Some companies own every boat in their fleet. Others manage boats on behalf of private owners, which means the boat is serviced and presented to a standard, but the specific condition of each hull varies.

Neither model is inherently better, but understanding which you are booking with helps set expectations. When reviewing your quote, it is worth asking directly whether the boat is company-owned or owner-managed. Managed fleet boats occasionally arrive with more personalisation and wear than a company-maintained hull would carry.

What happens at the base on the day you leave matters more than most charterers realise. Is there a briefing? Is the person giving it familiar with the specific boat you have been assigned? Is there a VHF contact number for the base during your week if something goes wrong at sea?

Major operators vary significantly on this and it is one of the most consistent themes in customer reviews across all companies. A thorough briefing on a moderately maintained boat is more valuable than the reverse.

One pattern worth flagging applies across operators rather than to any single company: fleet-age tier systems like Sunsail's Premier/Super Premier or DYC's equivalent describe what you're meant to receive, but customer feedback across the market suggests the boat actually assigned doesn't always match the tier paid for, particularly at busier bases in peak season.

It's worth raising directly with the operator if your contract specifies a tier and confirming in advance what happens if the boat delivered doesn't match it. Reading recent reviews for your specific base, not just the operator generally, before booking is one of the more useful things you can do with the research time.

The standard security deposit in Greece is €1,500–3,500 depending on the boat. Some companies take this as a credit card pre-authorisation that is released automatically on return. Others require a bank transfer, which takes longer to return. Some offer deposit waiver insurance for an additional fee, which removes the deposit requirement entirely in exchange for a fixed daily or weekly charge.

Greek maritime law sets statutory minimum insurance cover for charter yachts, commonly cited as in the order of €500,000 for third-party and passenger liability, with separate minimums for damage and pollution liability. The exact figures are set by regulation and can be revised, so treat these as an indication of scale rather than a guaranteed amount.

The security deposit sits on top of this as the deductible for damage not covered by insurance. It is not a substitute for it.

The handling of deposits, and particularly of disputed damage claims on return, is one of the most consistent sources of complaint across all operators, regardless of size or reputation.

A small scratch to a hull or a torn sail can result in a protracted dispute if the check-out process is not handled carefully. It is worth understanding a company's damage assessment process before you sign the handover document.

Quoted charter fees in Greece typically do not include the outboard motor for the dinghy, end-of-trip cleaning or mooring fees.

The difference between the headline charter price and the real all-in cost of the week can be substantial, depending on where you moor each night and which extras are mandatory versus optional.

Mooring fees deserve particular attention. In the Ionian, anchoring is often free, but in the Cyclades, where anchoring conditions are less predictable and marinas are more commonly used, mooring costs can add meaningfully to the weekly total.

Typical mooring fees across Greece run €30–80 per night, though catamarans often pay around 50–60% more than similarly sized monohulls because they require additional berth space at many marinas.

The takeaway is simple: always compare the inclusions list, not just the headline price.

Greece requires a valid sailing licence for bareboat charter. Most companies accept the ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Day Skipper, or equivalent national licences. For a detailed breakdown of accepted qualifications and documentation requirements, see our guide to bareboat charter requirements in Greece.

Some also ask for a minimum number of logged miles in addition to the licence, particularly for larger boats or catamarans.

Requirements differ between companies and between boat categories within the same company. If you hold a non-European licence, it is worth sending your documents for review before booking.

Greek maritime law also requires a designated co-skipper on board for bareboat charters. If the co-skipper does not hold a certificate, they may be asked to sign a declaration of competence during check-in.

Charter cancellation policies in Greece generally follow a sliding scale of penalties that increase as the departure date approaches.

Some operators offer rebooking credits, some provide partial refunds and others retain all payments unless the yacht can be successfully re-let.

Policies vary significantly between companies and can change between seasons, making travel insurance an important consideration regardless of operator.

Always review the current cancellation terms in your contract before relying on any published figures or examples.