No sailing experience is needed to be a guest on a professionally crewed catamaran. If you want to charter bareboat, the operator must approve the skipper’s certificates and experience before confirming the booking.

On a crewed catamaran

The captain handles navigation, maneuvering and safety, while the crew manages the yacht’s daily operation. Guests receive a safety briefing and must follow instructions, but they are not expected to stand watch or handle lines.

Interested guests can often learn about sailing or help with simple tasks under supervision. Participation depends on conditions and never transfers responsibility from the captain.

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On a bareboat

The charter company will ask for recognized original qualifications, a sailing résumé and sometimes evidence of recent experience. Requirements vary by operator, insurer, flag and current Greek rules, so obtain written acceptance before booking flights.

A second competent person may be required. The nominated skipper should be able to reef, anchor, troubleshoot, plan passages and maneuver a wide catamaran in wind—not merely hold a certificate.

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Skills specific to Greece and catamarans

Greek town quays often use stern-to or bow-to mooring with an anchor or laid line. Crosswinds, ferry wash, crowded anchorages and limited quay space demand calm crew coordination.

Catamarans have high windage, wide beam and twin engines. Those features make low-speed handling different from a monohull. A local checkout or professional skipper is sensible when experience is dated or mostly on smaller boats.

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Choose the format honestly

If nobody in the group wants operational responsibility, book crewed. If a qualified sailor wants support in unfamiliar waters, arrange a skipper. If the group is experienced and the operator approves the résumé, bareboat may fit.

Read crewed versus bareboat and when to hire a skipper next.

Charter terms, weather, yacht specifications and port operations can change. Confirm current details with the yacht’s central agent, your broker, the captain and relevant local authorities.