So what's the collective verdict?
Better in then Out.
Competence.
Confidence exceeding competence and just got lucky.
It looks like to me that luck played a part in both cases...
Mali Losinj and Vila Losinj looks to be a boating paradise in Croatia. The vid above is obviously on a bad day. I suppose the nearest thing we have to it here is Lake Macquarie. I think the Swansea channel could get about as scary in bad conditions.
From this vid below and other associated vids it looks like a gorgeous place.