We always travel from Saturday to Saturday. Check-in is at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and check-out is by 8 a.m. the following Saturday. So you only need to take time off work for the sailing week from Monday to Friday.

Please arrive and depart on Saturday, though the travel time is very flexible: any time on Saturday is fine. It’s even okay if you arrive on Sunday morning. Departing on Friday would also be fine, but you’ll need to be flexible: depending on the weather, the exam might not end until the evening.

Check-in and check-out times are quite tight, since we need to inspect the boat and get it ready for the next trip. Unfortunately, this means we usually can’t let you stay any longer. If you’d like to arrive earlier or leave later, please book an Airbnb for the extra night. However, if there’s a Manatee cruise the week before or after that isn’t fully booked, you’re welcome to stay on board—for free or, if you’d like, in exchange for a small donation to the onboard fund.

That's easy to do with Uber. There's also an airport shuttle from Zadar Airport to Marina Biograd, but it must be booked in advance. At the sailing meetup, we can compare flight times and carpool.

There are three to six sailors and one or two skippers. That means you'll get personalized attention!

Good question—unfortunately, that’s a tough one to answer, and it’s even part of your sailing curriculum 😅 Generally speaking, it’s more likely to be hot than cold. It can get really hot during the day—over 30 °C—so be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses. It’s always a bit cooler by the sea because of the wind, and in the evenings too, so pack an extra hoodie. Take a look at the monthly weather statistics for Zadar.

Nah, we travel sustainably 🙈 But there's shade in the cockpit and you can jump off the swimming platform at any time when we're anchored!

Of course! Couples get a double cabin, and solo travelers—separated by gender—do too. Unfortunately, the only things that help with snoring are earplugs and a gentle nudge 😉 The lounge couch or the hammock on deck is always a relaxing option too 🏝️

inside the boat is at least as warm as the water. In the Adriatic Sea, the water never drops below 20 °C and can rise to a tropical 27 °C. So don’t dress too warmly. In the spring, through May, it can get as cold as 15 °C, but then we’ll turn on the heat on the boat.

Yes: Duvet covers, blankets, and pillows. Please bring your own towel, but you can also rent one at our base for €10

Take a look at the packing list!

Yes, three, plus one on the swimming platform. Water is a pretty scarce resource on board, though, so please keep your daily shower short—or, even better, use the marina’s spacious restroom facilities. Don’t forget to bring your flip-flops.

Yes, three.

You can do yoga on the foredeck… But luckily, we moor overnight on shore every evening in an anchorage or a harbor. So, for example, you can go for a few laps of jogging in the evening or morning, or train for your marathon 😉

We'll be taking care of the food—it's going to be a culinary adventure, too! We'll go grocery shopping and cook together; we have a few great recipes for that.

Yes, but keep in mind that this is a sailing course for your license with a tight schedule. Please stay sober during training; you’re welcome to have a drink or two in the evening, as long as you’re up and ready in the morning. The license party will take place on Friday after the exam and boat inspection 🎉

You can simply continue using your plan via EU roaming. The Croatian coastal waters are largely covered by cell service. In anchorages or remote areas, reception may occasionally be poor. The boat also has a Wi-Fi router, and we can set up Starlink if necessary.

We have a well-stocked first-aid kit on board. As Croatia is an EU member, you can easily receive medical care there using your EU health insurance card. For private medical services, we recommend purchasing travel health insurance. If you feel that the upfront payment in the event of illness poses too great a financial risk, please purchase travel cancellation insurance.

Probably not. Most people get seasick at some point in rough seas, but on our trip we’ll stay in port when the waves are high. If you’re generally prone to seasickness or motion sickness, you can get medication at the pharmacy to take as a preventive measure—though it does make you feel a little drowsy.

You need to submit your registration, which must be received by the DSV in writing by the deadline. This is a two-step process:

1. You’ll register with the DSV online.
2. You’ll print out the registration form, sign it, and mail it to the DSV along with your documents.

You'll also need the following documents for the SBF:

• a medical certificate of fitness
• a driver's license or a certificate of good conduct
• a passport photo

…and for the SKS:

• your German pleasure craft license for seagoing waterways (“Sportbootführerschein See”)
• a passport photo

…and for the SRC:

• a passport photo

See the exam registration.

No, we'll start from scratch and work through everything in a week. If you really want to let your excitement run wild, you can go ahead and download our SBF Exam Training App from the App Store. It's a nice way to pass the time on the subway, but you might not understand everything just yet.

We’ll probably meet the examiners on Friday morning (e.g., at 9 a.m.) on our yacht. We usually start with the multiple-choice exam and a navigation exercise on a map section below deck. About an hour later, we’ll move on to the practical exam. You’ll cast off, steer our yacht for a while, perform a rescue maneuver, and dock it again. You’ll also demonstrate one additional skill and show seven knots. further details, but we’ll discuss all that later.

ou will be informed of the result of the exam directly at the jetty.

No, you don’t need residency nor citizenship. The only requirement is that the exam be taken in German; a B1 level should be sufficient, or even an A2 level if necessary, along with some vocabulary study. International driver’s licenses are accepted. All you need is a local physician who checks the correct box on the form.

Natürli 🇨🇭 If you're a Swiss citizen or a resident of Switzerland, you can take the SBF. Your Swiss driver's license (or, if applicable, a criminal record check) will be accepted.

Jo eh 🇦🇹 If you're an Austrian citizen or a resident of Austria, you can take the SBF. Your EU driver's license (or, if applicable, a criminal record check) will be accepted.

Sure! The examiners are volunteers and want this hobby to remain an accessible sport for everyone. Still, this is an official German license: Even though the exam isn’t difficult, you should take it seriously. If you fail, you have one year to retake the part of the exam you didn’t pass. You can take the written test on your own in a major city; for the practical test, it’s best to return to a mileage or training cruise.