First time Bareboat Charter in Croatia

dolabriform

dolabriform

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Hi all

We're bareboat chartering in Croatia for the first time in a week or so, and having some last minute doubts :eek:

Background: We have a Leisure 23SL. I have Day Skipper, my wife has Competent Crew, and all told I've done over 1000 miles ( I know, not a lot! ) , she's done over 500, probably together somewhere around 300 miles.

We've chartered a 38ft Elan as we got a really good deal, but we've never done stern to mooring before ( apart from on our boat in a UK marina so no anchor out, and also the training and live sail sections on eSail ), and so I'm a bit nervous about this. Also, it's a much bigger boat than we regularly sail so I am a little wary of our close quarters experience of something that large ( just the DS & CC ). We have "Stress Free Sailing" and "Manoeuvring: At Close Quarters Under Power", which have been really useful even with our small boat.

I'm seriously considering hiring a skipper for the first day just to help familiarise ourselves with the boat and practise Stern To / close quarters.

What dy'all think? Is it as terrifying as my mind is making it out to be? WIll the charter company freak out if I ask for a skipper for a day after having approved my qualifications to charter?

As an aside, for all those who know Croatia well, is it better to take Kuna or Euros in cash?

Thanks

David
 
ooh an eSailer! Welcome to the club :D.

Hiring a skipper for the first day if you're not absolutely confident about something sounds like a great idea. I very much doubt they'll bat an eyelid (do you even have to tell them?). Do you have any opportunity to get a day or two in of private tuition on precisely that topic?
 
There’s not many places you will lay your own anchor for stern to mooring. Done a week there and everywhere we went there were pick up lines from the quay to the fixed mooring. There’s usually someone on the quay who will tell you where to go and assist you. If there’s only two of you one will have to grab the fixed line near the stern with a boat hook run to the front and fix it. The person on the helm reversing will need to handle the shore lines. The problem then is no one to fend off if you are reversing into a tight space. Get lined up we’ll in advance don’t go to slowly so to keep good steerage, keep the speed up till you are right in and keep everything crossed.
 
If you have a boat of your own, and with the mileage you've done, you won't have any problems. Many people on Croatian charters have far less experience and it all goes fine and I've never heard of anyone hiring a skipper.

The stern-to lazy line mooring in Croatia is easier than the anchor stern-to mooring in Greece. You might well choose to anchor which, if the weather is good, is even easier, as is picking up a mooring buoy.

If you've never lazy-lined before, probably the best trick if there is any side-wind is to choose a spot where you fit between two moored boats rather than a large expense of empty quay. With your fenders out, and probably the fenders will be on the other boats as well, you just nestle the boat and hold it with forward and reverse a metre or so off the quay and then wait until the aft lines and lazy lines are in place.

There's no rush 'cos you'll be held in place by the boats either side. On an open quay in a cross wind, it can all go a bit sideways unless everyone is quick and knows exactly what to do. Once you done it a few times in good conditions, you'll be better prepared for the empty quay in a cross-wind scenario. :)

Where are you starting from?

Richard
 
Last edited:
Thanks Richard & Spyro, your advice is much appreciated
We're starting from Vodice and thinking of heading to Zirje for our first stop.
It's a completely new experience compared to our boat and one we see as a big stepping stone in a good way ( I hope ! )
 
I wouldn't worry overly.

There are some excellent vids on you tube. Above advice is all good, leaning on your neighbours with fenders out is part of the game.

Main thing is in general - the rush to get your lazy line to the bow is less severe than you might think. Once you are stern to with one line attached to the dock, you can use your engine to hold off and (unless the cross-wind is savage) steer to keep lined up while first mate walks the lazy line forward. No reason you can't try that out on your familiar smaller boat on a handy hammerhead in local waters. Then ease out the stern to between 1/3 and 1/2 boat length, tighten bow line, and then sweat the stern back in.

I would ask the charter firm to make a boat hand available gratis, for an hour of specific instruction on day 1. You might have to wait until they have completed all their checkouts, but It's worth their while to help you avoid damage and the related hassle. If you are inclined to pay for more in-depth instruction I would expect them happily to take your money (whether in crowns or euros)
 
Just returned from Croatia but did the big passenger boat lazy thing. Most yachts we saw were picking up lazy lines. Took Kuna but loads of cash machines. Met some people who could not buy ice cream as they only had Euro.
 
One thing to check if on board or take with you are some strong gloves to handle those lazy lines . Any gardening gloves will do. You might also want to use more chain scope when anchoring than we do in uk . On our first trip to Croatia I remember naked Germans capering around their decks shouting out about chain as we motored in for night in what we thought was a quiet inlet. Otherwise so long as throttle control in sensible place on your charter yacht just learn how o back up facing backwards and practice a bit of stern reversing around buoys maybe. Most Croatian marinas are expensive but over staffed with Marino staff who will no doubt give you plenty of advice if requested and of course we'll used to charter boats. Have a great trip
 
I expect you will be absolutely fine. One learning I would pass on since I also have a small boat of my own but regularly sail a much bigger one is to do everything slowly. Big boats are much slower to react to cross-winds but also take more stopping so slow and easy is my mantra.

David
 
agree with all of above.

Ref money: Cash is king. Buying on Credit cards usually costs more (a lot more in some cases). I found that cash machines are plentiful and my bank exchange rate was ok. Once I realised I needed loads of cash I took it out in slugs of £500.
 
Scala said:
agree with all of above.

Ref money: Cash is king. Buying on Credit cards usually costs more (a lot more in some cases). I found that cash machines are plentiful and my bank exchange rate was ok. Once I realised I needed loads of cash I took it out in slugs of £500.
Click to expand...

Ouch... I've only changed £500 and was hoping that would last the week :eek:
 
We hire 37ft boat in Croatia a month or so ago for the first time. What worked for us was a) enjoying the anchorages and using tender to go ashore for the first few days whilst we gathered confidence b) throwing fender over stern and doing a bit of practice reversing in open water. Two recommendations 1) stay in home marina on the first night, best to fine issues/missing items before you leave. 2) after landing take taxi to proper supermarket rather than marina supermarket.

Have fun, enjoy the sailing and take a snorkel!
 
As above no need for a skipper - personally on the first day find a part of the marina with lots of space with room for you to practice reversing. You'll get a feel for the boat before having to do it properly later in the day.

Have chartered 4 times in Croatia - it's a great sailing destination - have a great time.
 
Other thing you might do is borrow or beg a Croatian pilot book by Rod H to pass away these wet uk evenings . If you want to avoid burning through that £500 avoid the marinas or sign up for a Monzo or Starling card to reduce bank charges.
 
ashtead said:
Other thing you might do is borrow or beg a Croatian pilot book by Rod H to pass away these wet uk evenings . If you want to avoid burning through that £500 avoid the marinas or sign up for a Monzo or Starling card to reduce bank charges.
Click to expand...

Thanks

Planning to avoid marinas, I picked up the previous pilot book edition, but TBH the user added Navionics markers and reviews, coupled with trip advisor and Google reviews are a very revealing insight as to where to stay without getting ripped off.
 
ashtead said:
Other thing you might do is borrow or beg a Croatian pilot book by Rod H to pass away these wet uk evenings . If you want to avoid burning through that £500 avoid the marinas or sign up for a Monzo or Starling card to reduce bank charges.
Click to expand...

Is there a pilot by Heikell for Croatia? I've got 777, Adriatic Pilot and another pilot which I cannot remember and, as far I'm aware, there are no others. :confused:

Richard
 
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