5 expert tips for first time charter

We are now writing about some tips expert sailors will give you if you are chartering a boat for the first time. The advices for first time charter are focusing on practical things you should pay attention on when choosing a boat and period of sailing. (1) Firstly you should contact your agent on time and tell him what are your preferences, how many of you are going to be sailing, number of children aboard, pets if included, period of sailing, preferable yacht type or brand (if you have one), destination of sailing (and if it is Croatia perhaps, if you prefer any of region tell it to your agent). Contacting your agent on time means that you should contact him as soon as you start planning your holiday. The best yacht is already booked in January and February for June, July, Auguste and September. Most charters give high first minute discounts, so if you start looking for a boat in the beginning of year you will most likely choose the best boat and pay it less.

(2) Book early season or end season period. Especially in Croatia, during the summer months (July, Auguste) is very crowded, the small hidden coves are crowded with other people who chartered yachts, there is less free berths in Marinas, sometimes almost impossible to get a berth (only if you enter the Marina early in the morning, but that does not leave you any time and possibility to sail during the day because you are going to lose your berth). In Croatia, June and September are warm, you can swim, sunbath, enjoy summer activities, but it is not unbearably hot as it can be in July and Auguste.

(3) The age of the yacht you are planning to charter does not mean anything. The most expensive yachts are newer once. Do not focus on yacht age because most older yacht that are in charter are usually very well maintained and renewed a couple of times. So, older yacht can be in a similar condition as new one. The advantage of older yacht is that it is cheaper for chartering.

(4) Do not focus on interior design and decor of the yacht, because you will spend at least time inside while sailing. You will sail the whole day, enjoying sunbathing on the deck or helping your skipper and learning some basic sailing skills. The only reason you should go inside is sleeping or when you want to grab something to eat or drink.

(5) Focus on unexplored area while sailing. In terms of Croatia, the whole Adriatic is interesting for sailing, but most nautical friends are focusing on south coast (Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik area). Although south is really nice, north, Istria and Kvarner, is less explored in sailing terms and can offer a lot. Istria among nice coast is gastronomical heaven, so it can bring your sailing experience in a whole new level. You can combine sailing and gastro or wine tours which we can organise for you. If you go more southern, interesting are some islands on Kvarner, such as Mali Losinj, Cres, Krk which have a lot of hidden and unexplored coves.