Frequently asked Questions for Learn to sail in Croatia

In this section we have tried to answer the most common questions that people have about our Learn to Sail holidays in Croatia.  It is not however an exhaustive list, so please do not hesitate to email us (use the make an enquiry link above) if you cannot find the answers to your questions here.

What kind of yacht will we be sailing on

The yachts used for the Learn to Sail holidays are drawn from our in house fleet and will either be 31ft two cabin yachts, with a maximum of four plus the instructor on board, or a larger three cabin yacht which can have up to six people and the instructor.  You can view a selection of the yachts here

How many people are on the Tuition Yacht

There will be a maximum of four students on a smaller  31 ft two cabin yacht, and up to six on board a larger three cabin one. Families or groups filling an entire yacht may sometimes put an extra person on board, but this is then made clear at the time of booking.

What is the general mix of people on the Tuition Yacht

We get a full mix of all ages and both sex's coming on these holidays. Families are not mixed on board the same yacht as other adults, but singles and couples are mixed according to what seems to be the best fit.  Generally people are in their mid twenties to mid fifties, but we have had people into their seventies.

I have never sailed before and am traveling alone, is this a suitable holiday for me

There is no problem about traveling on your own as you are immediately part of a crew as well as part of a flotilla so there is a very good social side, and the courses are specifically designed for total beginners, or those just getting up to a skippering level.

How fit must I be

There is no special level of fitness required, and anybody that is normally active and does not have any particular balance problems should have no problem.

What if I do not get on with the others on the yacht

Naturally we can never guarantee that all crews will all get along well all of the time. However as long as people are prepared to be a little bit tolerant, most issues can be dealt with before they become major problems.  Remember that your yacht will be sailing as part of a flotilla of yachts so socially you will not be limited to just the people that you are on board with.  Also one of our instructors will be in charge of the yacht at all times, and part of his/her job is to identify any potential personality clashes before they become issues and to look after everybody's interests fairly.

How much sailing there as I want a holiday as well and not just feel that I am going to school

These courses are all about learning to sail a yacht in a holiday environment.  Unless we are on a special trip, we always aim to keep the daily obligatory distance relatively short (usually five to fifteen miles) so that we have maximum flexibility.  The yacht usually leaves port sometime after 1000hrs and then arrives in port around 1700hrs having had a stop in the middle of the day for an on board picnic lunch and a swim.  In reality we sail much more than just the straight line distance between ports, but the actual amount depends on the wind, how you are feeling on the day etc.

I want time to see the places that we visit

The instructor must always try to juggle the different needs of those onboard.  However with our flexible programme if you want extra time to explore a particular port, you can always remain behind on your own for an hour or two while the yacht heads off to do some sailing, perhaps some mooring practice etc before popping back in to collect you at a preset time.  Likewise you can always be dropped in early if you fancy a short day, and the yacht can go back out sailing.  This way we can mix those that want the maximum amount of sailing with those that only want the minimum.

What are the sleeping arrangements

The following applies to anybody sharing a yacht. All bookings are taken on a shared cabin basis unless you specifically book a single cabin and pay a supplement for this.  Couples or two friends traveling together will then share one of the double cabins. Singles will be allocated a berth in the main saloon where there are single berths, or occasionally if one of the larger three cabin yachts is being used, may have to share the larger fore cabin in one of these yachts with another person of the same sex.  If then a double cabin happens to be free, on the day it will be given to one of the singles.  Most weeks we have a few tuition yachts out so we mix and match the crews and yachts to get what appears to be the best mix.  Families or groups booking an entire yacht will sort out their own sleeping arrangements, but must leave one of the berths in the main saloon for the instructor unless they have specifically booked not to have him/her on board at night.

What extra costs are there on site

In Croatia there are very good facilities for yachts such as marinas, national park entry charges etc, but naturally there are fees for these.  In a typical week's sailing using a mix of town quays and marinas, a 31ft yacht with four on board will spend somewhere between £75 to £100 on these, and our larger three cabin yachts can spend up to £125. Families or groups taking a yacht on their own will pay these costs as they go along, but those sharing on board a yacht will have paid an on- site cash payment of £50 per person, (to cover a number of different yacht expenses) so these costs are then included. Yacht fuel is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

What food if any is included, and how are meals taken

No food is provided for groups and families filling an entire yacht, as it is much more logical to leave you shop for whatever you want yourselves based on your own tastes etc.  There are  supermarkets near to our base where you can do a bulk shop before you leave, with good back up shops in most of the ports that we go to as well as local bakers and some form of fruit and vegetable market.  Most families  will tend to eat all breakfasts and lunches on board and then eat their main evening meals in local restaurants in the evenings, although they are of course totally free to prepare evening meals on board if they wish.

For those sharing a yacht we pre stock the yacht with a certain amount of basic provisions like tea, coffee, bread etc as well some non perishables to act as a base for simple on board breakfasts and picnic lunches. On the first morning the instructor will go through a quick outline of what is on board, and provide some general guidance for on board meals, after which you then shop yourselves, adding whatever you want, ie favourite breakfast cereals etc. Most groups choose to run a small kitty among themselves to ensure that there is enough for each day. This system is the only way of ensuring that everybody's individual tastes, budgets and preferences are catered for, while still providing a structure so that you are not all "squabbling over who ate whose biscuits" , but are free to eat as you please. It is after all your holiday!!  Cooked breakfasts if required can be obtained from local restaurants and main evening meals are taken ashore, at your own expense, although you are totally free to prepare food on board if you wish.