Croatia Charter

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pompeyblue

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Hi
We (two reasonably competent (!) couples) are considering a bare boat charter in Croatia for 1 or 2 weeks this July. We have previously chartered in Greece (Poros) and Majorca (Palma) and are looking for something new but have absolutely zero knowledge of the area or the local charter situation. As ever, I guess there will be some compromises to be made between airport transfer times/best yacht locations and cost?
Any suggestions?
Many thanks.
 
Best location to charter from is the stretch of coast 50 miles each way around Split and that is where most of the charter companies are located, more specifically from Split to Zadar. You can also charter from Istria in the north or Dubrovnik in the south but there is less choice of charterer or boat and the sailing area is a bit less interesting in my opinion. The Split area will give you everything you might want from deserted islands through to 24 hour night clubs and the airports in Split or Zadar are both close to the charter bases.

You will need an RYA qualification but any one from Competent Crew upwards, practical or theory, will suffice provided you have a nice certificate with RYA on the top and your name on the bottom .... but check with your chosen charter company as to what their requirements are.

Hope this helps.

Richard
 
pompeyblue said:
Hi
We (two reasonably competent (!) couples) are considering a bare boat charter in Croatia for 1 or 2 weeks this July. We have previously chartered in Greece (Poros) and Majorca (Palma) and are looking for something new but have absolutely zero knowledge of the area or the local charter situation. As ever, I guess there will be some compromises to be made between airport transfer times/best yacht locations and cost?
Any suggestions?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...

There's a boggling range of options! For instance years ago we flew to Trieste and had a long, multi-country transfer to collect the charter yacht at Pula. We, years later, flew to Pula airport for a much shorter transfer when we found a reasonable flight. You can also fly to Split, which is quite near Trogir, and pick up a boat at numerous nearby places with many itineraries to hand. Lastly there is Dubrovnik airport with potential to find a boat at the large Dubrovnik marina or even from or to Montenegro. We spent a week there last year. This year there is even a flotilla doing something similar.

Mike.
 
A1GSS said:
ICC is acceptable but not Comp Crew.
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Which is why I said check with the charter company because they will probably be happy as long as it has an RYA logo and your name on it. Sunsail / The Moorings were always happy with my Yachtmaster (Classroom) over many years even though it doesn't meet ICC requirements. This has been a regular discussion point many times on here.

Richard
 
RichardS said:
Which is why I said check with the charter company because they will probably be happy as long as it has an RYA logo and your name on it. Sunsail / The Moorings were always happy with my Yachtmaster (Classroom) over many years even though it doesn't meet ICC requirements. This has been a regular discussion point many times on here.



Richard
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We are chartering this summer in Croatia. Minimum Day skipper cert is required as well as VHF ticket.
Both had to be sent to the charter company after booking.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/089a44_499549d7d6a14cc990d6d1004b1363c3.pdf
They are sticklers for rules.
 
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Thanks all for the great advice.
We are RYA (and VHF) qualified so no issue there.
More difficult is deciding where to base ourselves but Split is looking favourite.
Presumably we find it noticeably more expensive than previous charter trips in Majorca and Greece?
Tks
David
 
pompeyblue said:
Thanks all for the great advice.
We are RYA (and VHF) qualified so no issue there.
More difficult is deciding where to base ourselves but Split is looking favourite.
Presumably we find it noticeably more expensive than previous charter trips in Majorca and Greece?
Tks
David
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It really depends upon what you want. If you use marinas in Croatia and upmarket restaurants you will spend a lot more than you would in Greece doing a similar kind of thing (perhaps town quays rather than marinas in Greece). However, if you prefer to anchor and stick to bays where there is no anchoring or mooring charge (most bays are free but your charter company will advise) and if you look for konobas away from the tourist traps, then Croatia is comparable to Greece.

If you head for the Kornati Islands, which are beatifully desolate, then be aware that there is a charge to enter the entire area and many of the bays have only one restaurant which is only open for a few months each year ... so be prepared to pay massive amounts if you eat out. :(

Of course, if you shop in supermarkets, mostly eat and drink on board (local wine is very cheap and good) and anchor in free areas then you will have an even cheaper holiday. :)

Richard
 
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We flew into Split and then spent the first 2 nights in Trogir. Shopped t the supermarket in Trogir, carried the parcels down to the taxi rank (right next to the supermarket) and then caught a taxi to the marina.The marina was a couple of miles from Trogir (chartered through Nautilus).

We spent a couple of nights on various mooring buoys and in hindsight, we should have just anchored. The cost f the buoys was 250 kn a night (in October) and if you wanted to go onto the town quay - approx 350 kn a night.

There are loads of bays and restaurants and the wine is pretty good too. You should have a fabulous time.
 
We are chartering out of Dubrovnik and used Latesail.com . got a better deal from them than going direct to any of the charter companies.
 
Spyro said:
We are chartering out of Dubrovnik and used Latesail.com . got a better deal from them than going direct to any of the charter companies.
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Split and south (well technically Primosten and south) was our main cruising area until a couple of years ago and we found it perfect for a week away. We tended to anchor most of the time and never had to pay in 5 years, but if we had guests on board we would go in to a harbour wall (maybe 30 quid) or marina (maybe 100 quid) every other night, but didn't need to. One thing to watch is that you want to be in a harbour/marina by 14:00 ish to get a space but the winds will barely have started by then. If you want a proper sail then you want to end up at an anchorage. Too many good places to mention within a long day sail but some particular favourite anchorages were Krknasje on Drvenik Veli and Pokrovenic on Hvar, for a harbour wall then Jelsa and for the most picturesque marina in the world (or at least in my experience and beats English Harbour Antigua) then Korcula Town. Well the marina is a marina but the location is superb.
 
Thanks for some great advice ... Korcula sounds a great place to head for.
Do I book now or wait until the last minute and maybe get a cheaper deal...decisions decisions....!!
 
My first Croatia charter last year - simply wonderful, and big surprise was no litter anywhere, very friendly people and relatively low cost of things.

We were able to go in mid-June, not busy but we were told that from end of June onwards it can get very busy in the popular areas. But with such a vast range of possibilities I imagine all that can be avoided.

We went to the Southampton Boat Show and interviewed all the main players, haggled a lot and were quite specific about boat requirements - wanted slab reefing in main and something with a bit of tweakability. In the end we went with Cosmos - a 9 year old Grande Soleil 40 for about £1200 which we thought good value across 7 people.

(As a 32 ‘ owner I thought this was vast until I got there - very little on charter fleets below 36’). The trouble with leaving booking til last minute is the reduced choice available.

Split was delightful, then on to Bol on Brac Island, down to Hvar island then across to Vis and then back to Split. Beautiful places, great variety. Quite leisurely for a weeks cruising.

Highly recommended! Good luck.
 
RupertW said:
Split and south (well technically Primosten and south) was our main cruising area until a couple of years ago and we found it perfect for a week away. We tended to anchor most of the time and never had to pay in 5 years, but if we had guests on board we would go in to a harbour wall (maybe 30 quid) or marina (maybe 100 quid) every other night, but didn't need to. One thing to watch is that you want to be in a harbour/marina by 14:00 ish to get a space but the winds will barely have started by then. If you want a proper sail then you want to end up at an anchorage. Too many good places to mention within a long day sail but some particular favourite anchorages were Krknasje on Drvenik Veli and Pokrovenic on Hvar, for a harbour wall then Jelsa and for the most picturesque marina in the world (or at least in my experience and beats English Harbour Antigua) then Korcula Town. Well the marina is a marina but the location is superb.
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Korcula is on the list. thanks
 
Spyro said:
Korcula is on the list. thanks
Click to expand...

A beautiful place and worth spending a couple of days there. We've done the town museum and the Marco Polo exhibition (he was, arguably, born there rather than in Venice) and just walking around the city wall at night and eating at one of the restaurants on the wall as the sun goes down and the musicians come out to play is a glorious experience.

If you're not keen on the marina, and we're not keen on any marina, you can anchor for free in one of the bays just to the west of Korcula. There is one just east of the large red cone marking a schoal area which is a hammerhead shape with plenty of anchoring space. From the boat you can dinghy over to the east-most point of the bay nearest to Korcula and then enjoy a 30 minute walk along the coast into Korcula town as the sun goes down .... which is exactly where this was taken from, just before the monastery about half way to town.

IMG_0321.JPG


Richard
 
pompeyblue said:
Thanks for some great advice ... Korcula sounds a great place to head for.
Do I book now or wait until the last minute and maybe get a cheaper deal...decisions decisions....!!
Click to expand...

Coming from the other end I'd say book now generally there is an early booking discount this time of year - You may find a last minute discount but if you have the boat and the dates you want take it now and relax
 
RupertW said:
Split and south (well technically Primosten and south) was our main cruising area until a couple of years ago and we found it perfect for a week away. We tended to anchor most of the time and never had to pay in 5 years, but if we had guests on board we would go in to a harbour wall (maybe 30 quid) or marina (maybe 100 quid) every other night, but didn't need to. One thing to watch is that you want to be in a harbour/marina by 14:00 ish to get a space but the winds will barely have started by then. If you want a proper sail then you want to end up at an anchorage. Too many good places to mention within a long day sail but some particular favourite anchorages were Krknasje on Drvenik Veli and Pokrovenic on Hvar, for a harbour wall then Jelsa and for the most picturesque marina in the world (or at least in my experience and beats English Harbour Antigua) then Korcula Town. Well the marina is a marina but the location is superb.
Click to expand...

I've heard a few times about marinas and town quays being busy and having to get in early. Does this happen all season or just July August? We are starting our charter on 10th June and wondered if it would be as busy at that time of year?
 
Spyro said:
I've heard a few times about marinas and town quays being busy and having to get in early. Does this happen all season or just July August? We are starting our charter on 10th June and wondered if it would be as busy at that time of year?
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Nope .... June will be fine and Croatia will be your oyster. :)

A bit busier at the weekends but no problem even then.

Richard
 
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