Part Two: What to know before you get OFF the boat
The first few days of your sailing holiday feel like this vacation might last forever! Everyone is so relaxed, visiting the Croatian islands is exciting and it is amazing how quickly eating, swimming and sun-napping can fill up the day! Many holiday goers don’t want to think about the last night of their sailing trip.. That dreaded night when you have to be back in the marina. The night that directly precedes the morning when you all have to leave the boat.
Taking a boat out and sailing the Adriatic really is as idyllic as it sounds and looks. Basking in the summer sun, cooling off by swimming in the refreshing and crystal clear bays, exploring the islands and getting amongst the buzz of all of the other holiday makers that you meet along the way. The last day and night of charter is the last thing on your mind…
And yet putting a little forethought into that last night and the following morning-that-no-one-wants-to-speak-about can make a big difference to how your trip wraps up.
Here are our tips for how to make sure your last night on the boat doesn’t leave a disappointing dent in your sailing holiday buzz.
Just like a rental car, a charter boat needs to be returned with full fuel tanks. Marina Baotić has a brilliantly well-equipped fuel station that refuels thousands of boats during the summer season. It is probably one of the more efficient refueling stations that we have seen in Dalmatia, and be prepared! There will still be queues! The fuel station is right beside the B entrance to the marina, as well as being very near the main channel for boats coming and going from ACI Marina Trogir, Marina Trogir and SCT Marina Trogir, as well as any vessels who are accessing the main riva (waterfront) of Trogir old town itself. Including ferry boats. That’s a lot of boat traffic! This is why it is so important to stay alert and out of the way when queueing for fuel at Baotić. For an overview of the fuel station at Marina Baotić, including some very helpful drone shots, check out the video that Nick shot of the fuel station linked here.
Like all things, the later in the day that you arrive at the fuel station, the more crowded that it will be and it is likely that you will wait longer. You can opt to return early and hopefully beat the crowds. But that’s not really the best way to spend the last full day of your idyllic sailing holiday! Our recommendation is to fill up out on the islands before you begin the sail back to home base. Rogač, on Šolta island, has a fuel station, as does Milna, on island Brač. And enjoy a farewell sail back to Seget Donji!
Don't forget to lighten your load!
Make sure you dump your holding tanks BEFORE you approach the marina!!! This often get overlooked and makes things very uncomfortable when it comes to changeover of the boat black to the charter company.
Be an awesome boat charterer and dump the tanks.
Coming back into the marina in a timely fashion will help to avoid unnecessary frustration and stress. Remember, a whole marina full of boats will be returning at the same time. It is a lot of fun to ‘race’ other vessels around Čiovo island, and there will highly likely be aa queue of yachts waiting to enter Marina Baotić upon your return. Plus the crowd of boats that will be waiting to refuel. If you are docking on the B side of Marina Baotić, please be patient and show seamanship to your fellow vessels. If you are not sure if a skipper is waiting for fuel or waiting to get into the marina, a friendly shout to ask is all that is needed.
On approach, contact the marina on VHF channel 17 to let them know that you are coming in. They will advise you which pier you will be docking on. It is important to note that it is probably the same pier you began on, but not necessarily. So its good to pay attention to where you are being directed to.
Click here to go to Marina Baotić’s website where you can download the above map as a pdf for your own personal reference.
Book a table in advance to save everyone getting HANGRY! In the Trogir area, you have four whole marina’s FULL of hungry sailors who will be looking for sustenance at the same time. To avoid having to fight with everyone else for a table, book something during the week and breeze into the restaurant. A few of our favourite local restaurants in the Trogir area are:
No ride needed as this locally renown restaurant is located right outside the marina in the village of Seget Donji. Famous for their fresh and locally caught seafood, their location and water views are the perfect setting for the last night of your sailing holiday.
About halfway between Marina Baotić and Trogir, don’t be fooled by the non-descript frontage of this restaurant. They call themselves a steakhouse and indeed they are! With an extensive menu of specialty steaks, traditional Croatian meat offerings and fresh daily offerings, this restaurant is a local gem.
If cheap and cheerful is more your crew’s style, then Maro is for you. Located in the village of Seget Donji right by the beach, the menu is full of options like pizza, sardines, burgers and grilled seafood that are easy to eat in OR take-away.
If you are feeling like you just can’t bear to leave the boat, the on-site restaurant can help you with that! They actually offer a boat-delivery menu, albeit for a premium price. But why not enjoy every single moment of the charter boat before the next day dawns?!
We have more recommendations of other restaurants to try in Trogir itself. Check out that list here.
And just a note, your crew may be tired from their day out on the water and may want to get a ride to dinner. OR they may be feeling awake and energetic before dinner, but after dinner can often be a different story, and a ride back to the marina may be very welcome. Be prepared for this and ask your charter company for a referral for a reliable driver. You don’t have to book a car straight away. Just keep the number up your sleeve in case you need it later in the evening!
Please make check-out an easier job for the charter company staff. A technician will be coming on board your boat to check the condition of the boat and that you have emptied the holding tanks and filled the fuel tanks. Please ensure that you are ready in the morning to unload all of your luggage and personal items from the boat at a reasonable hour. It all helps the charter world tick over nicely, and helps the charter company to turn over their boats
Book your transfers from the marina in advance. Whether you are heading back to Split, to the airport or are going to pick up a rental car, make sure that you don’t leave booking a taxi or transfer to the last minute.
Just like at the beginning of your sailing holiday, there will be a big crowd at the marina and half of them will be trying to find someone to take them into Split. If you book your transfer earlier in the week (or even earlier than that!), you are entitled to feel a little smug as you walk through the waiting crowds to your car and driver!
If you have chartered a boat from Marina Baotić recently, we would LOVE to hear from you! Is there anything that you think is useful that we may have missed out? What things do you know now, that you wish you had known before your charter? Let us know in the comments!