Kufner Yacht

A NOTE REGARDING SMALL SPACES ON SAILBOATS:

• Please note that the rooming for these boats is assigned upon arrival and neither particular cabins, nor berths can be guaranteed. You will be sharing a bunk or double bed with your travel partner or one of your fellow passengers of the same sex and sharing the bathrooms onboard.
• Please be aware that as this is a real sailboat and not a cruise vessel and the space on board is tight. The sleeping quarters on sailboats are generally kept to a minimum size in order to maximize public space and performance.
• It may be possible to smell engine and/or diesel fumes when in the cabins, due to their proximity to the engine room. Most travel is done during the day, so it is unlikely you will be in the cabin when the engine is running.
• Some people are not comfortable with the type of close quarter arrangements typically found on sailboats, however if a real sailing experience on a real sailboat is what you are after, then this experience should more than make up for cramped quarters.
• Opportunities to sleep in open air on main deck are often available.
• Please note that the skipper may also be sharing the ship's quarters and amenities with you.
• Power onboard is 220V on European 2 pin sockets. Please note that this is not suitable for sleeping aid machines, as the power source may not always be operating. Bringing a battery pack is recommended.

There is limited space on the yachts. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack. A good size daypack is also essential. 

PLEASE NOTE: No hard suitcases are permitted.

Laundry facilities can be found in some harbors, ask your skipper for the best places.

Documents:

• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:

• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Heath & Safety:

• Disposable Face Masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (required) (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves

Marine:

• Drybag (Will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
• External battery pack
• High UV sunscreen
• Locks for bags
• Motion sickness tablets
• Sandals/flip-flops (Extra pair of deck shoes or sandals recommended)
• Sarong
• Small travel towel
• Snorkel gear (optional) (Only if own equipment is preferred.)
• Sun hat/bandana

Warm Weather:

• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Welcome on board!! We are happy that you decided to be a guest on board our sailing yachts for your holidays. To make sure it's a real one of a kind experience, your skipper wants to give you some information about the things you’ll meet on the yacht and on the trip.

No worries, we won’t make you spend your precious time on too much information, simply take it as a possibility to start your adventure at home.

Brief History of Yachting

Known since the old Egyptian Empires yachts were dedicated only to the pleasure of it’s passengers in the exclusivity of independence. Long time before tourism discovered the pleasure of big steamboat cruises around 100 years ago, the wealthy parts of societies enjoyed yachting in different ways: cruising the Nile, sailing the Greek Islands or enjoying huge parties on board of Caligula's yachts in a lake south of Rome.

Fortunately technology developed allowing us the opportunity to sail the oceans in smaller yachts. Yachts of today are constructed under the rules of hydrodynamics, defining the shape of the hull, the needs of stability and comfort.

When only twenty years ago, running water and a stove were a pure luxury on board a yacht, you’ll find almost everything you need on your yachts today: electricity -though it’s only 12V offshore and only sometimes 220V when we’re moored, refrigerators, showers, hot water, music and much more.

But never forget: a yacht always is ‘on the budget’…budgeting room and weight for mobility and stocks for ongoing comfort.

Each yacht comes with the safety gear and instrumentation required by law to assure you a safe and successful holiday.

Here are some technical terms for you to learn to help you orient yourself:

Boat

• Hull: the ‘body’ of the boat
• Keel: stabilising part of the hull under the waterline to prevent capsizing
• Deck: upper level of the boat
• Cockpit: area in the back where we are operating the boat
• Bow: Forward area of the boat
• Stern: Backward area of the boat
• Helm: steering facility
• Helmsman: Person at the helm, not necessarily the skipper
• Starboard: right side of the boat looking forward from aft
• Port (side): left side of the boat looking forward from aft
• Rigg: all fixed equipment standing up above the deck
• Mast: vertical massive pole to fix the sails
• Boom: horizontal massive pole going backward from the mast
• Mainsail: sail at the rear of the mast

Foresail/Genua

• Headsail: sail in front of the mast
• Fender: sort of ‘bumper’ to avoid damage of the hull when moored
• Winch: sort of drum to operate loaded lines or anchor chain
• Beaufort: intl. scale for strength of winds, starting with 0 up to 12

Operations

• Manoeuvre: changing the course of the boat or doing several operations
• Tacking: turning the bow through the wind
• Gibing: turning the stern through the wind
• Round up: turning the boat exactly into the wind to stop moving
• Fetch sth.: pulling tight a line
• Ease sth.: detaching a line

Lines

There are only LINES on a boat, no ropes etc. Most important ones:

• Furling lines: to set and take away the sails
• Sheets: to adjust the sails during sailing
• Mooring lines: connecting the yacht to the peer
• Ground lines: fixing the bow when moored ‘stern too’ (the peer)

Knots

• Figure-eight knot: belongs to the end of certain lines to avoid going by the run
• Half hitch: easiest knot to fix a line somewhere, not very strong one
• Clove hitch: famous knot to fix various lines like mooring-, fender- etc.
• Reef knot: used to connect two lines of same size to each other
• Bowline: creating a strong and everlasting loop to a line

Please note: We do not have a constant power source onboard, and cannot facilitate the use of Sleep Apnea/CPAP machines. Bringing a suitable battery pack is required.

Inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

There are no particular health issues in Croatia, but in some more remote islands bottled water is more recommended to drink. Just keep in mind that some heat waves are possible from June to October all over the country.

People who are sensitive to seasickness should come prepared.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit, hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements.

If you require medication that needs refrigeration, please bring a cooler pack. While fridges are available onboard, power supply cannot be guaranteed at all times.

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your CEO will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.

We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please visit:

www.gadventures.com/travel-resources/safety/

Minimum age of 16 years for this trip.

The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority at G Adventures and that includes our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Euros (EUR) are accepted everywhere. When exchanging currency, or deciding what to bring, keep in mind that you can withdraw money from an ATM when you arrive. If you need to exchange USD for EUR, hotel exchange rates are usually quite poor, so try to avoid changing your money at your hotel. You will probably be better off changing your money in a bank or in one of numerous Bureaux de Change that you will find in towns.

Should you need to contact us during a situation of a dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

In case of serious emergency, please contact:

Head Skipper +385 91 172 2944

Operations +94 777 353 606

Director of Global Sailing +353 87 660 0644

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

• Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
• Calls from UK: 0344 272 2060
• Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
• Calls from Australia: 1300 853 325
• Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 415
• Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
• ALL OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: +44 207 243 9878