A week at Sail Port Stephens could result in two weeks in Croatia

by Jody O'Brien on 27 Nov 2009
Seven days of great sailing and fun socialising at Sail Port Stephens in April next year could see you heading to Croatia to do more of the above, but you'll be doing it in the special Mariner Boating Holidays way, where there are more lay days than race days.

If you're wondering what that might be like, let your imagination run wild as you read one person's view of Croatia and the sensational time they had with Mariner Boating Holidays..... her story begins now..

We are on a Mediterranean cruise, race/cruising through the islands and along the coast of Croatia with a fleet of 10 charter yachts, accompanied by the Mariner Boating rally management team.

Many of those present are sailing friends, so you know the parties are going to be brutal, even if the racing is supposed to be friendly.

The rally concept is designed to suit a wide range of abilities and often includes people with no yachting experience at all. The ability to mix a good salad and pour a glass of cold wine is enough talent to ensure a place with the crew on board. The program also provides ample time to do 'your own thing' and really explore the destinations along the rally route.

After the long journey from Sydney, a night in an excellent hotel in Split revives the crews. The next day they transfer to the marina in Sibenik and board the selected yachts. A dinner ashore is arranged to enable everyone to meet their new sailing companions then it’s back to the yachts to sleep on board ready for a familiarisation cruise on the first day at sea of this fourteen day rally.

By this time, the crews have recovered the sense of humour which they lost somewhere in an airport on the way from Australia, cooled the drinks and stocked up in the local fresh food market with provisions to last for the next few days -so a short race is arranged to cover the miles to the first of around ten suggested 'must do' places.

Croatia boasts over one thousand islands and almost six thousand kilometres of coastline, countless bays and inlets, deep safe water, not much tide and some of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. The most attractive way to approach these cities is by boat through the medieval harbours - as the fleets have done throughout history.

Overnight rally stops include Korcula, Hvar, Mjlet, the less known islands of Vis and Lastovo (which have now become firm favourites) and last of all is in the UNESCO protected city Dubrovnik. Here recuperation (not that we needed it !!) is two nights in a six star hotel which cascades down a cliff face into the Adriatic Sea.

The big attractions are easy to find and remarkable as they are, it is the out of the way places that yachties seem to most enjoy. With eight years experience of these waters, Mariner Boating Holidays has put together a great mixture of both. And our local technical support was a bonus, with ability to speak the language (especially when berthing), a wealth of knowledge of the area and the ability to sort out any malfunctions on board quickly and efficiently - most of which were ‘user error’ but were never the less annoying if not rectified.

After each race, which generally lasts about two hours and covers from eight to twelve nautical miles, there is a pre-arranged and pre-paid dinner ashore where the race results are announced amongst the usual banter, a few drinks, lies and endless discussion about the handicapping system!

Then it is lay day. Wander the old cities, swim in the warm clear waters discover your own favourite restaurants or shops. A newsletter is provided after each race with options and suggestions for your day at leisure.

'The best holiday I have ever had' was the most quoted line as the crews dispersed to wander further afield or return to native shores. I have to say I could not agree more!

Written by Bronwyn Roebuck who sailed on the Mariner Boating Holidays Croatian Rally, had never sailed in her life before and cannot even swim!

For your chance to win a cruising adventure just like Bronwyn's, come to Sail Port Stephens in April next year, and every race that your boat enters qualifies you for an entry in the draw to win a wonderful Mariner Boating Holidays prize valued at $15,000.

Check out the details at www.sailportstephens.com.au