[Garmisch]

In reply to Greece 2005, you are quite right that there is much to know about when chartering a yacht in Greece. We just returned from such a trip and would like to forewarn you about three charter agencies. We chartered in Rhodes with Aegeus Yachts through Westward Ho Sailing out of the UK. The yacht was provided by Vernicos Yachts. Our advice to you is to avoid any and all of these companies. Our experience, to summarize, is that we chartered and paid for a two-week charter, out of which we had a little more than one week of sailing because the yacht had not been maintained. It had a malfunctioning headsail, malfunctioning windlass,leaky toilet, not-functioning bilge pump, and on and on and on. We spent the first week dealing with their incompetance, and after it was over, they denied anything was wrong with the yacht and absolved themselves of any responsibility and would do next to nothing to set the matter straight. They offered one-half of one charter day refund. Please don''t hesitate to ask for further clarification. But be advised - these people are to be avoided at all costs. We have chartered numerous times with Moorings, in Europe and the Caribbean and have found them to be professional in all ways. Their yachts are in top shape and they receive the maintenance BETWEEN charters, not during them. You really can''t go wrong with Moorings.