Is Mar Menor safe?

[EspenK]

Posted this on one of the other forums, but thought there might be more answers here; I´m looking for a place in Spain to keep my boat over the next winter, and a friend recommended leaving it on the anchor/ a bouy in Mar Menor. Has any of you done this over an extended period, and have any views on the chances of it being wrecked or stolen? It´s a 35 year old 23 footer, so not much value to steal.. If anybody has any alternative harbours on a very tight budget that´s also gold.

Cheers!

 

[Zanziba]

Wouldn;t it be safer (and free or even money making) to lend it to a friend or rent it to a mate for a notional fee for the few months you aren't using it?

 

[johnf]

Hi There are a number of yachts lying in Mr Menor to illegal moorings. These are I understand generally just big lumps of concrete and in particular one large catamrran that has been there for at least 4 years as far as i know.

I would be a bit nervous of anchor as no where is fully sheltered and there can be a run of perhaps 2 or3 miles producing occasional nasty chop in winter. Otherwise good place for sailing

 

[Downsman]

If the winter 'Deal' I was offered for my 10 metre boat for 2010/11 in AlMerimar is a guide, I would consider enquiring there for your 23 footer. Plenty of live-a-boards who might keep an eye on it too if you ask around.

 

[chinita]

I spent a few years around the Mar Menor.

I would not leave a boat completely unattended for any length of time.

Although the wave action is obviously less than the Med, the wind can still kick up - particularly from the East. As far as theft goes, who knows what may happen. The Mar Menor is very quiet over the winter but you just cannot take the risk IMO. Locking it up is fruitless as anybody on a mission will be fully tooled up and you are likely to return to a jemmied hatch.

A few long shots:

1.Going back some five years there used to be a South African Family permanently at anchor just East of the outgoing entrance to the canal. They had a big yellow steel boat - Mollymawk -and the guy was an extremely competent, and much in demand, mechanic. Perhaps if he is still there you could ask to anchor close to and ask him to keep an eye on it.

2. At about the same time there was a Phillipino guy named Raimund. Excellent at all things and very gererous hearted. Try to track him down (ask in any of the bars) and he may well keep an eye on her.

3. Don't know if you were aware of it but there are lots of Noggies in La Manga area, particularly around Tomas Maestre Marina. They are mainly from Trondheim for some reason. There is one particular bar/restaurant in the marina which is Norwegeian owned and you could ask around there for anyone who may be able to help. Problem is finding anyone sober!

Good luck.

 

[EspenK]

Cheers for the help! May look like my original plan isn´t the best afterall.. The guy who told me about it lives in Los Alcantares, and could probs keep an eye on it. But I can´t see how much that would help in the case of theft, as the only difference would be that I learned of it a bit faster.

I could leave it in a marina, but as I´m on a super low budget atm it would have to be a lot cheaper than what I´ve found so far. And then there´s the question of security again, how much difference does it make to leave it on a pontoon in an unguarded marina?

 

[rivonia]

If you do leave it in Mar Menor. Give a key to Raimund the Phillipino. You will find him working on boats in the marina. He would for a nominal fee look at it on a daily basis. Or as has been suggested let some one live on board for free over the period you are away.

Good luck

Peter

 

[chinita]

If you do leave it in Mar Menor. Give a key to Raimund the Phillipino. You will find him working on boats in the marina. He would for a nominal fee look at it on a daily basis. Or as has been suggested let some one live on board for free over the period you are away.

Good luck

Peter

Good to hear that Raimund is still around.

I remember once taking a mate to him. Raimund was working in his garage on the Marina. He had a curtain dividing the front of the garage from the back.

As we were talking, his wife and two of his kids emerged from behind the curtain.

As we left, my mate whispered to me: "Do they live in there" !!!

 

[rivonia]

Good to hear that Raimund is still around.

I remember once taking a mate to him. Raimund was working in his garage on the Marina. He had a curtain dividing the front of the garage from the back.

As we were talking, his wife and two of his kids emerged from behind the curtain.

As we left, my mate whispered to me: "Do they live in there" !!!

Yes he is still there and still working hard. A realy very nice chap.

Peter

 

[Zanziba]

Reading this thread with posts like "Give a key to Raimand who you can find in the marina" started to make me think I was playing "Morrowind" !!!