Almost all navigators sailing on yacht charter in Croatia have certainly come across the idea to hire a yacht with a skipper. Most of us probably had similar initial navigation experiences.
On bareboat yacht charter we made up a crew including someone with more or less sailing experience and we set out to the sea. Perhaps we had some theoretical knowledge, but we lacked practical skill.
On most of our first sailings we had to cope with torn sails, our limbs full of bruises, entangled ropes and similar problems. Even later on, the crews sailing a week or two per year, face some difficulties in the first days, taking into account that over the years they hire different vessels which they do not have the opportunity to get used to.
Skippered yacht charters and sailing holidays in Croatia
Boat charter with a professional skipper is definitely an advantage for an inexperienced crew. As a rule, most nautical beginners predominantly have theoretical knowledge gained in the courses for obtaining a sailing licence. A week or two of navigation under skipper's instructions will help to get some good knowledge of the navigation technique and optimum exploitation for your next sailboat rental, catamaran charter or motor yacht charter experience. You can also yacht charter Croatia with crew for this purpose.
In subsequent years, such a crew will be able to sail alone without undue worries. Even more skilled skippers and crews may undergo a few days long training course of regatta sailing under the guidance of a skipper in order learn how to exploit the capabilities of vessels as well as possible.
NCP & mare can provide charter sailing boats for sporting sailing and it is also possible to attend an international sailing course organized by RYA (Royal Yachting Association). For more guidance about which boat to choose, for your next boat trip in Croatia, based on your preference and needs, read our article on how to choose the right boat for your next yacht charter holidays.
Croatia yacht charter with skipper for a safer experience
Safety while sailing the Croatian coast should certainly be a priority. Every navigator must follow the weather forecast while experienced skippers can assess the threat of an approaching storm or other major changes of weather according to the situation in the air.
Due to the weather conditions, the Adriatic Sea can be very insidious and is considered to be a dangerous sea. As part of the Mediterranean Sea, it is full of bays and creeks, surrounded by bulks of land. That's why storms can develop faster and more unpredictably than in the oceans. Summers, however, offer longer periods of nice weather but when the weather changes, the storms are so much more severe.
In view of good sailing tour in Croatia we also need to know the wind conditions in the Adriatic.
In summer, most winds are weak, except the good sailing winds in the area of outer islands. In particular the maestral can become fairly strong in the open. It is a sign of good weather and if it does not blow it may predict the worsening of the weather.
The sirocco is less common in summer and it usually decreases to no more than 7 Beauforts.
The bora wind is very dangerous because it often strikes like a bolt from the blue, with no signs, in good weather and at high air pressure. Skilled skippers know very well that even on the lee side of the islands, the higher ones, the situation is extremely dangerous because the winds rise and become even stronger, unlike the lower islands. Therefore, a seasoned skipper takes care of firm anchoring and/or an adequate mooring. Sailing in the bora wind on the lee side of the islands and of the coast is also rather demanding despite lower waves because the gusts of the wind may tear the sails.
It is useful to know all such things. Nowadays, in the Internet Age, it is fortunately very easy to follow detailed weather forecasts for navigators, such as published at meteo.hr or at windfinder.com. These forecasts are fairly reliable for at least 24 hours, but also for up to 3 days.
Depending on the weather forecast and with the help of a skipper on a yacht you will find an ideal sailing route for amusing yacht tour as well as peaceful bays for swimming and overnight stays.
Usually, the holiday crew is made up of friends or family members. Often only one person is more or less experienced and capable to operate the vessel. However, it is essential for safe operation of a vessel that there are at least two experienced persons on board. It turns out particularly important in the event of more difficult weather conditions. It is invaluable to have on board a reliable person that can secure safety and is able to take appropriate measures in any situation.
When taking your family on Croatia yacht trip you wish everybody to relax and to enjoy. A skipper can secure your safety in any weather conditions, he will take care of the boat while you are diving, swimming, playing with children or going on a trip to the mainland. He can help you build an ideal itinerary for your unforgettable vacation. During your voyage he will find for you the most beautiful bays where you will enjoy bathing and other marine delights.
Twin skippered sailing holidays for more fun
Moreover, NCP & mare provides a special facility, twin sailing, where you can charter two identical sailboats from our fleet at the same time and get a discount.
This is ideal for a larger group of sailors or for two families, as they can travel together and nevertheless preserve their privacy on their own vessels. In this case, too, it is very useful to hire the vessel with a skipper.
With twin sailing you can hire only one skipper for one vessel and the other vessel will join it on its voyage. In this way you can spend a part of the day focusing on the improvement of your sailing skills, if you wish, but you can also just indulge in the pleasure of sailing Croatia and discovering new destinations, being aware that you are accompanied by an experienced expert.
If your route includes the most crowded Adriatic destinations, such as Hvar or Vis, the skipper may book the berths in advance or he may just wait on the boat while you visit a crowded market in Hvar or Komiža and buy fresh vegetables, locally produced fruits, fresh bread and have a cup of coffee in the local coffee shop.
Then you can again head for some nice bay away from the tourist crowds.
You may have heard from your friends that they enjoyed their vacation on the sea and you want to try it yourself. A chartered vessel with a friendly skipper or full crew is an ideal opportunity to get to know the coast from the sea side, to spend your holidays in different locations without having to constantly fill and empty your luggage.
You rent a sailing boat or hire a yacht with a skipper and you can indulge in new adventures. You can choose a trip from one bay to another and enjoy the crystal-clear sea of the Adriatic islands. Alternatively, you can cruise Croatia from one place to another in order to visit the architectural pearls of the Adriatic towns, the museums, including culinary experiences in best restaurants on Adriatic, all at your own pace and without any obligation. If you like the place you visit, you can stay there for several days without being under the pressure of the schedule. And do not forget to visit about Croatian national parks, near our marina in Šibenik.
You can also travel to the farthest Adriatic islands, like Lastovo, and get to know their history since the ancient times.
Privacy aboard when renting a yacht with skipper in Croatia
Concerns can arise regarding the privacy on board, as the skipper is a member of the crew, but nevertheless a foreigner.
Anyway, guests should take into account that one cabin will be needed for the skipper himself, also in order to be able to withdraw and to make the guests feel more relaxed.
In any case, the hiring of a vessel with a skipper has its positive and also some negative sides, depending on the guests' expectations, their navigation & sailing skills and their knowledge of the coast and islands of the Adriatic Sea.
Our company NCP & mare offers several possibilities for sailing boats and motor yachts for rent with a skipper. Most of the skippers are also our sailors whom our guests get to know at the quay when taking over the boats. It means that they know in detail our big and small private yachts where they work as skippers.
Their advantage is not only in their knowledge of the behavior of the vessel at sea, but they also know how to eliminate potential defects that may occur during the voyage. They know well the aquatorium, they book either berths in the city ports or in front of the restaurants and they are discreet during the voyage.
In case our skippers are busy we have at our disposal a set of other tried skippers who earn their money accordingly throughout the season.
Price considerations of yacht charter Croatia with skipper
Yacht charter Croatia with crew or a skipper is, however, more expensive than bareboat yacht charter. Yet it is important that the skipper is provided with due insurance of the vessel.
A guest who himself takes the place of the skipper must conclude a special insurance for possible damage that is not covered by the marine hull insurance of vessels.
The skipper will provide for daily cleaning and readiness of the vessel for navigation. With the help of the local skipper guests may even get to know local customs, communicate with the locals and thus enrich their holidays.
Last but not least, a skipper, if guests take him with them to the restaurant, usually makes sure that they get fresh fish and good wine for reasonable prices.
In winter our skippers often tell stories and remember nice experiences that they shared with guests on the boat. As a rule they look forward to the new season and new adventures.
For detailed information on how much does it cost to charter a yacht with a skipper or full crew check out yacht charter prices and additional costs.
Pick your preferred boat and book your skippered yacht charter in Croatia!
Don`t miss out on our special offers with up to 40% last minute discount and early birds offers.
Check out how much does charter a yacht cost in Croatia with us and our regular charter terms & conditions.
We are based in Mandalina marina in Šibenik.
Read also:
What our yacht charter skippers saying about their skippered sailing holiday experiences!
