Canne / Nice v Balearics?

[Swagman]

Considering options on where best to park up a 46' yacht for winter 05/06. Was considering Mallorca but suprised at high costs - someone else has since suggested Canne / Nice area.

Anyone out there got first hand / relatively current experience of either or both options?

Any help would be greatfully receipted.

JOHN

 

[Ric]

What are your criteria? Cheap? Access? Pleasant surroundings?

All the ports on the CdA are much the same in price, and not much different from the Ballearics.

Baie des Anges is very handy for the airport (VERY handy - you are right under final approach!).

La Napoule is IMO the prettiest and nicest port on the CdA (and that's where I have my boat).

 

[Steve Clayton]

Hi John (and Sue); suppose you're champing at the bit and all set to go (again)!!

If you want then send me the time period you've got in mind for overwintering and I'll get the price from our marina for you; assume you will need a 15m x5m berth.

Added advantage of Liz and I keeping an eye on her for you - my rates are very competitive!

Forget Moraira as a possible; we popped in there yesterday just to see what the waiting list might be. It's like a golf club; pay a debenture joining fee and then go on a waiting list of at least 10 years /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

www.seraph-apartments.com

 

[Swagman]

Hi Ric,
Thanks for the advice - we've already got what appear to be good prices for Canne (which I prefer for a night out and location over Nice) despite it's distance from planes. I'll see how they shape up over the summer.......
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the offer but you may not remember we investigated Denia early last year and found the hiked prices for 2004 unattractive. I suspect we'd prefer to end up in either Balearics (easy to get to from Local airports) or S of France (best value).
Cheers
JOHN

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't considered Cannes or anywhere on the French Riviera - what prices have you been offered (if you don't mind sharing that information)?

Thanks

 

[Swagman]

No worries. I'm 46 foot and thr quote was approx 3,000 euros from September to March.

JOHN

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. That's not unduly expensive given the location. It's not far to Nice Airport and is on the motorway network. Worth a thought - do you know what the shelter and facilities are like over the winter? There's a huge non-boaty Brit local community, I believe, so should be good for books, films, evenings out, etc.

 

[tcm]

Cannes shelter

Cannes is one of few "municipal" ports along that coast, others including (part of) Ste Maxime, Golfe Juan and all of Villefranche. I know there's a fifth but can't remeber which it is, possibly Menton, ....anyway this means that there are places to rent at fairly reasonable prices and the overmanning is fabulous to behold, altho obviously, there's nobody to be seen over lunchtime which is an hour in high summer and two hours or more out of season.

Unlike almost every other port along the coast, Port de Cannes listens on channel 12, not 9.

Security shouold be better if you get on the pontoons and not the western quayside. The shelter is ok as it's set well back into the town, and as it's cheap, plenty of massive old superyachtish craft moored at the entrance, and a new concrete pontoon, give a lot of shelter . The harbour mouth opens to the west, and is sheltered by the bay and the two small offshore islands of ste marguerite and ste honore. The town itself shields from the west - mistral much less of a problem here than say marseilles.

Taxis from the airport are cheaper if you wear working clothes and don't have wife and kids in tow. Cheapest is the airconditoned bus direct to the Croisette. The train is too much of a walk from Nice airport to be of much use.

If you want a lift and to work ashore, book early. There's a teeny restaurant on the western quayside over the road, green sign, Auberge summink, incredibly cheap prix fixe.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Cannes shelter

tcm - excellent post, many thanks. Can one book in advance or is it 'first come' as it used to be in the municipal ports on the Italian Riviera?

 

[Swagman]

Re: Cannes shelter

Lemain,
The 3,000 euro price I quoted was for hardstand and included lifts in and out.
I've just had a further quote to leave it in the water for the whole period and that was 4,500 euros. That's on a pontoon and includes power.

Seems my choices will be twix Canne and somewhere on Mallorca. I'm advised best source in Mallorca are mooring brokers who rent out unsold private berths - but the two I have contacted will not quote where / price until closer to the event. I'll be calling them 8 weeks out and making my choice then.
Cheers
JOHN

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Cannes shelter

That's getting quite pricey - though maybe reasonable for the region - and the last time I stayed along that coast the cost of everything was very high - at least 25% higher than elsewhere. We were wondering about Mallorca but have had no replies to a couple of emails. I'm beginning to think that the Spanish mainland, nearer to the south, would be best for us. Warmer climate, cheap flights, easy to get car down for use over the winter....but then again, Irish pubs, 'Feesh n' Cheeps', ..... I think that Barcelona would be a bit cold for us - defeats part of the object.

 

[Swagman]

Re: Cannes shelter

We face same issues of price v location v reasonable air prices.
Palma are well served from our local airports of Southampton and Bournemouth - but my gut feel is Mallorca will be more expensive than Canne.
Had many pals who tripped along Spanish east coast last year and not such good feedback.
We left our last yacht in Lagos (Algave) for one winter - that worked well for good weather / facilities right up to when cheap local flights ceased from Bournemouth in September.
I believe you'd find Algave is cheaper / warmer than Southern Spain - maybe you'd like to check that out?
Cheers
JOHN

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Cannes shelter

We'd rather set our hearts on 'The Med' but for no good reason. It could be that we would be glad of a break after the passage from the UK. I'll check it out. Thanks.

 

[Swagman]

Re: Cannes shelter

We spent a couple of months in the area last year and it provided a good mixture of calm anchorages, rivers, marinas and cities to visit.
From Lagos one has the complete south facing coast to cruise twix it and Gibraltar. Most important was Lagos Marina which has five star facilities and a nice atmosphere about the old town. If at least you stop over on your way through - suspect you'll be impressed.
Cheers
JOHN

 

[tcm]

Re: Cannes shelter

i'd be amazed if you can't book in advance - they simply can't have a siutuaion that people sort of wander up and hope.

Caution: there is the Cannes boat show in september - at which point they seem to (well, they must) chuck a lot of boats out for the week. I wd ask what happens then and if best for you to arrive "apres l'exposition"?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Cannes shelter

[ QUOTE ]
i'd be amazed if you can't book in advance - they simply can't have a siutuaion that people sort of wander up and hope.

[/ QUOTE ]Almerimar won't take bookings. You can start paying now, or anytime, and secure a berth from that time on, but you can't pre-book a berth. The man said that everyone wants to do that, which is why they don't allow it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

So if I wanted to be sure of a winter berth in Almerimar, according to the man I spoke to, I would be advised to turn up mid August and take a berth. Too rich for me since we have no intention of sitting in Almerimar Aug/Sept/Oct.

 

[Swagman]

Re: Cannes shelter

Thanks tcm for the September Exposition tip. If I do go there I can leave it until early October......
Cheers
JOHN

 

[jerryat]

Re: Cannes shelter

Hi Lemain,

Entirely agree with you. We were unable to book Aquadulce for over-wintering a few years ago despite being personal/social friends with those in charge and offering to pay in advance!! They explained (sorrowfully) that many, many yotties, mostly Brits, used to 'confirm' they would be there, then go somewhere else without letting them know.

We found this a common complaint by marina staff, and gradually it seems, many seem have introduced a 'no booking' regime.

Like you, we had absolutely no intention of sitting in a marina during those super months when we could be sailing and exploring, though many seemed to do just that. We were hugely amused by these types who were screaming past interesting places to 'be sure of somewhere to stay for the winter'!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In the years we were in the Med. we rolled up when we wanted to, and ALWAYS got in, though we do have a big advantage apparently - we are only 9.70 metres long - and are therefore a small boat in cruising terms. According to the staff in most marinas, they could manage to fit a 'little' boat in but not those any larger!! Great!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers Jerry

 

[tcm]

reservation as follows for cannes

the phone is +33 820 425 555 and they sed to fax your request to
+33 492 98 7001

or use the web to request reservation

http://www.riviera-ports.com/Display.asp...ascx&port=1

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Cannes shelter

Hi Jerry, thanks for that. It's on those occasions I wish we were smaller but then again in a bit of a blow and when living aboard, the space is nice.