Good base / cruising grounds in Western Med??

[bluedragon]

I love the UK coastline, but am losing patience with the crappy weather. Either we need a wheelhouse yacht or move our summer cruising to somewhere with a more settled climate. Is there anywhere in the W.Mediterranean where one can a) find a berth and base a yacht all year round at a reasonable cost b) that is not too hot c) has interesting cruising grounds not too far away? We've sailed in the Adriatic, Greece and Turkey in the past and it's really too hot and crowded for us in July/August in particular. Hence thoughts about France, Spain maybe?? Perhaps even the Atlantic (Portugal?). I'd be interested in the opinions of others who have also given-up on the UK and adjacent waters for similar reasons, and any sites that would be good for information / research over the months ahead.

 

[bilbobaggins]

Southern Portugal has a range of sound options - and is still quite economic.

Have a looksee on Google Earth!

Oh, and have a look at today's Sunday Times article on the prospect of future mini-hurricanes of the TRS type in the Med....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[franky]

We have just left Almerimar to continue our cruise around the Med.
Spoke to quite a few liveaboards there who are all very satisfied with Marina.Prices are reasonable.The only problem we found is that it is a long way from anywhere but there are buses and taxis (€45 to Almeria airport).
Travelling North there are very few berths available for more than one or two nights.We were lucky to find a two week berth at Marina Las Dunas.Guadamar de Segura.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Have patience Roger,

Its all averages.

We are going to get some hot weather before December!!

Or why not just hire a yacht in the Med this year!

It will come good again.............

some time!!

Mj

 

[bluedragon]

That's what I've been telling myself as well Mark, but this is the second year we've tried to cruise the British and Irish coasts and end up sitting in a harbour somewhere waiting for the weather to improve. I've done the charter thing in the past. What we want to do now is live aboard for a few months in the summer in a pleasant climate. Been out of Cardiff twice since the beginning of June with a view to being away for a month or so and we're back again! Sure we could just press on regardless, but I really don't enjoy sailing (or sitting around) in the rain.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Have to say that every year that I have visited Ireland the weather has been foul.

So I say go south....

An aquaintance of mine keeps his boat in Turkey, and swears by it. He only get five weeks sailing a year, and certainly gets quality sailing.

But I would rather have the boat to spend week-ends on and have a bit of piece and quiet 50 week-ends a year!

This is the first year in 12 that I have had to postpone the sailing holiday.

So I guess you pays yu money and takes yer choice.

Mj

 

[jimbaerselman]

My website compares the cruising areas of Europe in order to help owners or charterers to decide where to base . . . it covers stuff like 'give it a miss' or 'must see', price, crowding and seasons in general terms. It should help you decide . . .

If you like quieter areas, with strong local interest and character, consider the Rias of Spain. Flights to Santiago de Compostela. 5C warmer than S England, and sunnier, but still prone to (fewer) periods of rain.

W Med is expensive and very crowded, especially in season. You can escape these problems in the E Med. The temperature differences are hardly noticeable - local effects are stronger than the area effects. Keep clear of the Saronic, in Greece, in high summer . . . or SE Turkey. Both are a bit short of decent coolling breezes. One solution to heat, of course, is to return to UK for August!

S Portugal and Atlantic S Spain? Good climate. Linear cruising, excepting a trip up the River Guardiana and another to visit Seville (spring or autumn only, unless you want to fry). Cadiz bay os pleasant too, with some excellent seafood restaurants.

It'll be fun deciding - and worth it.

 

[Sea Devil]

I would 2nd Almirima as a good place to keep a boat with good security - also any port near Malaga or Alicante. The trick is to be able to fly out there reasonably cheaply and be sure that the boat is OK when you get there. Still quite 'warm' places...

The trick is to look where the cheap airlines go and then follow that to the ports nearby.... I think you need to end up in the Med or Canaries as the weather has been dreadful here on the west coast of France as well.