Cost Efficient Mooring around Costa del Sol

Firefly211

Firefly211

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Am planning to move my boat to the Med as I move job to Spain. At first look it would appear that Costa del Sol moorings (long term) are in the UK South Coast price bracket. Anyone know of any cheap marinas/moorings in and around that area?
 
I can help you with this.

Current legisslation in Spain about boats and boaters, have recently changed. In fact, from the 1st of January 2011, anybody is allowed to keep the boat with a foreign flag in Spain as long as the Special Tax over Boats is paid. This tax means the 12% of the value of the boat in the Spanish official lists for boats and cars. However, the older the boat, the cheaper the tax, and for boats older than 12 years onwards, the tax is ridiculous.
For instance, for a Hallberg Rassy 34, the tax is 350 euros.

This tax is only paid once in your life and keeping the payment proof with you, you don´t need to do anything else. Your boat and you will be legal here (well, and the boat insurance is compulsory too).

The cheapest marina in Costa del Sol is Puerto Deportivo Almerimar, in Almería.
 
Recent note from Cruising Associations says "...our HLR for La Rapita, Mallorca has recently updated the document on "Sailing in Spanish Waters - Taxes, Charges and Procedures affecting yachts". These changes reflect the fact that ISDMT exemptions are more stringent than were first thought.

If you (not your boat) are intending to stay in Spanish waters for periods exceeding 182 days in a calendar year you are advised to take a look.
 
Firefly211 said:
Am planning to move my boat to the Med as I move job to Spain. At first look it would appear that Costa del Sol moorings (long term) are in the UK South Coast price bracket. Anyone know of any cheap marinas/moorings in and around that area?
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We kept our 37ft in Almerimar for the winter 08/09. We had no problems. The rate was reasonable for 10 months ~2500€, and staff was helpful. Several chandlers at walking distance + a yard.

It is close enough to Sierra Nevada where we went skiing from the boat.
 
Firefly211 said:
Blimey, what this all about then? Anyone know?
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For the general principles governing how long you, or your boat, can stay in another EU country, see http://jimbsail.info/going-foreign/time-abroad

What has to be done for the boat depends on whether you become a tax resident or not. This happens as soon as you spend more than 182 days per calendar year in Spain.

Also, you can escape paying ISDMT/pollution tax (if you become tax resident) by reporting the fact you've imported the boat within 30 days - plus a few other conditions about length of previous ownership.

Michael Briant's site (above) gives the specific Spanish story, although it's my opinion that you don't have to re-register the boat. I understand you do have to ensure it meets Spanish requirements, but can keep the registration. However, policing or interpreting this issue may vary between Spanish regions, which notoriously differ from each other

It is a minefield of unexpected payments for the unwary. The safest action is to obtain the advice of a Gestor, (one such is http://www.taxmarine.com/ ; Alex Chumillas, Barcelona) if you're going to become tax resident - whether by accident or design!
 
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Thanks for all your information. I flew down and went around a few marinas during the half term holiday and the cheapest I can find is Estepona at 3300 euros for the year (10mx3.5). Tried several others including Fuengerola (4400), and Duquesa (4300) as well as others in Gib. In the other direction prices were around the 4k mark. So its looking like Estepona and it looks good.

Anyone know of anywhere else?
 
Estepona is a pretty good marina and town, you could do a lot worse. I'm slightly surprised that it was cheaper than Fuengirola, but chiefly I'd like to ask whether all the marinas you cite actually had berths available for you?
 
They all said they had berths available (except Fuengirola who had no 10m berths but I was offered a 12m) and I was shown the free berths at Estepona and had a choice of which I wanted! They all mentioned that the economic situation was biting hard. Gib had huge numbers of empty berths.
 
Firefly211 said:
They all said they had berths available (except Fuengirola who had no 10m berths but I was offered a 12m) and I was shown the free berths at Estepona and had a choice of which I wanted! They all mentioned that the economic situation was biting hard. Gib had huge numbers of empty berths.
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Gib does not have huge numbers of empty berths. You will need to book at either marina office. If a berth looks vacant, the boat that uses it may well be out!

Fees at Alcaidesa (La Linea ) and Bajadilla (Marbella) are less than Estepona. You may also wish to try haggling a bit at La Duqesa as the marina there has the same owners as Estepona.

Hope you get a result, nice area to be!

CS
 
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