• Passport (s)
• Flight Tickets (Check names shown on the flight ticket match those shown on the individual passports)
• Travel insurance documents (make sure you have coverage for sailing)
• Credit Cards/Debit Cards and local currency. You must bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with you for the yacht security deposit
• If you are taking a Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper practical course a passport sized photo for your certificate.
• Mobile phone set up for roaming in Greece and charger
• Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use on the yacht). If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day
• Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them when you arrive in Greece. For hygiene reasons we do not supply them on the boats
• Soft soled shoes &/or deck shoes
• Swimwear
• Light jumper or light fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Hat & sunglasses (with cord)
• T-shirt/tops and long sleeve casual shirts/tops
• Shorts and casual long trousers
• Toilet bag with toiletries
• Suntan cream (protection)
• Sea sickness pills
• Insect Repellent - gel, spray or cream
• Anti-histamine ointment and tablets (for insect bites/stings) & any essential medication
• Camera, batteries & spare memory cards
• Your choice of MP3, Ipod or CD’s to play on board - lead with a 3.5mm jack plug at each end and a USB connection lead
• Books/magazines/Kindle
• Two-pin European travel adapter for charging phones etc. (at marinas or even in restaurants)
• 12 volt adapter / car charger for charging phones, etc. on-board (onboard with a car type cigarette lighter socket)

Please bring a pair of lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for wearing on the boat. You can wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in but it is a good idea to bring a lightweight waterproof jacket as we do get the odd day of rain, especially at the start and end of the season.

Sailing in Greece in the summer is quite hot and therefore sun protection is very important! The beginning and end of season can be cooler with showers and the odd storm. Night time at sea, particularly with a good sailing breeze, can still be chilly so it is important to come equipped. When working on deck there is often little shade or shelter although the yachts are fitted with a sun protecting bimini sunshade.

Watch out for sunburn and dehydration, especially on a boat as the breeze hides the fact you are getting hot or burnt. Bring a hat, long sleeved shirt and suntan lotion and don’t sit in the sun all day!

Yes, all bed sheets, linen and pillows are provided on the boat. Extra bed linen/towels are available at base for €10 per set. If you are chartering for two weeks we can provide a change of linen for the second week. We provide towels for use on the yacht but recommend bringing your own beach towel. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.

Before your charter begins a security pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit is taken from the Party Leader (please see amounts below) by VISA or Mastercard credit card (we are unable to accept debit cards). Make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. On successful completion of post charter inspection the pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit charge will not be completed and the 'hold' will elapse. The time it takes for the ‘hold’ to elapse depends on your card provider.

Option One - Yacht Damage Waiver (YDW) and Reduced Security Deposit

The YDW is a non-refundable fee, the amount is dependent on length overall of yacht which reduces your liability per incident to the amounts below which will be taken as a pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit (Security Deposit) as follows:

Yacht Size	Reduced Security Deposit	YDW
Yachts from 31-36 feet	€900	£180 per week or £270 for 2 weeks
Yachts from 37-44 feet	€1400	£225 per week or £335 for 2 weeks
Yachts from 45 feet + all catamarans	€1900	£295 per week or £440 for 2 weeks

Option Two - Security Deposit Only

Adequate and valid holiday and travel insurance for all members of your party is compulsory for all bookings. Please obtain adequate and valid travel insurance prior to commencement of your course, we recommend gaining such insurance at the time of booking. Make sure the policy provides cover for sailing activities. The RYA recommend Bishop Skinner marine but there are other specialist insurers such as Topsail Insurance who offer insurance for sailing and coverage for yacht security deposits.

Most of our customers spend 50€ - 100€ per week on fuel for the yacht depending on the size of the yacht and the amount of motoring they do.

 

Mooring fees at Lefkas marina for your first and last day are FREE. Most harbours are run by the local municipalities/Greek coastguard and are free to moor in. There are a small number of harbours and small marinas who will charge you a mooring fee of around 10-40 euros per night depending on yacht size. If there is bad weather forecast it may occasionally be necessary to use a protected harbour with laid moorings which will charge around 30-60 euros per night depending on the size of your boat.

Some quays where there is water and power available a small fee will be charged if you wish to use it.

Almost all the harbours have shower and toilet facilities, usually attached to a taverna or convenience store. Even when there is a charge it is usually a few euros. Water for the yacht is usually available in most of the popular ports. We advise you to fill your boat with water towards, or at the end of your course where it is available before arriving back at Lefkas marina as the cost outside of the marina will be cheaper for you.

There is a well-stocked supermarket on the marina and further mini markets offering a wide choice of provisions within 3-5 minutes’ walk from the marina open 7 days a week, on Sundays opening hours can be a little more limited for some shops but you will be able to buy all your essential items. Most of these shops offer a FREE DELIVERY SERVICE DIRECT TO YOUR YACHT. There will be many opportunities to provision and shop at most of the ports and harbours you visit around the Ionian islands so you do not have to purchase too much when you arrive. Lefkas town is a short stroll from the marina and has a good range of shops.

Breakfast and lunch are generally eaten onboard. In the evenings you can eat ashore (meals/drinks are not provided in the course price). There is a range of tavernas and restaurants at all the ports and anchorages we visit. You are quite welcome to cook on board in the evenings but we find that most people enjoy going ashore and experiencing the Greek cuisine and hospitality. Preparation of meals is shared between your party members and you can buy food and drink as the course progresses to make sure everything is fresh.

 

Obviously it varies from restaurant to restaurant but in general a starter will be between 4€ and 8€, and a main course will be between 8€ and 15€ although weighed seafood can be a bit more expensive. A large beer will cost around 4€ and half a litre of local wine around 6€.

If you have booked a Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper practical course you must have completed the relevant theory course or must possess the relevant theory knowledge before you come to Greece.

You can take the RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster Coastal theory course online in your own time and at your own pace and there are numerous RYA theory sailing schools offering the RYA online courses which you can take before you arrive but we recommend Kipper Sailing https://www.kippersailing.co.uk/

As a customer of Island Sailing if you use this voucher code you will receive a 10% discount - XGA980507D.

The RYA course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for beginners. By the end of the course you will have had a go at steering the yacht, sail handling, ropework and have learned about safety on board. If you’ve enjoyed the RYA Start Yachting course you can go on to gain your RYA Competent Crew certificate.

Experience needed: None required

Minimum age: 12 years old

The yacht

Basic knowledge of sea terms, parts of a boat, her rigging and sails

Ropework

Ability to tie the following knots: figure of eight, round turn and two half hitches, bowline
Securing a rope to a cleat
Use of winches and jamming cleats

Underway

Has experienced sailing a yacht on all points of sail
Can steer a yacht under sail or power

Rules of the Road

Can keep an efficient lookout at sea

Meteorology

Knows where to obtain a weather forecast

Man Overboard recovery

Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard

Clothing and equipment

Understands and complies with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids

Emergency equipment and precautions

Is aware of hazards on board a yacht
Knows the action to be taken in the event of an emergency

Experience needed: None or dinghy sailing

Minimum age: 12 years old

Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails

Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat

Sail handling

Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails
Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches

Rope work

Handling warps
Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards
Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot

Fire precautions and fighting

Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire
Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of fire

Personal safety equipment

Understands and complies with rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids

Man overboard

Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard

Emergency equipment

Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used
Understands how to launch and boat a life raft

Manners and customs

Understands accepted practice with regard to: use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise of disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed
Aware of responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment

Rules of the road

Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea

Dinghies

Understands and complies with the loading rules
Is able to handle a dinghy under oars

Meteorology

Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale

Helmsmanship and sailing

Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing
Can steer and compass course, under sail and power

General duties

Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel

The Day skipper practical course teaches seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in familiar waters. It also teaches the practical application of your theoretical knowledge including meteorology, collision regulations, pilotage and navigation which you can gain by taking the RYA Day Skipper theory course. 

Experience needed: You will have already completed a minimum of 5 days sailing at sea including 100 nautical miles and 4 night hours prior to taking the course. This experience can be gained on the RYA Competent Crew course. 

Knowledge required: Basic navigation and helmsmanship. You must complete the Day Skipper theory course before Day Skipper practical or be able to demonstrate you possess this knowledge. We cannot teach the practical Day Skipper course unless you have already learnt the theory before you come to Greece.

It is highly recommended that all students invest in additional reading materials including the RYA Day Skipper handbook. You can buy these books directly from the RYA website, Amazon or other good book retailers.

RYA Theory Courses: You can take a classroom based RYA Day Skipper theory course at some RYA Training Centres but you may prefer to take the course online in your own time and at your own pace. Island Sailing customers can access exclusive discounts off online theory courses through our recommended online course provider. Please contact us for more information.

Preparation for sea 

Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of gear on deck and below.

Deck work

Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions. Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth or stern or bow to mooring.

Navigation

Taking and plotting visual fixes -  Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing - Use of waypoints - Working up DR and EP - Knowledge of IALA Bouyage - Maintenance of navigational records - Use of echo sounder and lead line.

Pilotage

Can prepare and execute pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour - Understands the use of leading and clearing lines - Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage.

Meteorology

Knows sources of forecast information - Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid.

Rules of the road

Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Maintenance and repair work

Understands and is able to carry out routine maintenance tasks - Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.

Engines

Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system.

Victualling

Understands how to victual a yacht.

Emergency situations

Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard - Understands distress flares and how to use a life raft - Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message - Understands how to secure a tow - Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

Yacht handling under power

Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, bows/stern to mooring, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions.

Yacht handling under sail

Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions - Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing.

Passage making

Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards, local weather conditions and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew.

The Coastal Skipper course teaches the skills and techniques required to safely skipper a yacht on a coastal passage by day or night in non tidal waters. During the course you will gain more experience in sail and power handling, passage planning and emergency situations.

Pre Course Experience: Previous skippering experience, 300 miles and 8 night hours.

Knowledge required: You must have passed the RYA Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster theory course before your practical sailing course. It is highly recommended that all students invest in additional reading material including the RYA Yachtmaster handbook. You can buy these books directly from the RYA website, Amazon or other good book retailers.

RYA Theory Courses: You can take a classroom based theory course at some RYA Training Centres but you may prefer to take the course online in your own time and at your own pace. Island Sailing customers can access exclusive discounts off online theory courses through our recommended online course provider. Please contact us for more information.

Minimum age: 17 years. 

Passage planning

Can plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights and tidal streams, publications required and strategy - Knows Customs procedures.

Preparation for sea

Is aware of safety equipment required for offshore passages - Can prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks

Pilotage

Can prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of soundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerations - Can pilot a yacht by day and night

Passage making and ability as skipper

Can take charge of a yacht and direct the crew - Can organise the navigation, deckwork and domestic duties of a yacht on passage - Is aware of the significance of meteorological trends - Is aware of crew welfare on passage - Can use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes

Yacht handling under power

Can control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power - All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide.

Yacht handling under sail

Can use the sails to control the yacht in a confined space - Anchoring and mooring in various conditions of wind and tide - Can sail efficiently on all points of sail.

Adverse weather conditions

Preparation for heavy weather and yacht handling in strong winds - Navigation and general conduct in restricted visibility.

Emergency situations

Recovery of man overboard under power and sail - Understands action to be taken when abandoning to the life raft and during helicopter and lifeboat rescue.

All our boats have car stereo style music systems with speakers below deck and in the cockpit. They will either have a 3.5mm jack or a USB connection.

All plug sockets on the boats are the European 2 pin type however these are only usable when the yacht is plugged in to mains power (230V) which will probably only be at Lefkas marina. If your devices or equipment do not have 2 pin European plugs you'll need to bring a travel adaptor with you. During the week there is a 12v socket, similar to a car cigarette lighter, which can be used to charge phones and other electronic devices if you bring a car charger with you.

We don’t provide masks, snorkels or flippers for hygiene reasons. You are obviously welcome to bring your own or they are readily available and reasonably priced in Lefkas marina, Lefkas town and at many places around the islands.

Yes, you will need to complete your flight information on the Crew List/Transfer form that we will email to you. When you depart the airport terminal there will be a driver waiting holding a card bearing your name who will drive you directly to the marina where we will be waiting to greet you.

Please pay the driver directly in euros (€35 per car or €60 for 2 cars). We will advise of price for larger families and groups requiring a mini coach.

An outboard engine for your dinghy/tender can be very useful, with no mooring fees in most harbours some of them can be busy so it is likely that, particularly in peak season, you will be occasionally anchored away from the quay. They are also great for exploring caves and some of the quieter snorkelling spots. However, some people prefer to row!

Every yacht has its own dinghy/tender and the optional outboard engine is £80 per week and we will ask you before your arrival if you wish to have one or not.

Most restaurants, café bars and shops around the islands only take cash (euros). There is a cash machine at Lefkas marina and several more in Lefkas town. However, over the course of the week, you will probably only visit one or two towns with cash machines so it is advisable to stock up before you leave.

The marina fuel station accepts major credit cards when you re-fuel at the end of the week and you will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD with you for your yacht security deposit. Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked.

There are a number of cash/ATM machines on the Ionian islands including right by our base in Lefkas Town as well as in Fiscardo, Nidri, Sami, Vathy, Ithaca, Vasiliki, Paleros, Gaios and many on Corfu. We would recommend bringing a reasonable amount of local currency (Euros) with you as quite a few traditional Greek tavernas, cafe and small shops on the islands usually only accept euros.

The yachts are not equipped with Wi-Fi, however virtually every café, bar and restaurant in the marina, in Lefkas town and around the islands has free Wi-Fi for their customers.

Mobile phone reception is usually very good throughout the Ionian. Don't forget your charger and travel adaptor!

This is entirely at your discretion.