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The original was posted on /r/sailing by /u/markboats on 2025-07-09 07:20:15+00:00.
Hi there fellow sailors, I wanted to post this as a warning to those coming to enjoy the beautiful Croatian coastline this summer. I've spent the past decade living here, and have sailed some 10,000nm+ up and down the coast from Istria down to Dubrovnik, and in that time reading the weather, both forecasts and by feeling the air and watching the clouds, has become my day to day...
Something is different this year, there's a lot more energy in the whole system and we've had two violent storms pass through that caught many off guard. It seems the ECMWF model is struggling to accurately predict expected wind speeds during these events. I use Windy forecast and radar, and PredictWind to guage what to expect, but these have been under forecasting this year. Take these notes from me as advice if you're here...
- I've seen over 50knts across the deck when the forecast was for roughly 20knts
- We have had a charter catamaran flipped over, and a 100m ferry snap it's mooring lines in harbour crushing two other big boats, sinking them, 40m steel passenger cat sank and I've personally witnessed small yachts washed up on the rocks next to me already and it's only early July
- The same storm had 212knts measured by another boat, if I'd not seen the photo in wouldn't believe it, I've NEVER seen anything like that here in all my time
- DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE SUMMER STORMS HERE. That advice applied before this summer but especially now, the conditions can change from calm sunshine to violent gale force winds in seconds
- If you see unpredictable weather forecast, swirling patterns or any kind of lightning on the forecast, plan to be close to shelter in time, and assume you can expect double the forecasted wind speeds or more
- Once you're safely protected, watch the weather radar and know that generally storms and wind will come from the West regardless of general wind direction
- Winds can change quickly and violently, and by that I mean 180deg shifts and increasing from 5 to 30+knts in a couple of minutes
- BE PREPARED... I cannot state this enough, have your lifejackets ready if you're moored, worn if you're out anchored, know how to launch your liferaft. Have your engine running and your thruster/s ready BEFORE the wind hits
- If you get caught out, get your sails down and motor into the wind as best you can. Avoid letting the wind and waves hit the beam of your boat. DO NOT TRY TO ENTER A MARINA OR ENCLOSED SPACE, unless you are 100% sure of your abilities. 99% of these attempts will end in disaster and you'll be safer out at sea
- If your anchor fails drop more chain if you can, know how to free drop in an emergency, and if you have no chain left or you have no space you can cut the rope at the end and leave the chain to come back for later. If you start your engine CHECK FOR LINES IN THE WATER and for the love of god don't wrap one around your propeller
- Listen on CH16 and know how to send a distress call if needed, write down pertinent information beforehand and know your MIPDANIO, listen for "Split Radio" or call Mayday, I hear the dumbest radio calls going out with wrong coordinates and hopeless info. The Croatian Costa guard are some of the finest in the world but delayed response times cost lives
That's about all I can think of right now, might add more as I think of it. Will answer any questions in the comments when I have time
BE SAFE, BE PREPARED, KNOW YOURSELF AND KNOW YOUR BOAT, DO NOT TAKE RISKS
And most of all, enjoy one of the best sailing destinations in the world ☺️