Costa delsol.

[volvopaul]

Hi all ive just returned from a family holiday between Fuengirola and Benalmadena.

Its been a few years since I was last there, once on holiday staying right outside the marina vilage at Benalmadena, and working for a week at the marina Fuengirola.

Whats amazed me after a day out last week at both resorts is the general condition of boats at both locations, both spanish and uk flagged boats of newish years are in such a state of neglect I could not believe, they look like they have not seen there owners for months, which as its still the holiday season I was gobsmacked!

The bars were empty in the day, the general state of the marina village was very untidy and underkept, I went to look at a few boats mainly fairlines by what must be the only broker there now that must be hanging on by thread, they were just orange on the grp with sand and med dirt, they didnt look like they had been lifted this year at all, and all on at silly money compared to uk asking prices for the same boat.
There were moorings available everywhere , yet at one time there was a waiting list.
It just shows how bad things are out there, im so glad I didnt just fly out to view boats for purchase, anyone would have been so annoyed travelling that distance to find such rubbish.

It just shows when people moan about poorly kept uk boats that are offered for sale and why do neither owners or selling agents keep clean and presented boats looking nice, they have obviously not been looking abroad I was quite shocked! Just shows why the uk attracts so many foreign buyers, although I do realise the exchange rate helps.

 

[Lozzer]

Volvopaul

If you will go to the downmarket part of the CDS what do you expect.

It is a little wrong to tarnish the whole of the Costa del Sol with the same brush using two marinas that would not figure highly in desirable locations.

Fuengirola is a dirty place at the best of times and also a working port for fisherman.

Benalmadena is a large port with zero atmosphere in the marina.

I would suggest that people mooring boats in both these places are doing so on a budget.

If you go to ports like Marina del Este, the two in Marbella, Puerto Banus, Sotogrande you will find better examples.

 

[Bojangles]

+ 1, was there a couple of years ago, thought the marina was nice, but many of the boats were neglected & really dirty. I also remember being a bit surprised about the asking prices.

 

[GSL]

In May I bought a boat at one of the Marinas Lozzer suggested were "the better" choices, looked at three examples, all the same model and within a year or two of each other age wise, all three with brokers, and I thought the presentation was quite good.

After several days looking very closely, an engine survey and out of water inspection, I bought what I felt was the best boat amongst them, it was also the newest, but I only paid 54% of the listed price. It took a little while to negotiate the final price, including walking away when I had made my best offer, but it did show to me that the asking price and the final acceptable price are quite some way apart.

My other choice had been to go back to the US and buy from there again, but the general economy in Spain means that the best buys are in Europe I think, if you are prepared to do the mileage and make the effort.

Graham

 

[volvopaul]

Volvopaul

If you will go to the downmarket part of the CDS what do you expect.

It is a little wrong to tarnish the whole of the Costa del Sol with the same brush using two marinas that would not figure highly in desirable locations.

Fuengirola is a dirty place at the best of times and also a working port for fisherman.

Benalmadena is a large port with zero atmosphere in the marina.

I would suggest that people mooring boats in both these places are doing so on a budget.

If you go to ports like Marina del Este, the two in Marbella, Puerto Banus, Sotogrande you will find better examples.

Lozzer, I was merely reporting my findings on holiday compared to how it was about 6 years ago, I didnt realise the 2 locations were as you would put it "downmarket" as you will appreciate I didnt slag the areas off either. Thanks for your reply ref the areas im sure the holidays companies would appreciate your feedback.

 

[splosh]

I have just returned from the Alicante region, and during our stay we visited Denia, Calpe, Altea and Alicante marinas.

I didnt find anything like Volvopaul mentions at all. The marinas were all buzzing with life, the bars and restaurants busy and people enjoying their boats.
Admittadly the chandleries were a bit quite but well stocked.

Plenty of activity on the water with boaters using their boats and anchoring in the bays.

 

[taz]

Lozzer, I was merely reporting my findings on holiday compared to how it was about 6 years ago, I didnt realise the 2 locations were as you would put it "downmarket" as you will appreciate I didnt slag the areas off either. Thanks for your reply ref the areas im sure the holidays companies would appreciate your feedback.

I know what you mean and agree. The marina at Benalmadena seems to have been hit hard, the buzz and general feel seem to have gone at the moment.

As for downmarket, I prefer the feel than that of the entirely false Banus, which has also been hit by the recession and looking quite dirty recently, compared to my visits a few years back.

The nicest location imo is Cabo Pino.

 

[Lozzer]

Taz

Banus is what it is. Not sure what you mean by entirely false. Of course if you know where to go and where to avoid this always helps.

It has been hit hard by the recession but there was a buzz this summer. Many big yachts in the harbour being used. Many gaps as well on the smaller end however this is the market hardest hit.

Cabo Pino whilst nice is limited in what it can offer. One can walk around the harbour in 2 mins, how many bars and decent eating establishments are there?

Having lived in Marbella for 8 years I think it is a great place and if you mix with the right people you will soon realise that there is a fantastic community of international people.

OR you can just crawl from pub to pub in the second row of Banus getting propositioned by ladies of the night.

 

[A_8]

I spent a week in Porto Banus this spring and agree with Paul, in general I found the boats to be severely neglected. Almost new boats looked like they were 10 years old as compared to how it is where I live. Older boats was like they had not been touched for 5 yrs.
I thought it to be one thing not to keep them waxed, varnished etc but when you looked closer there was a lot of gelcoat scratches and damage which I found strange given the lack of archipelago and natural, rock type berthing we do in the Nordics.

 

[malc60]

my boat is in benalmadena, love the place

 

[ACE]

I'm in Cabopino think you would get a different picture here.... I do agree there are some pretty awful looking unkept boats going around but I think it is what it is down to the recession people are just not travelling down to their boats and they simply have made no arrangements to have them kept. When I am back in the UK I have someone once a week come by and give her a wash and a wax the investment is worth every penny.

Just thought I'd say in Cabopino there are some older boats that look very well and are obviously kept with TLC, there is a bit of a "community" in Cabopino.

 

[El Bee]

I live on the Costa Blanca, near Torrevieja and must say I'm much happier here than I ever was in the UK. People generally seem healthier, happier and a whole lot less stressed than they do in the UK, I'd guess 80% of the boats in my local marina (prob 50/50 Brits and Spanish) are well looked after and used every week

There are a few neglected boats, most of them still flying tattered red dusters I think it's Brits with second homes here who in past years came out every month or two but in these harder times they're staying away, it's very sad, I'd willingly keep an eye on them and give them a wash but you can't really without being asked...

Lee B