Boat rental in Split · Elan — Elan 40 Performance (2003)
Description of Damir's sailboat
Sailboat Elan Elan 40 Performance 12.2m
This is for people who don't need luxury to feel rich. For CEOs, founders, engineers, and burned-out minds who understand that calm is the real upgrade. I am a professional photographer with over nine years on cruise ships worldwide — Getty Images, iStockphoto — and a sailor since 2010. S/Y Maxim is my Elan 40 Performance, named after my son. She is fast, honest, and well looked after. What I offer is not a charter. It is a sailing experience — for those who know the difference. We sail selected routes between Split's islands: Šolta, Brač, Hvar, Vis. Each day shaped by wind, light, and what the sea decides. If you want, I photograph it. Not posed — real moments, the way light hits water, the way people look when they forget to perform. Routes, timing, and stops adapt to you. What doesn't change: the quiet, the speed under sail, and the fact that you will leave with something you didn't expect. Skipper mandatory. Non-smoking. Fuel, marina fees, and meals not included.
Boat layout
Equipment available on the sailboat
Services provided by Damir
Overall rating
Damir is a great skipper: highly experienced knowledgeble and friendly! The boat was nice and fast on sails, clean and had everything needed. Damir took us to all the places we wanted to see and was very patient and accommodating when several members of our group were delayed substantially due to flight issues. With Damir, you’ll get an authentic Croatian experience!
Damir was not only an excellent skipper, but also a great travel companion. He was very understanding, flexible, and always willing to adapt the trip to our interests, making the whole experience feel personal and relaxed.
Our experience with the boat owner and skipper was, unfortunately, the worst possible scenario for what was supposed to be one of the most important and memorable moments of our lives. At first, he seemed extremely friendly, welcoming and easy-going, which made us feel comfortable and excited about the trip. However, it quickly became clear that this was not going to be the experience we had expected. He repeatedly made very inappropriate jokes and comments about girls, relationships and divorce, which made us increasingly uncomfortable. We were a group of girls celebrating a bachelorette party — a very special occasion that we had been looking forward to for a long time. Unfortunately, he managed to completely ruin the experience for us. On the very first night, he got heavily intoxicated. A friend’s boat arrived nearby, and instead of respecting our wish for privacy, he tied their boat directly to ours. We politely tried to explain that we were uncomfortable with this and that, as a group of girls, we wanted to have our own private space. His reaction was extremely aggressive, unpleasant and completely disproportionate. Both he and the other person were so intoxicated that they could barely walk or speak properly. Because of his behaviour and the situation, we did not feel safe enough to go to sleep. We stayed awake throughout the night, taking turns staying awake and monitoring what was happening around the boat. At around 6 a.m., he returned completely drunk, jumped onto the boat and went straight to his cabin, where he slept until 11 a.m., despite the fact that we were supposed to leave at 10 a.m. After that, he was angry and barely communicated with us. We eventually had to ask our friends to speak to him and explain the situation because direct communication had become impossible. At one point, he even fell asleep at a café table. This was not simply a disappointing holiday experience. It was a serious issue of professionalism, respect and, most importantly, safety. A skipper is responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on board, and being heavily intoxicated to the point of being unable to walk or communicate properly is completely unacceptable in that role. We would absolutely not recommend this experience to anyone, especially to a group of women celebrating an important occasion. For us, this was supposed to be an unforgettable celebration, and unfortunately, the behaviour of the owner/skipper turned it into an extremely stressful and unpleasant experience. We genuinely believe that someone who behaves this way while responsible for guests and a boat should not be allowed to continue renting boats or acting as a skipper. This was not only unprofessional — it made us feel unsafe.
Excellent stay! Damir managed to find us a route perfectly suited to our expectations during our 6-day sailing trip. Damir is very generous and gave us a very warm welcome. He was discreet, allowing us as much time as possible to be with our family. Thank you, Damir, for this wonderful stay and all the amazing discoveries!
Very nice and helpful skipper. Sailing with him was a pleasure. We, a group of three, discovered beautiful bays for swimming.
The sailing adventure was a true adventure from the very beginning. Communication with the skipper was excellent and he was very helpful. We spent two unforgettable, enriching days exploring beautiful bays around the Pakleni Islands.
It was so nice! Damir took great care of us; when we arrived, there was food and champagne waiting for us! So sweet. We had a wonderful day!
Offered by Damir
This is for people who don’t need luxury to feel rich. For CEOs, founders, engineers, and burned-out minds who understand that calm is the real upgrade. I am a professional photographer with over nine years of experience working on cruise ships around the world, including work for iStockphoto and Getty Images. In 2010, I earned my sailing certificate at A.N.A. on the island of Murter, and since then, sailing has been a constant part of my life. Recently, I fulfilled a long-awaited goal by purchasing my first sailing boat, an Elan 40 Performance. With it, I combine two things I care deeply about: the sea and photography. The result is a simple, honest experience, sailing, quiet time, and, if you choose, professional photo sessions that capture it naturally. This is not an all-inclusive or luxury setup. Food, meals, marina fees, moorings, berths, and fuel are not included and are paid separately, depending on the day and route. The boat is strictly non-smoking.
Location
Location of the sailboat: Marina Spinut, Split
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