Buying a used boat in Greece is an exciting prospect. With its huge charter fleets, competitive prices, and vibrant marinas from Athens to Lefkas, it’s one of the best markets in Europe for second-hand yachts.
But there’s a catch: most international buyers spend €500+ on every trip just to look at boats that often aren’t worth pursuing. Flights, hotels, and car rentals add up quickly, and it’s easy to burn through thousands before you even find a boat worth surveying. Personally, I spent over €5000 searching for boats this summer, and none of them turned out how I had hoped.
This guide shows you how to buy a used boat in Greece and save money by avoiding wasted travel.
Why Trips Get Expensive
Visiting Greece to inspect a boat in person isn’t cheap. Typical costs include:
- Flights: €150–€400 per person, depending on season, origin country, destination.
- Hotels: €100–€200 per night in Athens, Lefkas, Rhodes or basically anywhere in Greece.
- Car hire & transfers: €50–€100 per day.
- Others: 1. Highway tolls are quite expensive and add up quickly. 2. Calculate with ferry fees if going to visit islands.
Even a 2–3 day trip can easily total €500–€1,000—and that’s before meals, haul-outs, or survey costs.
The €500+ Problem
Most buyers end up flying to Greece multiple times during their search. Each trip feels necessary, but half the time it’s wasted:
- The “perfect” boat from the listing turns out to be poorly maintained.
- Sellers’ or brokers’ photos hide major cosmetic or structural issues.
- VAT or paperwork problems only become clear once you arrive.
👉 In our analysis of travel costs and purchasing trends, we found that even cost-conscious buyers often spend €1,500–€2,000 on wasted trips before they find a viable boat. That money could have gone into upgrades, surveys, or negotiation leverage.
The Solution → First Look Inspection
Instead of flying blind, you can start with a First Look inspection in Greece (€120 flat fee).
A local Clearhull ‘First Mate?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 for you and provides:
- Thorough photos and videos based on a 75-point checklist.
- Notes on condition.
- Honest observations so you can decide whether the boat is worth further pursuit.
This way, you eliminate obvious duds before booking flights.
👉 Learn more: First Look Inspection in Greece: Save €500+ Before You Travel.
Step-by-Step Process to Avoid Wasted Trips
Here’s how to buy smarter and save money when searching for a used boat in Greece:
- Do your research online. Browse listings, filter by VAT status, and shortlist potential boats.
- Book a First Look inspection. For €120, a Clearhull First Mate?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 can eliminate boats not worth your time.
- Travel only for strong candidates. Once you have 2–3 promising options, plan a trip around them.
- Confirm with a full survey. If a boat looks serious, hire a surveyor for a pre-purchase inspection (we are ready to help you find and book the right surveyor!).
- Proceed with confidence. With fewer wasted trips, you save thousands and make faster progress toward ownership.
👉 For the full roadmap, read our How to Buy a Used Boat in Greece (2025 Guide).
Final Thoughts
If you want to buy a used boat in Greece and save money, the key is to stop wasting €500+ on unnecessary trips.
A simple process—research, First Look, shortlist, travel, survey—will protect your budget and get you closer to the right boat.
Clearhull helps buyers like you save money and time with on-the-ground inspections, trusted surveyor coordination, and transparent reporting.
👉 Book a First Look inspection today and start your boat-buying journey the smart way.