RENTING OR BUYING A BOAT IN CROATIA

There is no doubt that boating in Croatia is a popular sport, activity, or business step. Whether it’s for fishing, exploring the coastline, road trips, private tours or simply enjoying the beautiful Adriatic Sea, we can say it is something worthy, interesting, and possibly profitable. But when it comes to getting on the water, what idea is better? Should I buy or rent a boat in Croatia? – can be named as one of the Top FAQs regarding that topic.

We bring you the answers, or simply tips on how to decide smarter.

This idea or question, of course, comes with some background and comes down to your individual ideas or circumstances. The frequency of use, dry-dock options, finances, flexibility, location, and finally wants and needs. All of that needs to be taken seriously and well thought out before the final decision. Furthermore, planning the future and goals is smart to be included too. No matter what you decide, and hopefully, after reading this article you’ll have more ideas and answers solved, we want to conclude that Croatia is a great idea after all.

“In the nautical charter, Croatia is a world superpower and covers as much as 40 percent of the world’s charter fleet.” – writes Večernji list.

How often do you plan to spend time on the boat?

When it comes to time consumption and frequency of use buying a boat can be a more cost-effective option if you plan to use the boat frequently. For example, if you want to have a boat just to invest your money somewhere you should think about whether your idea has a purpose. Investing only in the idea of having a boat to use for a couple of days or weeks and leaving it in the marina, wouldn’t be the smartest solution.

Why? The boat has its expenses even during the time when it’s out of use. Such as storage, maintenance, registration, insurance, crew (if not handled by yourself), docking fees, and similar (follow below). If you just plan to spend a couple of days or weeks in Croatia and on the boat, we recommend you think about renting rather than buying.

How much money do you plan to spend?

The cost of owning a boat can vary widely depending on the type or the line, engine brand, size of the boat, location, and other costs that follow the usage (how often you use it, where you go, different prices in other locations and storages, etc…).

The purchase price is the initial cost of buying the boat. Deciding the type and size of the boat needs to follow the budget and, can vary depending on the age and condition of the vessel as well. Following that, maintenance and repairs usually go together with the idea of having and using the boat. No matter how many days you spend on the boat, there is a big chance you will have to do some damage repair or just servicing once the season is over. Taxes and registration fees as well, no matter how much you enjoy being at sea, this fee always cost almost the same. Docking fees are another regular cost if you don’t have your own dock or mooring. Fuel, crew, safety equipment, and additional costs such as electronics, anchors, lines, and similar. What is recommended as well as to pay the comprehensive insurance. Especially if you leave your boat in the sea during the winter and strong wind “bura” days, and other possible natural disasters that can occur anytime. All this does not include your vacation costs. So, if you just want to relax and enjoy the sea, renting might be a smarter choice.

Where will you keep your boat?

Another important factor to consider is the safe spot for keeping your boat while not using it. If you don’t have a place to store a boat, renting one may be the more practical option. Why? Yes, Croatia has many marinas and boat storage facilities, and dry docks where you can store your boat, but these can be expensive and may not be available in all areas. Following that, those costs are constant during the whole year period, not just during the time when you use the boat. Renting a boat eliminates this responsibility and allows you to simply enjoy your time on the water. This is not the scenario if you decide to rent a boat. On the contrary, when you rent it, you need to worry less about the storage and more about the details of the vacation – read more here.

Renting a boat, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy the benefits of boating without the high initial investment and ongoing expenses.

When buying a boat would be a better option or idea?

If buying a boat still sounds better, we bring you several thoughts that should cross your mind before closing the deal. It’s true that having your own boat saves you from calling agencies and dealing with the paperwork when you rent one, and leaves you more time to plan and decide how many days you want to spend at a particular place. However, it can keep you limited and stick to your base location. It can be very expensive to travel long distances because of fuel, dock fees, and additional costs at marinas, such as cleaning, boat painting, lifting the boat out of the sea, divers tying the boat to the seabed, and many others. While, on the other hand, renting a boat gives you open space to rent it anywhere you want, and releases you from all obligations. Buying a boat instead of renting, if possible of course, may sound like a better option or idea. However, that decision can turn your hobby into a time-consuming, and stressful occupation. So we highly recommend you think twice before final decision.

What boat to buy/rent and where?

Still not sure where you want your boat to be located, or what destinations to cover? Most of the people who have boat businesses or just their own boats are from the local area. That means they buy and store their boats near their homes or cottages. Flexibility is also a key consideration when deciding whether to buy or rent a boat. Renting a boat gives you the option to try out different types of boats or to only use them seasonally. This is particularly useful if you’re not sure what type of boat you want or if you only plan to use it for a short period of time. Additionally, if you’re planning to use the boat in a different location, it may be more convenient to rent one rather than transport your own boat.

Which boat to rent/buy?

Croatia has a wide variety of boating options, including motorboats, sailboats, and catamarans, and different types of boats are more suitable for different activities and areas. For example, if you’re planning to explore the many islands and coves along the Croatian coastline, a motorboat may be the best option. On the other hand, if you’re planning to sail the open waters of the Adriatic, a sailboat may be more suitable. Renting a boat allows you to try different types of boats and find the best fit for your specific needs.

In conclusion, whether to buy or rent a boat in Croatia depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Factors such as frequency of use, storage, maintenance, finances, flexibility, and location all play a role in the decision-making process. Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent a boat should be based on your personal preferences, budget, and the type of boating you plan to do. Whether you choose to buy or rent, Croatia offers a wide variety of boating options and is sure to provide a memorable boating experience.