CHARTER-READY
Skipper Training (7 days)
A hands-on course with compact theory and intensive practice including:
Docking drills
Weather & safety
Sailing basics
Anchoring & buoys
Trip planning
Knots
7 DAYS
PUNAT, KVARNER
4-6 PARTICIPANTS
9-17 DAILY
SALONA 45
SKIPPER TRAINING built to turn you into a confident skipper, ready for your first solo charter in Croatia.
Duration: 7 days
Location: Punat, Island of Krk (Kvarner)
Daily schedule: 9:00–17:00 (8 hours/day – 1h lunch brake)
Group size: 4–6 participants
Sailboat: Salona 45 (2003)
Level: Beginner-friendly, no prior experience required
Price: 750€ (shared cabin) / 1,200€ (private cabin)
Docking & boat handling
- Low-speed control in forward and reverse
- Prop walk awareness and turning in tight spaces
- Stern-to docking & casting off (Med mooring): approach, setup, execution
- Side-to docking and safe departures using spring lines
Buoys & anchoring
- Picking up a mooring buoy (bow/stern approach, crew roles)
- Anchoring technique: position choice, chain length, holding checks
Sailing & skipper routines
- Sail handling basics (hoist, trim fundamentals, reefing awareness)
- Core maneuvers (tack/gybe) with clear crew coordination
- Trip planning: daily route, stops, fuel/water basics, timing
- Weather & safety: reading the situation and making safe decisions
- Essential knots used on charter
Day 1: Onboard basics + first maneuvers
Boat orientation, safety routines, roles on board, and the first handling drills to build control and confidence.
Days 2–4: Intensive marina DOCKING training in Punat
You stay based in Punat and train with high repetition: stern-to docking, spring lines, side-to docking, tight-space maneuvering, plus buoy pickup and anchoring drills
Days 5–7: Navigation sailing trip (round route around nearby islands)
A practical cruising loop around the nearby islands where you apply everything in real context: daily route planning, basic navigation practice, sail handling, selecting safe stops, and running the boat – simulating typical charter week.
Instructors
The docking training is led by one of our local professional skippers and docking coaches. The instructors teach on the same charter boats you will charter in Croatia. The instructors have docked in most marinas across Croatia during their careers, so they know what to expect and how to prepare you for real charter docking situations.
Sailboat – Salon 45 (2003)
It is a stable, spacious cruiser with predictable handling and relatively narrow stern (compared to modern cruisers). Due to it’s deep single rudder it stays responsive when maneuvering in reverse, which makes it an excellent platform for repeated stern-to docking practice and close-quarters drills.
What’s included
- Onboard accommodation (single or shared cabins)
- Bed linen (sheets, blankets and pillow)
- Professional instructor throughout the course
- Home-base marina berth and standard mooring costs during the training
- Fuel and cooking gas
- Tourist taxes
- Course completion certificate
- Final boat cleaning
What’s not included
- Food and drinks during the course
- Travel to and from the departure marina (parking, transfers, flights)
RESERVE SKIPPER TRAINING
Q&A
SKIPPER TRAINING
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course is designed for first-time and early-stage skippers and focuses on core sailing skills, safety, and confident boat handling in typical Croatian charter conditions.
What will I learn on the course?
You will train sail handling, basic navigation, weather interpretation, anchoring, mooring buoy pickup, and the docking maneuvers most used in Croatian marinas (stern-to and alongside).
Does this course help me prepare for my first bareboat charter in Croatia?
Yes. The training is built around real charter routines: planning day routes, operating onboard systems, marina procedures, and decision-making for changing weather and sea state.
Do I need a sailing license to join, and do I get one after?
No license is required to join the course. However, to charter a boat in Croatia you typically need a valid skipper license (Voditelj brodice B) that the charter company accepts. The license exam is not included in the course price, but if you need it, we can arrange the required theory session and organize the exam after the sailing course.
Where does the course take place, and what is the training area?
The course starts in Punat, where we stay for the first four days and focus on structured training, including marina maneuvers and boat handling. In the final three days, we sail a practical round trip around the nearby islands Krk, Rab, Plavnik, Cres, and Grgur, combining short passages with real navigation, anchoring, and day-by-day trip planning.
How much time is practical training vs. theory?
Most of the day is hands-on on the water, with short, focused theory briefings (navigation, weather, safety, and planning) that directly support the exercises.
How many students are on board, and will I get time at the helm?
Training is run in small groups of 4–6 to ensure plenty of hands-on time. During sailing, students rotate through the key roles—helmsman, mainsheet trimmer, headsail (jib/genoa) trimmer, and halyard handler—so everyone practices each position repeatedly. For docking sessions, a structured rotation ensures every student completes the same number of docking repetitions.
What boat will we use for training?
Training is delivered on a Salona 45 (2003). It is a stable, spacious cruiser with predictable handling. It’s precise when reversing, which makes it ideal for repeated stern-to docking practice. The boat is rigged with a full-batten mainsail, so you also train proper hoisting and reefing procedures.
What is/isn’t included in the course price?
The course price covers your onboard accommodation, professional instruction, and all boat-related expenses, including fuel, gas, marina berths, taxes, and final cleaning. It does not include food, beverages, or the cost of travel to and from the departure marina.
What equipment and clothes should I pack?
Bring sailing-appropriate clothing (layers, windproof jacket), shoes or sneaker with good grip, baseball cap or wide brim hat, sun protection, and sunglasses. Make sure you have enough water and any personal medications. Sailing (or any other) gloves are welcome but not necessary. No special gear is required; safety equipment is provided on the sailboat.
Have more questions?
Contact us directly at info@skipperhotline.eu
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