Mediterranean Adventure

[saltydave]

Hi all, I am a new forum user but a resonably old salt.
Recently acquired an 8 metre in Spain and for the first real challenge want to sail to, and overnight stay in Lloret de Mar.
Trouble is that I do not seem to find much info on how to book a berth, entry hazards, etequette, costs, phone numbers etc....
Can anyone help me with advice or point me to a good reference guide that will take the risk out of this endeavour.

 

[Swagman]

Purchase pilot books to cover your planned area. Costa del Alzahar, Dorada and Brava from Imray Norie & Wilson = www.imray.com or a local chandler.
Whilst these pilots are impossible to keep 100% up to date - they give mudmaps on each port / anchorage - guides to procedures / raido channels / phone numbers etc - and rate bands for each marina.
Enjoy!
Cheers
JOHN

 

[saltydave]

Thanks for the advice... I had seen references to that paticular pilot but never seen inside the cover.... Is there sufficient information for me to plan a safe and secure arrival such as reserving a mooring in advance? because I am sure this sort of marina gets pretty busy in August.
But I should get the book anyway, to prepare alternative strategies for entry into other ports.

 

[Steve Clayton]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there sufficient information for me to plan a safe and secure arrival

[/ QUOTE ]

No
As John says these pilot books provide a host of information and do provide marina approach information - but may be several years out of date.

You will need up to date charts as well.

Steve

 

[saltydave]

Thanks, this is useful information.
Charts I have..... All inanimate objects I feel sufficiently confident that I can manage. It is the unknowns of people, traffic, and potential disappointments of arriving with no available berth that concern me and will not endear me to my family that will be accompanying me.

 

[angelsson]

Good advice re the pilots etc, always found them invauable.
Charts can also be purchased locally, in a small scale.
Whilst most places in the Med get busy in the season, i found calling them is a courtesy i always adopt, but often find i do not receive a reply, just going in and look for a spot to berth or raft up whilst you go to the office for instructions. mostly stern to berthing, you will have lots of help i found from other boaties, believe it or not found Germans very helfull, dont be afraid to ask.
Mike

 

[saltydave]

Steve,
This is the information I needed. First time sailing in Spanish waters and trying to do things right whilst entering a strange port, so I do not want to embarass myself or other sailboat owners eyeballing me.
I will get the pilot book, pick a good large weather window, try to telephone ahead, plan to arrive with plenty of time to arrange an alternative destination, or even return to my home berth if it does not work out.
A few such trips will build up my confidence.
thanks

Dave

 

[saltydave]

Thanks Mike and John too... together it was the advise I needed

Dave

 

[stravaig03]

In the north of Spain and Majorca the marina office runs the marina but a number, sometimes the majority of berths are private. If it's overnight stops it may well pay not to phone ahead, if they say no, and they do, it's harder to go in anyway. If you go in first a space is usually found, in my case always found. If stuck don't forget the deisel pontoon closes around 8pm and reopens at 7.30am
Trying to book ahead in Majorca in 2003 my wife phoned at least 20 marinas, none would take a reservation for a month. Some would take a booking for that night but not many. When you get there and are tied up, THEN you can book in for a month. If staying for weeks or months Private berths are also sublet via the yacht brokers and even chandlers, payable in cash only.

 

[jfm]

You need to buy a Livre de Bord. It contains all this info. It's what all med sailors use. It's same size as a telphone directory, about €21 from all med chandlers

I've only ever bought it in Med. If searching Amazon etc, look for Bloc Marine Livre de Bord

 

[charles_reed]

Lloret del Mar

Can't find it in my (old) Livre en Bord, up-to-date one in boat in Gela.

Neither can I find it in any of the ICC Pilots for Mediterranean Spain.

My experience of Mediterranean Spain (3 years ago so it's now probably more abysmal) was that it was an hurdle placed in the way en route to the central and E mediterranean.

perhaps more exact coordinates would help?

On balance I'd suggest avoiding the place.

 

[charles_reed]

Thanks

Found the place.

Send me a PM with an e-mail address and I'll send you a scan of the pages from RCC 3rd edition.

It's a pretty exposed settled weather anchorage, with several equally unsuitable ones around.

 

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Mike and John too... together it was the advise I needed

Dave

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Dave,
Suspect you'll find trying to reserve ahead may not be possible unless you are looking for a permanent berth.
One can't blame the locals as they say lots of visiting Brits book - and then fail to arrive.
You'll find most marinas have a check out time of 1200 midday so if you PHONE THEM from say 1100 making sure they have your boat name, they will almost certainly tell you to call back after midday - but it kind of places you in the pecking order and usually helps you get a spot.
I tend to bug them again just before 1200 - so you might try that tactic also.

As others have said - July / August is BUSY - but so far I've always secured a spot - right time / place etc.

Enjoy
JOHN

 

[angelsson]

Here is another site which has lots of good info.
www.medsail.nildram.co.uk