Looking to charter a sailboat? Our FO Adam Katona is your go-to person

Jung Sky's First Officer Adam Katona is a man of many hobbies (and skills). One of it has been a family passion for more than 20 years, and now he decided to do something about it. 
 

Adam, it’s been little over a year since you joined Jung Sky and became a business aviation pilot. How would you describe the experience so far? What’s your favorite part of the job?

Each shift is different and brings new challenges, new airports. I enjoy the everyday dynamics of the job and I love the fact it’s often necessary to make important decisions in a short amount of time. I love traveling, so I take every opportunity to explore destinations we fly to or go for a swim if we're having an overnight somewhere on the coast. My favourite part of the job is when we get the ‘visual approach’. It's a special feeling of freedom when you can “hand fly” the plane.

How many flight hours have you logged so far as a Jung Sky first officer?

Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot from our experienced captains and successfully tackled the challenges of commercial flying. I’ve logged around 500 flight hours and visited over 100 airports across Europe.

Last year, before your first flight for Jung Sky, we remember you saying you were particularly looking forward to your first visit to Palma de Mallorca. We assume your wish was fulfilled over the past year? How was the experience, and have any other favorite destinations emerged in the meantime?

Yes, I have visited Palma, but I haven’t had an overnight there yet, so exploring it is still on my wish list. I have fond memories of Stockholm, where we had the opportunity to spend the entire day browsing around. My favorites also include Ibiza and Malta. I love flying to island airports because of the "over-the-sea" approaches, so I’m looking forward to visiting Greek islands during my upcoming shifts.
 

You’re very versatile and have many hobbies. Which one do you love the most?

It depends on the season because I love to spend time outdoors. In winter, I go skiing while spring and autumn are reserved for hiking and the “Via Ferratas”. The summer, of course, is a time for sea activities like diving and sailing which, I must admit, I enjoy the most.

One of your activities has recently become a bit more than just a hobby? Tell us more about the Sail Away project.

Sailing is a passion passed on to me by my father, and our family has been involved in it for over 20 years. It’s always been the most beautiful escape from the fast-paced world of aviation. The Sail Away project is a boat charter agency where you can rent boats of all sizes, with or without a crew, and there are over 2,500 boats available. Currently, our focus is on the Adriatic, but we also cover other countries like Greece and Turkey which are, along with Croatia, the leaders in nautical tourism. We approach each client on a very individual level and we tailor the route and the appropriate vessel, whether it’s a small sailboat or a luxury superyacht.
 

You have an interesting blog on your website about the beauty and uniqueness of sailing. Can you summarize it again for those who never experienced sailing?

Nautical tourism has recently become extremely popular among tourists looking for a different type of a vacation. Sailing is a very special experience, everyone who have tried it will surely confirm that. The moment you leave the marina, time seems to slow down, daily worries disappear, and the only thing you think about is the direction and strength of the wind which pretty much shapes your plans for the route that day. There’s no stress whatsoever. You enjoy every second of your connection with the sea and the waves, and if you can enrich this experience with a nice fish dish and a glass of good wine – it’s absolutely magical.

With more than a thousand islands, the Adriatic offers something for everyone. You can stay with your family in quiet bays of the Zadar archipelago on a small sailboat or be with friends on a catamaran and enjoy the nightlife of Hvar Island. If you’re looking for speed and want to visit as many beaches as possible, there’s also the option to rent a motor boat, while for those seeking luxury, there’s the possibility of renting motor yachts that offer a whole new level of carefree vacation with the service of hostesses and chefs.

Can you give a reccommendation of a boat and a route and briefly explain why? Let’s hypothetically say it’s for six people and that we’re in Croatia.

The best choice for renting a boat depends on the preferences of the group. For those who want to experience the charms of classic sailing and a calmer journey, I would definitely recommend a sailboat. A larger group looking for fun and for whom sailing isn’t the primary focus will enjoy the spaciousness of a catamaran more.

Personally, I don’t like having a strictly defined plan; I prefer to decide which way we’re heading on the day of departure, depending on the wind. As an example, I’ll give a popular route departing from Trogir, for which I would recommend the Oceanis 45 sailboat. Four cabins for six guests provide enough comfort and space for a skipper. The boat is from 2015, which means it’s affordable, but also offers all the amenities of a modern sailboat.

Rental prices for such a sailboat range from 2,000 EUR per week in the off-season to 5,000 EUR in peak season. When you divide that figure per person – the experience really becomes accessible to a broader public, and what you get for your money’s worth is a really special experience.

Plan for a 7-day route from Trogir

Day 1: Trogir - Drvenik Veliki (Plava Laguna) - Šolta (Uvala Tatinja)
Day 2: Šolta - Biševo (Plava Laguna) - Vis (Komiža)
Day 3: Vis - Korčula (Vela Luka)
Day 4: Korčula- Pelješac - Ščedro
Day 5: Ščedro - Paklinski otoci - Hvar
Day 6: Hvar - Brač (Bol) - Brač (Milna)
Day 7: Brač - Trogir