Insights and highlights from the 2023 yachting season

The 2023 yachting season has drawn to a close, and we’re taking this opportunity to assess and recap the events and trends of the year. Leaving no stone unturned, we've pulled together stats, reached out to skippers and sailors, and put together an article packed with invaluable insights. Curious about how the 2023 season compares to previous years, and what made it stand out? Keep reading to find out.

This popular destination has undergone a lot of changes in 2023 — a new currency (Euro), integration into the Schengen area, inflation... How has all this been felt in yachting life?

For those accustomed to visiting Croatia overland from other places in Europe, a major change has been the disappearance of border controls. Many holidaymakers anticipated that this would result in smoother traffic flow on motorways, eliminating the long queues at border checkpoints. Unfortunately, most of the captains we contacted agree that the traffic, especially on the Maribor-Zagreb highway, is still quite heavy.

Adding to the challenge is the current system for purchasing vignettes (toll tags). Unfortunately, as of now, there is no option to buy them online; they must be acquired in person, leading to additional queues and delays. So, hopefully the Croatians will improve this by next year.

A Captain's Perspective

Captain Pavel Janeček provides a firsthand account of the current conditions: "On the Maribor-Zagreb motorway, the bottleneck has shifted from the Slovenian customs office to the Trakoščan toll in Croatia. Meanwhile, in Istria at the Dragonja crossing, it's relatively smooth sailing into Croatia. However, there’s a new traffic snag in Koper due to an insufficient roundabout at the town's entrance. Previously, the customs controls helped manage the flow, but now the bottleneck has simply moved."

Diving into the costs in Croatia after the 2023 season, it’s honestly a bit difficult to figure out if things have really gotten more expensive. Talking to skippers, it seems a lot of them feel that prices have generally stayed the same when you convert to the euro and adjust for inflation (which has been felt everywhere in Europe). 

So, is Croatia pricier than last year, especially when you’re thinking of heading to a restaurant? Well, we can’t give you a straight answer on that. What we do know is that Croatia is still on the higher end of the price scale compared to places like Greece, but that’s been the case for a few years. Then again, in Croatia, you’re paying for some top-quality services, especially if you’re a sailor.

Jellyfish have been a part of our seas for as long as anyone can remember, but there was a noticeable uptick in their population in 2023. While the media made quite a fuss about it, and some beachgoers got cold feet about diving in, the real picture wasn't that apocalyptic. 

Yes, the jellyfish were more plentiful, particularly around Zadar, but sailing activities carried on pretty much as usual. To tackle the jellyfish issue, captains are putting a strong emphasis on prevention, ensuring their crew is well-educated and ready to handle any encounters with these sea creatures, including knowing what steps to take if someone gets stung.

Unfortunately, human ingenuity knows no limits even in unfair practices applied to sailors or tourists. There are many stories of being cheated, misled or outright robbed. We just want to appeal to mariners to choose boats according to the standard of the charter companies and not just to the low price. At yachting.com we have, of course, carefully chosen companies with years of experience that are reliable, have boats in excellent condition and look after both their boats and clients well. Check out our recommendations when booking a boat.

Captain Martin Cikanek recommends choosing newer or slightly more expensive boats when renting. The reasoning behind this is that charter companies treat them better, take more care with their maintenance and there is less chance of something breaking down during your holiday.

In particular, skipper Jakub Machalický, who leads theoretical and practical skippering courses, points to the growing trend of flotilla cruises, especially in Greece in the Ionian Sea. Not only were there more such cruises at sea in 2023, but the fleets themselves were larger.

While some skippers found the sea in Croatia less crowded, others complained about the busier harbours. Either way, the trend for 2023 was definitely to use online apps to book a berth. Captain Jindřich Brlica recommends not leaving anything to the last minute by booking a marina in advance. He points out that even though there are plenty of marinas and new ones popping up, the influx of new charter companies and additional boats means spots can fill up fast

In Greece, the situation was a bit different. Captain Jakub Machalický told us that the use of the Sammyacht app for booking berths was getting more widespread, but, in practice, the app only worked in three ports he visited.

The hustle and bustle of the high seas during peak season seemed to turn off a good number of sailors in 2023. Instead, many opted to embark on their adventures either during spring or post the main holiday rush in autumn. Captain Jindřich Brlica hit the waters as early as April 1st. With the chill still in the air and water temperatures hovering around 12°C, he was grateful for his boat's heater. By May, however, the sun was out in full force making it prime time for some swimming and lounging around.

Captain Jakub Machalický shared that Greece offers great sailing opportunities in autumn. October, in his opinion, tends to be a safer bet, given the increasing occurrence of medicanes in September in recent times.

Croatia has consistently dominated the leaderboard when it comes to the number of boat rentals, firmly establishing itself as the premier charter destination year after year. Yet, the surging popularity of mass tourism, including yachting, has started prompting more sailors to explore beyond its borders in 2023. So, where are they heading to?

Tomáš Vondráček, the owner of yachting.com, has taken a liking to Greece and has been coming here in recent years. The country has shed the problems from its economic collapse and now excels in terms of service, gastronomy, and amenities, all while remaining affordably priced. The pristine, turquoise waters, coupled with the warmth and hospitality of the locals, make Greece an irresistible choice for sailors. Captain Jakub Machalicky is quick to recommend Greece as a must-visit destination, urging sailors to make the trip sooner rather than later before it gets discovered by hordes of tourists and loses its charm and tranquillity.

Sweden has been gaining popularity among sailors, including our own Captain Pavel Janeček, who prefer the cooler sailing conditions. Sweden is an ideal destination for those looking to navigate the Nordic seas, with the Stockholm archipelago being a particular highlight. The breathtaking, untouched nature, dense forests, and the extra challenge posed by rocks and stones make it an attractive and interesting sailing option for those looking to try something a bit different.

According to Captain Martin Cikánek, Cape Verde offers some of the most beautiful sailing in the world — trade winds, fewer harbours, opportunities for longer passages and long ocean swells. This is challenging yachting, but it is truly amazing! You can enjoy sailing in January, offering a serene escape to the sea while others are bundled up for winter sports.

We've spoken to experienced skippers to unveil their top picks and hidden gems discovered in 2023

Captain Martin Cikanek recommends the island of Mali Lošinj, or the new buoys at the island of Susak. However, he also warns about the buoy area off Olib island, where calm days can deceive as strong evening breezes pose a threat, pushing boats dangerously close to the pier. His advice? Make it a short sightseeing trip, especially if you're near the Velebit mountains,

Skipper Jakub Machalický, was pleasantly surprised by Porto Skrofa Bay in Greece. There are buoys here, which is not so common in Greece, and fantastic restaurants that, in his opinion, are the best in the region. Of the marinas, he was impressed by the newly renovated Plataria, which has a large capacity for moorings.

Captain Henry Brlica focused on gastronomic tips. In 2023 he was very fond of the restaurant Gego in the bay of Zarače on Hvar (here he recommends a dish called Captain Steak) or the restaurant Šišmiš in the bay of Šešula on the island of Šolta.

Pavel Janeček, a veteran sailor, has taken a liking to Kvarner Bay in 2023. He finds it less crowded compared to the Zadar region and points out the picturesque bays that fill up with small motorboats during the day, only to quiet down by evening. His marina recommendation in this area is ACI Pomer, valued for its peaceful ambiance. He does advise extra caution with the weather, as storms are frequent. He also suggests exploring the coves on Hvar's north coast, between Sućuraj and Vrboska, and the outer shore of Dugi Otok, like the Golubinka cave. Just be mindful, as there aren’t many buoys or marinas for anchoring.

Which were the most chartered boats in 2023?

It's not too much of a surprise that the top spot in the charter market is held by Bavaria boats. This manufacturer remains focussed on leisure craft and has garnered immense popularity. From the widely favoured Bavaria 46 Cruiser to its smaller counterparts like the Bavaria 37 Cruiser, the Bavaria 41 Cruiser, and all the way through the range of 34 to 51 feet models — they've all been hot picks.

Elan boats are also frequently featured in our rental statistics, such as the beautiful and elegant yet sporty Elan 45 Impression. In addition, the Oceanis series, including the Oceanis 46.1, the Oceanis 41.1, the Oceanis 38.1 and the larger Oceanis 51.1 have caught the fancy of many sailors in 2023. We've observed a rising interest in catamarans, with models like the Lagoon 380, Lagoon 40 or Lagoon 42. When it comes to powerboats, the Merry Fisher 895 reigns supreme. Meanwhile, timeless classics such as the Sun Odyssey 440 or the Dufour 360 Grand Large are still very much in demand.