Princess or Ferretti , what boat would you choose?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

It's another country, so you need to clear customs in Herceg Novi and Cavtat each time you go in and out Croatia with the boat.
I've been a few times by boat in Molunat (the most southern village from Croatia), but the trip is boaring, coast with only steep rocks,
I've been ones in Herceg Novi and Kotor bay by boat, very nice area, also more south Budva and Sveti Stefan is very nice, certainly interesting for a seasons cuising,
but I'm more attracted to the south Dalmatia area all the islands between Sibenic and Dubrovnic.

I'm sure that in Montenegro prices are still very low, but I'm afraid you won't like the food nor the wine

I never bother with Customs. I went in and out of Croatia to Italy earlier last year a couple of times without bothering to clear Customs in either direction because it never occured to me to do so. If they stop me, I'll just show them my British passport and a photo of the Queen which, of course, entitles me to free movement anywhere in the world at any time
Yes Porto Montenegro prices are lower than Croatia for both berths and fuel and crucially for me there are direct flights to Dubrovnik from the UK all year round, unlike Split.
Are you saying that Montenegran food is not as fantastic as Croatian food? Bad wine I can live with; it all tastes the same after 3 bottles

 

[BartW]

Yes Porto Montenegro prices are lower than Croatia for both berths and fuel and crucially for me there are direct flights to Dubrovnik from the UK all year round, unlike Split.

are you aware that the distance by road from Cilipi airport (Dubrovnic) to Tivat is at least a 2 hours drive (estimation) along a small road ? there is a ferry inbetween for crossing the Kotor bay, and a Douane where there sometimes is a que !

Cavtat is at 3km from Dubrovnic airport !

Are you saying that Montenegran food is not as fantastic as Croatian food? Bad wine I can live with; it all tastes the same after 3 bottles

OK look at it this way,
Montenegro still is a poor country, with very small tourism,
for the food they offer what they are used to;
simple basic grilled fish and meet, with local vegetables, they have no heritage with a gastronomic kitchen, no special dishes, no sauce,
so that's what you will get.

It was similar in Croatia, it is only since recent years that more tourists are coming and they gradually learn what international tourists want,
especially the more demanding british tourists

 

[BartW]

Blimey Bart, the similarity is indeed amazing.
Makes one wonder if they bought the old Canados moulds

don't think so, look at the specs, its available as a displacement or SD vessel.

 

[jfm]

Bart, I thought the 58 Altura in those pics was awful. Glad you have decided not to buy one of those. It is just about the ugliest boat interior I've ever seen! Canados70 is much more beautiful

For a 20m+ at ACI Dubrovnik you have to moor outside. Just to the north of the entrance to the inner marina, or along the long quay just before the fuel. I guess that is ok but I wonder how much you get bumped by charter boats

Those german platform lifts are very nice and as you say are used on Sq78. Fairline have fitted perhaps -60 sets (on sq65, 70,78) and report no problems. If you look at your pic closely you can see a mechanical lock mechanism. In the up position it is mechanically locked and the hydraulics dont take the weight. There is a little hydraulic cylinder to operate the lock. Very nicely done

I'm looking forward to Montenegro, 2012

 

[MapisM]

Are you saying that Montenegran food is not as fantastic as Croatian food? Bad wine I can live with; it all tastes the same after 3 bottles

You moved to Croatia from Sardinia just for a bigger boat, didn't you?
Now, eat your heart out on food & wine!

 

[MapisM]

For a 20m+ at ACI Dubrovnik you have to moor outside. Just to the north of the entrance to the inner marina, or along the long quay just before the fuel. I guess that is ok but I wonder how much you get bumped by charter boats

Actually, that IS indeed ok.
ACI Dubrovnik is one of the most sheltered marinas in that area.
There are many other places where it's better to stay at anchor that moor outside, Korcula springs to mind frinstance: can even get dangerous, depending on wind conditions!

 

[MapisM]

don't think so, look at the specs, its available as a displacement or SD vessel.

Yeah, I didn't - I was just comparing that rendering vs. the Canados pic.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

are you aware that the distance by road from Cilipi airport (Dubrovnic) to Tivat is at least a 2 hours drive (estimation) along a small road ? there is a ferry inbetween for crossing the Kotor bay, and a Douane where there sometimes is a que !

Cavtat is at 3km from Dubrovnic airport !

Yes I know where Cavtat is. Shame there's no big marina there because it would be perfect for foreign boaters like me.
Are you sure its 2 hours drive to Porto Montenegro? The guys on the PM stand at LIBS were adamant it was 50km and 1 hour from Dubrovnik airport. The difference is a deal breaker for me. 1 hour drive after a flight I can stand but 2 hours is too much.
What's between ACI Dubrovnik and ACI Split? Are there any full service marinas on the mainland in between?

 

[MapisM]

What's between ACI Dubrovnik and ACI Split? Are there any full service marinas on the mainland in between?

Nope, IIRC - just a few very small harbours here and there, in local villages.
But why would you want to leave the boat between Split and Dubrovnik?
Depending on which airport has the most convenient connections, I'd rather stay in ACI Dubrovnik, or in one of the marinas near Split airport (Trogir or Kastela). I'd rather avoid ACI Split though, awfully dirty. At least, used to be.

 

[BartW]

Yes I know where Cavtat is. Shame there's no big marina there because it would be perfect for foreign boaters like me.
Are you sure its 2 hours drive to Porto Montenegro? The guys on the PM stand at LIBS were adamant it was 50km and 1 hour from Dubrovnik airport. The difference is a deal breaker for me. 1 hour drive after a flight I can stand but 2 hours is too much.
What's between ACI Dubrovnik and ACI Split? Are there any full service marinas on the mainland in between?

I'm afraid its close to two hours, and believe me most of the route is boaring (inland). I have done the trip a few years ago.

There are no other full service marina's in between,
apart from a few smaller (limied service) marina's in villages such as Makarska and Podgora and Gradac, ....
and on the islands Hvar and Korcula, but the last one is indeed not so nice.

There is another marina in Dubrovnik (limited service) in the main harbour Gruz, but thats not nice with all the traffic, ferries, ...coming along

at Boot Dusseldorf I came across a big new project around a place called Doli, a new Marina, hotels and appartments not that far from Dubrovnic.
The area is extremely nice, this is our usual destination for daytrips from Cavtat.
Keep an eye on that, will send more info later when I'm home.

but here is your best option:
get a mooring in Porto Montenegro, and each time when you fly to Dubrovnik, asc a local skipper to get your boat, and bring her to the main quai in Cavtat.(the day before) I can get you in touch with a skipper if you like.
I know that the quai in Cavtat is expensive, but you don't have to stay there for long, and you have had your financial advantages in montenegro (fuel, mooring, maintenance...)

or why not try ACI Dubrovnik ?

 

[BartW]

For a 20m+ at ACI Dubrovnik you have to moor outside. Just to the north of the entrance to the inner marina, or along the long quay just before the fuel. I guess that is ok but I wonder how much you get bumped by charter boats

I'm amazed what kind of détails you remember about this marina as you've been there only ones if I remember well

we have been there many times, ao for fuel,
your observations are complete and correct

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Nope, IIRC - just a few very small harbours here and there, in local villages.
But why would you want to leave the boat between Split and Dubrovnik?
Depending on which airport has the most convenient connections, I'd rather stay in ACI Dubrovnik, or in one of the marinas near Split airport (Trogir or Kastela). I'd rather avoid ACI Split though, awfully dirty. At least, used to be.

When we called into ACI Dubrovnik by car last year, they said they didnt have any spaces for 18m boats. Thats why I ask. Dubrovnik is the only coastal airport in Croatia with direct flights from London all year round. We are near Split as you know and flights stop in Oct and do not restart until end April. One of the things I have learnt over the years I have had my boat in the Med is that the journey to/from the boat has to be as seamless and hassle free as possible otherwise its too much of an effort to go. So having to take 2 flights and/or long drives at either end is a no-no for me.
Yes I dont like ACI Split either. They are trying to smarten it up now but the main issue for me would be the very tight fairways inside which would mean that your boat is always in danger of being hit by another careless helmsman. I like Marina Frapa because the fairways are huge and the facilities spotless; its just a shame it couldnt be located 5 miles south of Dubrovnik

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

but here is your best option:
get a mooring in Porto Montenegro, and each time when you fly to Dubrovnik, asc a local skipper to get your boat, and bring her to the main quai in Cavtat.(the day before) I can get you in touch with a skipper if you like.
I know that the quai in Cavtat is expensive, but you don't have to stay there for long, and you have had your financial advantages in montenegro (fuel, mooring, maintenance...)

or why not try ACI Dubrovnik ?

As I said to Mapism, ACI Dubrovnik have told me they are full for 18m berths. Whats it like anyway? When we visited it was absolutely dead and the bora was really whistling through the marina but its certainly a possibility I would consider if they had a berth free. Yes its a good idea to have the boat delivered to Cavtat but I guess in summer getting a space on the quay is a problem?

 

[BartW]

Whats it like anyway? When we visited it was absolutely dead and the bora was really whistling through the marina but its certainly a possibility I would consider if they had a berth free. Yes its a good idea to have the boat delivered to Cavtat but I guess in summer getting a space on the quay is a problem?

as MapisM say's, its the best protected Marina in the area, 5nm upwards the river Rijeka (at boaring 7kn reduced speed)
but I've been told that the services at the marine are OK, (no personal experience) there are a few chandlers and grocery stores on the site.
The food in the cafetaria is not good, but in the city are good restaurants.

The quai in Cavtat is always very busy in summer, but there are no permanent moorings, so yachts stay there 1, or 2 day's or 1 week at the max.
You could asc your shipper to arrange the mooring the night before.
will PM the mobile from Antonio, the chief harbour master. You can call him and asc... try to make friends with him !

if its realy full, there is alway's space at anker in front of the Cavtat quai (payable), or in the Tiha bay on the other side of the peninsula (foc)

let me know when you need a shipper.

here is info on that new project I was talking about, its just a plan, there is nothing buyld yet, but the area is beautifull !!!
http://www.croatiandream.com/

 

[MapisM]

will PM the mobile from Antonio, the chief harbour master. You can call him and asc... try to make friends with him !

I don't know this gentleman, but considering the local habits, I guess such friendship can be gained easily, so to speak...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I don't know this gentleman, but considering the local habits, I guess such friendship can be gained easily, so to speak...

Ah yes and I guess it has to be Euros rather than Kunas for him to become really friendly

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

here is info on that new project I was talking about, its just a plan, there is nothing buyld yet, but the area is beautifull !!!
http://www.croatiandream.com/

Thanks. We have visited the area around Ston and it is indeed beautiful. We last visited in October and I dont remember seeing any development starting yet or even any signs although there are signs for a mythical golf course which doesn't seem to exist either! But it would certainly interest me being within 1 hr of Dubrovnik

 

[BartW]

Ah yes and I guess it has to be Euros rather than Kunas for him to become really friendly

oh
in my case, just one Belgian beer was sufficient to allow me to moore foc every year between the small local fishing boats during lunch or coffee breacks (not overnight !)
but then, its in ballance with the length of my actual boat (29ft)

I'm afrain with the next boat I need to bring a lot of crates of the same beer

 

[MapisM]

I'm afrain with the next boat I need to bring a lot of crates of the same beer

LOL, you bet!
It's not just a matter of boat size, it's mainly other people perception that will change.
On a Canados 70, the same good old BartW suddenly becomes the opulent owner of a gin palace, with more money than sense...!

 

[BartW]

Before I post the report on the interesting and exiting day we had in Rome last Thursday
I first put some pics about a Posillipo Technema, for sale in Athens, at a very attractive price.
Actually the boat is perfect for what we want
This is the boat

About the model, The uppers section , cockpit and radar arch looks a little KinKy !
But she has the perfect layout, 8 +2 beds

And here you can see that the stern is perfect for our use:
Easy access to the platform,
Wide and easy steps on both sides
Room for the scuba tanks on both sides of the cockpit, on that bench,
Nice cockpit area, under a wide flybridge ,
but I don’t like the side sections of the hull, when you look at the stern.

Big FB

And room for a tender

Deck

All nice and clean, but compared to a C70 the wooden ends are missing on the gunwale tops (is this correct wording ?)

And some interior pics

One saloon area, and one dining area,
All perfect and complete, no waste of space

This model has some major advantages compared to the C70:
- Perfect stern area, and easy acces to the platform
- No waste of space, LOA is 20m compared to C70 LOA is 24m
- Powerfull engine, 2xMAN 1100HP for a <50T boat, speeds up to 30kn !! OR much lower fuel consumption compared to similar C70
- 1 ladder outside and one stair inside to the FB, C70 has only one inside
But, now comes taste in the game,
The C70 is so much nicer,
- Nice model / top section
- Nice finish outside, Steenless Steel e/r ventilation louvers, wooden side tops, big solid grab rail,
- Much nicer finish inside (I will show this !!)
- All rooms are bigger
- Stern is suited for a Hi lo platform
So it’s mainly a choice between functionality (Posillipo) and appearance(C70) !?
And the nicer appearing boat of cause has the higher operational cost (fuel, moorings, …)

for sure, choosing the C70 is a lack of common sense !