Costs of keeping boat in the baltic

[mireland]

Does anyone have any information about the relative cost of keeping a boat in the Baltic especially Denmark and Sweden, as compared to the UK? I am interested in marina charges, winter storage, lifting in and out etc. Obviously travel costs and so on will be large but I would figure on doing a couple of longer trips each year so bringing this component down.

 

[AliM]

I have rather limited experience, but it seemed a lot cheaper in Denmark and Germany than in teh UK - East Coast, and therefore an awful lot cheaper than the South coast. Most boats are lifted in about October and spend winter in a barn, being launched again in april. We stayed in Denmark for about 4 months, about 8 years ago, and last year, for 3 months in Baltic Germany, both during the summer. In each case, the long term charges were a lot less than our (very cheap) East coast marina. Visiting marina charges were typically 12-15 Euros a night, inc electricity and water, although there were plenty higher than that. Getting there from the UK was cheap and easy - Easyjet or Ryanair and train/bus, mostly. The sailing area is superb. We'll go back this summer. I suggest you google for prices in the area you actually want for a better idea than that.

 

[dt4134]

Does anyone have any information about the relative cost of keeping a boat in the Baltic especially Denmark and Sweden, as compared to the UK? I am interested in marina charges, winter storage, lifting in and out etc. Obviously travel costs and so on will be large but I would figure on doing a couple of longer trips each year so bringing this component down.

Worked with a bloke who was treasurer of his local yacht club in Sweden. They had their own marina pontoons in a small bay. Hired a crane twice a year for lift in and lift out and hired a farmer's field for storage. All boats had to lift out on the same day, but the distinction between in season and out of season is more pronounced in Sweden obviously - not a good idea to stay in the water over winter unless you're an icebreaker.

So the mooring/marina costs were far smaller than UK, but I imagine most like the above would be done through boat clubs.

There was also a charge of I think about €600 p.a. for lifeboat subscription, that included a towing service, so it was maybe halfway between Seastart and the RNLI.

He bought as much chandlery as he could in the UK, so presumably the swindelries out there were more expensive.

Fuel was full cost white diesel.

There was also a wealth tax in Sweden that kicked in at about £100K the last time I checked, which was admittedly five or six years ago. It would only kick in if you spent 183 days there, but obviously a bigger boat would put you in that category.

Visitors charges are way below UK levels, and there are many natural harbours along most of the coastline, which are free. Because there is no tide there's no worries about going in to a shallow bay to anchor or tie up to a rock. The Swedish Cruising Club also organise visitors moorings in some places.

Beware the season is short. Most sailing by the Swedes seems to be concentrated into a couple of months in the summer, but virtually everybody will be out, many taking three or four weeks off work.

I always found things very friendly there, with 99% of the population speaking fluent English.

 

[thedoc]

sweden costs

My HR36 is currently in Wahlborgs marina, Gothenburg. It is on the hard for the winter (uncovered). The costs for the winter, plus lift out/hose off/back in is £1102.
The boat arrived there end of june 2011, the cost of a marina berth for July/August /september was £788 . easily accessible form Gothenburg by tram . Ryanair to gothenburg, daily flights. The marina is on the net. A helpful and friendly yard with good English.........

 

[geoffcollins]

Sweden

We just came back from Sweden.

Costs at a top marina were around £2000 for our 36 footer. On top of that you have to wrap it in plastic for the winter ~£700

The main drawbacks were:

1. Getting any work done was a nightware. Persuading the local companies to do anything was next to impossible (and expensive).

2. Food and drink - We all expect that restaurants in Sweden are expensive - They are. But so are the supermarkets. We seemed to go in for a few groceries and spend £200.

3. Transport costs - Flights to Stockholm were £180 each. Car hire or two way taxis to the marinas always worked out as being £200 + So that's nearly £600 before you've left the pontoon

4. Winter maintenance - We just weren't giving her the love she needed - because all work visits were annual leave, not just popping down in the car for a day. The job list seemed to get bigger and bigger.

5. Really short season - One year the marina was frozen 3M deep in the first week of May.



The pros:

1. Astonishing scenery
2. Really sheltered sailing - great for families
3. No tides
4. Natural harbours

5. Great food
6. Great people - there are so few British boats out there that they all want to tell you their favourite spot. They're so enthusiastic about their sailing ground archipelago

Cheers

Geoff



Wait a minute... Why did we leave?

 

[Viking]

Norway?

Thought about Norway? West coast. Little or no ice, some snow, (Gulf Sream). Bring your skis and use your boat as a winter skiing base? Marina costs about £60-100 aweek with elect. You can do your own deal! Cruising, if you dont eat out all the time and of course bring your own drink, but UK beer prices are now creaping up! Fishing is easy! We cruise here in the summer for 3 weeks and we think we have spent alot if we have spent more then £700. Lots of quiet moorings (£5-10 per night) anchor or natural moorings free. AND NOW YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR BOAT HERE FOR TWO SEASONS: Direct flights along the coast to the UK for crew changing.

 

[Joker]

I have a 30 footer. 720 Euro for lift out, scrub, store ashore for the winter, relaunch. The Marina Neuhof near Stralsund in Germany.