Results 1 to 24 of 24
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:02 PM
    Location
    In the EU
    Posts
    12,202

    Week Sailing in Croatia

    Neither wife nor I have ever been sailing and so we jumped at the chance of something new when it presented itself. Having been cooped over for a year now, since our return from Thailand, we needed some space and this was an ideal opportunity. We planned the holiday with another couple who had been sailing before. The husband was a qualified skipper and the wife had been on a monohull in the Atlantic but was horribly ill and didn't fancy it again. This paved the way for a week on a 42' catamaran with a hired captain and hostess.

    Initially, the plan was to drive down to Trogir, as it is only a day's drive away from Munich, but the Covid restrictions put a stop to that and we decided to fly instead. The biggest problem with booking the holiday ended up being the rigmarole of getting PCR tests and the entry forms.

    Flight was just over an hour but we went from wind and rain to sunny blue skies making it feel like we'd crossed half the world. The airport at Split is quite small and located only 10 minutes or so away from Trogir Marina.

    I found a map on the internet of the area to make it easier...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-trogir_map-jpg

    The boat rental is from 17:00 Saturday to 09:00 the following Saturday. There is a possibility to get the boat earlier but it costs...

    We didn't plan a route beforehand, left it to the captain to decide depending on the wind conditions. Actually, I'm not sure where we went exactly, I'll have to look it up as we go along. Main thing was to try and sail as much as possible rather than using the engines.

    Anyway, here's the boat...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-barney_2765_02-jpg

    Barney Rubble heading for trouble...

    There are two good sized cabins in each hull with smaller, triangular, bunks in the front portion. Since there were only the two couples the skipper and hostess had good cabins and the front ones were used to store the luggage. Two women need lots of luggage even for just a week!

    This is our rear cabin...
    Week Sailing in Croatia-cat_bedroom-jpg

    There was a small wardrobe and cupboard for clothes and an en suite bathroom. The difference between the rear and forward cabins was the bathroom. The rear ones had a toilet, sink and separate shower. The forward ones don't have the separate shower and you have to use the space in front of the sink. I thought it was comfortable enough and there is a massive amount of space when comparing to a monohull.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-cat_wheel-jpg

    Steering position is good and sailing is set up for one man use although it is a lot easier with two. I forgot to take a photo with it all powered up so you can see the map and GPS. There is also an autopilot to maintain heading, which is convenient when setting the sails.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-jip_driving-jpg

    Easier enough for the wife to sail and use the phone without hitting anything.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:02 PM
    Location
    In the EU
    Posts
    12,202
    As I mentioned, we picked up the boat at 17:00 and used the engines to motor out of Trogir to find a nice restaurant by the sea. The first thing that struck me was how close you can park one of these to the shore.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-dinghy-jpg

    Out with the dinghy and off to dinner...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-rest_1_2407_02-jpg

    Good food and a lovely calm sea made it a very good night's sleep.

    The next day brought enough wind to sail all morning. We managed 6 - 7 knots with a 12-18 knot wind. However, wifey made a mistake by popping to the loo downstairs while we were crossing the waves. She ended up feeling ill much of the morning and we switched to the engines to calm her down a bit.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-monohull_2392_02-jpg

    So, while the men wanted to be sailing like a monohull, the women would have cut the trip very short indeed. The catamaran is a lot more stable and after the first day Mrs Troy was feeling much better and wasn't ill again for the rest of the trip.

    Getting her to start fishing might have had something to do with it...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-jip_fishing-jpg

    I've only processed a handful of photos so far. I'll put some more up when I get time during the next week or so....

    ...I'll end with a butterfly that joined us on our trip, aptly named a White Admiral...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-white_admiral-jpg

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat havnfun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Happy Land
    Posts
    1,695
    That looks fantastic, except for the boring lilly white legged bloke reading a book LOL, Just joking, Looks like it was a "great escape", and a nice place to be, Grats.

  4. #4
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Mai Arse
    Posts
    12,261
    That butterfly is a good omen mate.

    Looks like a fantastic trip, very jealous.

    Did you get sea sick?

    What did you catch?

    Thanks for sharing.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Last Online
    30-04-2022 @ 02:44 AM
    Posts
    11,204
    Looks fantastic, what was the approx cost for a week to charter?

  6. #6
    knows
    hallelujah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    Today @ 03:33 PM
    Posts
    13,445
    A beautiful part of the world.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    naptownmike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Online
    10-09-2023 @ 08:15 AM
    Posts
    1,446
    That looks like a great experience.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    11,211
    Croatia was my favorite country before discovering Thailand. The atmosphere around the med is tough to beat. It's cheap too but that was 2004 when I was there

  9. #9
    knows
    hallelujah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    Today @ 03:33 PM
    Posts
    13,445
    Quote Originally Posted by Backspin View Post
    The atmosphere around the med is tough to beat. It's cheap too but that was 2004 when I was there
    True dat. Play your cards right and it can still be done at a reasonable cost while getting the very most out of the local experience.

  10. #10
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    สุโขทัย
    Posts
    10,142
    Quote Originally Posted by hallelujah View Post
    A beautiful part of the world.
    Indeed it is.
    The Dalmatian coastline is renowned to be one of the most spectacular, drawing yachties from all over - most fashionable for the last generation or two.

  11. #11
    knows
    hallelujah's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    Today @ 03:33 PM
    Posts
    13,445
    Quote Originally Posted by HuangLao View Post
    Indeed it is.
    The Dalmatian coastline is renowned to be one of the most spectacular, drawing yachties from all over - most fashionable for the last generation or two.
    And as if that's not enough, the ladies are absolutely stunning too.

  12. #12
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Cebu
    Posts
    13,753
    #movingtoCroatia

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:02 PM
    Location
    In the EU
    Posts
    12,202
    Quote Originally Posted by Joe 90 View Post
    Did you get sea sick?

    What did you catch?
    Only the wife was sick, and only for the first day, she stopped taking sea sickness tablets on day 3. The boat is stable and the sea was pretty calm most of the time. The maximum wind speed we had when sailing was just over 20 knots and we didn't even need to drop to first reef. I have never been sea sick although I was a little queasy going to the Isles of Scilly many years ago (that can be a rough ride on a small fishing boat!)

    Didn't catch any fish but had a lot of fun trying...

    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW
    Looks fantastic, what was the approx cost for a week to charter?
    We took a 2020 Lagoon 42 charter with water maker for €5000 with additional costs for skipper, hostess, fuel and mooring fees. Mooring fees can be expensive at the marinas but we were moored on buoys and anchor, which is much cheaper. Obviously it's much cheaper if you share between 3 or 4 couples rather than just the two. Plenty of choice of monohull and catamaran and different sizes depending on your needs.

    Anyway, second day was moored on a buoy at Vis Harbour (island on the bottom left on the map).

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vis_marina_2442_02-jpg

    This is the marina, but we took a buoy similar to this Bali and used the dinghy to get to shore for some fresh supplies.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vis_harbour_2441_02-jpg

    Nice and calm water here rather than on the Marina, which is close to the ferry port.

    We tucked in the corner close to the church.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vis_harbour_2443_02-jpg

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:02 PM
    Location
    In the EU
    Posts
    12,202
    A couple more days sailing and then we were warned of some strong Northerly winds during the night so we moored in a southern bay on Paklinski, walking distance from Marina Palmizani. Our catamaran was dwarfed by the catamarans and motor yachts that arrived during the evening...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vinogradiske_2482_02-jpg

    Several restaurants and bars in the bay

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vinogradiske_2486-jpg

    Some big motor yachts sheltering too ...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-vinogradiske_2494_02-jpg

    ...and plenty taking shelter for the night.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-marina_palmizana-jpg

    This is Marina Palmizana with the entrance on the North side of the island. The winds and waves had picked up quite a bit by the time we walked over and there were a few boats having some fun getting to the harbour entrance.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Last Online
    30-04-2022 @ 02:44 AM
    Posts
    11,204
    So basically the same price as almost 20 years ago… Bargain! And as you say, sharing can reduce costs. Thanks for posting. There’s some beautiful scenery there.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
    thailazer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 09:02 AM
    Posts
    3,089
    Looks like you were on a Lagoon 410. Great boat, and I've chartered those in the BVI a few times in a past life. Sailing is always good fun, and you have some great photos.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
    panama hat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Last Online
    21-10-2023 @ 08:08 AM
    Location
    Way, Way South of the border now - thank God!
    Posts
    32,680
    Simply stunning . . . and a very interesting part of Europe - I'm surprised you didn't mention the fantastic Croatian cuisine!


    My brother and his wife did a 10-day trip like yours for their 15th wedding anniversary - flew from Germany to Brisbane and then sailed the Great Barrier Reef with crew . . . (idiocy is that they are both vegetarians . . . all that lovely seafoooooooood!)

    Just dreamy

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    41,562


    Very nice!

    Croatia isn't the first place that comes to my mind when I think sailing but that shows what I know I suppose.

  19. #19
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,448
    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    you didn't mention the fantastic Croatian cuisine!
    'Yummy', by any chance?

    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    Just dreamy
    Umm...

    Looks like a fantastic break, Troy.

    Just don't tell the missus she's got a nice tan, eh? I don't make that mistake anymore.


  20. #20
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Last Online
    Today @ 03:29 PM
    Location
    Sanur
    Posts
    7,995
    An excellent travel thread Troy. Thanks for sharing.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    Troy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Last Online
    Today @ 06:02 PM
    Location
    In the EU
    Posts
    12,202
    A couple more places to show ...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-hvar_from_sea_2567_02-jpg

    This is Hvar from the sea with the medieval castle on the left and the later (Napolean) one on top of the hill on the right. We passed by and moored on a buoy in the next bay and took the dinghy to look around the town in the afternoon.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-hvar_view_from_castle_2536_02-jpg

    Took a taxi to the medieval castle and walked back into town from there. Great weather every day and not too many people because of Covid making it a really nice trip.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-hvar_2548_02-jpg

    This is the town end of the Marina...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-hvar_promenade_2553_02-jpg

    ...and this is the other end of the promenade looking back towards the castle. The waves were pretty choppy in the Marina as the wind picked up towards the evening but it was much calmer in the cove where we stayed.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-sunset_2684_02-jpg

    The next place is Milna on the island of Brac, which is one of the oldest towns in Europe...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-milna_2608_02-jpg

    Lovely place

    Week Sailing in Croatia-milna_2615_02-jpg

    and back to Trogir, which is also worth a visit.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-trogir_2822_02-jpg

    Lots of little back streets inside the walled town and full of restaurants.

    Week Sailing in Croatia-trogir_111443-jpg

    Oh! and every other shop is an ice cream parlour...

    Week Sailing in Croatia-trogir_2832_02-jpg

    We took a ride into Split on the last evening for dinner, which was nice. Lots of people out having some fun on a Friday night and it was easy to forget about Covid.

    We had an excellent week and it is well worth a visit. Covid meant it was not too crowded and early June meant it was not too hot and there was some wind for the sails.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105
    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    This is Hvar from the sea with the medieval castle on the left and the later (Napolean)
    Do they still advertise in Hvar that there is (almost) no rain on the island? Otherwise they would return the cost of the sojourn...

    That was advertised 50 years ago when I was there on one-day trip from Split. Actually, it did not rain that day.
    Almost all tourists on the overfilled boat with us were sea-sick, unlike my pregnant wife enjoying the sailing... (perhaps being pregnant is a good precaution against sea-sickness?)

  23. #23
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,448
    Great way to travel that area.

  24. #24
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Cebu
    Posts
    13,753
    Damn that look nice.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •