Gibratar: which marina?

Carolwildbird

Carolwildbird

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... if i have a choice (ie if berths available)?

We're planning to hop down to Gibraltar over the next fortnight. Having not been- any recommendations?

I hear rumours of yacht damage in Gibraltar- any info on that as well?
 
There are a few visitors berths in Marina Bay at the moment. It would be a good idea to book ahead though, 00350 200 73300

I prefer this marina, its a bit more lively than Queensway in the Dockyard.

There was a big storm here in October 2008 that did damage a few yachts in both marinas but it was an exeptional event.
 
Queensway Quay is almost entirely surrounded by buildings! The outer breakwater has a dozen 3 storey very expensive houses on it and the near completion Kings Wharf building to th North is huge. You cannot see the sea from inside the marina, just vertical concrete!

The problem is that a swell can find its way in though th narrow north facing entrance and has nowhere to dissipate now that it is virtually a land locked baisin.

Am not a fan!
 
Issa doddle, no?

Call the marina on VHF 71 on the way in (they will probably change you to another working channel) and one of the lads from the office will come and help.

Best going bows to for more privacy, plus is easier to get on and off without a passaralle. Have ready on the bow a boathook and a bow line secured to one cleat and led forward, coiled redy to pass to the marinero (if you do this without help it's easy to 'lassoo' the bollard you wil find in front of you).

As you approach the fixed concrete pier, pass bow line to chap, and pick up thin 'lazy line' attatched to dock with boathook. Walk aft, pulling thin line up from the water to recover fixed mooring line an secure it to stern. You now realise why it's often called a slime line.

Once your boat is secured fore and aft, you can rig extra bow lines to the rings on the pier.

Note that the shore power plugs are the larger 32 amp size. You can rent or buy cheaply at local shops....not chandlers!

Paperwork to the office- ships reg. document and passports, jobs a goodun!

Enjoy your stay. Best fish and chips ever at Charlie's tavern on the front.
 
caroldevon said:
Thanks folks.

Marina bay it is then ... just got to steel myself for med mooring. So far we have avoided it!

Its just a short stay before hopping into the med (see you in Almerimar, riviona!).
Click to expand...

By the way Sheperds new Marina the other side of the Airport MIGHT be open now. Just a thought. When will you hope to be in almerimar?

Peter
 
rivonia said:
Shepperds new Marina the other side of the Airport MIGHT be open now.
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Oh, is that actually happening? Behind where the old Safeway building is, is it? I had thought (rumour when I was last there a couple of years ago) that the project had been shelved or blocked. If so, are they doing lift-outs?
BTW Marina Bay boats regularly suffer from damage from winter gales, the boats can smash into the concrete jetties (personal experience). Or did. Mind you, much better than the sometimes continual swell induced rocking and rolling at Queensway (or certainly used to) and better social life/community, too.
Gibraltar Great (capitals) ? Well, it is interesting and we did enjoy our 18 months there. But somewhat on the tatty side of great IMHO. ;) Has the new airport terminal/runway started?
 
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There is no marina the other side of the runway.

Projects actually happening:

Work has begun on improving the road on the south side of the runway to enable a tunnel to be built at the eastern end. So, eventually, no more traffic hold ups for flights, hooray.

The new airport terminal is coming on fine, will be quite impressive.

Over the border, the new Alcaidesa Marina in the La Linea harbour is due to open for berthing in March. It looks to be rather limited to start with and most of the associated infrastructure will be a year or two away.

Oh, no damage to any boats so far this winter! Maybe everyone is tying them up better....actually we have been lucky with no surge as yet. A lot of boats are now secured a few feet off the dock and use a small block and tackle arrangement to make boarding easy.

Delighted to answer any Gib related questions, we live on our yacht in Marina Bay, our third sojourn in the past 11 years.
 
martina bay

a little more on marina bay. We spent four months there last winter.
when it blows, it is really bouncy. With this in mind, I'd try to get a west
facing slip. this way, when the wind and swell is from the west, you're blown
off the dock. It is this direction that the swell is worst, as east is less bouncy.
As for the slips against the wall, I'd forget that if possible. Also, if you
don't need water or electricity, there are some slips in by the restaurant.
Rickf
S/V Calaloo
 
Would appear logical, but not quite right. Were you in Marina Bay for the October storm 9(2008) that trashed the La Linea breakwater? Its the easterly gales that cause the most problems.

West wind has the fetch across the bay and sends a short period low chop into MB that can be irritating, but merely that. The powerful wave systems running through the strait fan out into the Alboran sea. This can be easily seen from any high part of the Rock.

With an Easterly, however, the power of the wave train from across Alboran is trying to squeeze into the Strait and also runs up into the bay, into the marina and jerks the boats around. Its doing it as I type this!!

However, although most marinas are not the best places to be in gale force winds I am glad I'm not out in it.

The berths in front of the restaurants are fully serviced, but all taken now.

Safe sailing!
 
We are in Queensway Quay Marina. It is now protected by the buildings from most winds but the swell does hit!

Had a gale on Wednesday night and lots of boats got minor damage. Not just in Queensway but the whole of Gib.

Marina bay is noisier, QQM is quiter. Good expat/sailors bar at Queensway called the Lounge Bar. Also good Indian restaurant and a keebab shop takeaway!

You will either love or hate Gib. I love it. Sat on the back of the boat today with a beer. T shirt on, sun out and 17 degrees.....lovely!

Cheers

Paul
 
Don't forget a pair of gloves for lazy line berthing. The little mollusc critters seem to love the lines. There's plenty enough other things going on to worry about so you could do without blood dripping all over the deck at the same time!
 
Hi everyone we have just retuned from Gib and spent 5 nights at the Elliot Hotel. It was great. Also spent a lot of money on stocking up and clothes etc.

With regard to Shepards new marina. It is coming along and from my observations will be ready very soon.

Peter
 
Shepards are not building a marina. There is one under construction just across the border in La Linea, to be called Alcaidesa Marina (Puerto Deportivo).

The first berths are due to be available from march this year and looks to be on schedule. The marina infrastructure is due to include bars, restaurants, chandler, etc but that may well be some years off.

I was in Queensway friday morning, sadly a lot of boats on the south pontoon were damaged, some quite bad as a result of the bad weather wednesday night. Very bouncy in Marina Bay too, a large motor yacht actually put to sea rather than risk damage. Easterlies again!
 
capnsensible said:
Walk aft, pulling thin line up from the water to recover fixed mooring line an secure it to stern. You now realise why it's often called a slime line.
Click to expand...

I'd think about wearing gloves for this - there may be all sorts of sharp barnacles etc and on the line.

Enjoy Gib' - I worked there for 3 years and loved the place.
 
capnsensible said:
Shepards are not building a marina. There is one under construction just across the border in La Linea, to be called Alcaidesa Marina (Puerto Deportivo).

The first berths are due to be available from march this year and looks to be on schedule. The marina infrastructure is due to include bars, restaurants, chandler, etc but that may well be some years off.

I was in Queensway friday morning, sadly a lot of boats on the south pontoon were damaged, some quite bad as a result of the bad weather wednesday night. Very bouncy in Marina Bay too, a large motor yacht actually put to sea rather than risk damage. Easterlies again!
Click to expand...

Yes, New Marina is in La Linea called Alcaidesa. Looking good except no facilities and security will have to be high as unemployment now 20% over the border.

http://www.puertodeportivoalcaidesa.es/en/localizacion/



I am on the South Pontoon in QQM and was the only boat that did not get damaged! Overall though a great Marina. I am happy there,

Cheers

Paul
 
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