What qualifications do I need for bareboat charter?
According to Croatian Maritime Law you should be in possession of the license
for operating of the pleasure craft that is issued by the state authority of
the country that you are coming from. The VHF license is required as well.
Licenses from almost all European countries are accepted in Croatia. To check
if you have the valid license, please download the list of valid licenses issued
by Croatian Ministry of Sea.
When chartering can I leave Croatian territorial waters?
Charter companies generally do not allow charter outside Croatian territorial waters
but if you still would like to visit Italy, Montenegro or even Greece then
you should highlight this special request when setting the inquiry – all the
boats do not have international permitt and charter company needs to know that
you will leave the country in order to prepare all the necessary documents
for you. Please note that international permitt is usually extra charged. When
crossing over the boarder please remember that you are obliged to report to
the Croatian custom office and to the custom office of the country that you
are entering. The custom office is usually placed in harbour master`s office
and you should choose the one the nearest to the boarder.
Are there any special rules for regatta participation?
Besides
the fast boat, valid license and good sailing experience is everything you
need. However, if the charter company is willing to charter a boat for regatta,
keep in mind that some extra costs will arise from this arrangement. The double
deposit is usually requested for security reasons. In most cases regatta fee
needs to be paid as well – the regatta fee depends on the charter price and
is usually charged as 20-25% amount of the charter fee.
What is the security deposit?
The security deposit is the
amount with which you are liable if any damage, that is the consequence of
mishandling of the boat, happens while chartering the boat. All the boats are
fully insured with Casco, but the security deposit still has to be left in
starting marina by cash or credit card. The security deposit will be refunded
in its full amount unless the existence of damage or a defect on the yacht or
the equipment is found during the returning of the yacht. Please note
that the amount of security deposit is the maximum amount with which you can
be charged for any damages. Everything that exceeds that amount the charter
company will cover from the insurance company.
In case of thefts on the boats (the outboard engine or dinghy are items of
boat inventory that are in most cases the object of thefts) please do not forget
to report it to the nearest police station.
Is there a possibility to buy additional insurance in order to cover all potential
damages?
The damage waiver (additional insurance of the security deposit that practicaly
covers all the damages) in most cases can be offered. Terms and conditions
of the damage waiver depend on the insurance company that insures the boat
but generally speaking it usually costs 7-12% of the deposit amount of the
boat that you would like to book.
Do I need the license for diving?
Diving in Adriatic is forbidden without the valid license. You
need to be in posession of valid diver`s card issued by Croatian Diving Federation.
This license can be obtained if you have valid diver`s brevet that was issued
by international diving association (IDD, UDI, CMAS, MDEA, PADI…). Please follow
the link to find the list of diving centers.
Do I need the license for fishing?
For legal fishing valid fishing license is required as well. The license can be obained in fishing
clubs that are authorized for issuing the licenses to the foreign citizents.
For obtaining the license you only need your passport or ID – if you are already
a member of some fishing club in your country take your club card with you
as it can decrease the license fee. Please note that the fishing is forbidden
in National Parks – when obtaining the license you will receive the list the
zones that are off the fishing limits as well as the list of allowed fishing
tools.
What is the cost of marinas and habrours?
The mooring fee varies from marina to marina. It also depends on the size of the boat. The
mooring fee for catamaran is usually charged double than the mooring fee for
the monohull of the same size. The average price is around 50-70 EUR for the
boat cca. 43 ft per day. If you have already setteled your sailing route you
can check the prices on the web sites of marinas on your route. On the other
hand, some of the harbours and most of the anchorages are free. More information about marinas in Croatia.
Can I book a place in marina in advance?
Unfortunately, this kind of service is not available in any marina in Croatia. Berth in marina
is usually not the problem off the season. During the July and August if you
want to make sure that you will catch your marina berth then it is best to
leave for the wished marina in early afternoon hours.
Can I pay in Euros in Croatia?
National currency in Croatia is Kuna (HRK). Although EUR can be accepted in some establishments please keep
in mind that Kuna is in most cases the only mean of payment accepted. ATM machines
can be found almost everywhere and therefore you do not have to worry for cash
withdrawals if you get to the point that you ran out of Kunas.
Where can I get the weather forecast?
The weather forecast can be obtained in any marina reception. Of course, you can always call the
base or listen to the weather forecast on the radio and VHF as they are broadcasted
frequently especially during the summer season.
Can I take the electrical equipment on board?
The electrical equipment can be taken with you but it is important to be rational with these
goods. Croatia uses standard European 2 point plug and the elecrticity is 220
V. However, the yachts have shore power connection and while in marinas you
will be able to use all the electrical devices as you are wired to shore electricity.
When sailing, only boats with generator will supply with 220 V all the time.
Can mobile chargers be used on board?
Mobile chargers can
be used on bord with the usual 220 V plug in while in marina on shore power
connection. Otherwise, you can use the car phone charger that can be plugged
into the 12 V cigatette lighter on board.
Are mobile phone signals available in all sailing areas?
Most
of Croatian sea is covered with mobile phone signal.
What is included in charter fee?
Charter price is usually
formed per boat weekly, no matter how many people will be on board (the maximum
number of passengers is always limited depending on the size of the yacht).
Therefore, charter price covers the vessel rental, all navigation and safety
equipment, dinghy and the bed linens. The obligatory payment that needs to
be done at embarkation is transit log or charter pack and the residence tax.
Outboard engine, gennaker, spinnaker, snorkelling equipment are optional services
that are not in charter fee included and can be arranged at surcharge.
Are towels included in the charter fee?
In most cases not.
If they are not included in the charter fee they usually can be arranged at
extra cost. Beach towels are never included in the charter fee and you should
bring them with you.
When is the check-in and the check-out?
Embarkation is usually
done Saturdays in the afternoon from 17-18hr. The charter provider usually
needs a few hours to prepare the boat for the charter meaning that the boat
needs to be cleaned properly from the inside and outside and, if necessary,
to take care of some small repairments. However, if the boat is ready earlier
the embarkation will be done earlier. Check-out is in most cases done Saturday
morning till 08-09.00hr. Some charter comapnies do the check-out Friday afternoon
and then you are allowed to overnight onboard till Saturday morning. However,
these information should be confirmed when booking the boat.
Is it possible to charter the boat for a short term period?
Charter
is always done weekly Saturday – Saturday. Exceptions to this rule can be done
but only off the season or in last minute option. Please note that even though
you will get the offer for short term charter the price will probably be calculated
on weekly bases.
Do I have to pay the food for the skipper?
The provisioning
is not included in the price for skippers services meaning that you have to
take care for his food whether you are dining in the restaurant or on board.
The skippers do not abuse this custom and in most casess these arrangements
run very smoothly.
We have small children – can we take them on board and what can we
do for their safety?
Small children can be taken on board but some
precautions have to be taken care of. If you are chartering a motor boat fly
bridge type is more suitable then open. If chartering a sailing boat catamaran
is our recommendation because they are more spacious and stabile than the monohull.
As an extra insurance for the youngest sailors safety net and lifebelts for
the children can always be arranged. Please note that these services are extra
charged and need to be ordered in advance.