by Selim E. on Mon, 29th, Apr 2019
A northeasterly wind at around 12-16kn pushed us from Vrsar southwards. Approaching the Cape of Istria waves got bigger but still good to sail on a half wind course. Enjoyed an incredible sunset with a pink colored horizon. Passing Unije in the south towards Mali Losinj we experienced a strong increase in windforce (27kn) and waves between Cres and Unije. We had to battle towards Mali Losinj harbor but finally made it quite tired after a 12 hrs passage.
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by Selim E. on Sun, 28th, Apr 2019
This year we have chosen to cruise around Kvarner. Starting from Veruda Istria Wind brought us to Vrsar, one of my favorite harbors on Istria. Passing by Rovinj, a thunderstorm was forming north of us and hit us with not too much windforce (5) but a beautiful sky and clouds and massive rain. We finally made it to Vrsar and could enjoy a magnificent sunset from the little chapel on top of the little hill.
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by Selim E. on Sat, 1st, Sep 2018
Final check of boat. We have breakfast and pack our stuff and leave boat around 10am. Before leaving for home we clean up the outer side of the breakwater from plastic debris. We collect around six mid size bags of plastic but are from finished. While we clean the breakwater base staff do not care as their own coffee cups get blown away by wind. I beg the base manager to be more careful and to advise his stuff. He says that he is aware of the problem but his people do not care. At around midday we leave Murter towards Austria. A heavy thunderstorm is approaching and as we leave heavy rain sets in and lasts for about 2 hours.
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by Selim E. on Fri, 31st, Aug 2018
Wind again light in the morning, dying away around midday. In the morning we explore two artificial caves at the western head of Tratinska bay. The caves have probably erected as part of a fortification. When we enter the caves several bats suddenly flap around our heads. Caves are split into several tunnels after entrance but do not lead too far into the rocks, only 5-10 meters. We leave towards Jezera Marina around 3 pm and arrive at around 6pm at Jezera port. We set sails for a sudden short easterly breeze. Needed to fill up Diesel but only 12 liters. Base manager checks boat. Dinner again at Konoba Leut.
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by Selim E. on Thu, 30th, Aug 2018
Wind decreasing at around midday. We leave Piskera under engine towards Zirje – our last station. We arrive there at around 6pm. No sailing today as wind is too weak. We moor our boat on a buoy in Tratinska bay. Friendly guy charges 200 Kuna for buoy. He speaks German and tells us stories. Brilliant night sky.
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by Selim E. on Wed, 29th, Aug 2018
Wind again fresh. We do another walk on top of the cliffs. Swimming and Snorkeling until midday. We leave in early afternoon towards Piskera. Again lovely downwind sailing. We sail in southern direction between Kornat island and the western Kornati islands. Today my brother notices that one of the lead pulleys for jib is completely worn off and does not turn anymore. I have noticed a certain resistance when pulling in Genoa sheet before but could not think of such a defect. Fortunately the Genoa sheets glides quite easily round the pulley. However, I consider this a major and safety threatening defect to be included in the logbook.
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by Selim E. on Tue, 28th, Aug 2018
Wind is still fresh. Around 12kn. Before breakfast I go snorkeling and I discover a lobster fishing cage on the seafloor at around 5m depth. The cage looks like it is abandoned. Several fishes are trapped inside. I decide to return with the girls to free the fish. After breakfast we return to the cage and try to encourage the fish (sea breams) to leave the cage by its small entry. All but one fish (the largest) manage to do so. The large one panics and is not able to find the exit but pushes hard against the lattice. My brother finally lifts the cage to the surface and tries to push him out. As the bream has already hurt himself I finally decide to grab him by his rear fin and pull him out. Happily? he disappears in the blue. Around midday we leave the bay towards Telasica bay on island Dugi Otok. Lovely sailing with wind force 3-4. I like the small passage between Kornat and Dugi Otok and the lake like feeling when entering Telasica bay. While tacking northwards towards Mir bay I am happy about the boats upwind performance.
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by Selim E. on Mon, 27th, Aug 2018
Clear sky and wind force decreasing but still strong with up to 25 kn in the harbor. At around 11am we depart from Marina Jezera and head towards Zut. We motor until the southern head of island Murter and then set sails (reefed). With 12 to 20kn wind from north east we are able to sail quite fast. Gusts of about 28kn. Finally wind changes to a more northern direction which forces us to tack towards Pasman. We decide to stay in Landin bay. We moor our boat on a buoy. After quite a long day with a lot of sailing we are happy to take a swim. Girls go ashore with dinghy.
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by Selim E. on Sun, 26th, Aug 2018
A day in port. The expected Bora and some rain last for the whole day (about 30 kn in the harbor) and I decide not to got out with an unskilled crew. We check the boat carefully, buy food and supplies. In the afternoon I hold the obligatory basic safety training and as well a tutorial on sailing basics. During boat check we realize that only one life vest is complete. All other vests miss some part, safety whistle, belt or crotch strap. Incomplete life vests are recurring phenomenon on charter yachts in Croatia. I even experienced a base manager who said that is not likely that I would need the vests. Dinner at Konoba Leut.
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by Selim E. on Sat, 25th, Aug 2018
After 8 hours driving we (my brother and our two daughters) arrived in Jezera on the beautiful island Murter at 7 p.m.. We took over the boat, a Beneteau First 35 (built 2012) and stowed our luggage in the boat. The weather is calm today but expected to get worse during the night. To be exact, a Bora is expected for the night, to last until Monday morning.
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