BlueSkyNick
Active member
Chris Enstone of this forum originated this term, or at least told me that he did. It basically means leaving your boat in a different country, and/or moving her on a few days at a time, and returning to base for work in between trips.
Having recently bought a boat in Spain, lots of people have asked why we want the boat back in the UK instead of leaving her in Spain, Easyjet sailing is cheap they say, weather is better, etc.
Having moved her on to Lisbon, coming back on the plane last night proved that it's not for us, as if I didnt realise before.
Here are 5 top reasons:
1. The main reason is access to the boat - I much prefer being able to pop out sailing for a day, or weekend, or just get on board for a Sunday afternoon pottering and tinkering.
2. Cheap air travel is not pleasant. Big check in queues, immature staff, cramped seating. In Faro airport yesterday, we were surrounded by CHAV pond life, queuing up for expensive junk food, sporting sunburn and bling. Nor is it cheap - we are looking at £200 each to go back out in a couple of weeks time.
3. Travel takes time - a two hour flight becomes a minimum eight hour journey from home to boat. So a long weekend becomes a very short one.
4. When the boat is remote, getting anything done is difficult. Only by being on the spot, can you chat up the right people to do any work to a sufficient standard in the time you need it.
5. The weather is not always perfect, particularly in the Med, where its either F6 or nothing at all. If you have to fit sailing trips in with work, you have to take what weather you get when you go, whereas with the boat at home you can choose your timing easier.
Now for the good bits.
1. The marinas are cheaper. 8Euros per night in Almerimar, but zero security. Now 37Euros per night in Lisbon or 460 per month - so not so cheap.
2. The food and drink is much cheaper - in some places.
3. Um .....?
Of course, others may choose to differ ....
Having recently bought a boat in Spain, lots of people have asked why we want the boat back in the UK instead of leaving her in Spain, Easyjet sailing is cheap they say, weather is better, etc.
Having moved her on to Lisbon, coming back on the plane last night proved that it's not for us, as if I didnt realise before.
Here are 5 top reasons:
1. The main reason is access to the boat - I much prefer being able to pop out sailing for a day, or weekend, or just get on board for a Sunday afternoon pottering and tinkering.
2. Cheap air travel is not pleasant. Big check in queues, immature staff, cramped seating. In Faro airport yesterday, we were surrounded by CHAV pond life, queuing up for expensive junk food, sporting sunburn and bling. Nor is it cheap - we are looking at £200 each to go back out in a couple of weeks time.
3. Travel takes time - a two hour flight becomes a minimum eight hour journey from home to boat. So a long weekend becomes a very short one.
4. When the boat is remote, getting anything done is difficult. Only by being on the spot, can you chat up the right people to do any work to a sufficient standard in the time you need it.
5. The weather is not always perfect, particularly in the Med, where its either F6 or nothing at all. If you have to fit sailing trips in with work, you have to take what weather you get when you go, whereas with the boat at home you can choose your timing easier.
Now for the good bits.
1. The marinas are cheaper. 8Euros per night in Almerimar, but zero security. Now 37Euros per night in Lisbon or 460 per month - so not so cheap.
2. The food and drink is much cheaper - in some places.
3. Um .....?
Of course, others may choose to differ ....