Great Debate

yes or no

  • yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • no

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
S

StewartC

Well-Known Member
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14 Dec 2005
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358
Location
London
www.mby.com
In January's MBM, we ran a Great Debate on boating in the Med, inspired, mainly, by 2007's terrible summer that upset every single one of MBM's Cruising Club events. Now we'd like to hear what you have to say.

The question was: Is Med boating all it's cracked up to be?

Cast your vote below, and let's hear your thoughts. As ever, the results of the poll will be printed in an upcoming issue of MBM.
 
So far I have yet to find the downside! OK, i dont have the biggest boat, but in the SoF:

- Boat parts cost less
- Fuel costs less
- It rains about half a day per year
- Marina Security is generally very good
- Port Police are very active
- You can stay in sheltered waters or go a bit further out of you want a bit of rough (seas /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ) for a challenge
- You can motor up to a beach, hook up to a floating buoy and literally swim through the warm med water to the restaurant on the beach, as if it's the most normal thing in the world
- No tides, go out when you want

The list could go on and on, but I dont have the time /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yes, but its really only the weather, and maybe a little bit the tides. The cruising grounds are good, but personally I don't think they are a match for the West Country, Channel Islands and N coast of France. Even if they were, most places are full in season, and with no rafting when they're full they're full, whereas we always seemed to squeeze in somewhere in the UK, plus rafting is undeniably more sociable. We've had some great food in France, but we also had some great food on our travels along the south coast of England, and there are definitely lots of restaurants on the Cote D'Azur serving very average food. It's a bit cheaper in France, or rather it was, but with the sterling devaluation, i doubt that's true now.

So, its not ALL its cracked up to be, and of course you have the travel to contend with, but the weather makes it. You are almost guaranteed sunshine, its calm most of the time in the summer, and the water is warm and clear. The warm evenings for 4 or 5 months of the year is also a big plus, its just so much nicer eating outside when you're on a boat. For us, these things outweigh any downsides.
 
Well - yes and no.

Climate's great, sea is warmer and, with some exceptions, it's less crowded than the Solent that I know and love. Scenery is stunning, many exotic locations and, particularly in France, memorable meals ashore.

But: It's a long way away,you can't just pop down to the boat (especially at this time of year) to have a little tinker, you have to pay a fortune for Guardiennage (or whatever the locals call it) and if you have a small boat like mine, it will look even smaller next to most of the stuff in the Med. The weather isn't necessarily all sunshine and roses either; strong winds can spring up at a moment's notice.

If you live out there, many of these objections disappear. Otherwise you have to compromise and put up with the UK's occasional tendency to have rubbish summers.

We managed a good compromise last summer, by virtue of using our Solent based boat when we could, and going somewhere a bit warmer for a couple of weeks sailing.....

DSC01001.jpg


....which was nice..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I know that for as long as I can remember I have been drawn to Motorboats & Marinas (not the rust-bucket made by BL in the 70's) . And whenever we holiday in the Med, whilst the wife is getting herself and the kids ready for the evening. I will wander off for an hour or so admiring the Cruisers in the nearest Marina.

I very nearly bought my first boat in 1992 from Shepherds of Windermere. It never happened.

Then last summer whilst holidaying in Palma Nova. I was fortunate enough to have a balcony overlooking the bay, and being mid July there was an abundance of beautiful boats of all sizes to admire.

That was it, we both agreed we had to get our boat.

We are now the proud owners of a Rinker 266, she is not in the Med but I feel like we have taken our "first step" towards that.

The plan is for me and SWMBO to gain as much nautical knowledge as we can over the next few years and if all goes well, to buy something slightly bigger and moor her in the Med.

I don't know if is "all it's cracked up to be". But I sure as hell hope to get an opportunity to decide for myself.
 
One of the Boats I had the fortune to look out on every morning featured in the December issue of MBY, regarding a family that chartered a Super Yacht for 14 days.

She was called Helios 2

main_568x418.jpg
 
As no one else will put there head above the trench.

Its miles away ...no spontaneity
It can be too hot.
It can be too windy.
It can be just as cold in winter
It can be too crowded.
It can be difficult to get anywhere to berth.
It is expensive to get there.
It can be a blimming awful journey.
You must rely on someone else to do the tiniest little job and then pay for it,of course.
It is not as cheap as some would have you believe,eat at some of the restuarants surrounding any marina for proof. . /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
It would be nice to have the choice and find out for myself but I am one of those that has to work to maintain my boat and taking weeks' off is difficult. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm not complaining as I now get to my boat nearly every weekend. Some of the best trips and weekend stop overs we enjoyed last year were fantastic and in reasonable weather and excellent company. Most of which were totally unplanned and at short notice. This included both bank holidays to the channel islands which had a mention here in 'The search for Wokingham.' (Hurricane)

I would imagine that you would be less likely to enjoy the company of friends in the med as you couldn't very often arrange to be there during the same weeks.

Being able to nip down to the boat frequently by far out weighs the more predictable weather of the Med and I really have little desire to queue up for EasyJet or similar.

I also think the 'oldgit's' made some valid points, even if a little negative. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I dont mind, just couldnt be arsed.

Would consider eastern med, Greek Isles or Turkey. Always enjoyed it down there.

But the western med, dont interest me at all. No interest in flashy boats, just ones that do the job. The marinas are boringly soffisticated, there for orrible.

Now a little taverna on a greek isle beach, or a little pub up the Fal or Tamar, or, or, or.

Then course there the arse about getting there and back. Bloody airports, then planes, with your knee's in your mouth.

Nothing appealing at all, well apart from the greek, turkey bit.
 
Ditto! For details see previous posts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I suspect MartynK is still working on his answer /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Have tried the SW French coast and Spain - got as far as Barcelona - and turned back - reasons? - too expensive in marinas, port staff did not like a single-handed woman - bad treatment by port staff - and in Spain - filthy wine and food.
Now in Canal du Midi - pleasant, inexpensive, great food and a very good berth in Carcassonne for the winter
 
Cant be arsed with thetravel to get there.....is it really cheaper when you take into count flights, get to and from the airport and the time.



I'm on the boat now, which I use a bit like a caravan at this time of year....cant go anywhere but its nice to get here and chill doing not much....


Except looking at the YBW forum of course /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
We're lucky that we live close to the airport, and I have some flexibility on work times. Because of that we really find the travel OK, even with a 2 yr old in tow. We take hand luggage only, check in online, and we chose a marina close to the airport at the other end. It takes us under 4 hrs dood to door to Antibes, which is not much more hassle than driving from Birmingham to Plymouth, and you're more likely to get delayed on the M5 than on a flight.
 
I voted yes but then again I would cos I live here so no travel problems.

Take yesterday or example cruised at about 20knts to Gib all on fly just neded light jackets air temp 18c. Filled up duty free. Did some business in Gib, ate lunch al freso at Biancas in Marina Bay in shirt sleeves.

Cruised back to Duquesa seas now flat calm, spotted some dolphins.

Met up with custmers who had done their YM exam same day, for an evening celebration drink. No worries

(today easterly set in 4-5 so not always calm)
 
I never boated in the Med, but it sounds all a bit windy and tainted with nasty money grabbing Guardia Civil.

As for last year, I had a great time and didn't have to postpone a single trip due to the weather, although I did shift one trip, I think from a Sunday to Saturday, as the forecast was not that good.
 
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