How to Buy a Used Boat in Greece (2025 Guide)

Buying a used boat in Greece can be the opportunity of a lifetime—or an expensive mistake.

Greece is one of the most active hubs for the used yacht and sailboat market in Europe, with thousands of boats changing hands every year. The warm climate, huge charter fleet, and relatively lower prices compared to Northern Europe make it a magnet for international buyers.

But here’s the problem: if you’re searching listings from abroad, every boat looks perfect in the photos. Fly out to Athens or Lefkas for €500+ in flights, hotels and car rentals, and you might find that “immaculate Bavaria 41” has rotten bulkheads or hasn’t seen proper maintenance since 2010.

This guide is your playbook for 2025. You’ll learn:

• Why Greece is such a popular market for used boats.
• Where to buy (Athens, Lefkas, Preveza, Kos, and Rhodes).
• Hidden costs most buyers underestimate.
• How to inspect remotely before spending thousands on travel.
• What a full marine survey involves and how long it takes.
• The step-by-step process to buy safely and confidently.

Why Greece is Popular for Used Boats

Market Size & Popularity

Greece has one of the largest fleets of recreational yachts and sailboats in Europe. According to the European Boating Industry report, more than 6 million boats are registered across Europe, and Greece represents one of the most active sub-markets thanks to its thriving charter industry.

Every summer, thousands of boats are added to the used market as charter companies rotate stock and private owners look to sell. For buyers, this means lots of inventory and competitive pricing compared to markets like France, Spain, or the UK.

👉 For a broader perspective, read: Why Greece is the Best Place to Buy a Yacht Abroad in 2025.

Types of Boats Commonly Sold

• Ex-charter sailboats: Bavaria, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Hanse, and Dufour are staples. These boats are usually well-equipped for charter, but have high usage hours and varying maintenance quality.
• Privately owned cruising yachts: Often better maintained but rarer, with higher asking prices.
• Motor yachts (30–60 ft range): Growing presence in marinas like Athens, Rhodes, and Lefkas.
• Catamarans: Increasingly popular, especially Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot models, often ex-charter.
• Liveaboards: Liveaboard cruisers set up for bluewater passages are also getting more-and-more common in Greece.

Where to Buy Used Boats in Greece

Athens, Lefkas, Preveza, Kos, Rhodes

The Greek market is concentrated in a handful of hubs:

• Athens (Alimos Marina): The largest marina in Greece, home to hundreds of charter fleets and brokers. It’s the primary starting point for buyers.
• Lefkas & Preveza (Ionian Sea): Popular with cruising buyers; easy to access from Preveza airport. Many ex-charters end up here.
• Kos & Rhodes (Dodecanese): Good selection of both sailing yachts and motorboats, often with competitive pricing compared to Athens.
• Corfu: Smaller, but an active ex-charter hub.

👉 Explore in detail: Best Places to Buy Used Boats in Greece (Athens & Islands, 2025 Guide).

Brokers, Online Platforms, Marinas

• Brokers: The majority of boat sales in Greece still go through yacht brokers. They help with contracts, escrow, and paperwork but take a commission (usually 5–10% from the seller, rarely the buyer).
• Online platforms: YachtWorld, Boat24, Scanboat, Boats.com, and local portals like Boat.gr. These are the starting points for most international buyers.
• On-the-ground marinas: Don’t underestimate marina noticeboards and word-of-mouth. Many “hidden gem” boats never make it online.

Best Websites to Search for Used Boats in Greece

Once you’ve decided which region you want to focus on — Athens, Lefkas, or one of the islands — it’s time to start browsing actual listings.

There are dozens of sites showing boats for sale, but not all are equally reliable or up-to-date. To save time, we compiled a detailed resource covering the most trusted international and Greek platforms.

👉 Read our full guide: Top 8 Sites to Search for Used Boats in Greece (2025).

It includes major global platforms like YachtWorld and Boat24, as well as local gems such as Boat.gr and Car.gr — the places Greek boat owners actually use to sell privately.

The Hidden Costs of Buying in Greece

The listed price of a used boat is just the beginning.

Travel (€500+ Per Trip)

Every scouting trip costs money:

• Flights to Athens or Preveza: €150–400 (depending on season and route).
• Hotels and meals: €100–200 per night.
• Car rental or transfers: €50–100 per day (+highway tolls).

Total: €500–1,000 per trip — easily wasted if the boat isn’t worth pursuing.

👉 Solution: First Look Inspection in Greece: Save €500+ Before You Travel.

Surveys

A full marine survey is essential, but costs vary:

• Flat fees or per-foot pricing: €15–€20 per foot is the starting price.
• A 40-ft yacht → €600–€800+.
• Add travel, haul-out, and sometimes translator fees.

👉 See: Boat Survey Costs in Greece: What Buyers Really Pay.

Import & Taxation Considerations

• VAT status: Boats may be VAT-paid, VAT-unpaid, or VAT-exempt (charter). VAT can add 24% to the purchase price if you want to use the boat privately and the VAT hasn't been paid yet!
• EU vs. non-EU flags: Non-EU flagged boats may require re-registration.
• Mooring & maintenance: The average yearly cost for a 40-foot (approximately 12-meter) boat in Greece can range significantly, from approximately €2,500 to over €8,000. This wide spectrum is influenced by the marina's location, the level of services offered, and the type of berthing chosen (monohull vs catamaran).

How to Inspect Before You Travel

First Look Inspections

A First Look inspection is a budget-friendly way to eliminate bad boats without spending €500+ for travel. For €120, a local experienced boater, we call them 'First Mates^?A Clearhull First Mate is an experienced sailor who visits the boat on your behalf, taking detailed photos, videos, and filling out a 75-point structured checklist. Book Your First Mate Here', visits the boat, takes photos and videos, and completes a checklist which is then sent to you.

This helps you decide if a boat is worth flying to see.

👉 Read: First Look Inspection in Greece: Save €500+ Before You Travel.

75-Point Checklist

A First Look Inspection is a visual inspection of the boat with 75 items by default (customizable). The main categories include:

• Hull & deck
• Keel & rudder
• Standing & running rigging (for sailboats)
• Engine & propulsion
• Electronic equipment
• Safety gear
• Interior condition
• Sails & canvas

👉 Detailed version: Used Sailboat Inspections in Greece: 75-Point Checklist for Buyers.

Difference Between First Look and Survey

• First Look: Quick filter, limited scope, cost-effective.
• Survey: Full-day (or multi-day) deep dive with haul-out, moisture meters, oil analysis, and a written report.

👉 Comparison: Marine Survey vs. First Look Inspection in Greece: What’s the Difference?.

Full Marine Survey Requirements

When a Survey Is Essential

You can skip a survey if you’re window shopping, but not if you’re ready to buy. A pre-purchase marine survey is usually required by:

• Insurers (to issue coverage).
• Banks (if financing).
• You, the buyer, to avoid disasters like osmosis, engine replacement or dismasting, because of hidden issues only experts can find.

👉 See: Do I Need a Boat Survey in Greece?.

Time & Process

Surveys usually include:

1. Haul-out & hull inspection.
2. Deck & superstructure checks with specialized equipment.
3. Systems testing (engine, electrics, plumbing).
4. Sea trial (if agreed).
5. Report delivery.

Typical duration: ½ day to 2 days, depending on boat size and scope.

👉 More detail: Boat Surveys in Greece: How Long They Take & What to Expect.

Mistakes to Avoid

Some of the most common buyer mistakes in Greece:

• Flying over for the first boat you saw online.
• Not confirming VAT status before making an offer.
• Overlooking ex-charter maintenance histories.
• Skipping a First Look and wasting €500+ in travel.
• Falling in love emotionally and ignoring red flags.

👉 Read more: 10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Boat in Greece.

Step-by-Step Buying Process (2025)

Here’s the playbook for a safe and efficient purchase:

1. Research

• Define your budget.
• Shortlist models you’re interested in (e.g., Bavaria 41, Beneteau Oceanis 45).
• Browse listings to get a feel for market prices.

2. Remote Verification (First Look)

• Hire a local inspector to eliminate bad boats.
• Get pictures, videos and honest notes.

3. Travel Only for Shortlisted Boats

• Narrow your list to 2–3 candidates.
• Fly out once you know they’re worth seeing.

4. Hire Surveyor → Final Purchase

• Commission a full pre-purchase marine survey.
• Use the report to negotiate price (e.g., “€8,000 off due to standing rigging replacement”).
• Sign contracts, pay deposit.
• Arrange insurance.
• Complete the purchase and registration.

Final Thoughts

You can buy a used boat in Greece safely and with confidence—but only if you follow a disciplined process.

• Do your research.
• Use a First Look inspection before spending €500+ on travel.
• Rely on a professional survey before signing the deal.

👉 Clearhull is here to help you avoid wasted trips and bad surprises. With local First Mates^?A Clearhull First Mate is an experienced sailor who visits the boat on your behalf, taking detailed photos, videos, and filling out a 75-point structured checklist. Book Your First Mate Here, surveyor coordination, and transparent reports, we make sure your next boat is the right one.

Learn more about First Look inspections here.