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USEFUL
TIPS WHEN CHARTERING A SAILING YACHT
Just
a few ideas and some advice as to what you will need to
bring to have a comfortable stay on a charter yacht in
the Greek islands.
Luggage
Yachts have
a limited space for storing large bulk items such as hard
sided suitcases. So please pack your vacation items in
a soft sided suitcase, it should also be collapsible.
Packing
Remember
that storage space in your cabin is limited. In most cases
you have a hanging locker and shelf space. In some cabins
there are draws as well as lockers. Dress codes in the
islands are very casual. Men, shorts and polo shirts are
the preferred evening dress, Ladies light summer dresses
or similar to the men.
During the
day you will be mostly in swimming or light cool clothes,
that can be rinsed out as you take a deck shower, so multiple
out fits are not really required.
Electricity
Our yachts
all run their main systems on 12 volt dc current. They
also have 220 volt auxiliary systems that work off a Generator
or hard wired from a dock facility. Hairdryers and other
regular 220 volt items can be run on the yacht when it
is not sailing and at anchor or in port only.
Laundry
Doing laundry
on the yacht is not really possible as we have a limited
supply of water, and no real area one can dry clothes.
On some islands there are laundry services, but do not
depend on them always being open.
Shoes/
Foot wear
While sailing
you will be required to wear shoes. These need to have
non marking soles, and can be deck sneakers, boat shoes,
non marking running sneakers etc... You will also need
a pair of land or shore shoes, these can be any thing
you like. However, you will be required to remove shoes
at the end of the gang way before returning on board.
Bathrooms/Heads/Showers.
All cabins
have there own private heads, (bathrooms). Each with a
marine toilet, that is manually operated. Hot and cold
running water with basin etc. Storage space for personal
bathroom items, and room to take an in-cabin shower.
Showers
in cabins, where they are private, can be hot and stuffy.
Also the shower head is a miser type water controller.(
you do not get high pressure, so that you use less water).
On deck is a conventional high pressure shower that is
always available and much more pleasant.
Drinking
and Alcohol
The sun
in Greece is very strong, and on the water its effects
are multiplied many times.
Drinking
during the day is a must and required, only not
large quantities of alcohol. Water is the preferred substance,
at least one large (1.5 liters) bottle during the day.
De-hydration rates are 5 times greater on the water than
on land.
Drinking
beer or wine during the day de-hydrates you quicker and
makes you sleepy and sluggish. It can also help induce
sea sickness. Sweet sodas make you thirstier, and with
small children the sugar can effect safety and behavior.
Weather
The summer
is almost continual sunshine, however the different areas
of the Aegean have vastly different wind patterns and
weather influences. If you are a family ask about sailing
in the Saronic Gulfs and southern Peloponese islands,
or alternatively up north in the Northern Sparodes Islands.
In these areas the winds are light and moderate with short
distances between islands.
If you have
sailing experience and understand about sailing in high
winds (30+ knots) and want to experience the thrill of
large seas (2+meters) then ask about sailing in
the Cyclades or along the Turkish coast in the Dodecanese
Island
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