Sailing Turkey to Croatia

[EZ55]

anyone have any route/planning advice? we want to sail from Turkey to Croatia and been looking for a route planner but found nothing as yet..

[boatman61]

Turn right when you come out of the Corinth.....

[EZ55]

ha ha ha... which way is right again??

[boatman61]

Where in Turkey are you.... its a big country and varying conditions N & S...
More info and you may find some folks who've done it..
or at least recommendations for good stops en-route.

[EZ55]

boat is currently in Marmaris... have you sailed in Croatia before? the authorities appear to be quite sticky? don't really want to sail the 18oo odd miles to be sent away for a minor technicality??

[Katiusha]

Marmaris has a really good live-aboard community. The cruisers' net is on every day at 8:30 or 9:00 am (listen to announcement on Ch. 16). People usually love to help with routing questions.

We missed Croatia, but our friends loved it so much, they endured a long process for temporary visa extension (the boat can stay a year, but foreigners only 90 days in a 6 month period). They say that authorities are ok, but be sure to follow the rules. Oh, and wear long pants when visiting officials - he was not allowed to enter one office in long (knee length) respectable shorts...

Check noonsite's Croatia section: Noonsite: Croatia. It has a lot of useful info.

[swagman]

Originally Posted by EZ55

boat is currently in Marmaris... have you sailed in Croatia before? the authorities appear to be quite sticky? don't really want to sail the 18oo odd miles to be sent away for a minor technicality??

We sailed Turkey to Croatia in July 2007 and unlike others you must have listened to, we found the authorities to be OK. Like everywhere, respect them and they'll respect you.
If you copy us and sail up from Corfu and enter into Dubrovnic I think you might be blown away with the place, the history, the people.
In terms of a course once you've exited Gulf of Corinth (which is normally a snotter with westely winds), turn north and get to Corfu, then from there its more or less a straight line due north if you choose not to stop in Albania or Montenegro. We had good s'ly breezes for a majority of our trip once past Corfu, but that's not the norm.
Only solid tip I can give is to make sure you moor at the big ship dock wall in Dubrovnic and don't assume you can berth stern to alongside the other yachts. Tie up with the big boats, go ashore and got your permit sorted at the office just over the road, then back to show it all to the police police at the dock, then you're free to go where you want.
The guy we saw in the office appeared a bit intimidating, but he was a softy at heart, more like a big friendly bear.......and the police lady was a real looker. Lots of smiles. No authority issues from either of them, or anyone else after.
FWIW I think Croatia is probably the best cruising ground you could choose to visit. Certainly on a par or better than Turkey, Greek Islands, Whitsundays.......
Enjoy and sail safe
JOHN

[garth]

THANKS John... we're in two minds as to when to do the trip? In summer or winter. When did you do the passage? Cheers Garth

[swagman]

July 2007 was when we went north then west across the Greek Islands to Corinth.
But we did come all the wayy down the Turkish west coast as part of the EMYR in May the year before, and experienced basically softer N'ly winds in that earlier month.
Not sure thats the norm, so suggest you consult a wind chart to get a wider view of what to expect - and when.
Enjoy
JOHN

[gravosa]

Originally Posted by swagman

Only solid tip I can give is to make sure you moor at the big ship dock wall in Dubrovnik

You do not have to go all the way to Dubrovnik. yu can go to Cavtat few miles before Dubrovnik.

Cavtat is seasonal (sumer) maritime border crossing, open from April 1 - October 31

Croatia Boating - information

[svBeBe]

We planned to cruise Turkey summer 2012 and then through Greece for 90 days, then Croatia summer 2013 to get out of the Schengen Treaty area for the required 90 days. Now that Croatia has met all the requirements to join EU and is expected to be entered by 1 July 2013, that totally screws those plans. Assuming Croatia also signs the Schengen Treaty with all the other EU countries, it will be impossible for Americans (and Australians & Kiwis) to leisurely cruise the Med and be legal with immigration. It will be really difficult to sail through Greece and cruise Croatia and Italy in only 90 days before high-tailing it out of Schengen Treaty area. There really needs to be a way to get an extended visa for foreign sailors visiting the EU countries.

Judy