Be a captain — Bareboat Xanemo

You're the skipper. We've got the paperwork, you've got the boat.

Two weeks bareboat on Xanemo in the Sporades. You sail her. I + Odyssey make sure the boat is ready, the papers are right, and you have a number to call if something breaks. The rest is yours.

Before you go — tools that make it easier.

VesselFinder

Free app + website. Look up "Xanemo" to see where she is right now, where she's sailed the last few weeks, speed, heading. Good for getting a feel for how prior charterers laid their routes.

Navily

Anchorage database with reviews, depths, holding, shelter. Covers the Sporades well. Chat function lets you ping other sailors currently in the area — "what's it like in Steni Vala tonight?" App + web.

Greek Waters Pilot

The classic Rod Heikell pilot. Two options:

Digital: buy online before you leave, run it on iPad or phone. Searchable, easy to carry.
Physical: there's a copy onboard. Worn pages earn their keep.

Weather

Windy (windy.com) and Windguru (windguru.cz/49) are standard. In the Sporades the meltemi can be strong in July–August — a north-westerly that runs 25–35 knots. Check the forecast every morning before you leave the anchorage.

Marine VHF + AIS

Boat has VHF and AIS. Channel 16 for calls, channel 12 for Volos port authority. Run a VHF check on day 1.

Certificates and crew.

Greek law for bareboat charter requires:

Skipper with ICC, RYA Day Skipper, Danish Yachtskipper 3 / Duelighedsbevis or equivalent recognised licence.
One crew member with declared sailing experience.
VHF radio certificate requirement varies in enforcement — Odyssey confirms what your specific licence covers when we book.

Send certificates + passport photos to Odyssey 1–2 weeks before departure. They prepare the papers.

The handover.

When you arrive in Volos, Alex (or one of the captains, e.g. Nasos) walks you through the boat. Allow about an hour:

Sails, halyards, reefing — what's what, what's where
Engine, generator, water tanks, controls
VHF, chartplotter, autopilot, AIS
Anchor, bow thruster, dinghy with outboard
Heads (Xanemo has pump heads, not vacuum) and the fresh water system
Where the breakers, fire extinguisher, liferaft, EPIRB live
Local gotchas: cross-currents in/out of Skopelos, Trikeri tides

Ask everything — that's the point. Better to wonder now than mid-anchor-drag later.

Two weeks in the Sporades — a sketch.

A suggestion, not a plan. You choose:

Day 1	Volos → Trikeri (Pelion peninsula). Quiet bay, taverna.
Day 2	Trikeri → Skiathos. Long morning on the water, brief stop in town.
Day 3–4	Skopelos: town, the monastery, a leg down the south side.
Day 5–6	Alonissos: Steni Vala, fisherman's taverna.
Day 7–8	Marine park: Kyra Panagia, Yioura, deep into the chain. Quietest of all.
Day 9–10	Back via the north side of Alonissos, a night in Patitiri.
Day 11–12	Middle Sporades (Peristera) or back to Skopelos.
Day 13	Pelion coast on the way back — Damouchari, Khorefto.
Day 14	Return Volos, fuel, ready for handover.

Weather decides: if the meltemi is blowing NW 30+, you go south (more shelter behind the islands) or stay another day in one bay. That's the game.

Return routine.

Back to Volos by 5:00 PM Friday (or as agreed).
Fuel up on the way back — Skiathos or Volos.
Pack and tidy the day before return.
End-of-charter cleaning is included (Mr Jeff). You don't scrub.
Linen also goes to Mr Jeff via Odyssey.
Empty the holding tank on return if you've used the heads heavily.

If something goes wrong.

Hull insurance (Pantaenius) covers the boat. Deposit covers minor damage (up to €X — confirmed in contract). Bigger stuff → call Odyssey or me.

Odyssey 24/7: +30 6974 659 156 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)
Nikolaj (owner): +45 30 20 80 38
Greek Coast Guard: 108
Maritime distress: VHF Channel 16, "Mayday Mayday Mayday" + position

Be a captain on Xanemo.

You're the skipper. We've got the paperwork, you've got the boat.

Before you go — tools that make it easier.

VesselFinder

Navily

Greek Waters Pilot

Weather

Marine VHF + AIS

Certificates and crew.

The handover.

Two weeks in the Sporades — a sketch.

Return routine.

If something goes wrong.

Want to talk?