Whether you want to explore the rock formations to seek out a sea cucumber or prefer some seriously sensuous sun-bathing on a secluded beach beyond access by car, a motor boat is the answer and, wherever you are staying on Kefalonia, there will be a boat for hire near you. These small fibreglass boats with an outboard engine costing from 50 to 80 Euro for one days hire and, like hiring a car, you will pay extra for the petrol you use. Some boat operators let you take the boat out by the hour with the petrol included.
Having hired a boat for the day, you will probably find you want to extend the hire as it opens up possibilities of exploring uninhabited islets and seeing a coastal aspect, which is difficult to reach on foot. You can go for lunch at a quayside taverna or go shopping the leisurely way. In fact having your own boat can often be more useful than hiring a car.
The great thing is that no experience is necessary, as the local operator will show you how to operate the boat. Some of the boats have a tiller and these starting mechanisms need a tug on the cord to get the motor going. Actually operating the boat is easy but doing it with the air of confidence needs practice. For starters that cord needs a jolly good tug which is best done with both hands. With a graceful bend of the knees and a sharp yank on the rope, the motor should start. First time Captains should try not to throw their partner overboard with the backward thrust of the elbow or choose a model with an electric starter! More sophisticated boats have a steering wheel with an electric starter and consul (like a remote control).
Boats take from 2 to 6 people so it is worth thinking about what type of boat you are looking for before you go to the nearest supplier. A small boat for 2 to 4 people will usually be a 10-15 horsepower. Still for 2-4 people you can hire 25 and 30 horsepower boats, which are bigger and faster. For six people, take a 30 horse-power boat. Engines are 2-stroke or 4-stroke, the latter being more economical, ecological and quieter. Whichever boat you choose it will be sturdy and have enough power for gentle coastal meandering.
All the local boat operators are licensed by the Port Authority and are insured. However, the insurance will probably be third party and you will be liable for any damage to the boat and you will have to pay if any of the equipment is missing when you return to the harbour.
Boats are generally licensed as pleasure boats with fishing prohibited, but you can check this at the time of booking. You should also take heed of the time and place of return of the boat for safety reasons.
The equipment provided with each boat varies and is divided up into either 'essentials' or 'extras' that you may have to pay for:
Essentials
Life Jackets
Flares
Oars
Lamp
First Aid Kit
Anchor
Sun Canopy
Fire extinguisher
Instruction Leaflet
Rescue boat available
Extras
Mobile Telephone
Petrol
Fridge or Cool Box
Supply of Ice
Map
Chatting away to one of the locals the night before hiring your boat, he may suggest a perfect secluded beach to head for, which is easily accessible by motorboat, but could well be 5 miles away from your departure point. The Port Authority permits hired boats to travel within a range of three nautical miles from the point where they are hired. Your operator should give you a regional map with the limits clearly marked. If you travel out of this zone it will interfere with the insurance coverage and you may well be liable for a fine if one of the coast guards sees you. Bearing this in mind, before you set off for that deserted cove, you should check with the operator how many nautical miles away it is and decide if you want to take the risk.
You will soon get used to handling the boat, but anchoring will need some careful thought. Its not necessary to drag the boat up onto a beach or rocks, which will cause damage. The easiest way for a swim is to anchor in a bay where you stop the engine and drop the anchor making sure you are not close to any rocks and that the water is not too deep for the anchor to reach the bottom.
If you are planning to stay in a villa near the coast where a boat would be a practical enhancement, it may be advisable to pre-book the boat to avoid any disappointment.
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