FAQ

General

• What sailing license do I need to charter a yacht

  As a rule, in order to sail a yacht abroad, a person needs the same qualification of competency or proof of experience, which is also required in their home country, to use a yacht of the same size and type. For Britian, this would be a bareboat or coastal skipper license. The following are also acceptable as proof of experience from British or other foreign institutions (RYA, IYT, IYTA, YY3 and similar) which cover the coastal navigation zone of 12sm, by day and night.
  

• What is the blue card (Mavi Kart) and what do I have to do with it?

  The waste tanks may only be emptied within the 5sm zones at the extraction stations provided for this purpose. Extraction stations are usually found at all marinas and ports, throughout the coastal areas between Cesme and Antalya. For every transit log issued, at least once during the charter period, the suction of the waste tanks must be verified by registering it on the "blue card". Always at the end of the charter the waste tanks are emptied when the yacht is returning to the base, whilst the yacht is being refueled, so this would be enough. The charge for the emptying the tanks is between 20 TL and 35TL, irrespective of the number of waste tanks.

  
  The date, time and quantity of the extracted waste is stored on the "blue card" by means of a computer chip. The card must be handed over to the staff for each suction. You may be asked by the coast guard or the port authorities to hand over the card so they can check the waste tanks are being legally emptied. The card must always remain on the yacht! (In the holder provided for this purpose inside the on board manual.)
  

• What is the Transitlog ?

  In order to sail in Turkish waters, every yacht needs a transit log for each new charter. This is an official document in which all crew members must be listed. The transit log is issued by the Turkish port authorities and must be returned to us at the end of the charter. The cost for the transit log is € 110.00

  
  We will deal with all the formalities for this transit log, but we need the following documents from you, at least two weeks prior to your charter:
  - Crew List
  - Copy of the sailing license of the skipper

  
  Please do not forget to forward these documents to us in time, to avoid any delays. The crew list that needs completing you will find in the download...
  

• What happens with the Transit log during a crew change?

  If the crew changes during the charter, but the skipper, and at least one or more original crew members remain on board, you do not need a new transit log. There is a crew change page in the transit log, the cost of completing this process is only € 70.00
  

• When is the best time to sail in Turkey

  Generally from the beginning of April to the end of November. The months of May, June, September and October are particularly popular due to the moderate air temperatures and warm water temperatures. The best wind (Meltemi) is from mid/end of June through to mid/end of October.

  
  The months of January to March are not recommended, due to unreliable weather, low temperatures and hard winter storms, which dampen sailing fun.
  

• Do you have route suggestions

  Of course! Click here to go to our route suggestions...
  

• Can I sail to Greece and what are the procedures?

  Sailing in the Greek waters ( within the 3-mile zone) is easy. If you enter Greek waters, do not forget to change the guest flag! If you are going to a Greek port (it must be a port of entry, such as Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Samos) you have to officially exit and enter.

  
  You can only exit and enter with using an official agent. The phone numbers of the agents in Symi and Rhodes can be found in the on board manual. The requisite Greek transit log is already on board in the blue folder. It is valid for the entire season and must remain on board under all circumstances. In the case of accidents / emergencies in Greek waters, please contact us immediately and our agent in Rhodes. You can find the contact information for all the agents at any of our bases.
  

• How do the exit and entry formalities work to go to Greece and how much is the cost?

  Since 2014, due to the international refugee problem, very careful attention is being paid to ensure charter yachts are completing the entry/exit procedures . Please take this into consideration when you want to take a "detour" to the Greek islands. In all cases, please inform us beforehand, as we need to provide the last transit log, with which the yacht entered Turkey, and additional authorization when exiting. Exiting and entering is only possible from an official Port of Entry.

  
  These are in: Marmaris, Fethiye, Datca, Bozburun, Bodrum.
  
  Completing this process is only possible with an agent, when you are on a charter yacht. You can find the agents contact information at any of our bases. The Turkish transit log you received at the start of the charter will automatically expire upon exit from Turkey and has to be renewed upon entry. The charges for exiting and entering are unfortunately very high and vary depending on the number of people on board, between 160 € up to 200 € per entry or exit. The process of exit/entry is not possible after 17:00, and to complete the formalities the next day takes approx. 1-2 hours. If the formalities are not completed properly, the yacht can be impounded, a penalty of EUR 400 per person can be charged and a 1 year ban imposed on entering Turkey.
  

• Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey, and what documents are required?

  British citizen: Passport with min. 6 months validity. Visa on: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
  

  
  Dutch citizen: Passport with min. 6 months validity. Visa on: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/nl/
  

• Are credit cards widely accepted in marinas, shops and restaurants?

  Turkey really is a credit card users paradise. You can pay for almost everything with a credit card, with the Turkish population this is the number one currency before cash.
  

• Can you pay with foreign currency in restaurants and shops?

  Euros, Sterling and US Dollars are accepted everywhere, but we do not recommend it, since the rate of exchange is usually unfavorable. Please do not exchange foreign currency into Turkish Lira at the airports or tourist information offices, the conversion rates are really low! The best way to exchange money is with your card at the cashpoint. Here you will be given the central bank rate of exchange, which is generally the highest exchange rate available. If you want to change cash, use the exchange offices in the town.
  

• How much are the berths in the bays and marinas?

  In Turkey, there are 3 types of mooring facilities – Restaurants/Bars, public/council harbors and private marinas. At the restaurants/bars the berths are usually free, sometimes there is access to electricity and water, for which there may be a small charge. It is however expected that in return for the free berth, that you patronise the restaurant.
  

  
  For a 12m yacht, public/council harbors usually calculate an average of € 15.00 per night including water and electricity. Private marinas depending on their exclusivity, between €80.00 and €120.00 per night, including water and electricity. There is no charge for anchoring off buoys in Turkey.
  

Yachts

• What are the duties of a skipper?

  The skipper takes care of the yachts management and the safety of the crew and yacht. This work is very extensive and does not have "fixed" working hours. Please understand that the skipper cannot be "Man Friday". Cleaning, making beds, cooking and serving are not amongst the duties of a skipper.
  

• How are the yachts equipped?

  We have endeavored to equip all our yachts, to the same standard. To ensure all our customers have the benefit of the "GMM standard", we provide high attention to detail, whether you are on a Sun Odyssey 36i or a Jeanneau 57. Fixed cockpit cushions with back rests, solar panels, 2000W inverter, Nespresso machine and performance-optimized refrigerators are therefore standard. Some yachts are equipped with a generator, air conditioning and dishwasher.
  

• If I need a skipper, how do I find one?

  Have you have just taken your sailing license and are nervous about leading a yacht yourself? Or would just like to sail and have no responsibility leading the yacht? We will happily organize a skipper for you. The skippers are self-employed, have many years of experience and full qualifications. All the skippers we use know the area well and will gladly accommodate your route wishes. If possible, we try to organize a skipper who speaks your native language, should this not be possible, all our skippers speak English at least.

  
  On request, we can also organize a hostess.
  Skipper: 130€ per day and food
  Hostess: 110€ per day and food
  

• Is there Wifi on board?

  We have Wifi routers (WiFI-Hotspot) available with a unlimited data volume. This router can service up to 15 devices and surf the Internet. The network speed on the Turkish coast is almost continuously 4G, however near larger towns it can go up to LTE. The router rental including flatrate is 50.00 € per charter.
  

• Can I charge my mobile phone on board?

  You can charge your mobile phone on board using 220V, as the 220V sockets in the yacht are always active thanks to an inverter and solar panels, or with 12V using a standard "cigarette lighter" charger from a car. There are sockets in all the cabins, the salon and the kitchen.
  

• Do I have to return the yacht fully refueled?

  The yacht is delivered to you completely "full" – ie: fuel tank, water tanks, reserve tanks for outboard motor and reserve engine oil as well as 2 gas bottles - all full. When you return, you only have to fill the fuel tank (diesel). Everything else has been paid for within the charter price or the outboard rental charge.
  

Booking

• Where can I book GMM yachts?

  The easiest place is here. We are, however, also managed by most internet search providers and offered by 390 charter agencies worldwide. Should you have specific wishes and requirements, it is a good idea to get in touch with us directly, things can get a little confused when going through third parties.
  

• What are the methods of payment?

  The charter fee can only be paid to us by a bank transfer. For payments on the spot/at base, we accept credit cards or cash. Please note that for credit card payments on the spot, only credit cards with a PIN code can be used.
  Accepted credit cards: Eurocard / Mastercard, VISA
  

  
  

• How can I pay the security deposit?

  The security deposit is only payable at the base with a credit card, not with a "debit card".
  We accept Eurocard / Mastercard and Visa.
  The amount of the insurance excess waiver (security deposit ) is blocked for the period of the charter, then when the charter is complete the block is lifted.
  

  A deposit fee of € 2 500 applies for all boats up to 50ft.

  
  A deposit fee of € 3 500 applies for all boats up to 57ft and catamaran.

  
  For Jeanneau 64 the deposit fee is € 6 500.

  
  Participation in races and regattas is generally not permitted.
  

  
  An additional deposit fee of € 1.000 applies for all gennaker. This additional deposit fee is held by GMM in case the damage to the gennaker is higher than the obligatory deposit fee.

• How early do I need to book?

  If you want a specific date, or if you want a specific yacht during the months of May, June, September or October, we recommend you make your the reservation during November of the previous season. If you are flexible in terms of travel dates and the type of yacht, our last minute deals could prove to be a real bargain for you. Check them out...
  

• Can you charter only from Saturday to Saturday?

  No, depending on availability, Monday - Monday or 10 day charters are available. However, such bookings are only possible booking directly via us, as the format of the central booking programme does not allow these options. Please understand that we cannot offer a charter of less than 4 days, since the expenses and the additional costs would simply be too high, so the charter price for you as a customer would no longer be viable.
  

• What documents and information do I need to send before the charter starts?

  At the time of booking, we require a valid skipper's sailing license. The charterer and skipper do not have to be the same person, but we need the charter contract signed by either the charterer or skipper.

  
  

  2 weeks prior to the charter, we would also need:
  - Fully completed crew list
  - Information about any extras required (outboard motor, bed linen, railing nets, SUP, etc.)
  - Transfer from the airport (if wanted ) - if children 's seats are required, please specify!
  - Provisions order (if wanted )
  - Any other wishes or special requests you want us to carry out.
  
  

The Base, receiving and return the yacht

• How do I get to the base and where can I find my yacht?

  At the latest, 2 weeks before the charter starts, we will send you detailed information about the base. This information contains not only the address and a map of the marina, but also all the contact details of the base and the base leader. If you do not have a transfer from us, we recommend you take a taxi. All taxi drivers usually know the marinas well and the charter firms. If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to give us a call!
  

• What is the procedure to take delivery of the yacht?

  When you arrive at the base, you will be welcomed by our base staff and given the time you will be able to board the yacht, if it is not quite ready for boarding when you first arrive. As soon as you are on board and have relaxed a little, please go through the checklist, which is on the navigation table. To find all the equipment easier, use the last two pages of the manual on board, there is a detailed location plan and a quickfinder diagram. Objects you cannot find, please do not search for long, just make a note to ask during the technical briefing. As soon as you are ready to have the technical briefing, please contact the base manager, who will explain the yacht and the technical equipment in detail. Finally, please go to the office to complete the delivery protocol, pay the security deposit and any other payments that may be due, for extras you have requested. Once these formalities are complete your charter starts, you are ready to cruise.
  

• Does someone speak English at the base?

  Our managers speak English, German, Russian and Turkish at mother tongue level.
  

• If I have ordered a transfer and my flight is late, does the driver wait?

  In the case of flight delays, you do not have to worry about your transfer, the driver will be waiting, with your name on a plaque, in front of the airport building and will then take you directly to your yacht.
  

• Can I board my yacht even if I have a very late arrival?

  If you arrive late, your yacht will be ready and left open for you. Your name will be on a sign attached to the outside of the yacht, so along with the help of the map sent by us, you can find your yacht. When you have ordered provisions, they will already be on board, and we will put perishable items in the fridge. The handover of the yacht will take place the next day.
  

• Until what time are the restaurants and supermarkets open?

  The restaurants are usually open until midnight, you will always find something even if you arrive late. The supermarket in Netsel Marina, Marmaris is open from 09:00 to 21:00 In Göcek there is a restaurant near the main entrance of the marina, open until midnight. The supermarket in the marina is open from 08.30am to 19.30pm. However if you are boarding your yacht in Göcek, the supermarkets in the town are open from 08.30am to 22.00pm.
  

• Can delivery of the yacht also take place somewhere GMM Yachting has no base?

  In exceptional cases, yes. However, this requires considerable planning and would incur additional costs. If you make an early booking (November to February), we would be able to offer you a good reduction on the normal costs for this service. Please understand that this service is only possible when booking direct with us and only within a radius of 300 km around Marmaris.
  

• When can I take delivery of the yacht on the day of departure?

  The charter contract is from 18:00 local time. The reality, however, is that we will always try to have the ship ready for you at your planned arrival time. Provided repairs, servicing and cleaning permit this. This is why it is very important for us to have the exact details of your flight times in order to plan the weekend schedule accordingly.
  

• When does the yacht have to be returned?

  Please make sure that you are back at the base, on the evening prior to your departure day, no later than 4:00 pm local time. Please fill the diesel tank at the fuel station and empty the waste tanks. As soon as you moor your yacht at the base, you will be met by our staff. They will ask you how your charter went and about any problems or positive things you experienced. Afterwards, our base crew comes briefly on board to check the yacht (sails, equipment, WC`s etc.). As soon as our diver has checked underneath the vessel, you will be asked to go to the office to complete the return protocol and we will refund the security deposit. Here you can also confirm your flight times and if you need, order a transfer. Finished with the formalities, then you can relax and enjoy the last evening of your holiday.
  

• Do I need to clean the yacht inside and outside before returning it?

  No. The final cleaning is included in the charter price. However, please remember to take all your personal belongings and we kindly ask you to dispose of the garbage. We'll take care of the rest.
  

• What if I need assistance during the trip?

  No problem, just give us a call. You will find the telephone numbers of all the bases and a 24-hour emergency number in the yachts on board manual. Whether it is medical emergency, accident or technical problem, we will take care of it.
  If you have a technical problem and are on the Turkish coast, our mobile technical service will take care of you. But you can also call us with small worries, no matter whether it involves the planning of excursions, trips or making restaurant and berth reservations, we will be happy to assist you.