Bareboat Charters with Istion
For experienced sailors with the required sailing qualifications, Istion’s yachts and catamarans all come fully equipped for bareboat charters without a skipper or crew.
Our bareboat charter fleet features brand new yachts and catamarans and lovingly maintained older models from some of the most famous shipyards in the world including Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Excess, Dufour, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, Bavaria, Hanse and Nautitech.
All of our bareboats come equipped with any add-ons you may desire and are delivered together with Istion's unmatched customer service. We invite you to read what our customers have to say to get a better idea on why Istion has been one of the #1 rated yacht charter firms in Greece for over 30 years!
The Practicals of Bareboat Charters in Greece
If you are looking to rent a bareboat in Greece then either you or one of your group is an experienced sailor holding a valid sailing license. In Greece, authorities require a minimum of one captain with a sailing license/certification and one experienced crew member as co-skipper for bareboat charters.
As a rule, ASA & RYA Certifications are recognised but Day Skipper certificates may sometimes be rejected by Port Authorities. To be on the safe side, if this is your first time chartering in Greece, please contact us so we can evaluate your license and answer any questions you may have.
Our bareboat fleet includes brand new models of popular sailing yachts and catamarans available from any of our 12 charter bases throughout Greece.
Our Charter Bases in Greece
We offer bareboat charters from all of our eleven charter bases in Greece. Specific models available at each base vary, but you will find a suitable yacht or catamran no matter where you are planning on sailing from.
Which base is best for you usually depends on the flights available from the country you are coming from and which area of Greece you will be arriving to.
For those flying into Athens, we have our main fleet in Alimos Marina and a second base in Lavrion which is just half an hour from the airport. Alimos is a gateway to the Argo Saronic islands and the Peloponnese mainland ports while both are good options for visiting the Cyclades.
For those looking at charter flights to the western Ionion islands we have bases in Corfu, Lefkas and Preveza.
Visitors to looking to explore the Dodecanese can find us at our very first charter base opened in 1992 on the island of Kos, and our more recent addition on the island of Rhodes.
Last but not least for those of you looking to fly into Skiathos and explore the Sporades we have a main base in Skiathos Port and also in the nearby mainland city of Volos which is often convenient for our guests travelling to Greece by road.
Bareboat Charters - Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our sailing yachts and catamarans may be rented as "bareboats", in other words they are offered for private charters with no skipper or crew. To hire a bareboat you and/or someone in your party need the appropriate qualifications and are responsible for the navigation and handling of the yacht. Most bareboat yachts can accommodate up to 10 or 12 persons. The "per person" cost of a bareboat charter is usually at or below the cost of a resort vacation, without the crowds!
The Greek Authorities require a minimum of one sailing license/certification and one experienced crew member as co-skipper for bareboat charters. Typically, ASA & RYA Certifications are recognised but Day Skipper certificates (and/or those facing nautical miles’ restrictions) may sometimes be rejected by Port Authorities. To be on the safe side, please contact us so we can evaluate your license and let you know if you’re good to go!
Please note that you will be required to have your original sailing license at the charter base upon embarkation for checks performed on the spot by the Port Authorities. You should also have a copy of your license for Istion records and to ensure there are no problems if license is somehow misplaced during your holiday!
Always navigate with proper seamanship and caution. GPS plotters are provided on all yachts as aids; electronic data is for general guidance only and does not replace official nautical charts and the Waters Pilot to which Skippers should always rely on.
Visual navigation, sound seamanship and reference to the official nautical charts must always accompany any electronic aids.
That depends on you! Istion's experts are always happy to recommend the best choice for your needs. Your sailing holiday can be tailored to fit your party and your preferences. Usually, details such as how many people are you are sailing with and if there are couples traveling together or single guests who require private cabins will determine the type and size of boat we recommend. Each yacht is registered for a maximum number of people on board. We have a wide selection of yachts suitable for smaller and larger groups, simply contact us for our recommendations based on how many people will be in your party!
Please note that regardless of the yacht’s size, the number of passengers allowed must not exceed 12. A pleasure craft in Greece that carries more than 12 people is considered a ‘passenger ship’ and must comply with different safety regulations which are not compatible with bareboat charters.
Our bareboat charters are usually offered Saturday to Saturday. Depending on the yacht’s booking plan however, there may be a chance we could accommodate other embarking/disembarking dates, so feel free to ask!
Our bareboat charters start on Saturday at 17:00. In some cases a fast track process is available for an additional fee. If it is available, fast tracking allows you to check in at 14:00. If you wish to start your charter earlier than 17:00 please notify us so we can advise on availability.
Charters end on Saturday at 09:00 (disembarkation from the boat). You will need to be back at your designated finishing base by Friday at 18:00.
The price includes the use of the yacht and its equipment (as per each yacht's inventory list), marine insurance, all taxes & currently applicable VAT. The price does not include any running expenses necessary for operating the yacht (i.e. fuel, fresh water consumption, travel insurance, trip cancellation or curtailment insurance, food and drinks, port fees if any, etc.) nor any of your personal expenses.
All of our charter bases throughout Greece are located at main marinas or ports that have nearby shops where you can find everything you need. Upon your arrival, our base staff will advise you on the nearest supermarket for provisioning in the local area. Alternatively you may ask us for our provisioning list in which you can specify the supplies and quantities you require and we can arrange for delivery to your yacht so you are ready to set sail as soon as possible!
The key for sailing charters is simplicity and a minimum of unneeded extras. Casual and breezy beach attire is certainly the order of the day on deck, though for evenings ashore, slacks or a sundress are more appropriate. Rubber soled shoes as opposed to hard soles are recommended aboard our yachts, so bring boat shoes or tennis shoes. For cool or windy evenings, a windbreaker comes in handy and depending on the time of year you are sailing a long sleeved shirt or two just in case you feel chilly is a good idea.
Above all, protection from the sun is vital – lots of suntan lotion, wide-brimmed hats or sailing caps, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. Don't forget to pack it all in soft-shell baggage for easy onboard storage.
During check-in, you will meet our base team who will conduct the yacht familiarisation briefing and join you in thoroughly inspecting the yacht so as to have an overview on all the yacht's systems and safety equipment on board. Our base team will also go over any details of your planned route with you and advise you on expected weather conditions during your charter.
Check-out is similar in the sense that here too our base staff will inspect the yacht and you will sign the handover papers. This is also a good time for you to share your feedback and any comments you may have regarding the yacht & your overall sailing experience.
For any technical issue on board, you may call our Base Manager (contact details provided in our Base Information file) and he will immediately advise you. Furthermore, our technical team operates on a 24/7 basis in order to provide our clients with quick & professional assistance whenever and wherever needed.
Kindly be advised that all our yachts are comprehensively insured against damage to the hull, machinery and/or equipment including third party cover, beyond a deductible excess figure, which is boat’s security deposit.
The security deposit is a refundable deposit used to cover the insurance deductible of any ONE insurable event (damage or loss). This means that should an incident occur, in order to be covered against a 2nd incident, the charterer must replenish the security deposit to the initial amount.
The value of the security deposit varies depending on the size of the yacht or catamaran you are renting. If no insurable event occurs during your sailing holiday, the deposit is returned.
The security deposit covers damage per insurable event that will be covered by the amount of the refundable figure (i.e. EUR 3000 for a Lagoon 42) even if the cost for the damage is higher.
The only possibility of exceeding the refundable figure is with the loss or damage of the auxiliary equipment of the vessel, such as damage or loss of the outboard motor or dinghy. For such, you (the client) would need to cover the cost of the reparation and/or replacement of the auxiliary equipment in full.
For skippered charters, If the damage is caused by the skipper, then the skipper is responsible, on the other hand you (the customer) are responsible for your actions and any damage caused by your actions onboard.
Yes! When chartering with Istion Yachting we offer the option to reduce the boat’s security deposit by choosing the security reduction which consists of two figures (amounts depend on yacht’s size as per our Bareboat Price List).
SECURITY REDUCTION (NON-REFUNDABLE & REFUNDABLE FIGURES)
Security Deposit reduction:
• Yachts up to 44 ft: €300/week plus refundable security deposit €500
• Yachts from 45 ft and up to 50 ft: €350 / week plus refundable security deposit €600
• Yachts from 51 ft up to 54 ft: €400/week plus refundable deposit €700
• Yachts from 55 ft: €500/week plus refundable deposit €1.000
• All catamarans up to 41 ft: €400/week plus refundable deposit €700
• All catamarans from 42 ft & up to 45 ft: €500/week plus refundable deposit €800
• All catamarans from 46 ft: €600/week plus refundable deposit €1.000
The security deposit reduction is mandatory in case of a skippered charter. For all skippered charters: €350 plus refundable security deposit €700. Not available for regattas & races.
For any technical issue on board, you may call our Base Manager (contact details provided in our Base Information file available during check-in) and he will immediately advise you. Furthermore, our technical team operates on a 24/7 basis in order to provide our clients with quick & professional assistance when needed.
