Sailing In Greece
Yacht charters


Frequently asked questions:

What qualifications do I need to charter a bareboat sailing yacht? To charter a sailing yacht in Greece it
is necessary for two crew members (skipper and co-skipper) to have sailing certificates proving their
competence. In any case, at least one certificate/license should be available. This certificate can be of any
kind issued by a yachting authority such as sailing club, sailing school, yachting/sailing association,
established charter companies, etc. A simple self-declaration form can replace the license of the co-
skipper, where the co-skipper declares he has sailing experience. You may also be required to submit a
sailing resum that will enable us to assess your ability to sail in safety. S.I.G. Tours Sailing In Greece
reserves the right to insist that you hire a professional skipper if your sailing skills are not judged sufficient,
and sailing will always be at the discretion of the captain.
Should I hire a professional skipper? S.I.G Tours is in a position to select, recommend and hire a
professional skipper on your behalf for as many days as you wish. Even if you are an experienced sailor,
you may still require the services of a professional skipper to make your cruise more relaxing and benefit
from the skippers' local knowledge. There is a set daily fee for the professional skipper, regardless of the
number of people on board. Please remember that the professional skipper needs to be provided with his
own cabin, as he is obliged to sleep on board.
Are sailing holidays suitable for children? Absolutely! Our holidays attract many families with children
from infants to young adults. If you have a very young family, our crew will rig your yacht with safety netting,
which is fitted on the guard rails. We can also supply children's harnesses and life jackets but feel free to
bring your own if you wish. Don't forget that life jackets fitted with gas canisters are not permitted on any
aircraft.
Which days of the week can I begin and end my charter? Weekly charters usually begin and end on
Saturdays for multiples of seven days.
What is the charters' schedule? All charters begin at 17:00 on the day of departure from port, and typically
end at 09:00 on the last day. However, you will be required to return to base on the last evening of your
charter since this time is necessary between charters to ensure that yachts are always delivered to the next
charter in perfect working order.
Are there any additional charges? The following additional charges may apply: Deposit, refundable
security deposit, fuel (The yacht should be delivered topped up with fuel), port or marina fees (a daily-base
fee, which applies to almost all ports in Greece with varied costs between €0,70 and €20,-  per yacht) and
any additional services that you might have specifically requested.
Should I have travel insurance?  For your own interest, you are strongly advised to buy suitable travel
insurance before leaving your home country, including cancellation insurance to protect your booking
deposit.
What should I bring with me? Every yacht of S.I.G. Tours is fully equipped for charters. You should bring
your own beach towels, sun tan lotion, sun hat and so on, but that's about it!
Do you provide boat briefings? The charterer and his or her party will be given a general briefing covering
the local cruising grounds. Questions about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, or any part of
the desired itinerary can be answered. A more specific boat briefing aboard the yacht will then be given,
covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove,
dinghy, outboard and emergency systems.
Which area should I choose according to my experience? Usually, inexperienced sailors choose the
Dodecanese islands (SE Aegean) or the Ionian Sea, as the sea and wind are not as strong as in the
Central Aegean. We can give you any advice on this matter, including giving you a few schedules and
routes and also a list of the best ports and bays according to the travel period you selected.
Do the yachts meet any safety standards?  All yachts’ safety equipment meets and exceeds the safety
standards set by the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine. All yachts pass an annual check up and all safety
equipment (flares, life raft etc) are replaced when the expiry date is due, in order to be allowed to sail.