- Sailing Croatia tips
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by Ultra Sailing Team
In order to enjoy a carefree sailing vacation on a boat, it is important to take over a functional boat, which is in a good condition. Most charter boats in Croatia have basic equipment that is needed for a 7-day or 14-day sailing in Croatia. If you are going to spend longer time on the boat, consult with the charter company, where you have rented the boat what you would need in order to have a complete and carefree sailing holiday.
It is very important to pay attention to the charter company’s check-in briefing when taking over the vessel. It would be ideal if the handover of the vessel is done together with the skipper and co-skipper, because after all, four eyes notice more than two, you will definitely remember more if you do it together with someone from your crew. The handover of the vessel also depends on how experienced you are with a sailing boat or catamaran and whether you have sailed in Croatia before.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we recorded the process of taking over (check-in procedure) our vessels for the guests and put it on our YouTube channel. We wanted to introduce the boat to the clients in advance and familiarize them with the very act of handing over the vessel in order to reduce human contact to a minimum.
In this blog we go all the details about the handover of the boat and what you need to consider when chartering a sailboat or catamaran, what you can check yourself and what you might want to ask the charter company.
Below deck tour
- Check all lamps
- Check window and hatch locks – Do the locks work on the large hatches. This is very important if rain is forecast for the week or even during short summer storms, water can penetrate the interior through windows and hatches.
- Where are the fire extinguishers located?
Sanitary rooms and holding tanks:
In every charter week it happens at least once that the guests clog one of the holding tanks with toilet paper and the like. Most of them do it unconsciously. The toilets on boats are not like at home and paper etc. does not belong in there or in the quantity that you would at home so it is better to dispose of in a bag to avoid a clogged holding tank.
When this happens it usually gets stinky which can affect mood of the crew during the charter week and charter companies usually charge from 70€ to 200€ to unclog it.
So, at check-in see that
- All toilets work properly
- Test pressurized water system and showers
- Does the suction of the shower water work (Drain shower button)?
- Check the holding tanks to see if they are empty, this can easily be checked by knocking on the holding tank
- Where are seacocks (valves) for draining the tanks?
- Inform with the charter company what to do if the drain is blocked
The kitchen – pantry
Perhaps you can leave checking the kitchen to the person who will be spending the most time in the kitchen. We have already written about eating on board in our blog and that the division of kitchen work should be agreed in advance. Food preparation falls to the person who enjoys cooking the most and also has the most experience with preparing food on board.
The other crew members are divided into tasks: preparation, cutting, stirring, mixing and washing dishes.
- Very important: Close the gas (main valve) when not cooking and NEVER work on the stove when the sea is rough (if at all) with a bare torso, legs or feet.
Stove
- Do the burners and the ignition safety device work?
- Check the oven
- Is there a gas lighter or matches available?
- What is the condition of the gas hose (brittle)?
- Is the connected gas cylinder full?
- Is the reserve gas bottle full?
- Is a gas detector present and switched on?
Refrigerator
- What settings for refrigerator are there?
- Does the thermostat work?
- Is there a water drain?
- Operation of the fridge related to the batteries?
Kitchen sink
- Are the drains clogged?
- Are the plugs present?
- Is there a salt water pump?
- Check seacocks
- Test pressurized water system
Essential kitchen utensils
- Big pots
- Pans
- pasta colander
- Bottle opener (wine)
- can opener
Navigation
Before you embark on your sailing trip in Croatia you may have an idea of which islands you would like to visit, you can check with the charter company whether the route is appropriate for a week. On spot you can again check about your sailing route and adjust it to the weather conditions.
In the meantime, there are some apps that you can download free of charge to plan your sailing trip and check out the individual ports, buoy fields and marinas. You can find out more about the navigation and weather apps in this blog.
At check-in in the office you will receive the boat papers, these are very important (keep them dry) and should include the boat license, charter permit, radio licenses, insurance and your crew list.
Navigational instruments:
- Can you match all symbols on the control panel?
- Let you explain the GPS plotter and autopilot functions
- Let you explain the radio functions
- Is there a barometer on board?
- Are there manuals for the devices?
Navigation documents
- Are the nautical charts complete and up-to-date?
- Which area does the map in the plotter cover and is the software suitable for navigation?
- Are compasses, course rulers or triangles available?
- If necessary, ask for host country flags (Montenegro or Italy)
- Is there automatic weather receiver or list with frequencies and transmission times for weather reports?
VHF Radio
You may want to use VHF to speak to harbour masters when approaching harbours and marinas. Channel 16 is the International Emergency Channel and traffic in this channel has to be reducet to a minimum. If you are in absolute emergency or danger call for help used „MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY“
To use the radio
Check the set is switched on with the volume up, that you are on the correct channel and that no-one else is talking. Depress the button on the handset while you are speaking, release the button to hear the response.
Example of a call
- Call the lead yacht by name
- This is „name your yacht“ –repeat name 3 times
- Give your position
- State your message
- When finished your message , say „OVER“ and take pressure off the witch
- When you have complited your conversation finish with „name of yacht“ and „OUT“
| A-ALPHA | J-JULIET | S-SIERRA |
| B-BRAVO | K-KILO | T-TANGO |
| C-CHARLIE | L-LIMA | U-UNIFORM |
| D-DELTA | M-MIKE | V-VICTOR |
| E-ECHO | N-NOVEMBER | W-WHISKEY |
| F-FOXTROT | O-OSCAR | X-XRAY |
| G-GOLF | P-PAPA | Y-YANKEE |
| H-HOTEL | Q-QUEBEC | Z-ZULU |
| I-INDIA | R-ROMEO |
Power supply
Many of the larger sailing yachts and catamarans these days have a generator that facilitates onboard power supply. Otherwise, all Ultra Sailing sailboats have solar modules, which also help with the power supply.
- Check the state of charge of the starter and supply batteries
- Check 12V outlet
- Does the shore power connection work and are the necessary intermediate plugs or adapters available?
- Let you show where the main switch is and other fuses (bow thruster, windlass)
All yachts are equipped with 2 batteries systems. When not running the engine make sure that the engine battery is isolated and do not leave the lights on longer than necessary or excessively run water or drainage pumps without checking the condition of the battery. A flattened battery is the commonest problem on charter yachts and is usually caused by carelessness by the charterers, especially leaving lights on below decks. Set up a clear discipline on board for battery care.
Engine
One of the biggest mishaps is an engine failure or the fear that the engine will not work properly and you will suddenly find yourself floating on water or, even worse, giving up in a harbor. Therefore, it is always good to thoroughly check the engine’s health before sailing. Not everyone is technically gifted and can immediately see whether the damage to the engine is actually there if it suddenly doesn’t start, so it’s all the more important to check everything at check-in and to have it explained by the charter company.
If it is not possible to check the engine immediately in port, then do it immediately after casting off, if something comes up, then the charter company can rush to help you immediately.
Start the engine for a test run and test it (preferably in the port with the charter company)
- Do all instruments work when the engine is running
- Displays the fuel gauge correctly
- Noise o. Vibrations in the gearbox and shaft
- Behavior when reversing
- Circuit (easy or difficult)
- Idle adjustment
- Smoke development at higher RPM
- Is there engine oil on board?
- Check engine oil. Where are the dipstick and filler neck located?
- Is there a separate starter battery?
- Is there oil or water in the engine bilge?
- If the V-belt is tensioned and in order (brittle), there is a spare V-belt on board?
- Is a tool-box available on board?
Deck and cockpit
We continue with the equipment on board, which is mostly found on deck and in the cockpit. On deck you should first check the water tanks. The charter companies should refill the water tanks before the next charter guest arrives. If not, fill all tanks to overflow before leaving the marina. This can also be done by someone else from the crew while you do other things.
You should also check the sea railing and stanchions on deck. Ask the charter company whether there are enough mooring lines and which line has which function.
Water tank
- How many tanks are there and where are they located?
- how many liters do the tanks hold?
- Where are the taps (valves) for switching?
- Where are the filler necks?
You should make a habit of topping up your tanks whenever the opportunity arises. Most ports have a water supply on the quayside and you may be asked for a small payment. Because of limited water storage on board do ensure that the members of your party use the fresh water sparingly.
Diesel tank
- How many liters does the tank hold?
- Where’s the stopcock?
- Where to refuel on the way back?
- Is there a full spare jerry can on board?
Anchor
During the charter week you will surely anchor in a bay several times, so it is very important to check the anchor. All our charter boats have a remote-control windlass, which makes the tedious work with the anchor easier for you.
- Check the anchor type, anchor weight and chain length
- Is the end of the chain secured in the anchor locker?
- Test the remote control – do the windlass brake releases easily?
- Are the weight, chain and line appropriate for the reserve anchor
Anchoring is possible in lot of bays, but please take care about the signs where is forbidden it is clearly signed. Always take care how local boats are anchored so you can see on which wind the bay is open. If plants and trees grow near the sea it is a sign that the place might be good for anchorage. If you are looking for quiet places for day swimming and maybe night anchoring where no one will charge you there is lots of places on your way but try to avoid them if it is not good weather forecast.
Cockpit
In the summer you spend most of your time in the cockpit, whether is it having breakfast or lunch there or just chilling in a bay. Most of the navigational instruments are also located in the cockpit. Also, from here you should check that the navigation lights and anchor light are working, it often happens when guests arrive in a bay and are anchored in the evening only to notice that the anchor light does not come on.
- Let us show you how the autopilot works
- How is the echo sounder set?
- Does the wind indicator work?
- Check that the navigation lights and anchor light are working
- Is the cockpit lighting ok?
- Test the winches
- Does the bimini and sprayhood show damage?
Sails
Depending on the weather conditions, you open the sails with the charter company at check-in, check the condition of the sails, are there any cracks or are the sail seams broken? Test the reefing gear. Check the mast curve and backstay tension and see if the shroud tension is even on both sides.
Dinghy and outboard
A very important detail during your sailing trip in Croatia. There are plenty of where you can anchor in a bay, but the mainland and restaurants can only be reached by a dinghy. On a sailboat, the dinghy is usually attached to the bow at the front, and you have to attach the outboard motor to the dinghy from the stern every time. On catamarans, the dinghy is fixed at the stern between the hulls and the outboard motor is already firmly attached to the dinghy. During the charter week, care should be taken to ensure that the dinghy is well stowed and firmly on deck, as strong winds can blow it away.
Also, if you are in an unfamiliar bay and you hit rocks or ground, it can be damaged. Ensure that the outboard is firmly attached to the boat.
- Does the dinghy pump work and fit in the valves?
- Do the rudders fit in the brackets (these also sometimes get lost if not fitted correctly)
- Lock for securing the outboard
- Is a repair kit available?
With the outboard sometimes the guests are complaining that it does not start, this is usually because the choke was not pulled on the cold start. So, pull out the choke a little (1/4-1/2) when cold starting. Then pull the starter rope vigorously 2-3 times. If the engine doesn’t make any starting noises and doesn’t seem to start, push the choke back a little so it doesn’t bogs down, then pull again 2-3 times.
The charter company will show you at check-in how to start the outboard motor
- Do it yourself on spot with them and do a short test run (about 20 seconds is enough and is also possible without cooling)
- For 2-stroke outboards: should have a canister of reserve mixture or petrol, 2-stroke oil and measuring cup. Although the 5l canister should be enough for the week, ask the charter company which mixing ratio should be refilled.
- With the four-stroke engine, a canister with petrol and motor oil should be available
- Check whether there are spark plugs, spark plug wrenches and, if necessary, an impeller in the tool box
Safety on board
Of course, safety comes first, everyone knows that and we don’t think it needs much explanation. Here are just a few tips to keep your crew safe.
Let us show you whether there are enough life jackets and life belts, if children are on board, check whether the life jackets are appropriate for their size and weight. In strong winds, heavy seas or night sailing seacocks should be closed and life jackets should be worn on deck.
- While sailing, someone should always be behind the wheel, even when autopilot is engaged.
- The best way to get into the saloon is backwards
- Always work on deck with shoes (anchoring etc.)
- When maneuvering in the harbor or marina, do not jump on/off land or hold hands/legs in between to stop the impact (use fenders)
- Always take an oar with you in the dinghy
- The Croatian waters are not that dangerous, but ask the charter company about special navigation hazards, typical winds in the period of the sailing trip.
Of course, it’s good to exchange cell phone numbers if something doesn’t work or you’re unsure so that we can call you at any time. In case of severe storms, we will warn you and give you instructions on where to moor.
