How to prepare for family sailing

 

The vacation season is upon us and there's probably nothing you are looking forward to more. We are sure you and your loved ones will make the most of it, especially this year, but we also want you to enjoy it to the fullest. That's why we have put together a few things for you to prepare and consider in advance, so that your family sailing vacation in Croatia will be the best one ever.

Croatia as a whole has a lot to offer, its beauty is incomparable and its coast even more so. But somehow the general opinion is that the best way to experience Croatia is sailing. There are almost no restrictions on where you can sail, and there is no pressure or schedule in this kind of activity. Just you and the sea.

Those who have already been to Croatia and had a family sailing vacation already know how to best prepare. But it's good to remind beginners and sailors who are sailing for the first time that there are definitely some things you need to know before you set foot on a yacht.

 

Family sailing is the best choice for several reasons

What does the increase in the charter of sailboats and motorboats in the last couple of years tell us? That the fact that some experienced sailors and charter management staff have known for years is now common knowledge. Owning your own yacht or chartering one, is the best and most desirable way to spend, above all, a safe holiday with your nearest and dearest.

Sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans have gained importance in recent years for obvious reasons. Sailing is the best way to spend a holiday away from other people, if that's what you want, but also the best way to visit many different places in a short time. Not being tied to the mainland does have its many advantages.

On a chartered yacht you may not have the comforts you have in other accommodations, but that is not such a big problem. The experience of sailing itself and the fact that you can get from one place to another in just a few hours is indeed extraordinary.

The safeness of a family sailing vacation in Croatia is something that many people need after a long period of hectic city life. You can decide for yourself whether you want a secluded sailing experience or one that will take you amidst busy beaches and interesting sights.

Charter yachts are experiencing their peak, if you will, precisely because of their safety and the fact that anyone can charter a yacht, absolutely anyone.

This gives us all a pretty good picture in how a sailing vacation is the best idea you will ever have.

 

When is the best time for family sailing in Croatia

You might say that the best time for a family sailing in Croatia is all year round, but that's not quite true. Yes, Croatia is magnificent at any given time, but for sailing you need certain conditions. First of all, that it is not too windy or too cold.

A sailing vacation is a kind of a vacation where you actually don't have all the luxuries you have at home, and heating is one of them.

So, we can rightly say that the best time for sailing is spring or early autumn. In this period the weather is mild, during the day it is warm enough and, in the evening, and at night you need to wear a light jacket.

But the main reason why these periods are perfect for sailing is that they are not too crowded. Pre-season and post-season might be the best time to visit the Croatian coast and spend a family holiday here, because the marinas are not so crowded then. You can also enjoy the fact that less people visit the historical sights and popular places. For us, this is a win-win situation.

 

But first, book a boat that suits your needs

There are families who have decided to live permanently on sailboats and yachts, so a week or a few weeks of sailing shouldn't be a problem for you. They may be used to their way of life, and we are sure that you will get used to spending your days on your chartered yacht pretty quickly.

There are a couple of things you should keep in mind when chartering a yacht for your next vacation. First, you should book a yacht that best suits your needs, that is not too small for you and your family, or that after a few days you realize that sailing is not for you, and you would prefer a motorboat instead. Chartered yachts are usually booked for months in advance, so changing the vessel is almost impossible.

So, book a vessel that has enough space for everyone, including the skipper, so he doesn't sleep on the couch in the galley or something similar.

If in doubt, look no further than our motorboats, such as the Adriana 44, a motorboat with 3 cabins that can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people.

For a smooth boating vacation, you need to have enough space on the vessel you charter so that you don't feel cramped. But a sailing vacation is also meant for you and your family to visit all the beautiful beaches of the Croatian coast, so the yacht itself will soon become just a place to sleep or a means of transportation.

When researching what to book online, make sure you choose a vessel, either a motor yacht or a sailing yacht, that you can make the most of. If you are familiar with the Croatian coast, you may already know all the places you want to visit. But if you don't have a plan, anything you choose will be just great, because Croatia is a really beautiful country with an extraordinary coastline.

Essentials for family sailing

The general opinion and experience is to pack light, so swimsuits and comfortable, light clothing are of course mandatory. Among other things, we recommend that you take duffel bags, which are easy to store, and essentials for personal hygiene and medications, if you take them.

It is also good to know that you can ask your booking agent for any information about your stay on the charter yacht. They will tell you all the rules for your stay and also what you need to bring if your charter company does not provide it. And they probably will not provide you with board games or other things to occupy yourself with during the time you are not swimming, sunbathing or exploring the inland.

Food and other supplies are optional, just like in any other apartment in private accommodation. If you want to cook your own meals, bring your own food. Just remember that space on your chartered yacht is limited and you will not have the luxury of a large refrigerator or a big stove.

If you are tired of cooking, you can easily go out to eat in any city you visit on your trip. Croatian cuisine and food are excellent, so be sure to try the local specialties.

Keep your kids occupied when sailing

If your family sailing vacation includes sailing with kids, we believe you are already prepared for any unforeseen situations. Familiarize yourself with the rules of navigation, even if it's just the basics to begin with.

A sailing vacation with kids is not that different from any other vacation, and you probably already know what to pack for your kids and what activities will keep them busy. Some days you'll spend hours navigating from one point to another, and kids can quickly lose interest in just looking at their surroundings.

So, pack some board games, cards or something similar to keep your kids occupied. We realize that kids these days probably prefer video games and mobile devices above all else, but also keep in mind that you'll be out at sea and it's wise to take good care of them, so they don't end up soaked in seawater or lost in the sand.

If there are children on board, the most important thing is that you accustom them slowly to sailing. Not everyone will be thrilled by the fact that it will take you a couple of hours to get from one point to another. Without stopping, it can be quite tricky, because when sailing you have to take certain precautions that you don't have to take anywhere else.

For example, in navigation, it is obligatory to make sure that you don't fall overboard or lose valuable things in the depths of the Adriatic Sea. It's as simple as that.

Family sailing experience can make you or break you

Sailing for the first time is truly a life-changing experience, but it's not for everyone. Some people just can't handle the voyage itself and there's no shame in that. But those are rare cases. You simply will not have time to think about anything other than the beauty of the Croatian coast and the fact that you are surrounded by deep blue sea and bright blue sky. And there is a big chance that you will be accompanied by dolphins, because they are curious creatures.

All in all, they say that once you fall in love with sailing, there is no turning back. There are many ways you can prepare in advance for your next holiday, if not the first.

You can learn the basics of navigation and pick up new skills like tying knots, taking care of the tanks or just good old teamwork.

It's also good to learn maritime rules and how to manoeuvre the yacht you have chartered. With time, you can also get your own ICC (International Certificate of Competency), which will allow you to operate vessels in Croatia. And wouldn't that be great if you were the captain of your own chartered yacht?