Boat rental in Athens · Ocean Star — Ocean Star 44.1 (2001)

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.

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.