Anywhere cheep in the Algarve.

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Along the Andalucian coast it is quite difficult to get a berth, depending on your size. We are (just over!) 12m and finding it v difficult.

[/ QUOTE ]We are toying with the idea of wintering in Portugal next year. We are 12.75m - is that likely to be a problem, say in Portimao or Lagos?
 
Just read some of your blog... very entertaining. We are on N22, right around the apartments, but quite near the supermarkets.

The day after we arrived there was a knock on the "door", and it was Stuart of Bagheera, (an HR 42 on F Pontoon), who had done the same trip as us... Glasson Dock to Lagos.

Just before I came home on 20/9, I spoke with my sister, (via Skype at 1.2p per minute!!), and she asked where I was, and what language they speak.... "Lagos, on the Algarve, and they speak English!".

I'm back from 25/10 to 12/11 then from 30/11 to just before Xmas.

Cheers

Richard
 
Lots of "larger" boats in lagos. We are 13.1m, and 4.12m beam. There is a Nauticat 40 which comes and goes quite regularly.

I think you need to be upwards of 45ft before you need a hammerhead, (and pay double).
 
There was a comment earlier in this thread that Lagos is full and one would have to wait until the ARC boats leave? If we were planning to winter there I would prefer to reserve a berth in the early summer, is that possible, do you know?

Here in Almerimar, you cannot reserve. Depending on who is serving you, you cannot even hire a berth until you arrive in person and then it isn't a reservation, it is simply a rental agreement from that date. It is good for them as people tend to arrive early. OTOH, it could backfire if people wanting a firm reservation for peace of mind decide to go elsewhere.

This is a bit subjective but I suspect that things are not as busy this year as last. The economies have come off the boil, I wonder if that's having and effect?
 
We were told about six weeks ago that we could book for Lagos in advance on payment of a 25 per cent deposit. In fact we decided to wait until we got here and see if we liked it! Now we are here they don't seem to need a deposit but we are arranging payment of the full amount fairly quickly.
 
Lemain, I kept a 14m boat in Lagos last winter. I booked it online the previous June paying a 25% deposit by VISA. This deposit was fully refundable up to 30 days before arrival should I change my mind (their rules MAY have changed since, I don't know). The balance is to be paid within 30 days of arrival.

Yes, it is a popular place but, IMHO, the Portuguese are far friendlier and pro Brit than other countries around the Med.
There is a wonderful support net from the liveaboard Navigators Club every morning at 0930 which offers help and assistance in many ways. I assume it is still going, or will be resucitated for the winter.

My boat has been in Sopromar Yard (who, incidentally, have been quite excellent) having a re-spray this summer but is to be launched on 12 Oct. I have been given an out of the way berth in the marina until space on E or F pontoon becomes available in Nov. I was initially told (in Sep) that they were full. But, after breaking down in front of the reception, I got what I wanted. They say in Portugal 'if you don't cry, you don't get!'

Finally, IME there has been none of the bureaucracy hyped about Portugal. Produce your Registration and Insurance and you are in. There is a Portuguese Tax levied after 183 days which is based on displacement and engine hp (I think). However, I know a number of full time liveaboards and they do not seem overly put out by paying this tax.

In spite of the commercialism of Lagos (especially in the summer) I have found it to be, overall, the nicest marina in Southern Europe. The weather is lovely, the beach is close by, the airport is 1 hour away with budget flights all year round, it is lively in the winter. There is an active international liveaboard community, security is excellent, marina management and staff are courteous, flexible, helpful and unobtrusive. Also, unlike Almerigrad, there are no unsavoury characters lurking around to nick your bike!
 
I also recomed Bruce's yard in Faro. I left the boat there last winter. V good value, secure and close to Faro centre. Ablution block a bit quaint! Nice guy also, speaks good englishand knows his business.
 
Just spare a thought for us poor catamaran owners. We have a small cat, 8m long, and only 4m wide, yet Lagos gave us a quote with a 50% mark up that meant we would pay more than a 12m boat with the same width.

In summer, it would be a 100% markup for us, bringing our daily rate to 55 euros (more than a 14m boat, I believe)

goodness knows what it is like further on in the Med.
 
I tried the new marina at El Rompido this year which is only days sail from Rio Guadiana, can recommend it without reservation. Possible to anchor outside marina, privately owned friendly staff and cheap restaurants in towm. Also sheltered by the six mile long sandbank seperating it from atlantic. Can also recommend Mazagon, a few liveaboards there and also good anchorage outside marina. Plenty of spaces earlier this year.
 
We will be looking to leave our boat between Gib and the Algarve next August. Didn't know there was a new marina at el Rompido, any chance of a web address or phone number?
I understood there was a german surveyor who ran the boatyard there. Do they have a travelift? Sounds like being lifted out might be easier than finding a berth in the water in August. Why are the Spanish so difficult about taking reservations? A couple of years back we tried to make a reservation around Cadiz and none of the marinas would allow us to reserve. They assured us their would be no problem finding a space but when we turned up (end of April) they all said they were full. Turned out they had space for bigger boats so we paid the extra for a 16m berth in Rota(even that information they didn't volunteer). We would be quite happy to pay a deposit. Anyone have any experience of Porto Sherry particularly being lifted there?
 
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We will be looking to leave our boat between Gib and the Algarve next August. Didn't know there was a new marina at el Rompido, any chance of a web address or phone number?
I understood there was a german surveyor who ran the boatyard there. Do they have a travelift? Sounds like being lifted out might be easier than finding a berth in the water in August. Why are the Spanish so difficult about taking reservations? A couple of years back we tried to make a reservation around Cadiz and none of the marinas would allow us to reserve. They assured us their would be no problem finding a space but when we turned up (end of April) they all said they were full. Turned out they had space for bigger boats so we paid the extra for a 16m berth in Rota(even that information they didn't volunteer). We would be quite happy to pay a deposit. Anyone have any experience of Porto Sherry particularly being lifted there?

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I asked the same Q of the Marina Director in Lagos - and sadly theres a perception that lots of UK sailors 'reserve' and then don't show.
Even the deposit is not an adequate return when this happens.
You might be more lucky if you pretend to be of a differing nationality.....
JOHN
 
Re: Anywhere cheep in the Algarve.Re Iona

Sorry in delay getting back to you - El Rompido Marina has only been open about a year - Wolfgang sold his workshop and slip to some Spanish lads and he now has a stake in the marina (I believe). Lifting out for any length of time is not an option as not much room and then only for boats having work done on them. Still hunting for invoice with email address on it.
 
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