Finding a rental mooring in France/Spain

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TheBishop

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The weather has finally broken me! Anyone here had any experience or got any views as to the best way to find a rental mooring in France or Spain? Idea is to rent for a year initially to see if it works then maybe buy...?? was thinking of the marina at the head of the Gironde, as I can fly to Bordeaux or drive at a push for longer breaks, which has berths at reasonable rental ( ie 50% of UK prices ) but unsure as to best process to look into it. Go through a broker, contact the marina directly???

Any other marinas I should consider....or have I lost my bottle?

The Bishop
 
I started this January by emailing all the marinas in the south of France and Spain. I got three replies, 2 saying that they were full and St Carlos (just south of Barcelona) who had space. We were going there when we came out to the Costa Del Sol and found a contact in Puerto Banus who knew someone who would rent us a berth for a year. I have now discovered that the majority of berths are privately owned as an investment. So, you need to keep asking around. I had also tried some 5 so called agents but they came up with nothing - their web sites seemed badly maintained.
 
I'm not sure how much more boating you'll get on the Atlantic coast of France, than in the UK. If you have to get on a plane anyway, why not go a bit further and find somewhere in the med?
 
Agree with Nick_h, why would you choose the atlantic coast ?
there are many airports in SOF or north of Spain,
SOF is tough to find a mooring, but north of spain, I'ts more easy I have been told.
Why not empuriabrava, Rosas... area,
low budget flights to girona
cruising distance to SOF.
My experience, on site, and advice from forumates, is that you have to go there in person, be friendly, and talk to marina staff, and try to find out friendly when and which mooring spaces are available. Phone and e-mail doesnt work !
 
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Why not empuriabrava,
low budget flights to girona
My experience, on site, and advice from forumates, is that you have to go there in person

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I'm there now 20 degrees C promised tomorrow. Agree, the only way is to just turn up. ps 45 mins from the airport.
 
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I've heard a rumour this week that Cap d'Agde has put in some new pontoons and may have space.

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And the best part is you can travel light, cos you wont need any clothes :-)

I have a berth avaiable to anyone who wants it in Antibes, but only from 1 Dec 2008 to 28 Feb 2009 :-| 5m beam, 18m max LOA. Reasonable neighbours :-)
 
You could try Sant Carles ( the new MDL marina in Spain ).
I think there are still spaces to either buy or rent on either a 4 year or annual basis.
Its also one of the very few Med marinas with pontoons.

The dissadvantage is that its very new and will be a season or two before the infrastructure is completely in place. MDL moved into the new offices last week and the dock travel lift was being assembled on Friday so all the basics are getting into place. The berths are fine though - electricity and water has all in place since it opened earlier this summer.

Having said that, I'm berthed there and there's a lot going for it even now. If you were to speak to the other berth holders that I've met, they would tell you of how peacefull it is.

We selected it because we had a villa closeby a few years ago and we very much like the Spanish atmosphere. Not at all English. With the exception of the actual marina you will have to speak Spanish everywhere. Not everyone's taste - but we like that sort of thing - not into the "kiss me quick" type of lifestyle that you find in some areas.

Anyway, even though its new and not yet finished, I thoroughly recommend it.
 
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