Med Boating

[Philt66]

After not owning a boat for a few years I purchased a great condition 1990 Fairline Sprint with a new Volvo 4.3 petrol & leg this year. I keep her in Kent in a marina off The Swale and cruise both the Swale & The Medway. Tides do hamper use as I can only get in and out about 2 hours either side of high water. Currently on holiday in Spain and ( with a wine or 2 inside!) thinking it would be great to keep the boat down here - Mar Menor- as in a 3 week summer holiday, I would probably get more use of the boat than I would all summer in the UK. I have no VAT proof but do not think this will be an issue on a boat of this age( unless Brexit changes things). Do you think this is wise or should I put the money moving the boat in the UK to a marina with a lock so tides become less of an issue? Would be good to hear from motor boaters than have done the same.

 

[Hurricane]

Most on here would expect me to post on this.

Have a look at Sant Carles.
We have a lagoon (very similar to the Mar Menor) - right outside our marina entrance - 7 miles long 1.5 miles wide and 6m deep - good holding - safe anchorages all within 1nm.
The marina has a good boatyard where you can work on your own boat or pay local contractors.
It is one of the cheapest places to keep a boat - far cheaper than most UK marinas.
We have a good clubhouse and a swimming pool (most Med marinas don't have pools).
There is also a great British community out here - marina run by MDL so lots of English spoken.
Several people from this forum are berthed here.

If you want to know more, check out www.scmchat.com - our own forum - run by berth holders for berth holders - free to join and use - just register and we will approve your CHAT membership within a few hours.

Or ask more on here.

 

[jrudge]

Do you have Air Con and a generator ?

Its hot!

 

[petem]

Do you have Air Con and a generator ?

Its hot!

It's a blooming 1990 21ft boat! I'd be surprised if it has A/C and staggered it if has a Genset! You're right though, it is stifling inside a sports cruiser with no A/C although some people bear it.

 

[jrudge]

No idea how long it was but that is why i asked. The cost of transport will be hi and if no AC it will be not nice to be in and very tricky to sell in spain

 

[petem]

21ft Sprint could be towed behind a car so way cheaper than a truck. As you say if the OP wishes to sleep on board it would be worth investigating a second had or other cheap A/C unit to make sleeping on board bearable (if that's his intention).

 

[kashurst]

After not owning a boat for a few years I purchased a great condition 1990 Fairline Sprint with a new Volvo 4.3 petrol & leg this year. I keep her in Kent in a marina off The Swale and cruise both the Swale & The Medway. Tides do hamper use as I can only get in and out about 2 hours either side of high water. Currently on holiday in Spain and ( with a wine or 2 inside!) thinking it would be great to keep the boat down here - Mar Menor- as in a 3 week summer holiday, I would probably get more use of the boat than I would all summer in the UK. I have no VAT proof but do not think this will be an issue on a boat of this age( unless Brexit changes things). Do you think this is wise or should I put the money moving the boat in the UK to a marina with a lock so tides become less of an issue? Would be good to hear from motor boaters than have done the same.

med boating is lovely - warm, mostly fairly calm in the spring & summer, no tides, great for swimming etc
you could tow your own boat to the med for holidays - maybe leave it there to use again in the autumn.

but - if you are time limited by work to only a few weeks a year probably better to book a hotel near where you want to be and rent something. Looks expensive at first, but if you can only use your own boat for 2 -3 weeks a year you avoid mooring, servicing, antifouling, depreciation costs etc. Living on a small boat gets hard work pretty quick, especially so without aircon - it's 35 degs today in Guardamar. The novelty wears off pretty quick. Also boats that get little use tend to break down - you don't want to be fixing your own boat with the pi@@ed off crew aboard getting hot and bored. Don't forget flights for you and the family - despite ryanair and co's adverts it's an expensive weekend in the summer.

Can you sail? lots of saily boats for charter - we got into med boating by doing a sailing experience day trip, then a day skipper course etc etc.

 

[Philt66]

Hi, thanks for all the messages. The boat does not have A/C but I will not be overnighting on her - just days out, swimming & fishing. My long term plan is to buy property in Spain and keep her close to there.Was looking around Mar Menor ( I am in Mil Palmeras just south of Guardamar at the moment and yes it’s hot). But will certainly look into Sant Carles - have been to Alcossobre in that area before. Having a nice holiday but missing my boat and feeling envious every time someone drops their hook off the beach!