Boat transport across Italy?

[brownsox]

We're summer liveaboards only. The boat is in Corsica now and we're wondering whether to get her transported overland across Italy this season - say Piombino to ... eg Rimini or Venice area in order to enjoy sailing south down Croatian coast rather than west coast Italy which doesn't get a great press. Has anyone done this and what do people think? We certainly want to "do" Croatia and if we go around Italy it's a cul de sac and means retracing steps! Eventual aim - in as many summers as it takes and we aren't too gaga - is Greece and Turkey. Any thoughts welcome.

 

[lenseman]

Nahhh! Don't go overland.

Sail down to the toes, round the corner to the heel and then N/B up the calf muscle to Venice.

Much more fun.

 

[BrianH]

We're summer liveaboards only. The boat is in Corsica now and we're wondering whether to get her transported overland across Italy this season. ... Any thoughts welcome.

When I bought my boat in Holland I needed transport to my marina on the Adriatic, northern Italy. I asked for quotations from two Dutch and three German companies that I knew were active in yacht transport to and from northern Europe to the Mediterranean.

All but one refused to consider transporting through Italy, quoting instead to Koper in Slovenia and recommending that I deliver the last 20nm by sea myself across the top of the Adriatic.

Why? Because Italian bureaucracy makes it a nightmare to obtain permission for road transport of wide loads, which most cruising boats are. Every province to be passed through must provide that permission and police departments must approve your route and, if exceeding 3m, provide an escorting vehicle both in front and behind. Everything needs to be paid for.

The one transport company that did agree to bring my boat (they must have needed the money) did so illegally. The driver waited in Austria until well after midnight before crossing the border then drove down through the early hours, arriving at the marina at 07:00. On being asked why, he informed me about the above - it was all news to me - and said that the traffic police were not active during those hours and he could risk it.

When I heard that story I gave him enough to have a slap-up meal when he reached Slovenia to pick up the new Elan to take back to Holland.

My recommendation would be to sail from Corsica to Sicily, the Ionian, then Croatia - a wonderful two-year cruise.

 

[vyv_cox]

Not all of the west coast of Italy is unpleasant/expensive, especially out of July/August. All of the offshore islands are highly enjoyable, with plenty of anchorages. You could do worse than go Sardinia to the Aeolian Islands, one long leg but very worthwhile. The south coast of Italy is a lot more enjoyable, although mostly the ports are a good day apart. We found the people everywhere to be friendly and helpful.

 

[Ludd]

We're summer liveaboards only. The boat is in Corsica now and we're wondering whether to get her transported overland across Italy this season - say Piombino to ... eg Rimini or Venice area in order to enjoy sailing south down Croatian coast rather than west coast Italy which doesn't get a great press. Has anyone done this and what do people think? We certainly want to "do" Croatia and if we go around Italy it's a cul de sac and means retracing steps! Eventual aim - in as many summers as it takes and we aren't too gaga - is Greece and Turkey. Any thoughts welcome.

Get a quote from an Italian haulier by all means,but it won't be cheap. The permits for each area are not your concern ,they are the haulier's,but if he gets it wrong you could finish up with your boat held up waiting for offices to push paper around.
As a haulier myself I avoided taking loads to/through Italy unless they were totally bog standard.

 

[matsandys]

Don't even consider transportation overland across Italy. Fees / tolls / permits / bribes / beaurocracy .... it's a complete nightmare. The only way will be to sail her.
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