Santa Maria Croatia cruising shp

from idea to realization

Boats on the eastern coast of the Adriatic were done by centuries. Of course building material was wood. These boats are long time improve,until finally they have not achieved the form, which is ensured greater strength, durability and better navigability. During the time centers of wooden shipbuilding were developed , especially on the island of Korcula, then in Trogir city, etc.. That knowledge is used for the construction of Santa Maria, 'Kaštela caravel', which is prototype and certainly unique.

The ship was designed and built by engineer Fabjan Klaic, respecting the tradition, but also aligned new and modern ship's equipment, so doing compromise beatvine the comfort and original. The ship is entirely made of quality wood that is treated with great precision, used mostly rare traditional shipbuilding tool.

Riječ brodograditelja i vlasnika

“I am a passionate lover of the sea and boats- being a ship engineer by trade, a skipper, as well an employee at the Special Projects Division at the Split shipyard. I have always dreamed of building a distinctive ship that would be recognized on a national and international level. After participating in many nautical exhibitions, I decided to design and craft a wooden ship which would modeled after (in structure, profile, equipment and power), Christopher Columbus’ commanding ship, the Santa Maria. Naturally it would be smaller in size, but intended to replicate the original ship.

Many Croatian organizations have reported that the cost of the project was hard to estimate since it was a great effort on the part of one person (and collaboration from his family). The construction spanned over ten years with 25,000 hours of work dedicated to the project. The ship was built in a similar way as the original Santa Maria was built during Columbus’ time, using traditional methods and skills. All the lumber was harvested from local Croatian forests and all construction was based on the techniques implemented by the old “kalafati”- or shipbuilders. This trade is all but extinct in our area and I consider myself as one of the last “kalafati.” All the effort in this project represents a monument to traditional values of this craft.

This project is supported by a number of national organizations and institutions which include: the Croatian Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of the Sea, Ministry of Tourism and Development, Ministry of Culture and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the County of Split, the City of Kastela, the Tourist Association of the City of Kastela, the Airport of Split- Kastela, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Shipyard Split, (“Brodosplit”) Shipyard Split’s Special Projects Division and the Croatian Navy. It is also greatly supported by many donors and friends.

So dear friends and future guests, I would like to embark on a journey with you and sail through the beautiful Mediterranean as it once use to be. I would like to share with you my native region and its deep history. The beauty of this part of the world was recognized by Roman emperor Diocletian as well as the Croatian King Trpimir. I feel so fortunate to be born and raised in this historic region with many towns, churches and monuments protected under UNESCO- all of which are surrounded by the unreal beauty of the well preserved Adriatic Sea and coastline – representing the spirit of my Dalmatia, Croatia. So my ship “Santa Maria” awaits you, as a gift, on your next sailing trip. Respectfully Yours, Fabijan Klaic

*support and recognition documents about unique construction made by Croatian Republic government

draft of the ship and cabin accommodation, see in the picture

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge * click on the colored area to see more information

Construction period

during construction

sailing to sea...

m/j “Santa Maria” main features:

Length overall (including bow sprit *)	*18,6 m 15,3 m
Length on waterline	12 m
Width of the outside plating	3,85 m
Draft	1,8 m
Speed	9kn . max
Engine: Motor FAP FAMOS Br. 61291 31 FKT, 6	70kw
Auxiliary generator	15 kW
inverter: 12v=>220v :Mastervolt	2.5kw
fuel tank	780 l
potable water tank (reservoir chrom)	1600 l
WC	3
Cabins	4
Sallon	1
sails (mainsail and foresail)	3
Made year	2008