Covid postponed our company sailing clubs’ planned sailing trip for two years. A planned three boats had grown to five boats. Only one person caught covid before the trip, so there were 39 of us on the trip. I was lucky enough to be invited along to skipper one of the boats. So, I spent the last week of April in Croatia, instead of sailing my own boat in Finland.

The crew was varied. A few had no previous experience, a few had attended a sailing course during the previous season and my second in command was obviously skilled. This was a new experience for me as well. I have had newbies and strangers aboard before. This time however, the crew had the responsibility for all the chores aboard. They bought the supplies, cooked and cleaned. All I had to do is keep the boat safe and sailing. At breakfast, I felt like a king when the coffee cup just appeared in my hand.

A weeks’ trip doesn’t really give you a long reach, especially with beginners. We had requested an early check-in and we could cast our lines in the late afternoon and set off from Trogir towards Maslinica for the first night. The next morning, we cooked lunch before we left, because the sea was a bit rougher than we thought and prepared well. Half the crew were seasick and weren’t capable of all duties or eating lunch. So the trip from Maslinica to Vis was interesting, but a while after tying up and a beer, everyone was OK.

The following morning, the wind had died down, but the swell was still there and our planned easy breakfast at sea, wasn’t so peaceful. Our goal was the Blue Cave in Bisevo and we got there, the caves were open and we could visit. Third time lucky for me. On the previous two trips, the weather prevented even trying. After the cave visit, we headed to Komiza for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. Gin and tonics flowed, and in the evening the crew dragged out small disco balls and had a party. The skipper wasn’t disturbed and turned in early in the evening.

No hangovers on our boat, and in the morning we headed north towards Dobri otok where we anchored and tied all the boats together. Apart from the missing wind, the weather was great. And a great photo op, so I climbed up a mast and took some pictures. The next day, we cruised slowly to Hvar and roamed the city and opted for pizza in the evening.

From here we cruised to the other side of the island and stopped for lunch and swimming in a beautiful anchorage. We continued to our last anchorage on the south side of Brac. I had found a good spot, the anchor held and the wind didn’t disturb us like some of the others. Last leg back to Trogir and preparations for an early morning flight back home.

During the week we only encountered one problem. One of the heads stopped working. The previous renters had not taken care, and stuffed some toilet paper in the bowl. So, the pipes were blocked and the tank was full. I couldn’t fix it at sea, but with the help of the staff, we got it fixed, and didn’t get fined. One iPhone was also offered to Poseidon. A great trip, all in all.