boat hire in Athens · Ocean Star — Ocean Star 44.1 (2001)
Description of Anestis's sailboat
Sailboat Ocean Star Ocean Star 44.1 13.5m
Our OceanStar 44.1 is available for skippered charters from Athens Greece. It has been fully retrofitted in 2023 to a tip-top condition. It has the perfect size for both family and friends holidays/adventures with all modern comforts (and then some) and offers an excellent sailing performance. The sailboat can accommodate 10 guests in 4 cabins and a convertible double bed in the main galley. The aft winches, two at each helm station and two near the galley entrance, make maneuvers simple. The boat is equipped with: - Electric Generator 220V 6.5kW (FisherPanda) - Air conditioning in the main galley and all cabins with four fan-coils for independent controls - Solar panels (2x120W) - Desalination Plant for fresh water anywhere (110lt/h) - Dinghy with outboard engine (4hp) - Stereo CD/USB with in/outdoor speakers - Electric Fridge & Icebox - Swimming platform & Ladder - Bow Sundeck - Bow Thruster - Electric Anchor Winch (with controls at the helm station too) - Auto Pilot - Hot Water Boiler - Outdoor Shower - WiFi (Optional Extra, 4G, 10GB per week) and TV - Espresso Coffee Machine - Snorkeling equipment - Paddle board/SUP (Optional Extra) - Electric Scooter (Optional Extra) Please refer to the 'Services' Section for the Mandatory and Optional Extra Costs. You can easily visit 7 Greek Islands of the Saronic Gulf in 1 week, 5 Islands of the North Cyclades or 7 Islands and 9 Mainland Destinations in 2 weeks. I am sailor myself both as an athlete on racing sail-boats and a skipper on charters. It is my passion and ultimate goal is to offer the best sailing experience to guests! We would love to welcome you on board very soon!
Equipment available on the sailboat
Services provided by Anestis
Overall rating
2 comments
I would like to share my experience regarding my recent stay, as there were a few issues that affected my overall enjoyment. Check-in and Check-out Process: The check-in and check-out processes were extremely lengthy. We were instructed to be ready for check-out at 9 AM, but it took an excessive 2 hours and 45 minutes for the owner to complete the check-out inspection. Given that everything was clearly in order and easily visible, this seemed unnecessary. Additionally, we waited an extra hour for the arrival of fuel. In total, we lost 3 hours of our last day due to these delays. Air Conditioning Malfunction: The listing indicated that the boat was equipped with air conditioning, but unfortunately, it did not work during our stay. This made our experience uncomfortable, especially given the warm weather conditions. Dinghy Usage: Unfortunately, we couldn't use the dinghy at all during our trip. It was quite heavy and proved to be inconvenient for the four of us women to manage. Even with all our efforts, we found it challenging to take it out of the sailboat safely. Lastly, the owner’s communication could use some serious enhancement. Many of the issues we encountered could have been easily avoided with clearer and more timely information. For instance, if most of the important details had been communicated upfront, it would have changed our whole experience for the better. Misunderstandings often arise when expectations aren't set, and this was certainly the case during our trip. Additionally, if the owner is chartering his boat, he could benefit from adopting some hospitality tools to create a more welcoming atmosphere. Soft skills are crucial in the service industry, and this was notably lacking. A bit more warmth, attentiveness, and an approachable demeanor could have gone a long way in making us feel valued as clients. Overall, the boat itself was enjoyable and we had a great time on the water, but I believe that with improvements in communication and hospitality, the overall experience could be elevated from good to exceptional. I hope the owner takes this feedback to heart, as it could make a significant difference for future guests.
These guests (party of 4) did not take care of the yacht and made sure to blame the Charter for any shortcomings of their own skipper or themselves. For example they damaged (short-circuit) the AC system during their stay and claimed it did not work to begin with (check in procedure includes a working demonstration of all systems). Also, the skipper would not bother to deploy the tender (despite the 1/48 lifting winch in place) and they claimed this was somehow the Charter's problem. Also, instead of returning the yacht with full fuel and water as in the contract, they expected the company I managed to find them as a gesture of good will, to show up immediately despite the last minute call, and then complain about the delay.
Our experience with this boat was profoundly negative, and we strongly advise against renting it. The owner and the skipper not only ruined our vacation but also engaged in questionable practices that left us feeling taken advantage of. Having rented boats numerous times before, we were shocked by the level of unprofessionalism here. We suffered an electrical failure that cost us a full day of our vacation as we waited in the dark for repairs to be made. Neither the owner nor the skipper was able to timely detect the cause of the problem, although in the end it turned out that it should have been known to an experienced sailor. We were only able to set sail for a mere two hours after persistent requests, which not only robbed us of the joy of sailing but also increased our fuel expenses. Although before renting the boat Anestis (the owner) assured us he would be our skipper, we were instead assigned an elderly skipper totally unfamiliar with the boat. Such a change occurred after we had paid most of the rental costs, leaving us with no choice but to accept it.This led to many problems and constant anxiety throughout our trip. Simple tasks were mishandled, such as loose mooring that caused the boat to rock uncomfortably. More alarmingly, there were moments that jeopardized our safety, including having us to remove a rope from the propeller—something the skipper should have both prevented and handled himself —and being advised to sail at night, which is dangerous. To top it off, upon returning, the owner unjustly withheld part of our deposit for supposed damages that we dispute, without providing an invoice despite our requests. Instead, he responded with threats, yelling, and rudeness. Even worse, we later learnt from external sources that the repair costs were significantly lower than claimed. Overall, our experience was not just disappointing; it was distressing. I would strongly caution anyone considering this rental to think twice. You deserve a safe and enjoyable sailing experience, which this boat —and especially its owner— simply cannot provide.
Offered by Anestis
Hi! I am Anestis, 36yo, Architect by Education, Skipper and Yacht-Owner by sheer passion. I love sailing and I have been doing it both as a sport (OpenSeas Racing Athlete) and for leisure for more than a decade now. I only have 1 yacht and love it to the max so I keep it in excellent condition. Showing people a fantastic time sailing around the Greek waters is an ultimate goal.
Location
Location of the sailboat: Marina Delta Kallithea, Athens