Thinking of buying a boat in Greece. 40ft to 43ft.YearlyCost

[caoimhin]

We are considering buying a used boat in Greece in the range 40ft to 43ft. Could any owner advise to the average annual outlay

for marinas and a Winter berth from October to April . I know there are many variables to consider but all advice gratefully received.

We have sailed in the Corfu region but will consider where the wind takes us.

Have recently sold my Sun Odyssey 36 and hopefully replace with another Jeanneau

Many Thanks

Caoimhín

[MalcolmP]

We have our 39i in Gouvia Marina Corfu at the moment.

One additional cost factor is the e-tepai cruising tax. As we are under 12m the cost is just 33 euro per month when in commission. You don't have to pay it if you are not using your yacht either ashore or afloat if you bond your papers with the customs/ port police.

If over 12m the cost per month rises considerably, you should check but think around 140 euro per month.

Gouvia is a good sheltered marina, but very expensive. Can be much cheaper in the Aegean where we will be heading in May.

Hope this helps. Malcolm

[caoimhin]

HI Malcom

Many thanks for your informative reply which was most informative.

We charted out of Gouvia last year which was a good base for us as we have direct flights from Ireland.

We will borrow your journey South with interest.

Regards
Kevin

[alenka]

Kevin, 

Greece used to be one of the cheapest (and best places) to cruise in Europe but in recent years much has changed, especially for British registered yachts since brexit. 

The days when you simply arrived in a harbour and moored for free are generally now a thing of the past.  Most will charge up to *€30 per night and for that you will be lucky to get water let alone an electrical huck up.  Last year I parked at a private pontoon that displayed a big sign 'Eat in my taverna and moor for free'  Pity he didn't tell the port authorities that was the deal because the next morning they extracted €17 from me and every other boat too. 

Wander outside the Ionian area and things are a bit more like it used to be but not really as care free as once was. 

Back in 2013 we payed under €3,000 to keep our 43ft yacht in the Ionian. 7 months ashore through the winter and 5 months afloat. This included lift out and in with pressure washing (Cleopatra marina). Harbour fees didn't really exist and the cruising tax was just a twinkle in the eye of some politician. If you wanted to leave your boat for a short break in the season it would cost around €100 pm with one of half a dozen organisations offering boat care to join a secure raft.

Over the years things like lift out/in got separated from storage ashore fees, as did pressure washing.

When I left Greece for the last time a week or so ago I had to prove to the broker/new owners that there were not outstanding yard fees. I was quite shocked to find an annual summary of charges amounting to €8,000. And this does not include cruising tax for the months in use or harbour fees. 

Add into the mix the incorrect interpretation of brexit rules with some port police working to an assumption that a British registered vessel loses its VAT (sales tax) qualification if you sail through international waters from one EU country to another and that opens up the messy issue of large fines of up to €3,000.

Such is the problem that many are swapping onto the Polish or Irish register. I was quoted €1,000 to organise the swap to Ireland, excluding the cost of changing the MMSI for radios etc.

I added an * to nightly harbour dues because in Greece you pay from 00:01 to 24:00 so one night in a harbour can pick up two fees.  If you are told it is €15 just make sure you aren't going to be asked for another €15 at breakfast time.

Good Luck

[azmike]

I have a 2008 Jeanneau 45DS that I have kept in Greece for the last three years at Ionian marina in Preveza.  I have been very happy with them.  For mid-August 2023 through mid-June 2024 my moorage cost is 3,420 Euros which includes 500 Euros for the haulout, pressure wash and relaunch.  I have also been happy with the service work they have performed there.

My experience with daily moorage in the summer months is that I can normally find a berth for very reasonable prices, usually around 15 Euros a night.  Last year we stayed on a dock in Nydra on Lefkada Island for 20 Euros a night which included electricity and water, and had a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.  With the hot temperatures we really appreciate having electricity to run the air conditioning on the boat.

This will be my last summer sailing in Greece and my boat will be for sale, available on July 1st.  If you are still looking for a boat I would be happy to give you information and photos on my 45DS.  We have sailed her in that area for the last six years and she has been a great boat for the Mediterranean waters.