Overview & Contact

Wilhelm 'Willi' Hartl

This website is about my boating hobby, in particular sharing my Mediterranean cruise logs and further experience regarding yachting and my boat.
Its content is personal and non-commercial; there are no ads, sponsored links or trackers. Viewing is safe, the site does not use cookies and does not collect viewer data.


Motor Yacht 'Tarilian'


From 2010, having released the time constraints of full-time employment, my partner Jane and I started getting serious with our own motor boat.

In 2011, cruising on our own steam
from Falmouth to the Med along the Atlantic coast, via Gibraltar and towards the Balearic islands;
in 2012, across the Mediterranean sea, taking in the islands of
Sardinia and Sicily, and round the Italian heel to the Adriatic sea and Croatia.
The story of our voyage from Cornwall to the Adriatic sea unfolds on page 
2010-2012 Falmouth to the Med

From 2013 Tarilian has been based in
Croatia as our 'summer resort'. The numerous Dalmatian islands have provided a practically inexhaustible cruising area.
Read about our boating in Croatia and beyond, on pages 
2013-2016 Adriatic Cruises and 2017-2020 Croatia boating.

Full details about my boat, our experience and customization, are on page 
Tarilian - Trader 535.

Earlier cruises on charter boats


Jane and I had been chartering motoryachts (bareboat) in Croatia year after year from 2000 to 2010. In 2008 and 2009 we chartered a nice one in Turkey, too. These cruises were lovely, and inspired our desire to have our own boat in the Med. We hold on to fond memories of these trips.
Trying out a range of different motor boats in the Med over the years further provided us with valuable practical experience regarding the choice of the right vessel for us.

About me

I am Austrian; from my native town of Vienna I moved to the UK in 1994. I live with my partner, Jane, in West London.
I am a supporter of the Royal Yachting Association (
RYA), whose skipper training courses I did.

I enjoy coastal cruising in the UK and, preferably, in warmer climes - as long as it is a boat which I can helm myself.
"Messing in (motor) boats" intrigues me; taken seriously, boat ownership is a complex and engaging hobby and a varied pastime.
I have experienced that misfortune can strike or defects can arise, which lead to disruption, hassle and possibly financial losses. This risk is part of boat ownership I am afraid.
Getting afloat means to me making my individual desires happen, getting into nature and escaping from daily grind. As a cruising boater, I like the freedom and liberty to choose and roam; Jane and I mostly sail as a couple.

Nautical interest did not come early into my life; living in Vienna
I took an inland sailing course at the age of 32; sailing school experience and first sailing trips at the Adriatic sea did not leave me feel comfortable, anyhow. It was a few years later, living in the UK and inspired by friends, when I rekindled my interest. I started it all again with RYA training, confidence was acquired and taking out a boat was becoming a pleasure. Living by the river Thames we bought our first own small cruiser in 1998.

It's been a long learning experience since, one which never ends and can always surprise.

Anyhow, I always liked taking some photos and capture memories on journeys.
My cruise logs are illustrated travel journals for myself, friends and family.
It's personal stuff, and I am pleased to share those memories.

Thanks for your interest,

Wilhelm

Have your say

... the white houses on the harbour side will glide slowly past us as she gathers steering-way, and the voyage will have begun! ... once outside, the sounding slap of great green seas as she heels to the wind, pointing South! And you, you will come too, young brother; for the days pass, and never return, and the South still waits for you.  (The Wind in the Willows)

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