What Is Bareboat Charter?
Bareboat refers to a vessel hired without crew. You take full responsibility for the boat and everyone aboard from handover to return. No skipper is provided. This is the most affordable charter format and gives complete freedom: anchor where you want, move when you choose, cook on board or eat ashore.
In Croatia, bareboat is available for sailing yachts (monohulls), catamarans, and motorboats. The sailing yacht market is the largest and most competitive — hundreds of boats from multiple fleets across five or six main bases.
Do You Need a Licence?
Yes. Croatia has some of the clearest and most consistently enforced licensing requirements of any Mediterranean charter destination. Harbour masters and maritime police conduct checks during peak season.
Important: Croatia does not accept self-declared competence or informal experience documents. You need an official, government-issued certificate. Read the requirements below carefully before booking.
Two documents are required at handover:
- sailing licence: ICC with sailing endorsement, or equivalent national qualification
- VHF licence: Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher
Most charter companies also ask to see a logbook showing offshore miles, particularly for larger vessels (45ft+).
Accepted Qualifications
| Country | Accepted Qualification |
|---|---|
| UK | RYA Day Skipper Practical (+ ICC), Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster |
| USA | ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising or higher |
| Germany | SKS (Sportbootführerschein See) or SHS |
| France | Permis Plaisance (coastal or offshore) |
| Australia | MMSS or equivalent state certification |
| Netherlands | CWO Kielboot 4 or higher |
| Most EU countries | National licence + ICC endorsement |
If your licence is not listed, contact your charter company before booking. They can confirm whether your national certification is accepted or whether you need an ICC endorsement.
Bareboat Catamaran Charter in Croatia
Catamarans are an increasingly popular bareboat option, though they carry additional experience requirements. A cruising catamaran handles differently from a monohull: wider beam means more to manage in marinas (and higher marina fees), the lack of heel takes adjustment, and the bridge deck can slam in short chop.
Charter companies typically require more demonstrated experience before releasing a catamaran bareboat. Expect questions about catamaran-specific experience at handover, and bring a logbook with relevant passages if you have them.
| Catamaran | Cabins | Shoulder Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38–40 ft | 4 cabins / 8 guests | from €2,500/wk | from €4,000/wk |
| 42–45 ft | 4 cabins / 8–10 guests | from €3,200/wk | from €5,500/wk |
| 45–48 ft | 5 cabins / 10 guests | from €4,000/wk | from €7,000/wk |
| 50 ft+ | 6 cabins / 12 guests | from €5,000/wk | from €9,000/wk |
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Costs
| Boat | Cabins | May / Oct | Jul / Aug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria 34 / Jeanneau 349 | 2 cabins | from €700/wk | from €1,200/wk |
| Bavaria 40 / Oceanis 40.1 | 3 cabins | from €1,100/wk | from €1,900/wk |
| Hanse 445 / Sun Odyssey 449 | 4 cabins | from €1,500/wk | from €2,800/wk |
| Bavaria 50 / Oceanis 51.1 | 5 cabins | from €2,000/wk | from €3,800/wk |
The Handover Process
Bareboat handover is the most important part of a charter. Pay close attention — everything they cover, you will need during the week.
- Document check: sailing licence, VHF licence, passports of all crew
- Security deposit authorisation (1,500–3,000 euros on credit card)
- Boat walkthrough: engine, sails, rigging, electronics, gas, plumbing, bilge pump, fire extinguisher locations
- Chartplotter briefing: loaded charts, waypoints for key anchorages
- Safety briefing: EPIRB, life raft, flares, MOB procedure
- Inventory check: dinghy, outboard, anchor chain, fenders, mooring lines
- Signing the charter contract and condition report
If something is unclear, ask again. The marina staff would rather answer a question at handover than take a distress call at sea.
What Is Included in a Bareboat Charter
Standard inclusions:
- The vessel, fully fuelled at handover
- Full sails, rigging, and safety equipment to Croatian maritime standards
- Tender (inflatable dinghy) and outboard motor
- Chartplotter with Adriatic charts, VHF radio, AIS (most boats 2020+), life jackets, EPIRB
- Croatian cruising permit (transit log) arranged on your behalf
Standard exclusions (your costs):
- Fuel used during the charter
- Port and marina fees (30–120 euros/night)
- Provisioning and food
- Skipper if required
- Optional extras: wifi dongle, paddleboard, extra fenders
Best Bases for Bareboat Charter
Trogir / Split
Largest charter fleet, widest boat selection, most competitive pricing. Central Dalmatian position gives access to both northern and southern sailing grounds. ACI Marina Trogir and Marina Kaštela host the major fleet operators.
Šibenik
Best base for Kornati National Park. The harbour entrance through St. Anthony's Channel is one of the most dramatic in the Adriatic. Quieter environment than Split with more focus on sailing, less on nightlife.
Zadar
Further north, access to the Zadar archipelago and Kornati from the northern approach. Significantly less crowded than the Hvar–Vis corridor. Best for sailors prioritising remote anchorages.
Dubrovnik
Higher base prices but quieter southern sailing grounds. Elaphiti Islands, Mljet, Korčula, and Lastovo are all accessible. Lastovo — the least visited inhabited Croatian island — is a genuine reward for the extra passage miles from Dubrovnik.
Tips from Experience
- Book your first night's berth in advance. Arriving at a full marina on Saturday evening with a new boat and tired crew is not the way to start a trip
- Buy the Croatian Nautical Pilot before departure. Chartplotters show where things are; pilot books tell you whether the anchorage holds in northerly winds
- Always check the bora forecast. The bora is a violent katabatic wind from the northeast that can arrive quickly and reach force 8 or above
- Anchor out at least half the nights to keep costs reasonable and find the best swimming spots — ACI marinas are excellent but expensive
- Call ahead to marina VHF channel 17 to book a berth. Turning up unannounced in August is unreliable
- Set a stern anchor or stern line when anchoring in a tight bay — Mediterranean anchoring requires it to stop the boat swinging into others
- Fuel up at the first town quay you pass on Saturday. Base marina fuel is always the most expensive option
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if something breaks during the charter?
Call the charter company's 24-hour assistance line. All reputable companies have one. Minor issues are sorted at the next marina. For serious problems affecting seaworthiness, the company arranges repair or a replacement vessel. Document everything and photograph pre-existing damage during handover.
Is bareboat charter insured?
The boat carries third-party liability insurance. Your security deposit covers the deductible on accidental damage you cause. Many sailors take additional charter insurance to protect their deposit — available through Pantaenius or Markel at roughly 1–2% of the deposit value per week.
Can I extend my charter?
In theory yes, if the boat is not booked the following week. In peak season, most boats are booked solid Saturday to Saturday. Extensions are far more possible in May, September, and October. Discuss at booking stage if this matters to you.
What is the security deposit for?
The deposit is held by credit card authorisation — not charged upfront. It covers the insurance deductible (excess) if you damage the vessel. If the boat is returned undamaged, the authorisation is released within 7–14 days. For a 45-footer, expect 2,000–3,500 euros.