Who We Are

When you book a charter in a foreign country, it helps to know the faces behind the website. Here’s the Greece Sailing Charters story.

In 1997, experienced Greek captain Kostas Ghiokas and American sailor and yachting journalist Lynda Morris Childress met in Greece in 1997 – on a charter! They instantly became a couple. After working together for several years as captain and crew on other privately owned yachts, they married, and decided to buy their own boat – Stressbuster, a classic Atlantic 70 cutter. In 2003, they launched Greece Sailing Charters – a company dedicated to providing a small fleet of well-maintained, high-quality yachts, extremely qualified captains, and top-notch customer service. The GSC staff are all active sailors who are extremely knowledgeable about sailing and chartering in Greece.

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Because we’re small, we get to know our clients: We’re personally involved in every aspect of each charter to ensure you get the best vacation possible, from the time you book until the time you step ashore after the trip of a lifetime!

For more info about the Greece Sailing Charters staff, scroll down.

Our Yachts and Crews

On a charter, a good captain/crew is as important as a good boat. All of our yachts are owner-operated -- sailed by their owner-captains. Why is this important? Unlike yachts that are part of large-company fleets, which employ very young, free-lance captains and crews (who often are from elsewhere in Europe), our fully-licensed, expert skipper- owners are all native Greeks with a lifetime of sailing experience in Greece. All are top-notch captains who are well-educated and speak fluent English. They have significant local knowledge: wind, weather, and the best places to visit on each island. Because they are owner-operated, all of our boats are meticulously maintained and equipped.

For a look at our yachts, captains/crew, click here.

email us for more info at: bookings@greecesailingcharters.com

OUR STAFF

Lynda Morris Childress

Charter Manager, Licensed Sailor, First Mate/Cook: Stressbuster

Lynda was born in Newport, Rhode Island – a world sailing capital -- in 1955. She has sailed extensively worldwide and cruised New England waters for many years in her own Catalina 27 and many other sailboats. She has been sailing full-time in Greece since 2000. She has a B.A. in English/Writing; before moving to Greece full time, she was managing editor of Rhode-Island based Cruising World magazine. She continues to work for that magazine and others as a contributing editor and nautical writer. She is the author of the book, A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts (International Marine Publishing) and a contributor to Essential Sailing Destinations (AA Publishing, U.K.). She loves cooking and good food – she is the author/editor of Cruising World’s popular monthly “SAILOR & GALLEY” column, and treats charter guests to delicious, home-style Greek meals aboard. She knows the Greek Islands well, and loves to share this local knowledge. She enjoys teaching guests a few easy Greek words as well as interpreting for visitors the sometimes baffling nuances of everyday Greek culture and life!

Kostas Ghiokas

C.E.O. RYA-Licensed Captain: Yacht Stressbuster

Kostas was born in 1954 in Glyfada, Greece, a southern suburb of Athens that was the venue for the 2004 Olympic sailing events. He is a naval architect with a B.S. degree from Athens Technical College. From his youth, his passion always has been the sea and sailing. He was a Sea Scout and an avid small-sailboat racer in the local sailing club. He designed, built, and sailed his first boat at age 12. In his late teens, he went on to be an Olympic-class sailor in the Finn Class. After receiving his degree and working briefly as a designer, he found he wasn’t happy in an office environment: The ocean called him back. He returned to the sea and sailing as a full-time professional captain in 1980 and has sailed the Greek Islands ever since, though he still works at yacht design and construction during the winter months. He is a Royal Yachting Association-licensed Yacht Master who loves to share his knowledge of sailing, Greek history, mythology, folklore, and the beautiful Greek Islands with guests. He speaks English fluently.

Contact us:

ERIC, JIL, ELOISE, AND RYDER / NY USA

Thank you so much for showing us your Greece! You have taken such incredible care of our family. We loved hearing all the stories about the islands and Greek life. You made Ryder’s 13th birthday so memorable! Your Greek recipes were amazing! We loved getting to know you, and we hope to have the privilege to sail with you again.

Thank you very much ERIC, JIL, ELOISE, AND RYDER

EVELYN & DAVID / CT USA

You have exceeded each and every one of our expectations – the reality was better than the anticipation! We will never forget our “Cycladean Odyssey.” You have made some friends for life.

Thank you very much EVELYN & DAVID

SOTOS, SONIA, ALEX, & NATHAN / PA USA

We were looking for a family vacation to spend time together and do something different. You were not only great tour guides, accommodating our particular requests, but also extremely gracious hosts. We look forward to doing this again in the future.

Thank you very much SOTOS, SONIA, ALEX, & NATHAN

MARY, STEVE, B.J., AND BARB / CT USA

This was a wonderful experience! You showed us islands with abundant variety, taught us some history and culture, gave us frequent opportunities to explore and relax on our own, and fed us outstanding Greek cuisine! A most beautiful sea, with the most knowledgeable and creative captain and chef, and the most relaxation we’ve had in years – which is saying a lot, since we’re all retired! Thank you for making this an experience of a lifetime

Thank you very much MARY, STEVE, B.J., AND BARB

VIRGINIA / CA USA

You two are such an inspiration for living your dream. I appreciate how sincerely you share your life with those you welcome aboard, serving such a delicious slice of life, seasoned with your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience, and humor! This trip has fulfilled a promise I made to myself many years ago…

Thank you very much VIRGINIA

ROW, PAUL, CORMAC, CASHEL, & LYRA / Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

Thank you so much for such a wonderful journey. You opened our eyes to a new experience. Your patience with the kids was much appreciated – they can be a boisterous lot! Your cooking was fantastic – especially the lemon chicken! None of us will forget this fantastic holiday on the mermaid-filled seas of Greece.

Thank you very much ROW, PAUL, CORMAC, CASHEL, & LYRA

JENNY & NATE / WA USA

STRESSBUSTED! Thank you sooooo much for everything! You are both such amazing hosts who took such great care of all of us while making sure we had a terrific time. Lynda, thank you so much for your amazing cooking (with my allergy requirements to boot!). You are great guides through Greece. Your knowledge and expertise were astounding.

Thank you very much JENNY & NATE

HYLKE, JET, ANNE, HIDDE, MARLYN, & KENZA / Epse, NETHERLAND

Thank you so much for your hospitality, wonderful lunches, great sailing, great discussions! If you are ever in Holland, please call and come sailing with us! See you next time.

Thank you very much HYLKE, JET, ANNE, HIDDE, MARLYN, & KENZA

EMILY & CHRIS / CT USA

Thank you for such a great week of sailing in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Stressbuster was a fantastic home and your hospitality, unmatched. A wonderful way to rejoin with old friends and meet new ones. Magical.

Thank you very much EMILY & CHRIS

CASS / WA USA

Thank you for taking us on this breathtaking adventure. You two are amazing hosts! I never wanted for food or laughter with your great senses of humor and understanding. Stressbuster is a fantastic platform for these adventures, and you’ve maintained her beautifully!

Thank you very much CASS

ROY & SUE / Ontario, CANADA

Our first sailing adventure and first visit to Greece were made wonderful by your expertise and generous spirits! Plus excellent lunches that we’ll never forget!

Thank you very much ROY & SUE

LISA & DAVID / NY, USA

What a wonderful week! Thank you for this truly unique and breathtaking experience. Everything about the last week was special – Stressbuster is the perfect name for your boat -- after one day I forgot everything else that was going on and found total relaxation on the water! Thank you for taking such good care of us, and for showing us your lovely Greece.

Thank you very much LISA & DAVID

ELISE & ALETA / CA USA

Thank you for sharing your beautiful boat with us. We loved Greece, our new friendships and your best-ever Greek cooking. We will have many special memories.

Thank you very much ELISE & ALETA

JIM & HARRIET / CA USA

A dream fulfilled! Thanks to you both and Stressbuster, I have lived my dream. Thanks to the camaraderie of our band of friends, the grace, beauty and generosity of the islands and people of Greece, the Epicurean lifestyle of summer sailing in Geece (including Lynda’s delectable feasts and Kostas’s wide-ranging philosophical interests), we are all de-stressed! Efharisto!

Thank you very much JIM & HARRIET

BETSY & JIM / ME, USA

Where do we start to fully express our gratitude for such an amazing trip? The boat, the weather, the sights, the history lessons, the swims, the amazing food, the friends, new and old…all of this and more adds up to a perfect and memorable vacation. Thank you for sharing Stressbuster with us. I can’t remember being this relaxed in a very long time…

Thank you very much BETSY & JIM

YARDENNA & DAVID / CA USA

Thank you for your care, compassion, catering, cuteness, comfort, courtesy, compatibility, conscientiousness, and all-around loving spirit. You have made this voyage THE BEST.

Thank you very much YARDENNA & DAVID