First time Bareboat Charter in Croatia

[RichardS]

Baska Voda (she'll stay there)... an Elan 384 Impression. We think she's a good'un but don't want to count our chickens until the survey is done!

I've never been anywhere on that stretch of coast between Split and the BH border, although have been to the eastern ends of both Brac and Hvar. I keep forgetting that there is so much Croatia still to explore.

Good luck with the purchase.

Richard

 

[mattonthesea]

Agree with others: you'll get the hang quickly. Also, there are hundreds of charter boats in Croatia with minimally skilled skippers and unskilled crew. That's not being superior; just an observation - and so the marineros are very good at helping/talking you in. I would add 'if necessary' but that's not true.

My experience of going up in size - my 32ft to 39ft but upgraded to 50ft!!! - is that I could see the results of my manoeuvres but that feeling how she responded gave me a much better idea of how to anticipate what to do.

If you've hired an outboard too then check it works well - not just starts - before leaving. I've serviced more than I care to remember.

Have fun

 

[dolabriform]

Hi all
Update time, whilst listening to some bizarre opera on Croatian radio!
We checked onto the boat yesterday, and made the decision to ask for a skipper to give some tuition today with lazy line mooring and just generally getting used to the boat.
I am so glad that we did as it gave us both a lot more confidence with handling a boat of this size in close quarters.
Then we went out and had a cracking sail, discovered that the first reef was rigged incorrectly ( no idea how they've been dealing with this all season ) dropped to the second reef, put the main out on the edge of stalling to ease the heel and still managed 6 1/2 to 7 knots.
My kids say... don't like leaning Daddy, but then remind me that a flappy sail is an unhappy sail, so I can't win either way.. but I"m not complaining if they get involved
Everyone here has been amazing.
I really would recommend hiring a skipper for even half a day if it's your first time doing a bareboat charter. It's helped us to relax into the holiday and know that not only are we able to transfer our experience to a new situation, the extra tuition has enabled us to learn some new skills and get to know how the boat handles.
We certainly feel that it's money well spent!
David

 

[ashtead]

Pleased all going well . Have sailed both a Bav 36 and a Jongert 23 m in Croatia and had fun on both . Hope you have proper reefing and not dreaded in mast though . Didn't follow where you are but great to visit Trogir if in range BTW

 

[dolabriform]

Pleased all going well . Have sailed both a Bav 36 and a Jongert 23 m in Croatia and had fun on both . Hope you have proper reefing and not dreaded in mast though . Didn't follow where you are but great to visit Trogir if in range BTW

Yes, we had "classic" sails, ie proper reefing but had to re-rig it properly. I would be surprised if anyone had ever reefed it before. We have sailed a massive 70 Nm and had a fantastic week around the local islands and more importantly the kids ( and the admiral ) want to do it again

Thanks to all of you for your posts and support, this has been a fantastic holiday

 

[RichardS]

Yes, we had "classic" sails, ie proper reefing but had to re-rig it properly. I would be surprised if anyone had ever reefed it before. We have sailed a massive 70 Nm and had a fantastic week around the local islands and more importantly the kids ( and the admiral ) want to do it again

Thanks to all of you for your posts and support, this has been a fantastic holiday

Where did you get to? Any good photos? I'd love to see them.

Richard

 

[C08]

Us, tied to a lazy line, outside the restaurant in Sesula, as the sun goes down on another glorious Croatian day.

Richard

 

[C08]

Hi
Looks lovely - do you know if the bars at Sesula etc are up and running mid May?

 

[RichardS]

Hi
Looks lovely - do you know if the bars at Sesula etc are up and running mid May?

Yep, everything is open by mid-May.

Richard

 

[dolabriform]

Where did you get to? Any good photos? I'd love to see them.

Richard

We went to Privc, Zirje, Zlarin, Sibenik. As the tavernas were closed we were able to use mooring buoys for free

This is Zlarin, lovely cafe by the Quay.



And here's a quiet bay on Privic.

 

[RichardS]

We went to Privc, Zirje, Zlarin, Sibenik. As the tavernas were closed we were able to use mooring buoys for free

This is Zlarin, lovely cafe by the Quay.

View attachment 81238

And here's a quiet bay on Privic.

View attachment 81239

It looks lovely. We've never been to Zlarin or Privic.

The tavernas being closed can be a bit of a pain in late or early season, particularly on the smaller islands where they shut up even earlier although free buoys are a bonus provided that they are left in place.

Richard

 

[C08]

Yep, everything is open by mid-May.

Richard

Booked from Split for mid-may. One slightly worrying query is about using Tavernas/Bars buoys. My daughter researching the use of these buoys threw up a few instances of restaurant owners expecting a spend of 50 euros a head in return for using their bouys also some of these places do not have website menus/info so it is difficult to be forewarned. I am not really into food so not interested in (what to me) are expensive meals. Is this a real problem and if so how to avoid problems?

 

[Bellacruiser]

Booked from Split for mid-may. One slightly worrying query is about using Tavernas/Bars buoys. My daughter researching the use of these buoys threw up a few instances of restaurant owners expecting a spend of 50 euros a head in return for using their bouys also some of these places do not have website menus/info so it is difficult to be forewarned. I am not really into food so not interested in (what to me) are expensive meals. Is this a real problem and if so how to avoid problems?

If you’re not bothered about eating out then restaurant buoys could be a false economy; look for town quays and ‘municipal’ buoys. Not sure what size boat you’ve chartered but we paid ~£26 for a buoy in Prvic for example, no strings attached and cooked for ourselves for pennies. Have you thought what islands/bays you want to visit and if you’re heading north or south out of Split, as I’m sure plenty of people can chip in with suggestions for non-taverna buoys for you to consider

 

[RichardS]

Booked from Split for mid-may. One slightly worrying query is about using Tavernas/Bars buoys. My daughter researching the use of these buoys threw up a few instances of restaurant owners expecting a spend of 50 euros a head in return for using their bouys also some of these places do not have website menus/info so it is difficult to be forewarned. I am not really into food so not interested in (what to me) are expensive meals. Is this a real problem and if so how to avoid problems?

There's something not right there. You'll struggle to find an konoba that charges 50 euro a head unless you are able to consume gallons of wine. There are upmarket restaurants in some of the larger towns and cities where you could spend that much but these are not sea-front and don't have buoys anyway.

The only place we've ever been beach-side where you can pay that much are some of the restaurants in the Kornatis where there is often just one restaurant in the bay and no proper supermarkets so you're rather a captive audience.

We have never, ever been asked for a minimum spend when using restaurant and as it's usually just the two of us, the restaurant are not going to make much anyway compared to most of the charter boats which seem to have dozens of people on board. Even with just the two of us, a minimum spend has never been mentioned.

When we intended to eat on board, we just anchor. If we want to eat ashore, we sometimes choose a buoy. That way, you never have to pay anything for mooring.

Edit: If you're heading north from Split, try the bay in Primosten. It's a lovely little town on an island (or it was once) with a small town quay. The town mooring buoys might be out by then or you can anchor further out over to the east side if the weather is settled. A couple of minutes walk up the hill from is the Restaurant Mediterran. You'll seen the signs. It is probably the best restaurant we ever visit and and we eat there 2 or 3 times a year. Outside the Kornatis, it is the most expensive restaurant we have ever used in Croatia but, even there, with wine and two courses, you would pay less than 50 Euros a head.

If you want to eat more cheaply, the Tomahawk steak restaurant just around the corner from the Mediterran is to be recommended and the Aberdeen Angus burgers are excellent, even though they are the cheapest thing on the menu .... think 20E a head with drinks. :encouragement:

Richard

 

[Baggywrinkle]

In 8 years in northern Croatia (Kornati and above), I have never come across buoys belonging to restaurants. Cost for buoys is around €30 a night, don't forget to give them all your rubbish when they come to collect the fees

Agree with Richard on the cost front, €50 a head is practically unheard of .... €10 for a main meal is about ball park - I usually spend €50 all up for 2 in the marina restaurant - which also isn't cheap by Croatian standards.

Marinas and harbours are between €40 and €60 a night for an 11-12m boat - facilities vary considerably, mooring is always stern-to with lazy lines.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes that's my experience too (three trips).

Dishonourable mention for the ACI Marina at Palmižana which was unbelievably costly (over 130 for the night, 41' yacht) noisy, overcrowded, and generally an all-round crap experience. This was in late June so hardly peak season.

Akso echo RichardS's recommendation for the Mediteran in Primošten.
https://mediteran-primosten.hr/en

 

[RichardS]

In 8 years in northern Croatia (Kornati and above), I have never come across buoys belonging to restaurants.

I don't understand BW? Are you saying that the buoys you use are always the sort that belong to the harbour authority or a private contractor?

If so, that is completely different to central and southern Dalmatia where most of the buoys belong to restaurants and often have the name of the restaurant painted on the side.

Richard

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I don't understand BW? Are you saying that the buoys you use are always the sort that belong to the harbour authority or a private contractor?

If so, that is completely different to central and southern Dalmatia where most of the buoys belong to restaurants and often have the name of the restaurant painted on the side.

Richard

Yep .... I normally anchor but have had occasion to use mooring-buoys.

Kornati - National Park, Park Employees collect fees.
Mali Losinj, Balvaneda and Krivica - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, no connection with restaurant in Balvaneda
Ilovik - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, buoys opposite a town with many restaurants, no discernable connection.
Olib - Private? Guy comes by in a boat - bottom strewn with concrete remains of buoys, anchoring dodgy.
Unije, Uvala Maracol, Vogniska - Private? Guy comes by in a boat out of Maracol - Maracol is a deserted bay with some buildings, Vogniska is a deserted bay.
Pula, Uvala Soline - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, small Konoba on shore but no connection.
Cres, Uvala Majiska, Luka Kolorat - Private? Guy comes by in a boat - both deserted bays.

... not extensive but convenient bolt-holes. The places where I use restaurants usually have town quays or harbours. Last resort is marinas if the weather is really nasty and I have no other choice.

 

[RichardS]

Yep .... I normally anchor but have had occasion to use mooring-buoys.

Kornati - National Park, Park Employees collect fees.
Mali Losinj, Balvaneda and Krivica - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, no connection with restaurant in Balvaneda
Ilovik - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, buoys opposite a town with many restaurants, no discernable connection.
Olib - Private? Guy comes by in a boat - bottom strewn with concrete remains of buoys, anchoring dodgy.
Unije, Uvala Maracol, Vogniska - Private? Guy comes by in a boat out of Maracol - Maracol is a deserted bay with some buildings, Vogniska is a deserted bay.
Pula, Uvala Soline - Private? Guy comes by in a boat, small Konoba on shore but no connection.
Cres, Uvala Majiska, Luka Kolorat - Private? Guy comes by in a boat - both deserted bays.

... not extensive but convenient bolt-holes. The places where I use restaurants usually have town quays or harbours. Last resort is marinas if the weather is really nasty and I have no other choice.

That's interesting. We've only been north of the Kornatis twice and anchored on every occasion apart from the bay at Umag and which was harbour authority and Slatine and Silba which were both private, although even in Silba we negotiated a good discount from a restaurant in the town which I think was owned by the concession-holder's brother or something. I hadn't realised that that was the norm.

Richard