Lets all move to the Med!!?

[thecommander]

Over on the dark side there's a trend of permanently moving their boats the med. Nicer weather, cheaper moorings, nicer food, more interesting harbours and anchorages, no tides, the list goes on and on. Sounds perfect, right? But with these nice things comes a massive pain in the arse - air transport and the onward connections to your berth. For a wealthy sailor airfares aren't an issue, but wealth doesn't exclude the hassle and stress of getting to and from the airport, waiting an hour to board followed by two hours on a cramped plane. Bearable if you only visit a couple of times a year, but some on the dark side are flying out every weekend. I cannot comprehend why people do this and no amounts of getting pissed on in the Solent could ever make me want to do it.

I'm I missing something, or I'm I not wealthy enough to understand?

 

[stranded]

Over on the dark side there's a trend of permanently moving their boats the med. Nicer weather, cheaper moorings, nicer food, more interesting harbours and anchorages, no tides, the list goes on and on. Sounds perfect, right? But with these nice things comes a massive pain in the arse - air transport and the onward connections to your berth. For a wealthy sailor airfares aren't an issue, but wealth doesn't exclude the hassle and stress of getting to and from the airport, waiting an hour to board followed by two hours on a cramped plane. Bearable if you only visit a couple of times a year, but some on the dark side are flying out every weekend. I cannot comprehend why people do this and no amounts of getting pissed on in the Solent could ever make me want to do it.

I'm I missing something, or I'm I not wealthy enough to understand?

If you are wealthy enough, it doesn't need to be that stressful. I am not, unfortunately, but I used to travel a lot through work, and pre-austerity we would when possible use virgin upper class (at prices way lower than private citizens would pay I should add!). Car from home or office to a special gate at Heathrow where the driver would take any bags to check in, 2 minutes and you're through to a lounge posher than many smart hotels. Lovely kip on the plane, vip 'queue' at arrivals then a driver waiting to carry your bags and whoosh you from the airport to your first meeting. To the med it won't be virgin and the actual plane bit will be somewhat less luxurious, but the rest is perfectly doable - if you have the dosh. But no, I still wouldn't do it regularly for normal, rather than extended, weekends.

 

[Tranona]

I'm I missing something, or I'm I not wealthy enough to understand?

Definitely viable - although most of the MOBO folks are in Spain and France and I kept my boat in Corfu. The reward is that you can use your boat far more as the weather is reliable. Very different from sailing in the UK as the boat becomes more of a platform for living and enjoying the scenery, food people etc. Actual sailing is secondary. If you keep your boat close to an airport (as in Corfu) where there are budget flights it need not be expensive, nor particularly stressful if you avoid peak season.

 

[maby]

It's certainly not for me! Apart from the fact that it is far too time consuming, I hate flying - haven't been on a plane for close to ten years.... Iberia came close to giving me an unplanned swim in the Bay of Biscay and I decided to keep my feet firmly on the ground after that!

 

[sailaboutvic]

Definitely viable - although most of the MOBO folks are in Spain and France and I kept my boat in Corfu. The reward is that you can use your boat far more as the weather is reliable. Very different from sailing in the UK as the boat becomes more of a platform for living and enjoying the scenery, food people etc. Actual sailing is secondary. If you keep your boat close to an airport (as in Corfu) where there are budget flights it need not be expensive, nor particularly stressful if you avoid peak season.

Oh it really really bad , planes full of sweating people , kids crying ,
all them hours getting thought airport security .
Taxi driver ripping you off. The summers really hot , you can't sleep at night ,mossy bitting you to bits if you do manage to get to sleep ,
anchorages packed with boat . Greman stark naked , French smelling of garli , Italian screaming day and night .
Jelly fish by the thousand , it really not nice , best to stay in England ,
Tranona will you stop encourages people to leave the Uk just because you return and want the place for your self ,

 

[Resolution]

Commander
We are now in our third year in the Med and unlikely to bring the boat back to Blighty.
Finances are compelling; my berth in a Hamble marina used to cost the best part of £10,000 including winter lift outs and hardstanding. Being close to home, we had little excuse not to do the scraping and anti-fouling ourselves, which became harder and harder each year as we aged.
In Turkey, the annual berth costs about £3,000, boatyard costs add perhaps another £1,000 all in, with some nice young guys doing a better job than we did. With return airfares on the daily EasyJet about £300 per person all in, the sailing budget has plenty of room for sun tan cream, anti mossie spray, garlic etc etc . The Russians who were a pain last year have been told by the nice Mr Putin to stay away from Turkey (or be shot down??), the Germans may be absent while Mrs M and President E bicker, which leaves the scene to the Brits and the Dutch (many of whom seem to be blonde with long legs).
Actually the sailing is terrible - too much wind most of the time, too hot with 90% sun, and water that is not always crystal clear. And far too many big motor boats not owned by Brits.
And I hear that it is even worse in Croatia......

 

[thecommander]

Resolution you make a very good argument! Thanks.

SWMBO and I have often thought about selling the house and quitting our jobs then flying out to Greece buying a cheap yacht and spending the next few years cruising around the med. Only returning home to see the family twice a year.

Flying out every weekend, or even once a month seems ridiculous!

 

[RichardS]

We have had our boat (sailing) in Glorious Croatia for 8 years and we enjoy around 3 holidays per year on her. Greece and Italy are also within easy reach.

In those 8 years we have flown from the UK to Croatia ......... once!

It's such an easy drive, motorway all the way, that we wonder why anyone would want to fly. With four people in the car it's not expensive per person either.

Richard

 

[sailaboutvic]

We have had our boat (sailing) in Glorious Croatia for 8 years and we enjoy around 3 holidays per year on her. Greece and Italy are also within easy reach.

In those 8 years we have flown from the UK to Croatia ......... once!

It's such an easy drive, motorway all the way, that we wonder why anyone would want to fly. With four people in the car it's not expensive per person either.

Richard

Richard
We back in Croatia some time mid to late June for three months , let me know if your about maybe we can all have a few beers .

 

[Tranona]

Flying out every weekend, or even once a month seems ridiculous!

Flying out regularly like that is not common - but again if you have a jet setter lifestyle it is no big deal.

For ordinary people the way Richard S does it (and I did) having 3 decent periods a year in the early and late summer is viable - and if you count the cost per hour on the boat better than weekend sailing in the UK - never mind the quality of the experience. What is more my wife enjoyed that far more than she ever did on the boat in the UK.

 

[mjcoon]

Definitely viable - although most of the MOBO folks are in Spain and France and I kept my boat in Corfu. The reward is that you can use your boat far more as the weather is reliable. Very different from sailing in the UK as the boat becomes more of a platform for living and enjoying the scenery, food people etc. Actual sailing is secondary. If you keep your boat close to an airport (as in Corfu) where there are budget flights it need not be expensive, nor particularly stressful if you avoid peak season.

Oooh, the Mediterranean weather must be different for the wealthy too, then!

Mike.

 

[Tranona]

Oooh, the Mediterranean weather must be different for the wealthy too, then!

Mike.

Yes. See the parallel thread on the MOBO forum. Predictable weather far and away the big draw.

 

[macd]

SWMBO and I have often thought about selling the house and quitting our jobs then flying out to Greece buying a cheap yacht and spending the next few years cruising around the med. Only returning home to see the family twice a year.

Then you may have cause to be glad that some people behave as you decry. The previous owner of our boat had holidayed on her just two or three times per year for 18 years. Even the original crockery looked new. Good buy.

 

[RupertW]

We are in our 6th Season in the Med. First 3 years in Croatia, 1 in Corfu, 1 in Italy and now based near Thessaloniki. Tomorrow we fly out for our 5th time this year, with 2 more trips to come this year including a 3 week trip through the islands and back to Italy for the Winter.
We just move the boat to a marina near an Easyjet or Ryanair airport and most flights are pretty cheap if booked months in advance and outside school holidays.
Two or 3 working long weekends in the winter then a week at a time sailing plus one longer cruise especially if moving boat to the next base.
No real downsides so far apart from getting parts and work done remotely so now pretty self sufficient.
The upsides are huge as we change one sunny cruising ground for another and spend time swimming and living on the hook.
We had done the South coast, Normandy and Brittany over decades so really wanted a change.
Marina fees much better except Croatia which is just a bit better. Currently 4800 Euros for 12.5m boat in a 5 star resort (I think boats are supposed to be the pretty backdrop to their well heeled guests.

 

[shan]

I calculated that if Mr Shan & I moored a boat North of Barcelona, we could then fly out 5 to 6 times a year for the cost of 1 charter in the med. Obviously the mooring cost are not part of this calculation, although it will be a damn sight cheaper than here.

 

[RichardS]

Richard
We back in Croatia some time mid to late June for three months , let me know if your about maybe we can all have a few beers .

Hi Vic - I'll PM you.

Richard

 

[GHA]

Bearable if you only visit a couple of times a year,

That's your personal perception, others (like me ) don't find it that awful an experience. And if your boats near a tourist Airport then it's often cheaper than getting a train in the UK. A while ago getting back to Portugal and having a quick beer in faro before jumping on the train used to give such a sense of well being it was more than worth a bit of time in an airport

 

[chinita]

I agree.

It is all about flexibility and planning (not as contradictory as it sounds). I travel to the Algarve fairly frequently.

Book well in advance, travel VERY light, get into a chilled mind before entering the airport, don't get wound up by security ( just think mate, I shall be in glorious sunshine before you have finished your shift), allow plenty of time, be self sufficient with snacks, water, beer or whatever.

Wait until everybody has rushed forward, then amble through. I always found that by adopting this policy I was last on the plane and sat in the rearmost seats which always seemed to be free.

In Faro, a coach takes you to the plane. Last in the queue last on the coach. Last on the coach first off the coach (apart from the speedy boarders). First off the coach, go to the rear entrance (most rush to the forward one), up the steps and into the rear seat.

I usually have a hire car waiting at Faro, keys under the mat. Time from plane doors opening to driving out of the car park around 30 mins. Alternatives are train or shuttle. Frankly, car hire is peanuts off season so I go for that for more flexibility. When you get to know the hire company they will arrange it all with a simple e- mail. Pop into the office at some time to settle up. They won't rip me off - too much competition and they do not want to lose their reputation.

On arrival at the marina, go on board. Everything nice and warm. Plug in shore power, switch on fridge then off to the bar to meet mates.

Mind you, I only do this in Spring, Autumn and Winter. If you are lucky you can pick up amazing deals - not just from Ryan air and Easyjet. I have flown with Norwegian and Aer Lingus. The Aer Lingus flight was the first return flight of the season to Cork. Twelve on board and cost €19.00.

It can be done. Won't say it is particularly fun - but it is cheap.

 

[Mrnotming]

We did Malta weeks once a month for two years, then Rome.Flights not a problem.
Living in Dublin can make say Dub-Marseille more expensive and the flights are peak season only.Off season its not really worth going as it has to be via Gatwick, thence to Marseille with Easyjet.That was when we had work commitments.

However being retired now and barring health hiccups, we prefer to load up the estate car or touring, whatever they call them now, and drive in a leisurely fashion to Rosslare Ferryport in Wexford.
Irish Ferries Oscar Wilde is one of the preferred ships and a lovely vessel to travel on compared to the old "Normandy".
We dock at Roscoff and take our time driving until we need a hotel, easy with TomTom or Garmin etc.
The following day, refreshed we drive onwards to Marseilles, and arrive in good shape ready to park our car in the boatyard(covering it with light white sheets sewn together, to preserve the paintwork.
A chat with the head boatman ensures a travel hoist launch in about two days, allowing rigging and engine test before launch.Two Chandlers on site.
So then its off to sea if the Mistral allows, if not, up to the village marina to wait for calmer weather.
Once out of the Golf of Fos the marinas are plentiful, and fairly priced.
So, in a nutshell as OP's have outlined, it's a time management thing, and if one is time poor, stress could result.
If time is not an issue lots of opportunities present themselves, not least the usefully economical way the french use "dry ports" which suit us down to the ground.
good med boating folks!

 

[geem]

I am glad you lot love the Med. Thats leaves the Caribbean for us. UK winters are terrible. Caribbean winters are a dream. Loads of wind, great climate and warm water. I can just about stand a UK summer so thats how we do it. Never need to go through another UK winter again.