The Mazziena 26SP, why we built our flagship around this RIB

The Mazziena 26SP is the boat we put in front of guests who say "we want to see everything in one day". Twin 200 HP Honda outboards, 8.5 metres of hull, dual Bimini tops, a hardtop console with proper electronics, and a licensed skipper from our crew. It is the flagship of our fleet for a reason.

Why this specific boat

There is no shortage of RIB models in the Ionian rental market. We chose the Mazziena 26SP after a season running smaller hulls and finding the same shortlist of problems on Paxos days: not enough fuel range, not enough shade, not enough comfort on the open crossing. The 26SP solves all three.

The numbers that matter:

• 8.5 m length, 3.0 m beam, substantial enough to feel stable in any chop the inner Ionian throws up, light enough to plane fast.
• 2 × 200 HP Honda outboards, supercharged, 400 HP combined. Cruise at 32 knots, top out at 55.
• 450-litre fuel tank. Paxos and back without a refuelling stop, even on a long detour.
• Dual Bimini tops, one over the console, one over the stern. Real shade on both sides of the deck.
• 12-inch Raymarine plotter, electric windlass, on-board freezer, Hertz audio with six speakers, VHF Simrad.

It is, in honest terms, a small motor yacht in a RIB layout.

What this means for the day

The 450-litre tank is the unsung detail. Most rental RIBs in Lefkada carry 200-250 litres, which limits the route to the protected inner waters or one west-coast destination plus return. The Mazziena's range lets us do the full Lefkada to Paxos boat day and still detour past Madouri and Skorpios on the way back, all on one tank.

The dual Bimini is the other one. On a hot August day at anchor off Voutoumi, the boat that gives you shade fore and aft is the boat people stay on for lunch. The boat with one parasol over the console is the boat where everyone scrambles for the swim ladder by 13:00 because the cockpit is unbearable.

Why a skipper comes with it

Two reasons. First, with twin 200 HP outboards the Mazziena is a serious vessel. The Greek boat license rules require a powerboat license over 30 HP, and we don't offer the Mazziena as self-drive. The broader case for booking a boat with skipper in Lefkada versus self-drive is covered in its own post. Second, it's the boat we put on the longest-day routes (Paxos, west coast Porto Katsiki/Egremni), and those routes benefit from a captain who reads the wind.

The skipper is included in the day rate. No separate fee.

Who it suits

Groups of six to ten. Families, multi-generational. Couples with kids. People who want the bigger day, Paxos and Antipaxos in a single jump, and want to do it comfortably.

If you are two people on a budget who want a quiet swim off Meganisi, the Highfield 650 Sport is the better-fit boat. If you want the whole Ionian and you want shade, ice, and a captain, this is the Mazziena.

A real day

A wedding party of nine from London chartered the Mazziena last September for the day after the wedding. They wanted Paxos in the morning, Antipaxos for lunch, and a slow return past Skorpios for sunset. We ran the route, anchored off Voutoumi at 11:30, ate at Lakka, and were back at base at 19:00 with a sunset stop. The freezer had been doing useful work all day.

FAQ

What is the top speed of the Mazziena 26SP? 55 knots flat out. Cruise is 32 knots, which is the speed we usually run at, comfortable and economical.

How many people can the Mazziena carry? Ten passengers in addition to the skipper.

Does the Mazziena come with a skipper? Yes. The Mazziena is always rented with a licensed skipper from our crew. Skipper is included in the day rate.

What is the fuel range? The 450-litre tank covers a full Paxos and Antipaxos day plus detours, around 70-80 nautical miles in mixed cruise and slow-speed running. Fuel is paid by the renter at the end of the day.

To book the Mazziena, see the boat page or use the booking form.