Three Brothers, One Plan, One Ship!

When it comes to boatbuilding, few can match the Šerka family of Croatia. Father and all three sons are in it together - and that’s a good thing, because boats are their great passion.

Pave, the eldest of the three Šerka brothers, was already at the helm of the Joan (18 meters long, 80 passengers) at just 17 years old, a ship his father operated between 1993 and 2005. When their father fell ill, Pave and his brothers Tonći and Jožo took over the vessel.

In 2002, the brothers decided to buy another ship. But nothing on the market met their standards - or those of their father. The solution? Build their own. And so, in 2005, the ambitious San Snova project began. Four years later - after two years of dry construction in the family garden and another two years at the harbor in Postira - the Šerka family’s dream became reality: their very own handcrafted wooden motor yacht.

Tradition in Wood: How Croatians Once Built Their Ships

Up until the 1990s, traditional wooden shipbuilding was still a common sight along Croatia’s coastlines and islands. The craft of working with timber was deeply rooted in the country’s maritime culture. Wooden boats were built not only for fishing, but also for traditional island-hopping journeys and as smaller passenger vessels.

Many of these ships were handcrafted in modest shipyards tucked away in Dalmatian villages, each one reflecting the locals’ close connection to the sea and their centuries-old boatbuilding heritage. Famous examples include the falkuša fishing boats from Komiža on the island of Vis, or the gajeta boats from Betina near Murter - sturdy vessels with lateen sails that once carried goods between islands and coastal towns.

Old Materials, New Shine

In the second half of the 20th century, Croatia’s shipbuilding industry began to change. In the coastal village of Krilo Jesenice - once famous for its sturdy sand carriers - traditional transport boats were gradually transformed into charming wooden cabin ships. Out went the cargo, in came cozy cabins, salons, sun decks, and, little by little, onboard comforts like toilets and showers (at first often shared in the hallway). These conversions gave birth to floating accommodations that suddenly made multi-day island-to-island cruises possible. One shining example is the Linda (built in 1955), which originally hauled freight before being lovingly rebuilt in 2006. Today, she still sails proudly as part of our Islandhopping fleet.

The rise of nautical tourism gained further momentum in 1964 with the founding of Marina Punat on the island of Krk. Long before tourism arrived, the town had been home to a traditional shipyard, where wooden vessels were crafted and fishing boats repaired or rebuilt. As one of the very first marinas on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Marina Punat opened up a whole new world of possibilities - offering moorings, repair services, winter storage, and everything boat owners could need. For international visitors, this was groundbreaking: at last, there was a place where they could dock with ease and enjoy carefree holidays along Croatia’s dazzling coastline.

From Wood to Steel – A Changing Craft

With Croatia’s independence in 1991 and the end of the Yugoslav Wars, the country began shifting its focus toward the European and international shipbuilding industry. Traditional wooden boatbuilding temporarily receded due to economic hardship, but at the same time, tourism was gaining momentum and increasingly shaping the direction of shipbuilding.

Even during this period, new wooden touring ships continued to be built - modern motor yachts with comfortable cabins, private bathrooms, and plenty of maritime charm. Two proud members of the Islandhopping fleet, the Dare (built in 1996) and the Kapetan Jure (2000), are perfect examples: handcrafted entirely from wood and designed exclusively for tourism from day one.

By the late 1990s, and especially after 2000, steel began to edge out traditional timber. Croatian shipyards shifted toward building larger, more powerful vessels that were in demand for both tourism and transport. Steel quickly became the material of choice, meeting travelers’ growing expectations for speed, spacious cabins with en-suite bathrooms, inviting lounges, sun decks, and stylish outdoor bars. This transition continued well into the 2000s and gained even more momentum after Croatia’s EU accession in 2013. With the construction of exclusive luxury yachts, comfortable excursion ships, and increasingly eco-friendly vessels, Croatia has secured itself a leading position in European shipbuilding. 

With Heart and Timber: A Masterpiece of Traditional Shipbuilding in the Age of Steel

Back to the Šerka family: despite the global shift toward stee - and even though building a steel ship would have been far cheaper - the Šerkas chose to construct their San Snova from solid oak. Their love of wood and the joy of working with it outweighed all practical arguments. For father Šerka, there was another motivation: he wanted to pass down his knowledge as a shipbuilder and preserve a craft that was already on the verge of disappearing.

Of course, a wooden ship of this size couldn’t be built by just the four of them. Family members and close friends all pitched in to help bring the San Snova to life. After the detailed planning phase - which included not only design, but also hydrodynamics, stability, and safety - the real work began.

It all started, as tradition dictates, with laying the keel, the backbone of the vessel. From there, the frames were set up to form the skeleton of the hull. In the Šerkas’ garden, a wooden ribcage slowly rose until it even towered over the family home. The next stage was planking: each board was steamed or soaked in hot water so it could bend to the ship’s shape, then nailed, screwed, and sealed with oakum and resin to keep the hull watertight. Finally, the deck, superstructure, cabins, lounge areas, bathrooms, and furnishings were built and fitted - alongside modern essentials like electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, and safety systems.

Even a traditional wooden ship needs a modern heart. In the engine room, powerful motors were installed, along with precision-fitted shafts, propellers, and rudder systems, ensuring the vessel remained agile and safe despite its classic build. To guarantee longevity, the hull was carefully oiled and varnished, while the deck and interiors received protective finishes of natural oils and resins.

Four years of hard work culminated in an unforgettable moment: the San Snova’s launch. Moving the ship the 50 meters down to the sea took two full days of effort, every friend and family member lending a hand. When the vessel finally touched the water, the air was thick with tension, pride, and relief.

The name San Snova translates literally to “Dream of Dreams” - a fitting choice, since the Šerka brothers had dreamt of building their own wooden ship since childhood. Today, the San Snova is celebrated as one of the last great traditional wooden ships ever built in Croatia: a symbol of craftsmanship, family unity, and the enduring passion to keep ancient traditions alive.

The San Snova – A Dream of Islandhopping Come True

Today, the San Snova stands as both a symbol of Croatia’s shipbuilding heritage and a beloved vessel for Islandhopping bike & boat adventures along the Adriatic. Throughout the summer season, she welcomes guests from all over the world into her 14 cozy cabins, carrying them to the most beautiful islands of Southern Dalmatia and the national parks of Northern Dalmatia.

All tours with the San Snova:
Bike & Boat South Dalmatia
MTB & Boat South Dalmatia MTB
MTB & Boat South Dalmatia MTB-Special
Bike & Boat National Parks Dalmatia
MTB & Boat National Parks MTB
Multi Adventure Cruise Dalmatia

Her wood-paneled salon exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by handcrafted wooden furnishings on deck and a spacious sun deck perfect for relaxing or simply daydreaming as the coastline drifts by. The San Snova invites her guests to slow down, breathe in the salty sea air, and let the rhythm of the waves set the pace.

In the winter months, the yacht rests in the family’s shipyard for her well-deserved “wellness retreat.” Fresh coats of paint, technical check-ups, and loving attention to detail ensure that by the time the new season begins, the San Snova is shipshape once more - gleaming, safe, and ready to sail on for many more years of Islandhopping adventures.