Messalonghi Marina

[Ray_G]

What is the latest info on this marina? Is it a building site or a functioning modern and safe marina? Is security up to scratch for leaving a yacht unattended for extended periods? Any information - good or bad - would be most welcome.

Also, which is the preferred route for flying back to the UK? I would prefer into Stansted if that is possible. Does anyone have the latest as web searches are not overly helpful with carriers cutting back on routes.

I am leaving Turkey in the spring and this marina looks a possibility for a summer base.

Ray

 

[curlysue]

We are based there for the winter this year. There is a good liveaboard community there and we were happy with the facilities. Security is OK, from what I have seen elsewhere in Greece ( Gouvia/Levkas ) no better no worse. There was still building work going on with the second toilet/shower block when we left mid November. It may be ready quite soon. There was only one block in operation at that time but it was very good. Clean with hot showers. There was an issue with lazy lines before we left as we all wanted two lines for each boat which there was not. It was sorted out by the liveaboards, with someone diving down and retrieving three previously cut lazy lines and re securing them. Then we were all happy. Well, we were and all our pontoon anyway. Maybe not a good advert for the management but it solved the issue and all, including the management ( who, I believe, paid to fill the dive tanks ) were glad it was sorted. The situation geographically, I believe, makes this marina safer than most weatherwise but of course there is no accounting for freak weather as we know from Vliho last summer.
We travel from Manchester to Athens with Easyjet. Not sure where else in the UK they fly from but certainly some London airports. Have just booked our return flight for £30. Its three and a half hours on the but from Messy then another hour from Kifnoss bus station to the airport. BA also do regular flights to Athens. Hope this helps. PM if you want more info. Anyway, up to press, we are happy with our choice.

 

[mocruising]

Our boat was there for the past two winters but we left for a new cruising area in April this year. We had no complaints and used Athens airport, there is a good and rasonable bus service. Its a lovely area and good town with great cycling. My only comment watch their trailer no problem with the cradles or crane.

 

[gavin_lacey]

My boat has been there for 2 years. No complaints. Helpful staff. Promises kept. Some previously had problems with on shore movement and storage which have been aired at great length on this forum. I can only say that my experience has been good.

 

[Caladh]

My boat has been there for 2 years. No complaints. Helpful staff. Promises kept. Some previously had problems with on shore movement and storage which have been aired at great length on this forum. I can only say that my experience has been good.

+1

 

[drawp]

I also laid up there this winter and would agree with all the favourable comments above. Lots of info on their website. http://messolonghimarina.com/ The bus to Athens is non-stop; so don't drink any beer or water before getting on!

 

[Palarran]

I'm planning on laying up Palarran there in September of this year. From what I've read and the prices quoted, they are my best option.

 

[Chris_Robb]

My boat has been there for 2 years. No complaints. Helpful staff. Promises kept. Some previously had problems with on shore movement and storage which have been aired at great length on this forum. I can only say that my experience has been good.

Gavin - I want to come back to the marina, but cannot risk being lifted there on the trailer (you may remember the problems I had). There are rumours that they have made big changes to the trailer pads, making it possible for me to use. Can you confirm this?

Like you, I enjoyed Messolonghi, but did not enjoy some of the growing pains they had! Despite my problems I have always maintained good relations with them.

 

[charles_reed]

Gavin - I want to come back to the marina, but cannot risk being lifted there on the trailer (you may remember the problems I had). There are rumours that they have made big changes to the trailer pads, making it possible for me to use. Can you confirm this?

Like you, I enjoyed Messolonghi, but did not enjoy some of the growing pains they had! Despite my problems I have always maintained good relations with them.

The changes they've made are superficial - unfortunately the trailer is too short for an Oceanlord and about 80% of the load will be on the aft pads.

If, however, you could be lifted out directly onto the quayside the problem would not exist.

They are much more slick now and propping is considerably better - to the extent that my boat is now in a cradle (which I wouldn't have considered last year).

 

[Chris_Robb]

The changes they've made are superficial - unfortunately the trailer is too short for an Oceanlord and about 80% of the load will be on the aft pads.

If, however, you could be lifted out directly onto the quayside the problem would not exist.

They are much more slick now and propping is considerably better - to the extent that my boat is now in a cradle (which I wouldn't have considered last year).

Lifting onto the quay side - Well that's what I had agreed with them last time. When it came to the lift I was faced with - well there is no room on the quay side, so you have to be lifted, - Well I will stay in the water - No - there is no room!

But I am glad they are getting there act together now, and we all did realise at the time that we were their learning experience!!!!


EDIT - So it stands that people with conventional rib construction boats should not allow their boats to be lifted there still? They were promising a travel lift - is that now available?

 

[rivonia]

The boats that collapsed were all in cradles!!!!!!

IFTHEY EVER GET A TRAVEL LIFT- Then that will solve one of the problems. Our insurance (PANTS) states that on the hard must be concerete.

A nice place but too many problems, this is only MY oppinion and each of us has to weigh up the pros and con' s then make your decision.

Fair winds

Peter

 

[jordanbasset]

We will definitely have a look at this place for next winter. They have had problems that they are sorting out. Does also seem to have a good liveaboard community, which is one of our priorities. Replied to our e-mail asking for info very promptly (unlike others), also including a liveabaord newsletter, seems good.

 

[curlysue]

The boats that collapsed were all in cradles!!!!!!

IFTHEY EVER GET A TRAVEL LIFT- Then that will solve one of the problems. Our insurance (PANTS) states that on the hard must be concerete.

A nice place but too many problems, this is only MY oppinion and each of us has to weigh up the pros and con' s then make your decision.

Fair winds

Peter

Interesting regarding the insurance stipulation. Not wanting to open a can of worms but there must be a hell of a lot of boats out the water at Preveza that are not on concrete. All three yards have a more than substantial amount of non concrete hard standing.

 

[rivonia]

Interesting regarding the insurance stipulation. Not wanting to open a can of worms but there must be a hell of a lot of boats out the water at Preveza that are not on concrete. All three yards have a more than substantial amount of non concrete hard standing.

Yes it was only when I was realy reading ALL the small print that I noticed that condition, so now we have to make sure we are to be placed on concrete.

Peter

 

[jordanbasset]

Interesting regarding the insurance stipulation. Not wanting to open a can of worms but there must be a hell of a lot of boats out the water at Preveza that are not on concrete. All three yards have a more than substantial amount of non concrete hard standing.

Hi Andy, you are right, hopefully won't be a problem, are you staying at Messolonghi next year

 

[BobnLesley]

...also including a liveaboard newsletter...

Do they? We're Livaboards, in Missalongi and I've never seen a copy of that!

 

[jordanbasset]

...also including a liveaboard newsletter...

Do they? We're Livaboards, in Missalongi and I've never seen a copy of that!

Looked at it again, its called Messalonghi Newsletter, dated 4/10/11. Includes a picture of a visit to an ampitheatre, happy to e-mail you if you want it

 

[Chris_Robb]

No they dont have a travel lift, but they do have spreaders, boats lifted with spreaders dont seem to suffer damage on the toe rail. BUT you must ask and insist they use them. The cradles are now much stronger but the trailer is still an issue.

I don't think people realize just how much damage and underlift trailer can do to some boats. Perversely its the Bennys, Hunter/Legends and Bavarias with the grid/eggbox structure hull reinforcement that have no problems. The Legend of course must have the spreaders or they just crush.

Jimb was saying that the trailer pads had been substantially up graded, but I think it was limited to just new rubber pads in place if the "nothing" they had before.

So for owners of conventionally ribbed boats you should think twice before being lifted. No boats damaged?? I did a very brief survey of the likely boats and found at least 6 with indentations on their hull from where the rear pads have lifted the hull. I presume their owners did not notice, but a survey on selling certainly will!

 

[jimbaerselman]

I have also seen lots of damage, some from boats poorly "lifted" with the trailer because most of the weight is taken by the two aft pads (which have been enlarged), others where the keel is pushing up into the hull when in the cradle.

Hmmm. And I thought boats were designed to stand on their keels, while the pads were merely to stabilise the vessel laterally. Of course, drying out alongside there aren't many pads around, so a line ashore is in order.

Lifting by pads puts stress where it's not designed to be borne, in a small area of contact, however big the pads are. Hence the strong preference for slings, which mould to fit a large area of pressure.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Hmmm. And I thought boats were designed to stand on their keels, while the pads were merely to stabilise the vessel laterally. Of course, drying out alongside there aren't many pads around, so a line ashore is in order.

Lifting by pads puts stress where it's not designed to be borne, in a small area of contact, however big the pads are. Hence the strong preference for slings, which mould to fit a large area of pressure.

Jim, I would agree 100%, however there are some with very high aspect ratio keels where they need more support fore and aft. With my Westerly Oceanlord, the LAST thing I want is to support it on the hull. All the weight should be on the keel, and the pads should just stop lateral movement. EDIT Pads if they have to take weight must be very substantial.

God knows what happens to those that need the hull supporting if they accidentally ground the boat!