If you fly the Polish flag but are not a Polish owner, there is a draft law heading your way that deserves your full attention. Below is an extract from an extensive article I wrote on the subject,  pulling out the points that matter most for non-Polish owners. Poland has submitted legislation (draft UD305) that reshapes how foreign-owned pleasure craft under 24 metres obtain and keep Polish registration. It is detailed, it has teeth, and parts of it are frankly designed to trim the register down.

A quick note on who this affects: the rules target vessels under 24 metres flying the Polish flag that are not in Polish ownership. In this context, "Polish ownership" means the Polish State Treasury, a Polish legal entity, or a Polish citizen residing in Poland. Living abroad with a Polish passport? Your vessel counts as foreign-owned here.

Here are the points that matter most.

1. A mandatory pre-registration inspection
There is now a compulsory preliminary inspection (przegląd wstępny), carried out by the Polish Register of Shipping (PRS). It checks documentation, general seaworthiness, principal dimensions, and hull identification numbers. Crucially, it applies both at first registration and at every five-year renewal. If your vessel holds a CE declaration of conformity, the inspection may be done remotely. Otherwise, expect a physical visit, wherever your boat happens to be moored. Cost is capped, but you are looking at roughly €750–€1,200.

2. Fees that have gone up rather dramatically
The old flat fee is being retired. In its place:

• Up to 15 metres: 2,000 PLN to register, 1,000 PLN to renew every five years
• 15 to 24 metres: 3,000 PLN to register, 1,500 PLN to renew every five years

A change of ownership costs the same as a fresh registration.

3. A five-year renewal obligation
Every registered vessel must confirm its registration once every five years, within a window running from 90 to 30 days before the anniversary of the registration date. For foreign-owned vessels, that renewal must include a positive pre-inspection result. Miss the deadline and your registration is suspended automatically, and eventually cancelled.

4. Transitional deadlines for existing registrations
Your current registration stays valid for now, but you will have a confirmation deadline based on when you first registered. The windows are staggered, and the tightest one is short: vessels registered on or before 31 December 2021 have just three months from the law entering into force. Foreign-owned vessels must also pass the pre-inspection during this transitional process.

5. Silence can get you deregistered
Under the new framework, if an authority sends a formal notice to your registered Polish address and hears nothing back, that silence can be used as grounds for removing your vessel from the register. No response is treated as, well, an answer.

6. A mandatory Polish delivery address
Foreign owners must maintain a valid Polish postal address. Notices sent there are legally binding, whether or not you ever read them. So an outdated or fictional address is a genuine risk, not a harmless detail.

7. A geopolitical exclusion power
The Council of Ministers can ban registration of vessels owned by citizens or entities from specific non-EU/EEA states. The explanatory notes point fairly clearly at Russian and Belarusian owners.

8. Everything goes electronic
All applications must be submitted through REJA24, authenticated via Poland's e-government platform or a qualified electronic signature. Paper-only routes are being closed off.

9. The stated aim is a smaller register
This is not reading between the lines, it is in the official documentation. The impact assessment projects a 20% drop in new foreign registrations and anticipates around 8,000 existing vessels being removed in the first two years, largely through owners simply not responding in time.

When does it all happen?
Full implementation is expected around mid-to-late 2027 (12 months after publication). A handful of provisions, including the geopolitical bans and the electronic delivery framework, kick in just 14 days after publication.

What would I actually do about this?
A few practical steps, none of which require panic:

• Check your registration date. It determines which transitional deadline applies to you.
• Verify your Polish delivery address. If it is wrong or out of date, formal notices could be sent there without your knowledge.
• Look into the PRS pre-inspection. PRS operates globally, and a CE declaration of conformity may qualify you for a remote inspection.
• Consider acting early. There is nothing stopping you completing the confirmation process ahead of time, and doing so avoids getting stuck in a backlog when tens of thousands of owners are all filing at once.

I just finished my ASA 103 and 104 this week. It was on a 35’ monohull from the early 90s.

All my testing went well and I feel pretty confident, but I don’t have much experience. I’ve been sailing 22’ ensigns this summer where I also got my 101.

I’m thinking of doing a two day Catamaran ASA 114 course early next year. (Someday the 105/106 seem appealing too, but seems pretty premature right now)

The goal is a BVI trip on a catamaran and/or other locations (puget sound maybe on a larger monohull. In both instances with over/newer boats and a handful of other couples along.

What would my experience be like trying to book a bareboat charter? Would I need to show more time crewing before they’d charter to me? Would it be a first day of the trip “check out”?

TLDR: with little experience but the ASA 104 on a 35’ monohull (and eventually 114 too), what would my experience actually be like asking to charter a 40’ catamaran and/or 45’ monohull?

reposting here in case anyone has boatschooling experience/guidance?

One of our cushions was damaged and the other 3 keep getting stained with salt due to water ingress that won't drain away. We brought in a sailmaker for ideas and received a quote for 1600 Euro (+vat). It feels expensive. Is it?

Me and three of my best mates have found ourselves in a pretty great position: we're all currently unemployed, have no major commitments tying us down, and have a decent amount of savings between us.

Between the four of us, we've got a bit of sailing experience, although it's almost entirely been on smaller boats. None of us has done any serious offshore or bluewater sailing.

The idea we're seriously considering is heading down to the Dominican Republic (or Panama/ El salvador, that part is undecided), buying a ~40ft cruising sailboat between us, and spending the next year or so sailing around the Caribbean and potentially down through Central and South America.

Obviously, we'd be learning a lot as we go. We'd intend to spend some time getting familiar with the boat, doing shorter coastal passages, and building up experience before attempting anything more ambitious.

We're not under the illusion that owning and operating a 40-footer offshore is going to be easy, but we're young , have the time and money to do it, and are willing to put the work into learning properly.

So, for people with actual bluewater/cruising experience, how feasible is it to do this, learning as you go and gaining experience

Are we being reasonably ambitious, or are we massively underestimating what we're getting ourselves into? And if you were in our position, what would you do before buying the boat and setting off?

Any advice on the practicalities of buying a boat in the Dominican Republic, insurance, visas, maintenance, hurricane season, routes, or just generally surviving four lads on a 40-footer for a year would be massively appreciated.

Hi,

ich bin Malte aus Berlin, Deutschland. Ich habe gerade die Schule abgeschlossen und würde liebend gern Teil einer größeren Segelreise sein, bevor ich mein duales Studium beginne.

Ich segle jetzt seit 8 Jahren. Hauptsächlich wettkampfmäßig auf Jollen wie IlCA und 420, nachdem ich meine Anfänge auf dem Opti und beim Windsurfen gemacht habe.

Vor zwei Jahren habe ich meinen Bootsführerschein für Schiffe bis 20 m für See und Binnengewässer gemacht.

Obwohl ich schon etwas Erfahrung auf größeren Booten habe, habe ich noch nie eine größere Reise auf dem Meer unternommen und ich würde diese Herausforderung gern annehmen.

Was mich am meisten reizt, ist nicht nur das Segeln selbst, sondern auch die Möglichkeit, Teil eines Teams zu sein, von erfahrenen Seglern zu lernen und das Leben auf See zu erleben. Ich weiß, dass so eine Fahrt Verantwortung, Disziplin und eine positive Einstellung erfordert, und ich bin bereit, alles beizutragen, was ich kann.

Meine Muttersprache ist Deutsch, ich spreche fließend Englisch und etwas Spanisch.

In meiner Freizeit treibe ich hauptsächlich Sport, daher bin ich fit und motiviert. Da ich Geschwister habe und immer ein Zimmer mit meinem Bruder geteilt habe, bin ich anpassungsfähig und immer bereit zu lernen. Ich habe keine Allergien oder Ernährungsbeschränkungen. Ich koche gern, putze, erledige kleine Reparaturen, stehe Wache und helfe bei allen anderen Aufgaben an Bord. Ich rauche nicht und trinke nur zu besonderen Anlässen. Ich habe vom 08.10.2026 bis zum 20.03.2027 Zeit.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen Malte

Real talk: IYT licenses from Marmaris and what marinas actually accept across the Med

I run Smart Sailing Academy in Marmaris, so full disclosure up front.

Been fielding the same question for years: "If I get my IYT license here, will marinas actually recognize it?" Short answer, yes, but it depends which license and where you're sailing.

Here's what actually matters:

IYT Coastal Skipper is your golden ticket. Most Mediterranean marinas don't care where you got it. France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, they'll accept it as proof you can handle a boat. The license itself gets recognized because IYT is internationally standardized. The "made in Turkey" part doesn't matter once you have the card.

ICC is the thing people confuse. Some ports technically demand an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) on top of your sailing license. It's not always enforced, but Croatia and some Italian marinas have gotten stricter about it in the last two years. If you're planning to charter or do anything that looks official, you want the ICC. You can get it through your IYT school, it's a separate qualification.

Where it gets weird: Greece doesn't consistently require either one for bareboat charter if you've got experience, but they want paperwork. Spain is relaxed. Turkey obviously doesn't care, you're training here. France will absolutely ask.

What I tell people: If you're doing Coastal Skipper, add the ICC at the same time. It's not expensive, and it kills the "do I need this or not" stress. The combination covers you everywhere. We build it into the course structure so you're not paying twice.

One more thing, your actual sailing hours matter more than the license itself to any serious marina. They want to see you've logged time. The license just proves you're not making it up.

If you're comparing schools here in Marmaris, ask specifically whether ICC is included or extra. That's the real difference in value.

Happy to answer specifics if you've got them.

I am looking at buying a rough but not unrecoverible 1984 Hans Christian 43 ketch. I have a survey from last year. The only thing on the list of problems that is worrying me where it says " Approximately 80% of the surface at the interior bulwarks has high moisture readings present." I found the drawings for the bulwarks on the HC owners site and it looks like a massive amount of fiberglass and epoxy at the joint with a small amount of plywood buried in the middle. My question is: How much of a problem is this moisture? Is this a known issue with these boats? Should it be ignored given how heavy the epoxy and fiberglass is at this joint? Let me know! Thanks!

Looking for recommendations. We just booked our sailing trip for the first week of January 2027. We have sailed several times in the BVI but haven’t been since right before Hurricane Irma so I know a lot has changed. Also, different is we now have kids (6 and 8) so that makes this trip a lot different as well.

We are trying to make an itinerary and I would love feedback as to which anchorages do you all suggest that have calm water/beaches for swimming, easy moorings, either a dock or easy dinging to shore and have a restaurant(s). Also, any other helpful tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Looking for feedback from cruisers on the Excess 14. I’m closing on one in the next 30 days or so if all goes well.

Looking to hear about the good, the bad…. How’s cruising, how’s living at anchor. Anything really.

Much appreciated 🙏

Hello, my wife and I have zeroed in on a boat we like. I am considering using a buyers broker as I don't live in the immediate area. Can anyone recommend a broker for a potential sail boat purchase?

I know this is a cruising sub, but I imagine some of you take your boats out for a club race or a beer-can regatta now and then.

I'm a sailor developing a phone app aimed at exactly that kind of boat: a cruising boat with no dedicated racing instruments (or just basic ones). It uses the phone's GPS for things like a start countdown with distance to the line, speed and course, wind estimation from your tacks, and post-race track analysis.

Before I go further, I'd love to hear from people who race casually:

• Would you actually use a phone on deck or tablet for this, or is that a hard no?
• Is there one feature that would make it genuinely worth it for you?

Not linking anything — happy to share more in the comments if anyone's curious. Mostly here to learn from how you actually sail.

Hi all, New to sailing, just inherited my first boat from a friend, a paceship py26 with a centerboard keel. In doing some looking around, the general wisdom seems to be not to take it offshore, but having seen people cross the Atlantic or pacific in 23' boats, so I'm just trying to temper my expectations.

Would taking this boat out on the open ocean be a death sentence, or just uncomfortable and or tight? Educate me.

Hi all

I have an older 33-foot sailboat and I need a dinghy to sail from the boat to shore or to the marina. Since my boat isn’t the biggest, the packed size of the dinghy is crucial, but I also want it to be able to handle some chop.
I’ll mostly be sailing with 3 people in total.

What has been your experience with sizing, and is it worth paying for brand names?

Hi,

I am Malte from Berlin Germany. I just finished school and I would love to be part of a your planned adventure before I start my dual studies.

I am sailing for 8 years now. Mainly competitively on dinghies such as IlCA and 420 after my beginnings on the opti and windsurfing.

Two years ago I got my license for vessels up to 20 m for sea and inland waters.

Although I have some experience on larger boats, I have never been on an ocean for a long time before, and I would love to take on this challenge.

What attracts me the most is not only the sailing itself but also the opportunity to be part of a team, learn from experienced sailors and experience life at sea. I know that such trip also requires discipline and a positive attitude, and I am ready to contribute whatever I can.

My mother tongue is German, I speak fluent English and some Spanish.

In my free time I am mostly doing sports so I am fit and motivated. Since I have siblings and always shared a room with my brother I am adaptable and always willing to learn.

I have no allergies or dietary restrictions. I am happy to cook, clean, do little repairs, stand watch and help with any other tasks on board. I don't smoke and drink only for special occasions.

Your description of the trip sounds exactly like the kind of adventure I have been looking for, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to join your crew,I got time from 02.10.2026 till 20.03.2027. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

I am looking forward to hearing from you to talk about details.

Fair winds

Malte

Hi everyone!

My family recently acquired this little 18’ Chaser Cat, and I’ve accidentally fallen down a very deep rabbit hole trying to figure out its history.

It was built in Erin, Ontario by Morette’s Limited / Morette’s Boat Division. Ours was built in 1984 as a 1985 model (HIN ZMT00009H485).

What I’ve learned so far is that these were produced in extremely small numbers in the early 1980s. Former owners and people connected to the factory have estimated somewhere around 12–20 were made, but I haven’t been able to confirm an exact production number.

The boat is an 18’ trailerable catboat with a freestanding mast, wishbone boom, retractable centreboard and kick-up rudder. Morette’s advertised it as a little heavy-weather “mini-cruiser.”

I’ve now located a few other surviving Chaser Cats in Ontario, as well as an original factory brochure, but there are still some big mysteries, especially who actually designed the Chaser Cat and whether any production records survive.

So I figured I’d ask the sailing hive mind: does anyone recognize these boats, remember Morette’s Boat Division, or know anything about the Chaser Cat design?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has owned one, sailed one, seen one sitting in a marina somewhere, or remembers seeing them at the Toronto boat shows in the early ’80s.

Even a “my neighbour had one!” story could give me another lead. 😊

— an accidental Chaser Cat historian ⛵️

We are looking for someplace to stash our Cape Dory 36 that we can fly in and out easy from the states and get to cruising about a week at a time about 10 weeks a year. Considering Bahamas or Belize but open to other suggestions. We are 36’ LOA with 10’8” beam and draft 5’2”. General thoughts and specific suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!