What you need to know

We would like to show you a brief overview of all the important points for your charter trip in Croatia. A valid identity card or passport is required in order to enter Croatia.

Please note the following advice by all means, in order to avoid damage on the yacht and harm to your crew

• Never drive without nautical charts and please control before you set out for the first time, whether there are nautical charts for the region you intend to visit on board. Make inquiries concerning the weather every day!

• Always look on the nautical chart and on the GPS plotter where you are at a given moment. This is very important in Dalmatia, since many places and islands look alike and mixing up may often be the case when you are approaching.

• If you drive faster than 5 knots (this applies to dinghies as well), you have to keep 300 m distance to the shore, as prescribed by the law. Since 2009, the Croatian Police will sanctionany transgressions with high fines. In case of higher speeds you have to consider shoals as well. Motorized dinghies are to be driven only by persons who have a boat skipper certificate. Children or crew members without a boat skipper certificate are not allowed to drive a motorized boat!

• When approaching a certain place, please note the marked shoals and underwater cliffs. Do not only use the nautical chart for that purpose, but also the manual and read it thoroughly before you approach a port.

• In case of a strong storm and/or bad view it is very important to move away from the shore. There is an old saying where the ship says: "Protect me from the shore and I will protect you from the water."

• In case you don’t know a destination or you have to drive through an unknown area, set out early enough, so you don’t have to drive or arrive by night.

• In case of any defects or damage on the yacht during your charter week, please inform us immediately over the phone, so we can provide spare parts on time. This will guarantee timely reparation of the yacht for the next charter guest. Please keep in mind that you could be the "next" charter guest who is looking forward to a perfectly waited yacht.

Some advice concerning the manoeuvring of the yacht

• Please keep calm in every situation and try not to get very fast when manoeuvring in narrow spaces, but handle the gas very gently. It is much easier to stop a yacht manually if the speed is kept low.

• It is important to bring the gear shift in neutral position when you manoeuvre, in order to keep the yacht moving slowly.

• Please note that it is much easier to correct the direction of the yacht by asserting a reverse gear of the engine, than by asserting more forward gas at the other engine. In the first case, the speed of the yacht remains low; in the second case the yacht might get too much speed.

• Please perform every manoeuvre that you intend in your head first and prepare the necessary ropes and fenders (height of the fenders). Please keep in mind that the yacht weighs several tons and manual stopping is therefore possible only with a great amount of strength.

• Please perform the act of mooring always against the wind and never with the wind. When you are mooring against the wind, you can easily correct the direction of the yacht with the gas level. But when you are mooring with the wind it is much harder to correct the direction or the speed of the yacht, because the speed of the wind adds to the speed of the yacht. The corrections are not easy to reach in this case.

• Please note that the yacht corresponds somewhat later due to its mass. This is why it is necessary to assert the neutral gear every now and then, since it takes some time until the yacht responds to the previously executed manoeuvre.

• Due to the height of the yacht it is very hard to manoeuvre in a small port or a small bay with very strong cross wind. In this case it is necessary to step on the gas even when you are manoeuvring in narrow spaces. But please keep in mind that the yacht always responds after a certain period of time. This is why it is necessary to always just shortly step on the gas when manoeuvring in narrow spaces and then to assert the gas pedal in the idle position. This will guarantee a turn of the yacht in the direction that you want, but it will also prevent the yacht from moving too fast, which would make a manual stopping impossible.

It is very important, especially when mooring under difficult conditions (e.g. with strong wind), to prepare the fenders and the ropes and to prepare the crew for the upcoming manoeuvre. Even the best skipper is no good if after a successful mooring manoeuvre the crew is not able to fasten the yacht in the right way.

An advice from Offshore Botte on how to save fuel

Did you know that a glider does not spend more fuel than a slow trawler at a slow trawler speed which, depending on the size of the yacht, is somewhat between 8 and 10 knots?

You can reduce the diesel consumption of a glider for almost 50% per driven mile, if you drive at a speed of 9 knots, instead of 18 knots. The saving amounts to 2-5 liters per nautical mile; a workable method by which one can counteract the increased diesel prices - and it allows you to focus more on the beauties of nature.

However, particularly unfavorable for a glider is the half-glider speed, i.e. 10-15 knots. Here the machines are strained disproportionately, the yacht does not glide, it crosses a few miles, but consumes almost as much fuel as at a gliding speed, which is an extremely inefficient way of moving that is not recommended under any circumstances.

The diesel fuel consumption of half gliders per driven mile also depends on the speed. At a cozy trawler speed, the yacht needs at least 30-50% less fuel than when you probe the limits of possible speed. A reducing from 14 to 9 knots will save you at least 1-3 liters of fuel per mile driven. So remember: Speed only if it is necessary or if you really enjoy it.

General Information

• Please take your time to be instructed concerning your yacht; a precise instruction will take some time, but you will be able to save some time and some problems during your holidays. In addition to that, large yachts have many technical devices – learning how to handle these yachts will probable be somewhat more difficult than learning how to handle a smaller yacht.

• Please instruct your crew members before the first setting out and assign every crew member his/her own assignment. This will help you manage critical situations. Besides, even the best skipper is lost if his crew cannot help him due to inadequate instruction.

• When you plan your tour, consider some possible eluding stations; in case of any problems with the weather or with the yacht, it is always good to have some alternatives, which are quickly and problem-free to reach.

• A yacht has many conveniences, but it also has a very sensitive technical system. Smaller technical problems are possible, even if we wait the yachts perfectly and very precisely. In case of any problems of this kind and if you are not able to take care of the problem yourself, please inform our service station in the Marina Kremik, i.e. the competent instructor for your yacht. One of our employees will join you as soon as possible and try to take care of the problem, or he will give you advice how to solve the problem over the phone. All the important phone numbers are on board in the boat map, along with the yacht description.

• We also have a service boat, with which we can relatively quickly reach you in order to solve the problem when you call us and inform us about your exact location.

• Please do not enter the yacht in shoes with a black sole, i.e. in high heels; please enter he interiors of the yacht only barefoot in completely clean shoes.

• Control the inventory before the handover of the yacht. In case you have some additional wishes concerning the equipment, such as additional fenders, blankets or furnishings for the pantry, please inform us. We will gladly equip you with any kind of equipment that is in our possession.

• Please check the operability of the refrigerator, toilet, electric stove and other devices when you are assuming the yacht. Please explain your crew precisely how to handle toilet-facilities! Please, do not throw toilet paper in the toilets - there is a small container for the toilet paper in every toilet. Often we have to deal with pipe-blockage caused by improper handling. First of all, a clogged toilet causes odours - and secondly we have to charge you the special cleaning and any other material or reparation costs.

• Please control the operability of the anchor, the navigation lights, the anchor light, the GPS, as well as all the other technical devices when you assume the yacht. Those are the obligations of the skipper.

• The instructor will show you where the life vests are, keep this in mind and control whether there are enough life vests on board.

What you need to regard when taking over a yacht or before you set out

• Control the cooling water, the oil level of the engines and the fuel reservoir before every setting out, because there is nothing more dangerous than to find yourself on open sea – possibly amid rough sea - with engine malfunction. Kontrollieren Sie vor jedem Auslaufen am Stützpunkt zusammen mit Ihrem Instruktor das Kühlwasser und den Ölstand der Motoren sowie den Dieselvorrat, denn nichts kann gefährlicher sein, als wenn auf hoher See unter Umständen sogar bei starkem Seegang die Motoren ausfallen.

• Is the electricity cable disconnected and on board? There is nothing more unpleasant than to be in the marina and to have no shore connection.

• Is the water hose disconnected and on board? Did you retrieve the connection; the connection is hard to get in Croatia, so in case you loose it, there might be some problems concerning the water supply.

• Did you retrieve the yacht papers after you have spent a night in a marina? Is the dinghy fastened in the right way?

• Is he bath ladder up?

• Are all the scuttles closed? This is very important, since in case of rough sea water could get in and this could in the worst case scenario lead to the sinking of the yacht; anyway, the furnishing of the yacht might be destroyed if the saltwater gets in.

• Is everything well stowed?

• Did you refill the water tank? You never know when and where you will get water again? A water shortage may happen even in the marinas, especially in the summer.

• Did you plan your tour, having in mind the weather situation and possible alternative destinations? The weather can suddenly change even in the Adriatic.

• The most important: Don’t ever let your crew push you to set out if you, as a skipper, feel insecure or if you think that setting out is not recommendable.

The skipper and not the crew is entirely responsible for the yacht and for the crew!!!

What you need to regard before/when returning a yacht

• In case of any defects or damage on the yacht during your charter week, please inform us immediately over the phone, so we can provide spare parts on time. This will guarantee timely reparation of the yacht for the next charter guest. So please be back at the base on time! Please keep in mind that you could be the "next" charter guest who is looking forward to a perfectly waited yacht.

• Calculate your way back to the base so that you can return to the Marina Kremik and Offshore Boote in time, even in case of unexpected bad weather or any repairs to the yacht.

• When you get to the Marina Kremik please refuel at the gas station. The gas station in Marina Kremik is open again, so you can refuel here directly without any problems. Our staff will be happy to help you when refuelling, just ask us whether someone can drive with you to the gas station to give you a hand.

  Arrival at the base:
  Fridays or Tuesdays
  from 1:30 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. at the lastest
  
  Attention – you can refuel only until 6.00 p.m.!
  

• Calculate the time necessary for refuelling the yacht. The earlier you arrive, the sooner you are done with the refuelling. Thus, a cosy dinner or a trip to the nearby places Primosten and Rogoznica are just waiting for you. We are happy to make Reservation at one of the restaurants in our vicinity. We will also organize a taxi if necessary.

• However, we recommend a payment of the fuel bill on the spot in cash (in Kuna or €) or with credit card. Please pay attention every time you refuel gas that the gas gauge has to be set on "zero".

• Upon arrival at the Marina Kremik, please come to our office with the boat papers immediately after docking your boat. Our secretary will take care of the billing, return of the deposit, and various organizational matters arising.

• If you travel by plane, please let us know immediately after your return, if you need a taxi to drive you to the airport. As the taxis are mainly booked out Saturdays, we seek notification of the time and number of people as soon as possible. You can book a taxi already at arrival.

• If you are interested in one of our yachts for your next trip, please contact our staff. We would be happy to show you our fleet and advise you individually.

1. Which boat should I charter?
Before you choose a boat you should know how many people will be on board.
Of course, the selection also depends on your needs and preferences. We have 30 motor yachts in our charter fleet, luxury boats / gliders and half-gliders.
Are you a group of couples or are there some crew members who want to have their own cabin?
All our yachts are also available without a skipper, but if you need a skipper, he also needs a skipper's cabin.
Need help in choosing your yacht? We are happy to help!

2. Which license do I need in order to charter one of your yachts?
The skipper or the customer who wants to charter a yacht should have a certificate of driving competence. He also must have a VHF certificate.
Do you have a boat skipper certificate? You can obtain the Croatian boat skipper certificate with us.

3. Which licences are recognized in Croatia?
All licences and certificates recognized in Croatia may be found here:
https://mmpi.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/MORE/More%209_19/TABLICA_ENG_rujan2019%2017-9_19.pdf

4. How can I book a boat?
On our web site you can find all our boats with pictures and technical description.
If you still need more information, do not hesitate to contact us.
After you have chosen a boat, we can make an option, i.e. we book the boat for a few days for you, so you can organize your travel plans. (Flight tickets etc.)
If your crew members agree with the period and the boat, please let us know and we will send you a booking confirmation. If you want to finalise the charter, please send us back the confirmation.
After the signing, your charter is fixed and we will prepare the charter contract for you.

5. Is there a car parking area in the marina?
The Marina Kremik has sufficient parking spaces available. Here you can leave your car without having to worry about it. The parking fee per day amounts to 30 Kuna (4 Euros).

6. Are there bed linen, towels and cutlery on board?
Your charter yacht awaits you fully equipped, i.e. it has bed linen, as well as cutlery i and everything needed for cooking on board.
You are also welcome to rent towels from us. Bath towels (5 €), towels (3 €).

7. Is there an Internet connection on board?
All our yachts are equipped with a Wlan router – Internet free of charge. You can connect with all your smart phones, tablets or laptops on board – free of charge. Those who do not have a tablet, get from us a Samsung Tablet to have on board.

8. When should I return the boat?
In case of a Saturdays-charter, the yachts are returned at our base in the Marina Kremik on Friday evenings until 6:00 p.m. and in case of a Wednesday-charter, the yachts are returned by Tuesday evenings until 6:00 p.m. The yachts must be returned an evening before in order to ensure refuelling and early check as well as cleaning of the boats. This way the next guest, who is looking forward to his vacation, gets a clean and functional yacht.

9. Where can I go?
We prepared tour guides for our guests in which we have compiled five selected tours and described them in detail. They contain a detailed route description including the distances between the individual stages, tips regarding harbours, buoys and great anchorages and of course - gastronomic highlights. If time allows it, we can go through your individual tour plans together, before your takeover of the yacht and we can give you some insider tips.

10. Where can I get help if problems occur during the cruise?
You can always reach us directly through our service hotline, no matter what time.
Our team is at you disposal for all problems you may experience. If there are some major problems which cannot be resolved over the phone, our service boats are always ready for possible interventions.

11. Where can I refuel?
The gas station in Marina Kremik is open. We can help your when refuelling. You get the yacht with a full tank and you must return it refuelled. At the end of the marina, near the travel lift / service area, there is a modern gas station in the Marina Kremik. The local staff are well prepared for the refuelling of our yachts and our employees are mostly on the spot to help you dock, take off or refuel. If it is windy, we can also come on board prior to entering the Marina Kremik in order to help you.

12. What are the mooring fees?
The prices vary depending on boat size and season. In classical marinas, they range from 50 to 140 Euros per night. In quiet town harbours a little less and in very busy ports somewhat more, f.i. Hvar or Trogir.

13. Can I reserve moorings or buoys?
In most marinas, an online reservation is possible min. 1 day in advance. Reservations can be made with credit card only and the costs will be charged even if you do not come. If you like, we can book moorings and buoys with some landlords we know. We can also make reservations for you in some quieter city ports. Reservations in hot spots such as Hvar or Trogir are not possible.

14. Is there a boat description?
We have a compact boat description in German language for all yachts. The most important features and controls are described and it also lists where the equipment is located. At the end of each boat description there is a chapter "Trouble Shooting".

15. Do you recommend buying food in Croatia?
You can buy food safely in Croatia. In a radius of about ½ hour drive, various large and small supermarkets are located. Lidl is also well represented in Croatia and it is only about half an hour away from the base in Šibenik and Trogir. The prices in Croatia are basically the same as in Austria or Germany. IMPORTANT: If possible, buy refrigerated goods shortly before the assumption of the yacht and store them promptly in the refrigerator. The refrigerators on our yachts run on 12V or 24V and therefore it is very difficult to cool down hot goods and drinks.

16. When can I take my yacht at the base?
The whole crew at the base is trying to prepare your yacht as quickly as possible. When the yacht was away with other guests before your charter, the crew must leave the yacht at 08.00 a.m. and then we can begin with the check and cleaning of the yacht. We place great value on cleanliness of the yachts and the completeness of the equipment on board. Our mechanics and electricians check each yacht to exclude unnecessary problems. All of these things take some time and therefore it is only possible to go on board of the yacht from about 3:00 p.m. If the yacht was not away the week before and no service work is necessary, you can go on board earlier, but this must be coordinated in advance with our booking office in Vienna.

17. Will somebody explain me in detail all the boat features?
For the delivery of the yachts to our charter guests, we put together a team of English or German speaking instructors, who will hand over the chartered yacht to you. During the transfer, you get the chartered yacht explained in detail. Please do not hesitate to ask our expert instructors everything that is unclear. Each one of our instructors is responsible for a small number of yachts, so this instructor will know his/her yacht thoroughly and will take care that the yacht is in good condition.

18. Practice / Skipper Training?
If you feel more comfortable to perform the first docking or putting out with one of our employees, please inform your instructor. As soon as our time plan allows it, one of our experienced employees will perform a navigation manoeuvre with you. If you are not sure in dealing with the yacht, we can try to organize a skipper for Sunday and the following days, who will exercises with you until you are confident enough alone to put out to sea.

19. How do I take over boat?
You get a clean yacht with a full tank. You will find fresh linen on board for all crew members, toilet paper in the toilets, a fully equipped kitchen (dishes, cutlery ... ), a dry filter coffee machine with filters, sponge, dish cloths, dish soap and towels. Upon request and for a small fee, we can also provide towels and bath towels for the whole crew on board. All our boats have maps of the Croatian Adriatic, 888 harbours and bays, along with the papers and a tour guide compiled by Offshore Boote. At the check-in, you will receive a tablet PC with plug cable and 12 volt adapter which serves as a navigation system (Navionics software) and can be used of course for all other internet applications thanks to the fixed routers on board and the Wlan. Furthermore, you will find much more useful equipment on board such tools, flashlight, rescue equipment, first aid kit, clothespins, mooring gloves etc. In the engine compartment you will find containers with engine oil and hydraulic oil in case you need to replenish engine oil or oil for the hydraulic units.

20. What kind of dinghy will I have on board?
On board of our big yachts you can expect sporty, water ski suitable rigid-hull dinghies with 3.30 m to 3.70 m in length and with 30 to 40 HP. The other motor yachts also have rigid-hull dinghies on board with 5 HP outboard engines and from 2.50 m to 2.70 m in length. Due to the size and the type of swim platform of our Gobbi 345 "Alfa", only a 2.80 m dinghy without a motor can be transported. All boats have external fuel tanks. The larger motors are Automix motors, i.e. the engine mixes the oil independently. For other engines, the oil must be added to the fuel in the tank in the correct mixing ratio. All dinghies will be explained during the takeover, they will be inspected together with you for damage and started with the instructor to make sure that it works. IMPORTANT: Driving the dinghy is allowed only with a valid driving license.

21. Is it possible to make a last-minute extension of the charter?
If your yacht is available in the following week or before your scheduled arrival, you can, of course, extend your charter. Here it is only necessary to extend the crew list. Due to the takeover on Wednesdays, sometimes gaps arise and we will inform you in time about these gaps, so you can still opt for an extension.