Lake Como

MapisM

MapisM

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Ain't it funny?
After spending 3+ months down under, I take a plane to fly back home and I find on the inflight magazine an article suggesting to travel to the very same place where I'm coming from...!
And a rather well made article, I must say - so much so that I thought to scan it and send it to some folks who are going to come here on holiday.
Therefore, while I was at that, I thought that I could as well post it here, just in case anyone might wish to have a look...
...after all, it's also a great place for boating! :cool:

Full article accessible at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eo2vvn57y08pug5/Lake Como.pdf

Btw, if any Aussie is reading this, I'd be curious to hear what does "voyeur" sound like, in the land of Oz! :p
Someone at VA must have thought that it was an appropriate title for their magazine, after all..... :D

Cover.jpg
 
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I see that there have been quite some views since yesterday, but no replies.
Not that I was making any questions, actually, but just in case, feel free to ask for any details, I do know the place pretty well.
Btw, that's where I'm posting from at the moment (Menaggio), and while driving up here this morning I saw a LOT of British cars along the road, in spite of the fact that the season is at the very beginning...
...in fact, coming to think of it, maybe the place doesn't need my advertising support! :)
 
Hi,

perhaps you could give us the inside information on the "rules and regulations" as there are lots of opinions on different forums but its hard to tell the truth from the guesses.

Things like lake regulations, licences, insurances, speed limits and other local rules, slipways etc.

Other things like Italian trailer towing regulations etc.

Thanks

Martin
 
Hi P,
Actually, SWMBO has been begging to go to Lake Como on a 'normal' holiday for quite a while now. Personally, i'm into Dark Tourism, my last trip being to the infamous Bangkwang Prison in Bangkok (aka. Bangkok 'Hilton') - that's a conversation that'll require a stiff drink!

This weekend I am off to Chernobyl, so maybe after that I will take a trip to Lake Como this summer... it looks divine, but may be a bit too up-market for an Irish Paddy in the summer :D
 
MM, I am currently looking at the English version, Windermere. Lady wife and I are enjoying a relaxing few days here, despite the weather (8c and very wet). Really nice spot, but actually Coniston is a peach too. Visited the Bluebird Cafe this afternoon, great place. So good we will probably go back tomorrow.
 
Stunning! I remember Villa del Balbianello being discussed on here earlier. An absolute must to visit the area some day. As a complete side note, I noticed that the photos were by a countryman of mine.
 
Had to appease swmbo too with a normal hol so off to Lake Garda at the end of the month although will still hire a boat whilst there
 
Last time I was there the top end of the lake was full of timber and trees wash down from the hills
no good for watersports!
Had 2 weeks at a waterside apartment complete with sports boat absolutely beautiful area going back soon
 
mlines said:
Things like lake regulations, licences, insurances, speed limits and other local rules, slipways etc.
Other things like Italian trailer towing regulations etc.
Click to expand...
Doh! Me and my big mouth... :)
If there's something I'm far from being expert, that's the trailer regulation.
Anyway, the general principle is that the max width is 2.56 metres.
There are also weight and length limits, but I don't remember them by heart.
Otoh, I believe that most boats exceed the max width well before hitting the max weight/length.
Possible exceptions being ultrafast monohulls, some of which can be very long and narrow, and with big/heavy engines.
But that's the sort of boat you wouldn't want to trailer around the narrow Lake Como roads anyway. Much better suited for Florida or California...!
All that said, I believe it's accepted for any EU (but non-IT) citizen, driving a EU car/trailer, to comply "only" with his/her home Country regulation.
For instance, in IT the trailer, aside from being CE-compliant, must also have its own registration/plate number, while in the UK (afaik) you just use the same plate number of the car.
This is a good example of something I could NOT (as an IT citizen) do on IT roads, but a UK citizen is allowed to do.

Re. your other points:

1) no license is required for mobos whose main engine power is within 40hp (but again, I believe it's accepted that a UK citizen helms a UK flagged boat also above 40hp with no license, based on the principle that it's allowed in his home Country);
2) liability insurance is mandatory for all boats;
3) general speed limit is 27 knots, with a few more restrictive areas (the most noticeable being Piona bay, along the southern coast of the northernmost tip of the lake, where there's a no wake rule - and also around the town of Como, where there's even an area reserved for hydroplanes). This speed limit was established several years ago - before that, there wasn't any. In fact, some boatbuilders like Fabio Buzzi used the lake to test their boats, obviously at MUCH higher speeds. And I have reasons to believe that most of these folks (there are also others) still do that... Bottom line, if you are keen on slalom waterski, and you want to be pulled at the kosher 36mph, I wouldn't be too worried!
4) boat ramps are unfortunately very rare and poorly maintained - to the point that I would not suggest any of them. There are several marinas all around the lake though, all equipped with cranes, but obviously they charge some fees...

As a final/general thought, trailer boats are not very popular in Lake Como, mostly due to the lack of slipways.
There are "regular" tourists (mostly German) who bring there their trailer boat, but once arrived they leave the trailer in some marina and use their services.
But 'fiuaskme, unless you want to spend there a somewhat long period, going out by boat for most of it, it's much easier to just rent a 20' open boat with a 40hp outboard.
That's in fact the typical rental boat, easily available, and good enough to enjoy the lake in fair weather.
 
Summer. Wine said:
Looks a bit upmarket for a Kiwi boy.
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Naah, don't worry, D.
With the strong NZD that you've got at the moment, I'm sure you would find most things less expensive than around Auckland!

PS: now, why does your new avatar remind me of a very good chardonnay? :cool:
 
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MapisM said:
............Btw, if any Aussie is reading this, I'd be curious to hear what does "voyeur" sound like, in the land of Oz! :p
Someone at VA must have thought that it was an appropriate title for their magazine, after all..... :D
Click to expand...

Back when Virgin Oz introduced a new airline to the country it was intended to be non-conservative and eye catching, staffed by young attractive cabin crew, brightly coloured planes, something different from the traditional concept. I guess the slightly risqué magazine title was intended to amuse the punters and be different from the opposition, certainly worked from them anyway. :)

Btw, hope you both had a good trip home, and that naughty boy Summer Wine didn't lead you astray in those last couple of days, I think he could of potentially :D
 
Summer. Wine said:
Looks a bit upmarket for a Kiwi boy.
Click to expand...

Go on, you'll love it, stunning scenery and a great feel to the place. They seem to focus on the super glamorous villas in the promo photos of course, but the main areas are gorgeous small Italian village type streets with great bars and restaurants.

Thanks for coming into town and meeting us the other week SW, shame we couldn't of hung around a bit longer, we were having a bit of fun, you got a great sense of humour! :)
 
AndieMac said:
hope you both had a good trip home
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Yep, thanks. Long and boring, but a good trip altogether.
The nicest thing was finding 22 degrees upon arrival (after a stopover in LHR with SIX degrees...!), and realize that we practically skipped winter! :cool:
 
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