Sailboat Beneteau Oceanis 34.3 (2010) for Charter - Skiathos | #6440

The experience with viravira.co was absolutely seamless. Booking was a breeze, confirmations arrived promptly, and communication was swift and effective. The charter company in Skiathos was exceptional in every way, exhibiting remarkable customer service. Both Frank and Nina were outstanding in addressing our inquiries—both before our journey began and during our sailing adventure. Their genuine commitment to ensuring our family's enjoyable experience was evident throughout. I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone to rent through this service without any reservations. The check-in and check-out process was incredibly smooth, marked by short waiting times that were quite impressive. Our yacht, although a 15-year-old Oceanis 343 clipper, named “Panorama,” was well-maintained and in excellent condition considering its age. Some previous reviews might have been overly critical, not taking into account the rigorous use that comes with charter boats. The company has done a commendable job in maintaining it. However, the handover by Vasilis seemed rushed, lacking some essential details. The expectation was that you already possessed experience and wouldn’t require extensive details. If you're unfamiliar with this type of yacht, it’s wise to ask for a detailed walkthrough. Think ahead about what you might need to know a few days into your bareboat journey, such as how to switch water tanks or change the gas bottle. The individual conducting the handover assumed too much prior knowledge and didn't provide sufficient information. Additionally, the solar panel was too weak to effectively support the fridge, meaning it stayed cold only for a few hours after the engine was turned on. Though the chart plotter was outdated, it was still functional. We didn't mind as we were using navionics on iOS. The 12V outlet by the helm was broken, and apparently, it's a common issue as they're prone to breaking, so I’d suggest bringing a power bank. All in all, the yacht quality, pick-up experience, charter company, marina, and overall value for money were outstanding, garnering top marks across the board.

The service at the starting point was absolutely top notch and exceeded our expectations! However, we found that the mattresses on the boat were unfortunately very uncomfortable and saggy. Apart from that, the boat was in excellent condition and we really liked it.

The process of checking in and out was smooth and hassle-free. The yacht we chartered was impeccably clean and well-maintained, though we did encounter a few minor hiccups during our journey. Unfortunately, the company's responsiveness to phone calls during our charter left much to be desired, often leaving us without answers when needed. For instance, the rowlocks on the tender were broken, which could pose a safety concern if the engine failed, as rowing would be impossible. While the company did not seem interested in addressing these minor issues upon the boat's return, this could be attributed to the end-of-season rush, with many boats returning simultaneously. The bustling port of Skiathos provided quite a noisy backdrop, with persistent party sounds and motorbike engines on the night we arrived, disrupting our sleep significantly despite an attempted intervention from the police. Additionally, the charter provider forgot to supply us with shore power, leaving us without electricity on both the first and last night. It's worth noting that the port lacks dedicated marina facilities, offering only basic services such as water, fuel, and electricity. Despite its challenges, the location served as an excellent base for adventure, and we would certainly consider renting from here again. Next time, we would ensure a comprehensive self-inspection of the vessel before setting sail, making us fully aware of potential issues.

Overall, the experience with viravira.co was very positive. The team was extremely friendly and gave a very thorough briefing, which made the start of our adventure really pleasant. The boat was in impeccably clean condition, which could further increase our comfort. A small downside was the lack of sanitary facilities in the marina, but everything else went pleasantly smoothly. All in all, the charter offered good value for money and the high quality of service combined with boat maintenance contributed significantly to a successful experience.