Cruising Advice for Scandinavia etc

D

dralex

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Jun 2004
Messages
1,527
Location
South Devon
Visit site
BOATY BOATY BOATY

I'd like to plan a trip to the Fjords next year and wonder about the best way of doing it.

One idea is to sail the boat up there and leave it at a base, then fly home and try to get up there for a coulpe of weeks at a time. Any suggestions as to bases.

How long would it take to sail up there?

What are the logical stopping points?

Any special kit?

Best airports?

Costs of mooring etc
OR should I just take 6 weeks off and do it like that?

Thanks in advance

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif
 
Alex,

It just so happens that I'm doing the same. I'm based in Lymington and plan, in May, to initially take boat to Ipswich (2 days) and from there Stavanger is 450 miles (4 days). Then come home and visit for hols, leaving boat at marinas, as appropriate. There are marinas at Stanvanger, Bergen, Oslo to name but three. I'm reckoning to leave the boat up there for two to three years.

There are a couple of budget airlines flying out of Stansted, Norway air shutttle flies regularly and at about £50 return to quite a few useful places.

PM me if you want more information.

Chris



<hr width=100% size=1>
 
There was a thread about this recently (although not specifically for Norway). I replied with info on the costs of 'weekending' it <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=602755&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=pandroid&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=601945>here</A>

We've kept our boat in Scandanavia the last two years, and, all in all, its cheaper than the UK. Norway though, has special rules as you are probably aware. Its outside the EU and you can only keep a boat there for 6 months without special permission.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kissen.co.uk>http://www.kissen.co.uk</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
You are right about special permission. My understanding is that to stay longer you have to declare your interests on arrival. Permission is usually forthcoming provided that you are upfront about your intentions.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
I've been following this thread with interest. We have family in Bergen and plan to do the summer of '06 there. My sister and brother in law (who have sailed with us in the Solent) are fitting an 11m pontoon outside their house, partly to accommodate our visit. They have already built the quay and boathouse, and are installing shore power also. That's where we'll base the boat for the summer. Lots of great fjords and islands within reach and the boat will be in safe hands during our absence.

I will check with the Norwegian Embassy how long we can stay. Worth checking also how long an EU boat can remain without becoming liable for a VAT double-whammy. As you say, Norway is outside the EU.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Thankyou all. Chris- I may contact you if I get on with things.

Thanks

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif
 
Tom,
Look on the Crusing Association site where there is a report from someone who has done this. They have posted the official view from the Norwegian customs about temp. import of yachts.
Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Are your family (or indeed anyone else who's been) able to provide any inside info on communications - mobile phone coverage, 3g, availability of internet cafes - or even marina wifi ? Important for those of us who attempt to take our work with us.

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !
 
Don't know about internet cafes or wifi but will ask. Mobile phone coverage is good, see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cellular-news.com/coverage/norway.shtml>coverage</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Just a dream really, but certainly a possibility in the next 2 or 3 years.

I think it would involve a sabbatical. I'm still on for the South Western S Butters tour to CIs or Brittany in 2005.

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.
 
Hi Alex, I have been living in Stavanger for the past 8 yrs, and have met up with a few Brits on tour as I work as a technician for a local Volvo and Yanmar dealer.
There are direct flights from Heathrow to Sola which is 15 mins from Stavanger, or you can fly with Ryanair from Stansted to Haugesund which is about 2hrs north of Stavanger by bus.
The area north of Stavanger called Ryfylke is one of Europes best kept secrets when it comes to boating, you can continue further up the coast to Bergen and never run out of places to stop. There are quays and public moorings on most islands which are free, and diesel and supplies are readily available. Though I would advise filling the boat with as much food/ booze as poss due to the much higher prices, just buy things like bread and milk locally.
You can catch fish just about anywhere so that always makes a good supper.
Its worth investing in the very detailed Boat Sport Charts as there are a many shallow spots which are usually marked by posts although generally it is pretty deep close to land, the custom is to drop a stern anchor and moor with the bows literally 1 metre from land as there are no tides to speak of. We use different coloured sectors on the light houses here so navigating is easy.
The weather can be pretty unstable in July but Aug is usually good.
If you require any more info just let me know, regards Steve

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
The strict legal position is that if you leave your boat in Norway for more than 6 months you are deemed to have imported it and are therefore liable to import duty. The import taxes are complicated but for my boat it would have been about 30% of the boats value. Now you may find a nice Customs man and make arrangements with him but you will have no kick back if the law is strictly applied. The rules are very similar to those for cars. For example if you leave a car in Norway even for less than 6 months you must make sure that no Norwegian can drive it. The reason for this severity is tha there are lots of ingenious people about and the import taxes on cars and boats are veryhigh indeed in Norway. There are various official channels which involve depositing the sum required with the customs people who will, if you comply with the rules, refund the money.
At the very least get yourself a statement in writing from the Customs that you will not be charged import duties.
It was because of this situation that I did not lay up in Norway but went to Gothenberg and laid up there. It was simple and painless and cheap.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger
 
Re booze imports

Just a foot note - I met a very angry German in Haugesund who had filled his boat with his own local wine in Germany and was caught by the customs. They fined him a very large sum of money. There are tight limits on what you can import into Norway. The fines are large and the probability of being caught is indeterminate.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger
 
Oslo to Mandal (south coast)mobile coverage excellent even up to 200km inland,internet access appeared to be available from Public Libraries but did not attempt to use them.
If you sail there prepare to be disappointed by any where else you might sail to afterwards.Mind blowing scenery,interesting navigation and a great welcome everywhere you call in.
Re importing Cigs and booze we declared massive overage and explained we were transiting to Sweden and were let off!
Only other bureaucracy was from various agencies who called to see that all was well and direct us to local places of interest.
Apparently the further north you go the better it gets,but thats for next year.


<hr width=100% size=1>If it cant be fixed with a lump hammer don't fit it
 
Re: Re booze imports

Thats probably because the Norwegians definitely don't like the Germans, whereas us Brits are very popular here, it goes back to the war.
Yes there are tight limits on how much you can import, but every Brit yacht I have visited has been full of booze, I guess it depends on your version of importing as opposed to just passing through.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top