Med owners- time on board

ref BruceKs point, we found the way we use the boat changed when we moved to SoF. At first we tried to copy what we had been doing based in Lymington, by cruising to other marinas along the coast, but found that they were usually full, and as a result we got a bit disillusioned and even considered moving the boat back to Blighty. A few bad experiences with local boat fixers didn't help either.

We then started to spend more time on the hook, and it all began to make sense. Our days are mostly now about anchoring out, and filling the days with swimming, water toys, sunbathing, drinking, and eating, and we rarely try to get visitor berths anywhere. Instead we anchor out and tender in to the nearest town for dinner, walks, shopping or sightseeing.
 
Just looked back through my 2015 flights. 7 trips and a grand total of 22 nights on board! Probably shouldn't of looked!
 
At first we tried to copy what we had been doing based in Lymington, by cruising to other marinas along the coast,
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?457665-Med-owners-time-on-board/page5#pzSPGeD0xFgeK

All my boating has been in mallorca,and I've never understood why the above is the norm for UK motorboaters, maybe it's not the norm,but a large number of motor boaters in the UK seem to take that approach.

I know a couple that had a boat in the UK for a number of years,now they have ~30foot Sessa inmallorca, but they still won't drop the hook anywhere, they just go out,drive about for a bit and come back. Seems abit oddto me,but each to their own.
 
Sitting in the Nice airport lounge waiting for my delayed BA flight back and so far this year we have had 3 weeks on board over two trips. Next one won't be until July as we are selling our apartment and moving from Edinburgh to London. My wife is planning even more time on board as she has quit work (NHS loses another doctor) and is planning on really working on her tan.

And to top it all off we have put in an offer on an apartment in Beaulieu. That should help you get a feel of how much we love boating and living in the SofF.

Don't think. Do it!
 
Nick_H said:
ref BruceKs point, we found the way we use the boat changed when we moved to SoF. At first we tried to copy what we had been doing based in Lymington, by cruising to other marinas along the coast, but found that they were usually full, and as a result we got a bit disillusioned and even considered moving the boat back to Blighty. A few bad experiences with local boat fixers didn't help either.

We then started to spend more time on the hook, and it all began to make sense. Our days are mostly now about anchoring out, and filling the days with swimming, water toys, sunbathing, drinking, and eating, and we rarely try to get visitor berths anywhere. Instead we anchor out and tender in to the nearest town for dinner, walks, shopping or sightseeing.
Click to expand...

Agree with all of that but on our part of the Spanish mainland there aren't very many places to anchor.
That is, except our lagoon which is absolutely excellent for anchoring, swimming and water toys etc.
We are going to try the Costa Brava this summer and see if we can do what you guys do in the SoF.
Up to now, we have just blatted across to the Baldricks where there is plenty of anchoring.

I agree, in the UK, we always had a marina in mind when we went places.
And we did go to virtually all places up and down the English Channel - and beyond.
But we always ended up in a marina.
In Mallorca last August, even when the wind was strong, we anchored - I remember moving the boat backwards and forwards between Santa Ponsa and Palma Nova for about 10 days - each time hiding from the wind.
Only going into a marina for a couple of days - spending most of August on anchor.
The weather in Mallorca last August wasn't typical.
 
julians said:
The weather in Mallorca last August wasn't typical.
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?457665-Med-owners-time-on-board/page5#fQ3CDfYFWETKvJHS.99

Actually I thought the weather at the end of last august was pretty typical for mallorca at that time of year. It can be quite unsettled. I remember seeing you in palma nova bay.
Click to expand...

Not in our experience.

BTW when did you see us?

This was the wind one night.

IMG_8058_Small_zpsipno7ozi.jpg


IMG_8056_Small_zpsufqndceu.jpg


Some of the yachties from Sant Carles spend most of the summer in the Baldricks and head back via Ibiza in October.
Last year most of them were all back by mid September.

We are better set this year - bigger anchor - chain stopper and the heavier chain.
I'm thinking of a late season run to Ibiza around the last week in September - blat across and stay for week on anchor.
Going to try a different mind set - a cruise to Ibiza from SC - if the weather isn't up to it we won't go - if it blows up we return to SC.
Kind of "doing Ibiza from SC"
In the past, we have had the mind set of going into marinas - the idea of this one is to do the opposite.
A problem for us might be water. We don't have a water maker - to date, not really missed having one.
At the moment there will only two of us board and we have 1000 litres which should be enough for a week.
We could always pop in to a marina and get some - even planing across we should be ok for fuel but maybe a little pootle will ensure that.
 
Don't remember the date,but it was one of the days in the last week of August. We (windy 25- name :gone away) were anchored about 100m off your bows in palma nova one day.

I've been boating in mallorca for the last 30 years or so ( initially as a child on parents boats,but latterly and for the last 16 years as an owner), late August has a significant chance of being like last year Imo.
 
petem said:
I'm not sure I agree with you regarding being an employee. I get 30 days holiday a year and hope to move to a 9 day fortnight over the summer when I get a boat so in theory, making best use of weekends and bank holidays I could be on board 50+ days a year.
Click to expand...
Thats puts you in a fortunate position, Pete. I'm not sure many employers would agree to key staff working 9 day fortnights or maybe I'm behind the times on that
 
Interesting to hear about dropping the hook in the med for overnights but not the UK. From my own side there is only one other marina I go to, Victoria Dock Caernarfon, but usually when on a social or cant make the bar due to tides. I'd say more than 80% of my trips include overnights, and of that just about all are on the hook. As I said previously we can find shelter some where on the island or Lleyn in just about all conditions you'd venture out in in the first instance.

This was us this weekend, Billy No Mates again :p

20160604_144645.jpg
 
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