Conference unifix::sailing

    Chuck,
    
    within the last ten years I have spent a lot of time in the Greek
    islands. I also have at least one good contact to a charter company
    down there. If you want detailed information I would recommend to 
    contact me direct via E-mail KBOMFG::LOEST or DTN 864-4311. If you
    give me your mailstop I can also send you a brochure (written in
    English).
    
    Regards,
    
    Klaus

    CONTACT THE MOORINGS. THEY NOW CHARTER IN THE GREEK ISLANDS.
    WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SATISFIED WHITH THEIR CHARTERS. WE ARE ALSO
    THINKING OF CHARTERING IN THE GREEK ISLANDS.
    GOOD LUCK
    STEVE
    

This is a note I've entered in the sailing_in_eu notes file.  I'm looking
to charter a boat in Italy.  Does anybody have info to help me out?

Thanks.


           <<< FRAMBO::$1$DUS5:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SAILING_IN_EU.NOTE;1 >>>
                     -< Cruising in the deep blue sea.... >-
================================================================================
Note 88.0                 Bareboats Charters in Italy!!               No replies
ROYALT::FGZ "Federico Genoese-Zerbi A/D X-terminal Effort"  37 lines   5-OCT-1990 21:56
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Hello,

I've not seen a topic dedicated to this subject, so I figured I'd start a new
one...

I am looking for a boat to charter in Italy in June 1991, and I've
been dreadfully unsuccessful at finding companies/individuals to do
this from here (U.S.).  I wonder if somebody can supply me with
names/addresses/phone  numbers of companies that charter in that part
of the world.  In particular, I'd like to go sailing around the
Eolie islands.

Ideally I'd like a boat in the 45-50 foot (13-15 mt.) range, and ideally
the cost should be less than US$4000/week (based on the fact that CYC
(a charter company in the Caribbean that I've had experience with - and
highly recommend if anybody cares) is chartering brand new Frers 51 for  
US$3200/week (~Lit. 3 800 000) in the U.S. and U.K. virgin islands).
One company I've contacted (GPSC Charters Italia) has a few boats
in Sardinia in the 40-43 foot range, but VERY expensive (Lit. 4 900 000/wk + 
a list of taxes you've got to see to believe...adds up to ~25%).

Maybe the Caribbean is just that much less expenxsive than Europe, but I
doubt it.

I also need information from some noters about licensing requirements in Italy.
Last time I visited, the country required a license to operate a boat over
7 mt. or with an engine over 25Hp.  I have a Sailing license released by
the U.S. Navy, and several licenses by the American Sailing Association, and
the international version of it.  The Italian consul in Boston had no clue as
to weather they would be recognized in Italy or not, but he said (and I'm not
making this up!) "Don't worry...just get your licenses translated and sail.  If
you get stopped, be nice to them, show them the translations and I'm sure
they won't hassle you".  I'm not that sure but I'm at least glad that I speak
native Italian...  Does anybody have the actual scoop?

Thank you for information...
Federico.

    I'm sailing regularly in Italy.I transport my boat from Switzerland
    down to Lavagna (near Genova) and stay for 5 weeks in the Mediteranien.
    
    I have seen many 40-50 feet charterboats in Lavagna.I will check my
    magazines for addresses.Most of this boats are handled from Germany.
    
    Im using my own boat and I know only the requirement for this case.
    I need a license to sail and motor outside the 3 mile zone according
    to the law of the country I'm coming from.Also a proof in italien
    language of insurance and a radio operator license.Registration is a
    must.
    They changed recently the law for italien boats concerning radio.
    Every boat needs a radio and the skipper needs a radiooperator license
    if the boat is of a certain size.
    
    I have been checked regularly.Day and night.They checked (Guardia di
    Finance) all my papers verifying some facts by radiotelefon.Also a
    minimum of equipment is checked. (Fireextin... and flares)
    
    The charter company is making shure,you have the correct papers.
    
    Question: Why do you want to sail around the Eolien Islands? Have
    you checked the number of harbours in this region ? (one,if my memory
    is corrrect).
    
    Peter
    

Re: .4

Thanks for the info.  If you can get the addresses of those companies
I'd be very greatful.

Interesting about the licenses.  I have a Federal Communications Commission 
limited radio operator's license.  I wonder if it's sufficient.  In order to 
get it you have to pass the strict test of being able to give the U.S. 
government a $35 fee.  I should probably waste another call to the
Italian Consul, but I will get it translated as a minimum.

I don't have charts of the Eolie yet (I'm trying to get some) but from some
VERY large scale maps of the area, it appears that there are at least 5
small harbours on the islands.  One on Stromboli, the northeastern-most
island, and two each on Salina and Lipari, two islands closer to the
center of the cluster.  Additionally, it appears (and I've been told) that the
area has many beautiful, deep, and well protected small coves perfect for
anchoring.  If the coast is anything like the Amalfi coast - an area I've sailed
extensively - then finding a place to spend the night should be no big
deal.

Federico.

    Stromboli has only a concrete landing zone for the Traghetti. 
    Its a mountain out of the sea.
    You can only visit Stomboli on a very quiet day in summer,somebody
    has to stay on board.It is not recommanded to sleep there.
    You have to anker in the open Mediteranien sea.The other islands
    are the same.(I stayed for 2 hours in of this "harbours" on a quiet
    day and gave it up.To much swell.)
    
    more later.. I have to go to fix a 8600.
    
    Peter

    "Two ways will lie before you and you must choose between them as you
    see fit,though I will tell you both.One leads to those sheer cliffs
    which the blessed gods know as the Wandering Rocks.Here blue eyed
    Amphitrite sends her great breakers thundering in,and the very birds
    cannot fly by in safety.Even from the shy doves that bring Ambrosia to 
    Father Zeus the beetling rock takes toll each time they pass,and the
    Father has to send one more to make their number up,while for such
    sailors as bring their ship to the spot,there is no escape
    whatever.They end as flotsam on the sea,timbers and corpses tossed in
    confusion by the waves or licked up by tempestuous and destroying
    flames."
    
    The Odyssey   Book 12    describing Stromboli
    
    If you like,I can send you the chapter "Aeolien Islands"  from the
    "Italien Waters Pilot" by Rod Heikell (in english)
    I need your mailstop.
    
    Re: charter companys  
    
    If you are set to go to the Aeolien Islands and like to charter in the
    south of Italy,I would recommand to ask advice from local sources.
    Gorgio Cesani commes to mind.He works in Roma and sails from Fiumicino.
    
    
    If you like to charter from the north of Italy,you could make use of
    german companies.I could supply you with some contacts.
    
    I checked the price for a 13meter bareboat in south of france.It was
    around 20-24000 french franc =  your requested $4000 per week.Second
    week is cheaper.But inflation goes up and the dollar down.
    
    Peter

    Peter
    
    I made the same experiences. But I have had not one quite day down
    there. But "nice wind", 10Bf up. 
    
    Peter

			CHARTER IN GREECE


Hi,

it's probably the time where most of the sailors are planning their next
trip. I have spent quite some time around the Greek Islands. Last year we
found a charter company which we believe is worth to be recommended. First
they are based ideally on Kalymnos Island right in the middle of the 
Dodekanes which allows short and long trips to a wide range of islands for
experiencend and less (I said less not un-) experienced sailors.
The poeple running the charter company are a group of enthusiastic sailors
which means they know that charterers want to sail and not fix their boats.
This means the boats are in excellent condition and well equiped. 
I have already chartered twice and didn't have any problem with the boat. 
Whoever is interested in getting more detailed information, feel free to 
contact me on KBOMFG::LOEST or DTN 864-4311. I have some brochures (German and 
English) which can be send via internal mail.
The company is willing to give discount in addition to the terms and conditions
mentioned in the brochure.

Whoever wants to call the company direct, call

		Kalymna Yachting
		Kalymnos 
		Greece
		Tel. 30 243 24083 or 24084

If you call, ask for Vassili Kapadakis the manager.

Regards,

Klaus

I just got back from my charter in the Aeolians.  It was the Charter in
honor of Murphy.

I got the boat on Saturday around 1400.  Sailed directly to Lipari.  The
wind was about BF4, the sea completely calm; very pleasant.  The following
day we went to Vulcano, and here the "bad thing" happened.  The starter
motor decided that it had had enough of starting the engine.  So, we managed
to sail back to Lipari and dock at Marina Lunga without an engine.  There,
we were informed that the "storm from hell" or "sciroccata" was coming and
that we should proceed to Pignataro harbour, for more protection.  This we
did, even though by the time we got to Pignataro and rafted up next to 15 
fishing boats (all the fishing boats in the area had heard of the storm and
flocked to Pignataro) it was 1AM and the storm should've already been there.
It was the calmest night I've ever seen.

The next day we found out that the starter could not be fixed on Lipari, but
we'd get a part from Messina the following day.  The next day we were told that
the part had to come from Genova.  We decided to go out by sail.  It worked OK,
took us the whole day to get to Vulcano and back, but we managed it.  The next
day we were told the part was still not available.  We tried to sail to
Filicudi, but after 3 hours of a beat in BF4, we were COMPLETELY becalmed.
Took us 13 hours to return to Lipari under sail and tow.  When the wind
goes out in this area, it's GONE.  Water looks like glass.  The next day, still
no part.  Water like glass again.  We called upon a clause in the charter
contract that allows ending the charter after 4 days of need of repair.  Hired
boats to get to see some of the islands in the remaining 2 days of vacation.
Nightmarish.

A couple of comments:
	1.  Wind is totally unpredictable in this area.  We were going from
	having a reef in the main to total calm in minutes.  Being
	without an engine is not a good thing to be if you want to
	go somewhere and have not a lot of time.

	2.  Italians are incredibly conservative.  A couple of "ormeggiatori"
	thought us nuts for leaving port when the weather service was
	forcasting what they called "burrasca", or a major storm.  In fact,
	the weather service was forecasting BF5 winds, and seas "poco mossi",
	which means not very rough.  Anytime winds picked up over BF3 (and
	believe me, the times were rare), the Italian flagged sailboats
	headed for shore.  Weird.

	3.  Yes, Peter, there are few good harbours.  On the other hand,
	the bottom is great for anchoring.  Of course the weather was incredibly
	settled when we were there (oh woe is me) but the leeward side of
	an island would provide lots of safe (and confortable) places to anchor.
	The islands are small enough that it should not be problematic to 
	get to the leeward side of one of them.

	4.  If you charter there, be aware that you'll be incredibly isolated.
	I do not fault the charter company for our troubles (although I'll be
	much happier with them when they refund us the money as per the 
	contract).  The starter for the engine (a Yanmar) was just nowhere to
	be found.  I think they did their best in trying to get it to us.
	Unfortunately, we were in the middle of nowhere.
	5.  The Moorings has opened a branch in Gaeta.  If I had to do it again,
	I'd go with them.
	6.  Beware Italian sailors.  The practice there is to come stern to
	against the harbour wall.  We saw several Italian flagged boats
	back up at high speed and bend the boats they were trying to squeeze
	between (as well as their own).  They did not seem too concerned
	about it.  They thought us nuts for leaving port without an engine,
	despite the fact that we did not bang other boats doing it.  They
	almost seemed more concerned about being without an engine out at
	sea......

TTFN
F.

Hello,

Unless I hear bad things about them, I will soon book a charter (through
Ed Hamilton) with Kavos in Gaeta.

Does anybody have any information about this outfit (Arrigo De Angelis, you
read this conference regularly, do you know anything)?

I would appreciate all input.

Federico.