Greece there for someone to buy a boat, settle down for a few weeks and learn to sail, where would you choose? Could you name one or two places that I could note down? The ideal scenario would be a free town quay or sheltered anchorage, fairly reliable moderate winds, scenery/snorkelling, access to provisions not at tourist prices: especially feta, olives, sundried tomatoes, and fresh bread.

In this plan I would be on a sabbatical eg. unemployed, so the cheaper it is, the more relaxed I am about burning my savings, and the longer I can stay out.

Originally Posted by AndyMedsail

Hi, I bought a boat in Greece in 2005, been sailing with the family here ever since, we used to sail down to the Isles of Scilly on a 26 footer when the kids were young. The Ionian is where I have experience, it's amazing sailing here. You can see if it's for you by chartering a boat first. I keep the boat near Preveza and this is the entrance to an inland sea that's stunning and very close to the airport.. We normally go into the inland sea for a few days before hauling out.
I have a 1984 Brce roberts 43, she's long keel with plenty of water tanks, fuel appcity and a strong Perkins 4236 engine,.she's up for sale, I've had a series of health issues and my cruising days are done.
Have a look at the Ionian, it's spectacular. You need to have your RYA cerificate of competence here.

[kas_1611]

Phil,

Brexit won't make it any more difficult in the EU even if we crash out without a deal but there will be extra things to consider. The 90 day rule for Non Schengen Non EU citizens being a major one. That said Greece have implied that longer term visas would be "simpler to obtain" with an inference that sailors with boats in Greece would be able to get 180 day or possibly even longer visa, note these would not be full Schengen Visas or work permit visas, however this is not an official policy.

As far as I understand you don't need any qualifications to sail your own boat in Greece but consider this small fact. You need to pass a theory and a practical test to drive a car on the road, to prove you understand the rules of the road and are competent to handle the vehicle. While the UK doesn't require any certification to sail a boat (which I personally find astonishing) a knowledge of the Collision Regulations and proof that you understand how to handle a vessel would be valuable and possibly essential in the event of a collision. Ignorance of the rules is no defence and the Greeks can be very harsh if they find you negligent. Day Skipper could prevent a negligence result.

To charter most companies will insist on Certificate of Competence to bareback skipper, which the Day Skipper allows you to get from RYA. Day Skipper is NOT the same as the CoC but entitles you to obtain said certificate. Actually Day Skipper is higher than the CoC but try proving that to an official, easier and safer to have the papers with the name they are looking for.

And you will need a Short Range Certificate and a Ships Radio Licence to use a VHF radio even if it is just a handheld VHF without DSC.

If you do decide to come over to Greece, and I hope you will as it is a great country to sail round, I'd recommend joining the Cruising Association. A great network of people and resources plus many discounts for membership. It's also easy to spot members as we all fly the CA burgee somewhere on the boat. Makes for a great ice breaker in harbour.

Keiron

[philaw]

Thanks for the advice. I like things as simple and easy as possible, and getting the RYA qualifications and ICC actually fits into that. I'm a thirty-eight year old early years teacher, so the prospect of being involved in an uninsured accident because I didn't learn the colregs is not my idea of relaxing. Likewise, not getting VHF certified and being unable to use it even to connect with other cruisers; where's the fun in that? I want to do things as quickly and easily as possible without taking daft shortcuts. The courses can be done in a month and then I can buy a boat. That's easy enough.

You're probably right that visa's aren't likely to be a problem. If they are I'll just start off sailing around the British coastline.

The Cruising Association is a great tip. I'll want to be around other cruisers so I can learn and socialise.

Originally Posted by kas_1611

Phil,

Brexit won't make it any more difficult in the EU even if we crash out without a deal but there will be extra things to consider. The 90 day rule for Non Schengen Non EU citizens being a major one. That said Greece have implied that longer term visas would be "simpler to obtain" with an inference that sailors with boats in Greece would be able to get 180 day or possibly even longer visa, note these would not be full Schengen Visas or work permit visas, however this is not an official policy.

As far as I understand you don't need any qualifications to sail your own boat in Greece but consider this small fact. You need to pass a theory and a practical test to drive a car on the road, to prove you understand the rules of the road and are competent to handle the vehicle. While the UK doesn't require any certification to sail a boat (which I personally find astonishing) a knowledge of the Collision Regulations and proof that you understand how to handle a vessel would be valuable and possibly essential in the event of a collision. Ignorance of the rules is no defence and the Greeks can be very harsh if they find you negligent. Day Skipper could prevent a negligence result.

To charter most companies will insist on Certificate of Competence to bareback skipper, which the Day Skipper allows you to get from RYA. Day Skipper is NOT the same as the CoC but entitles you to obtain said certificate. Actually Day Skipper is higher than the CoC but try proving that to an official, easier and safer to have the papers with the name they are looking for.

And you will need a Short Range Certificate and a Ships Radio Licence to use a VHF radio even if it is just a handheld VHF without DSC.

If you do decide to come over to Greece, and I hope you will as it is a great country to sail round, I'd recommend joining the Cruising Association. A great network of people and resources plus many discounts for membership. It's also easy to spot members as we all fly the CA burgee somewhere on the boat. Makes for a great ice breaker in harbour.

Keiron

[marcus02]

There is virtually no where cheaper to buy a boat than the US, particularly Florida. And no where easier to learn to sail than the Bahamas. It's just not that complicated. Take it slow, have fun.

[philaw]

It seems like once the time and money are sorted there are endless opportunities. It might be tricky to work on a boat in Florida after arriving there for the first time on a tourist visa, but if one were ready to go at a good price it's a great option.

Originally Posted by marcus02

There is virtually no where cheaper to buy a boat than the US, particularly Florida. And no where easier to learn to sail than the Bahamas. It's just not that complicated. Take it slow, have fun.

[Jenneau Owner]

I have read this thread with interest.
I am a retired Yachtmaster Instructor and examiner.
I also have a boat in Greece and sail there for several months a year.

My advice would be to do the RYA Day Skipper shorebased course. This can be done on line or ( in my opinion) preferably at a recognised school. I believe there is one in Hull.

I would then do the 5 day practical Day Skipper course. Somewhere like the Solent gives excellent experience.

A common myth is that Greek sailing is easy. The winds and seas can be quite vicious and the skills required in mooring and anchoring can only be learnt by experience. The Ionian is possibly easier than the far windyer Agean, but it can be very crowded and full of boats with very inexperienced charterers. It can be a nightmare at times.

With your DS qualifications you should have no problems getting crew sails through various organisations such as Crew Seekers(if they still egsist).

Sailing with experienced people on a variety of boats will teach you a lot and then you can also decide if this is what you really want to do.

[philaw]

It's always good to hear from people with first hand experience. The plan in my case is very much fluid, but this advice sounds like it would work for most beginners. Taking a sabbatical to go sailing could probably be magnitudes cheaper and more educational if spent crewing.

Originally Posted by Jenneau Owner

I have read this thread with interest.
I am a retired Yachtmaster Instructor and examiner.
I also have a boat in Greece and sail there for several months a year.

My advice would be to do the RYA Day Skipper shorebased course. This can be done on line or ( in my opinion) preferably at a recognised school. I believe there is one in Hull.

I would then do the 5 day practical Day Skipper course. Somewhere like the Solent gives excellent experience.

A common myth is that Greek sailing is easy. The winds and seas can be quite vicious and the skills required in mooring and anchoring can only be learnt by experience. The Ionian is possibly easier than the far windyer Agean, but it can be very crowded and full of boats with very inexperienced charterers. It can be a nightmare at times.

With your DS qualifications you should have no problems getting crew sails through various organisations such as Crew Seekers(if they still egsist).

Sailing with experienced people on a variety of boats will teach you a lot and then you can also decide if this is what you really want to do.

[Sjpc99]

And how have you gotten on?