Algarve marinas

[dina]

We are cruising down to the Algarve this summer with our 3 kids via Britttany and NW Spain. Will leave the boat in the Algarve before returning at October 1/2 term for a bit more criusing, and, for preference to have the boat lifted out for the winter
Any ideas on the best/cheapest marinas to leave the boat in for a few moths and the best place for a haul out? Lagos seems to have good reports but what about Portimao/Albufeira? Also heard there was a haul out facility in Faro. Any help much appreciated.

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[snowleopard]

lagos gets very much cheaper at about that time of year

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[HaraldS]

We have our boat in the marina de Lagos, now for the second winter. As you probably heard, it is a safe place and probably the best on teh Algarve if you want to live aboard over the winter, as there is still some life left in the town. I think by now it is probably the most expensive on the Algarve, but I haven't checked the prices n Vilamoura which may well be higher. I just don't like the place.

The new alternative is Portimao, with a brand new huge marina, twice the size of Lagos. When I checked this summer, it was maybe 30% filled and they made very good introductionary prices with club rebates and so on. It turned out at about 2/3 of the Lagos price. Very attractive and probably as safe by now. I was a bit worried about the constructions still going on. And also in the winter the area is pretty dead and the real town is two miles upriver. So we went to Lagos again, but it is also the last winter that we will be in the area and we had a company in Lagos looking after the boat.

We did however try the brnad new boatyard facilities at Portimao. these are managed through the marina, but are way upriver at near the comercial yard that maintains fishing boats and close to the old road bridge. They now have a fenced off standing place, with alittle office and some spares there and a 50t travellift. The prices were a little bit below the Sopromar yard in Lagos.

Boats that were hauled out with the 50t travellift and moved to the new standing space had very positive comments. We tried the same and it failed because our radar mast didn't clear the travellift beam when lifted and they directed us to the commercial yard with a 350t travellift. That ha sit's very own problem with three double belts that are difficult to place in a way that they don't damage anything.

Anyway it worked, but was nerve wrecking. also when they tried to lower the boat onto some wood posts before it was resting on the keel. Only me yelling st the lift operator prevented the worst....

So this year I plan to do it in Lagos at Sopromar, who seem very professional and they have grown up. I have watched some work on a friends boat and it was done very nicely. tehir travellift is also just 35 or 50t but this time I'm going to remove both forestays; some more work but worth it.

Both Sopromar and Portimao have hard standing and it is fenced off and seemingly very safe. Prices seem to be slightly lower than remaining in the water with the relevant winter packages. Both marinas have a 9 month package from 9/15 to 6/15 which is very good priced. But as I said Portimao is about two thirds right now.

I don't think Albufeira has a marina, but I didn't check. Faro has none, but there is a little shipyard way up, which is reachable at high tide if you draw less than 6'.

Inside the same lagoon is Olhao, which has a new marina, actually two by now. Seemed like another nice place if you want to live on board, but I have not seem any haul out there ecxept for the really bad looking fisher harbour.

If you move on to Spain, prices drop quite a bit. Chippiona, has a very securely fenced off hard standing area and a big marina. But it must be a dull place in the winter..



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>

 

[DaiB]

You could consider spending more time on the nw coast and finishing off at either Nazare or pavoa de Varvim. I have used both and was really pleased, especially with the cost as it must be about the cheapest place before Gib.

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[dina]

Thanks Harold for your comprehensive reply, just a couple more questions though:
Who looked after your boat in Lagos?
Do we need to pre book the Marina?
Is Sopromar in the marina? Do they have room for keeping boats out for the whole winter?
and finally whats the weather like in the winter?
Thanks again for your help

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[Danthegorrila]

Hi you should have fun.

We have stayed at all of the except Albufreia during Oct-Dec 2003.

Lagos is good and has lift out near the town and lively.
Portimoa was very good cheaper than else where and open to negociation for a long stay, it also was doing cats at single rate. Although the town was a long way a nice beach was very close, it would be safe for kids and the Plya Roche (the holiday resort) was only 5 mins walk. The haul out is further up the river.

Both the above are in easy sailing of each other and many nice coves and anchorages.

Albuferia was said to be horrible.
Villamour was expensive and right in the midst of a holiday resort.

I´´d go for Portimoa again without hesitation, particularly if you have bikes, as there is a cycle way into the old town 5 mins by bike. The marina also run a free minibus to the big supermarkets every morning. Added to that there is a really strong community of live aboards from all over europe (and over a dozen children when we were there ) so we organised events, Bonfire party, Christmas party, and things for the kids.

I hope that all helps

Pete

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[grahama]

DaiB,
On another subject you posted a reply regarding 'Wheel Pilots' I've sent you a Message regarding this item.
Thanks in advance.

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[HaraldS]

There is a company called Bluewater Algarve in Lagos.
http://www.sopromar.com/

Bluewater would also do all the arrangements for you.

Weather is quite decent in the winter. It can off course rain for some days in a row, but in general it is quite fine, and can get very warm during the day, and quite cold at night. Though never freezing. I was just there in early January and it was fabolous. When I entered the rental car around noon, I found myself looking for the airconditioner! But during the night you need to run a little heater to keep things comfortable.
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by HaraldS on 14/02/2004 22:04 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[dina]

Thanks one and all for your help, brilliant! Pete, we went to Scotland last year and used your article from YM to help guide us, got up to the Sound of Taransay which was fab, when the sun shone! Looking forward to some warmer weather this summer.

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[Trazie]

Hi,
We live in lagos and have charter boat. Lagos is excellent as the marina is so close to town, Portimao not so good and Albufeira marina is miles from the town. We also have berth at Vilamoura although not so keen on the area, more real people in Lagos living year round.
We currently have our boat out in Sopromars yard, they have proper cradles and are very professional. We get free lift out in Vilamoura with our annual berth fees but still prefer to use Sopromar in Lagos.
Traz


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[philmarks]

I'm wintering in Chipiona. I like the place, but boatyard a bit congested (there's a few people actually living aboard ASHORE in the boatyard! and several Brits in the marina) Sanlucar is a cycle ride away ok 6 mls €10 taxi and is more traditionally Spanish. Ryanair into Jerez 25 Km from Chipiona. It's what you make it. I was in a flamenco dancing class last Friday until 2am.....

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Phil

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

Albufeira has a marina...small but it has one.
Lots of boat companies on site and you can be hauled out.

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

Albufeira marina is a short walk from town maybe 1 Km at best.
Sopramar are the best in this area if you want quality work and a guarentee.

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

Albufeira has a lift as does Lagos and Portimao but by far the best is Albufeira.
It is quiet and relativly safe.

 

[highandry]

Stay off the Cari-Bean Rum..

Pie Rat me 'ol mate...this mob you're talking too...(unless it's me crackin' up,) were rabbiting about the Algarve in 2004 according to the dates on their postings..

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

então

 

[highandry]

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

Nice to see you and your family looking so happy and green.

 

[highandry]

A grinning idiot...that's me. I only noticed the date because I came along the Algarve a few months ago, and some of the comments about Portimao and Chipiona seemed a bit strange...It was only then that I looked at the original the dates.

 

[Cari bean Pie rat.]

In Portugal things move slowly but they do change and Albufeira is a different place now as opposed to 2004.
I started visiting Portugal in 1985 and then it was all small fishing villages.
A lot of Portugal has become very built up and is now just a money making place.
Portimão is in my view the worst place to be in your boat , quiet expensive and in an awkward position but nice for Ferragudo which is a nice little town...better by boat than car from the marina at Portimão.
Who cares about dates...if you can find a thread just renew it rather than start a new one.
The Algarve is really nice despite what the money makers have tried to do.
Tchau.