Question.......
A comment that we know our sailors get all the
time— "Wait a bit. . . you're going to spend 2
weeks on a boat with a bunch of people who you
don't know real well ?? "
A:
A good point! But—the actual fact is that 95% of the
time, everyone on board gets on just great, and ends up
good friends. How ??
1)
A very effective self-selection process! By definition,
anyone who would choose an adventure vacation like this
generally is an independent, flexible type, with a
sociable nature which enjoys the company of others at
close quarters.
2)—and
just to be QUITE sure, we go on . . . and on. . . at
great length. . . to make sure that everyone who books
with us totally understands what life on a sailboat is
all about!
We
DO tell anyone who we don't think is really suited that
they should reconsider. We're not doing anyone any
favors by not being totally honest about this.
Q: So who does
come on Chandler Yacht Charter Sailing trips?
A:
A wide age-range, from 18-73; though many tend to fall
into the 30-to-late 40s bracket. Some very
experienced sailors, ..........Some who'd literally
never set foot on a sailboat before..........Some folks
come with a friend/partner; ..............Some travel
solo..........Some people have travelled/worked all over
the world........Some had to get their very first
passport issued to join us!
Q: Is there an age
limit?
A:
A number of people have emailed us asking what the age
limit is. There IS no age limit—our Mrs Chandler
(senior is 75+ and regularly sails with us) and she'd
never sailed before!.
However—one
important point that we DO need to make ( and of course,
this doesn't apply just to age)—is that a sailboat
does need a certain amount of physical mobility. You
need to be comfortable climbing over one boat to another
to get to dock at times; in and out of inflatable
dinghies; across a narrow gangplank from boat to shore,
and so forth.
Q:
I think I'll like sailing—but I've never
sailed/actually lived on board a yacht before, so I'm not
totally sure ?
A:
One of our former clients came up with a perfect
description for sailing a few years ago; he said it's
"Like camping on the water". OK, so a 50' yacht
is pretty luxurious camping . . .—but if
this is the sort of back-to-nature experience that you
enjoy—you'll love sailing. If your ideal vacation is
being being served cocktails on deck and being pampered in
some floating Hilton—then you are on the wrong boat.
Q: I'm definitely
an adventurous sort, love the concept so far—but I'm
concerned about getting seasick ?
A:
If you've gotten seasick being out on a boat for an
afternoon—don't worry that this means you'll never make
it as a sailor! It takes most of us (yes, including us
skippers!) a day or so for the inner ear to adapt to the
different motion. The vast majority of people are fine
after that.
If
you are the type who gets motion sickness on everything:
cars, planes, boats. . . bathtub. . . this is the time to
wonder if a sailing vacation is for you. If you still
really want to give it a go—consider coming early or
late season, or to Turkey, where the winds/seas are lower.
Q: So how much
sailing experience do I need?
A:
Lots of people turn up on our boats never having sailed in
their lives before. If you want to learn about sailing, we
are delighted to teach you! However—there's no
obligation to pull on ropes if you don't want to; if you'd
rather just hang out on deck and soak up the sun—that's
fine too!
As
for you experienced sailors out there who are thinking of
sailing with us—don't think that having a professional
skipper on board means that you won't get to do much of
the sailing. You are more than welcome to come and take as
active a part as you like…we skippers will be quite
happy to sit back and take a break for a change!
Q:
What is the usual group composition?
We
offer two distinct options:
1)
Join a Cabin charter, in which we'll match you up with
other singles/couples
Our Mixed Cabin groups tend to vary a lot in their
composition. Some will be primarily couples; some will be
more orientated to single travellers. Some will be
high energy, get-out-there-and-do-it trips; some will be
more laid-back, relaxing, recovering from a
hi-stress lifestyle back home. This is why we ask you to
give us some personal info on yourself; to help us make
suggestions to you on which groups you'd most likely have
most fun with.
2)
Group and Family Charters still use the same
easy-going "adventure sailing" formula.
If you can get your own group of friends together, you
have the yacht for your exclusive use. This means
that you can (within logistical reason!) set your own
itinerary, your own schedule. The group rates do
offer a significant saving on the individual rate, as of
course, you are doing some of the admin work for us,
putting the group together !
Q. How many people
in a group?
A:
The maximum number of people is 8 or 4 couples, per yacht
Q: You mention
'singles' groups: Do you run trips that are specifically
designed for 'singles'?
A:
Well, we're not in the "Dating Yacht" business!!
We don't run "singles" groups with any
match-making intentions; but on the other hand, we do
recognize that being a single around a bunch of couples
can be "socially challenging"! Traveling
with other singles, you don't feel "left-out" in
a world that's often primarily couples-orientated. In
general, our 'singles' groups tend to be fairly high
energy, get-up-and-go sort of trips; the group dynamics
are usually strong (and very fun!); people tend to get to
know each other real well, real fast.
Q:
What are the boats like?
A:
We currently have 4 yachts in our Yacht Charter program.
They are all in the 50' range
They
are all about the same age; built in '91 in Athens. They
are designed specifically with Mediterranean sailing
conditions in mind; they're airy, spacious,
built-for-comfort yachts. They each
have 3/4 double cabins, plus crew cabin(s); the f'ard ones
covert to either bunk beds or double beds. Each cabin has
an en suite head (bathroom). There's yet another shower on
the aft swimming platform, so having to wait for a
bathroom is hardly a problem!
Q: What's it like
to live on board?
A:
We're pretty casual about most things, but there's a
few basic rules that keep life on board happy for
everyone.
For
instance, keeping the saloon free of personal
junk,........ not partying on till the wee small hours
when others are trying to sleep,..... not using all the
precious water to wash your Laundry when we're days
away from the next water supply.
All these sort of issues are covered in the (even more
extensive! ) notes we send out on booking.
Q: What are the
sleeping arrangements / cabin assignments?
A:
Each yacht sleeps up to six guests in four double
cabins. The two aft cabins are double beds, the two f'ard
cabins can be either single bunk beds or convert to double
beds also. First to book, first to choose is our policy on
who gets which cabin!
In
mid season, lots of people opt to sleep on deck too—a great
feeling, completely clear n' starry nights..... no threat
at all of being rained on halfway through the night!
Q:
Is there a single supplement?
A:
In general, we don't have a single supplement - most
people are quite happy to share a cabin. However, for
those who would really prefer a double cabin to
themselves, we can sometimes offer this at 1.5 times the
regular price.
Q: Is there hot
water?
A:
We might be out to downplay the facilities and tell you
it's like "camping on the water"—but in fact,
it's really quite civilized ! In fact, many of our guests
who are experienced sailors tell us they were surprised at
how luxurious the boats are, compared to what they are
used to sailing! So, yes there is indeed plenty of hot
water, in each of the 4 showers/toilets. We also have two
fridges on each boat, a stove w/oven, a great CD
collection, novel library, snorkeling gear and all sorts
of other toys.
Q: What about food
n' drink?
A:
We keep the boats well-stocked with supplies for
breakfasts, lunches, drinks, snacks, fresh fruit, etc ;
and the bar is always open too!
If
there's something in particular you want that's not on
board—just add it to the shopping list. This is all
included in the cost of the trip; and it's all very much
on a help-yourself basis.
Q: So who does the
cooking and keeps the boat in order??
A:
There's not usually a great deal of cooking on
board—most of our dinners are ashore (see below), and an
array of salads / cold plates are usually the preferred
option during the day. Breakfasts are very much
help-yourself-whenever-you-get-up; Greek yoghurt, honey n'
fruit is one very popular choice! Lunches—everyone is
expected to help out sometimes—chopping tomatoes for a
salad, arranging a cheese platter, clearing up afterwards,
etc.
Occasionally,
a group will get inspired to cook on board in the
evening... a quiet anchorage, cocktails and dinner under
the stars is quite wonderful ! Whilst this is not
officially included in the "package price", we
do like to keep things as flexible as possible, and not
spoil any spontaneous fun! On almost all other crewed
yachts, the charge is $35+ per person to eat dinner on
board—not our style!!
Q:
Dinners ashore—do we eat out every night?
What
should I budget for this?
A:
Most nights you eat out—in Greece,
the
taverna is an essential part of the whole experience; it
is the social hub of the community, the rendezvous central
for all gossip and socialising. Unlike the
more usual western experience of the "move 'em in,
move 'em out" mentality, once you occupy a table,
it's yours for the evening, and into the wee small hours
too, if you so desire!
In
fact, the problem is not having the check slapped on the
table before you've even put down your fork; it's getting
the waiter to come over and take your money! It's a
totally laid-back atmosphere; bills are often tallied up
on (paper) tablecloths, the drinks bill is figured out
according to how many bottles are on the table!
As
far as budget goes. the average cost for dinner is around
$20-30 USD. a person. That's usually a real feast of
appetizers we often share around, and main course too.
This includes some beer/wine—although if you go for some
of their more expensive imported wines, you'll have a
bigger bill. If you're a light eater, or don't
drink, your bill will most likely come out well under $20
USD.
Q: What other
costs should I expect?
A:
Very few! That's our whole philosophy of "once you're
on board, it's all covered!" The only other spending
money you'll need is if you decide to go rent scooters on
some of the bigger islands; they cost around $15-20 per
day. Jeeps are around $80/day—fit 4 people in, and $20
per person is quite the bargain.
Of
course, if you decide to go hit the town and get into
expensive cocktails, this will clock up a few extra $$s.
Though all things are relative: you probably couldn't
spend as much on a night on the town in Greece as you
could at home, no matter how hard you tried—so may as
well make the most of it!
Q: Do I need a
visa?
A:
Most nationalities do not require a visa for Greece.
Q:
When is the best time to go?
Depends
on many factors: how hot/or not you like it,...... how
much wind you're looking for, .......lively night life,
.....quieter times, etc. Here's a summary of the most
important factors:
HOT
or not?
If you like it hot—go for late
June to early Sept! August is the hottest month—though
happily, it never gets really too hot on the water;
there's almost always a cooling breeze, and the humidity
is very low. But if living from morning till night in no
more than a swimsuit is your idea of heaven, you'll like
it mid-season!
If
you're not a heat fan at all—late April till mid June or
mid Sept till end Oct would be a good time for you. The
less you like the heat, the further towards beginning or
end of season you should go! In April/early May and
mid-Oct onwards, you'll be wearing long pants and probably
sweatshirt in the evenings; daytimes are still definitely
shorts n' t-shirts weather though.
Winds
Wind strength follows temperature,
roughly speaking. So in April / early May, the winds are
light; 15 knots or so, some days of flat calm, the
occasional one or two of 20-25knots. Same in Oct. (Sept
can still have some stronger winds). The winds gradually
pick up towards end of May, then in June, the summer winds
are well established. July/Aug is traditionally meltemi
time—the summer winds of 30knots or so! It's not always
been the case for the past 5yrs or so. . . but, if you're
hoping for real exciting sailing, this time of year gives
you the best odds.
When
it does blow, it tends to do so for 3-5 days at a time,
then we'll get a relative calm for a couple of days; then
it will come back again… This is only a very rough
pattern; as with all things Greek, nothing ever happens on
schedule! The one thing that is predictable in mid-summer,
the wind will come almost always from the NW. And the
other cool thing about Med sailing is that there are no
tides to speak of; so we never have to worry about having
to leave at a certain time to catch the tide, etc. After
all, having to do anything to a timetable just wouldn't be
Greek…
So—in
summary—if you don't want any big winds—come early or
late.
If
you're an experienced sailor and looking for some exciting
sailing—or a landlubber who loves the idea too!—come
on out in the middle of the season.
Night
life and other such action
If going out on the town and having some fun nightlife is
important to you—come out in June—Sept in Greece; May
& Oct are very quiet.
Q:
Why Greece and the Islands ?
There
will still always be something magical about the Greek
isles. Their ambiance is unique; there's nowhere in the
world quite like it. So this has to be the major plus
point for Greece—it's "Greek"! The Greeks
are a strange combination of "so laid-back they're
almost horizontal" and yet conversely, they are
full of life and energy, volatile, passionate, ready to
laugh and dance the night away at the drop of a hat.
Living life for the moment is a way of life in these
little islands (what we call the "real"
Greece, as opposed to "touristville
Greece"—the bigger places & Athens are quite
different!).
If
you're a super-keen sailor, and getting some great
sailing time in is one of your primary
objections—Greece is the better pick. The winds tend
to be stronger, the sailing is more challenging.
Traditionally, the windiest times are late
July/Aug—this is when the meltemi is meant to be at
it's peak. These weather patterns have not been terribly
reliable these last 5/6 years; but in general, if the
sailing side is real important to you, go for Greece.
The
islands. . .there's just something about sailing from
island to island that is unique; it feels like
encountering new shores every time. Each of the islands
is so different; each has it's own character ( and local
"characters"!) ; it's own idiosyncrasies and
ambiance. From the upmarket atmosphere of Poros; the
bars n' discos n' restaurants; its greenery, the jeeps,
to the opposite extreme of tiny fishing villages with
nothing more than a taverna, a church (both essential to
any Greek community of more than 6 people!), a scattered
collection of little houses and several dozen goats.
History.
. .though out Greece there are ancient ruins on most all
islands from the Fortresses in Navplion, the monasteries
around Erimoni, the castles of Monevasia to the Castle
of St John in Patmos and Leros that has a
wonderful 11th century fortress, with the most incredible
view of both sunset and sunrise!
Q: OK, I'm
sold—I wanna go!! How do I get there?
A:
First of all, of course, you need to get to Athens!
If
you already have frequent flyer miles, or a regular
travel agent—great! If you'd like advice/suggestions
from us, we are more than happy to help out. Whilst we
at Chandler Charters aren't in the airline ticket
business, we do have a few good contacts
that can help with tickets.
Q: Anything else I
need to know?
A:
That covers most of the initial questions that people
ask—if you have others, please do give us a call or
send email! We're always happy to chat . . .
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