Moving to the Med

[c_j]

Hi all, long time. Sorry if I could have searched for this information but I tried and failed.

We have been boating in UK since 2000 and finally are now off to the Med with our Portofino 53, shipping mid to late Feb, 2017, and wondered if there were any tips or advice from members of the forum who have experience in Med boating. We plan to be in Palma, mainly because we really like it but also because we live out in the sticks and want to be near a City. We have not finalised berthing yet although we have been offered a couple of options. I am speaking to people who can look after the boat, both recommended, but any advice on that too would be helpful.

I was also under the impression that beam was the main deciding factor in Berth size and we are 17.35 x 4.6 so I am thinking 18m x 5m but several people have told me that we could fit on a smaller berth? I find that hard to believe but again, would love to hear from anyone with experience.

Apart from the usual paperwork for the boat, original VAT invoice, etc etc, is there anything else required from HMRC? I can speak to the shippers tomorrow, but hearing it from someone with first hand experience would be good.

Thanks

CJ

 

[Tranona]

HMRC issue nothing. Your boat can (currently) move freely within the EU and your shipper will issue the necessary T2L form to move the boat by road. Make sure you have your SSR or Part 1 and insurance valid for Spain and certificate in Spanish. Suggest you ensure your insurance is valid for road transport and check the truck is also fully insured.

 

[Portofino]

Sounds like a ship not road to Palma?
Colemans SS recommends insurance give several translations ,so be can float about the Med with out worrying .
VAT is really a none issue -really - if any body asks you for evidence -pease post and claim a medal .
Only if you sell to a British punter will your original VAT invioce need dusting down .
Berth -yup go wider -a 5x18 is right for a SS Porto53 .With 4.6 M beam .
It's Allways best to have ample beam so ,s to make it easier to park and minimise fender rub .We are 4.2 in a 4.84 M .
Neighbours all 4.2 ish --makes such a difference ,cleaning /washing off ,
When it's windy and you are let's say "a bit nervous " (AkA bricking it !) returning to berth -you will be glad of 5m +to aim for .
When it's windy if you are squashed in your fenders and hull gel coat will take a beating !
We have a Guardiane look after ours -cleans it every 2weeks , checks all the lines ,shore power etc -preps it for our arrival -puts the cushions out ,removes covers etc -turns on fridges and the Aircon ( if asked ) ---it just makes it more enjoyable .
So when we arrive --holiday starts and it's less hassle for wife /kids after traveling .

Just need good Aircon to sleep @ night with shorepower .
Good liquid storage /fridges for drinks ,
Long ish anchor chain .
It's basically an outdoor life for the season April/May -end of Oct .

 

[c_j]

Thanks for the replies, really useful. It was the insurance document in Spanish I could not remember. Yes it is being shipped from Southampton by sea. My saloon aircon is slightly noisy (apparently they changed the rubber mounting bearings later so need to do the mod) but have not used it that much in the UK (lol) and the forward and aft cabin aircon is quiet enough.

Thanks again

 

[petem]

Hi all, long time. Sorry if I could have searched for this information but I tried and failed.

We have been boating in UK since 2000 and finally are now off to the Med with our Portofino 53, shipping mid to late Feb, 2017, and wondered if there were any tips or advice from members of the forum who have experience in Med boating. We plan to be in Palma, mainly because we really like it but also because we live out in the sticks and want to be near a City. We have not finalised berthing yet although we have been offered a couple of options. I am speaking to people who can look after the boat, both recommended, but any advice on that too would be helpful.

I was also under the impression that beam was the main deciding factor in Berth size and we are 17.35 x 4.6 so I am thinking 18m x 5m but several people have told me that we could fit on a smaller berth? I find that hard to believe but again, would love to hear from anyone with experience.

Apart from the usual paperwork for the boat, original VAT invoice, etc etc, is there anything else required from HMRC? I can speak to the shippers tomorrow, but hearing it from someone with first hand experience would be good.

Thanks

CJ

Hi Chris, nice to see you back on the forum. Guess you got rid of the T48?

Pete

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Congrats on making the move. You've got aircon already; presumably you've also got a generator; if you haven't already got one, then the third essential is a passerelle.

 

[ELJAY]

Hi all, long time. Sorry if I could have searched for this information but I tried and failed.

We have been boating in UK since 2000 and finally are now off to the Med with our Portofino 53, shipping mid to late Feb, 2017, and wondered if there were any tips or advice from members of the forum who have experience in Med boating. We plan to be in Palma, mainly because we really like it but also because we live out in the sticks and want to be near a City. We have not finalised berthing yet although we have been offered a couple of options. I am speaking to people who can look after the boat, both recommended, but any advice on that too would be helpful.

I was also under the impression that beam was the main deciding factor in Berth size and we are 17.35 x 4.6 so I am thinking 18m x 5m but several people have told me that we could fit on a smaller berth? I find that hard to believe but again, would love to hear from anyone with experience.

Apart from the usual paperwork for the boat, original VAT invoice, etc etc, is there anything else required from HMRC? I can speak to the shippers tomorrow, but hearing it from someone with first hand experience would be good.

Thanks

CJ

In Mallorca It is quite common to squeeze your boat onto a smaller berth - if you can find availability. I have had a 12m boat on a 10m mooring for the last 4 years with no problems. Some ports are more strict than others but from my experience as long as it fits you are fine!

You do need to be very careful who you put your trust in for gardienage repairs etc as I learnt from bitter experience that there is a real mix of good, OK, and really bad!!

I live in Mallorca so PM me if you want any recommendations.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

We plan to be in Palma, mainly because we really like it but also because we live out in the sticks and want to be near a City

We spent 5 seasons moored in Palma. I would recommend Club De Mar marina for a number of reasons. First it is or was the best run marina in Palma with good security and facilities on site in terms of a bar, shop, chandlery and nightclub as well as a swimming pool. Second Palma harbour is subject to swell from all the vessel traffic moving around but Club de Mar is the least affected although it is still a factor there. With regard to berth width, yes you might get away with a boat a few inches wider than your designated berth width but do you really want to make life difficult for yourself leaving and entering your berth and possibly risk damage from your neighbouring boats when they move?

Be aware that there is a speed limit in Palma harbour which the locals seem to ignore but the Guardia sometimes selectively apply to foreign flagged boats with very large fines

As for paperwork you will need your registration document (either Part 1 or SSR), insurance policy (with Spanish translation which your insurer should provide), CE certificate, HIN certificate (if separate), Engines ID certificate, international certificate of competence and of course invoice for purchase of boat showing VAT. In 13 yrs of boating in the Med I have never been asked for the last 2 but you never know especially with Brexit coming up

As for guardiennage, I used Barry Lawrence of Mallorca Cruising http://www.mallorcacruising.co.uk/about_us.htm but he is based in Alcudia although he and his engineers seemed happy to travel. It is 6 yrs since we left Palma so its probably best to ask around for references before you employ anyone for this service. You will definitely need a diver every few weeks/months in Palma because your sterngear will get fouled very quickly especially in the summer months but best to ask the marina for a recommendation

 

[c_j]

Hi Pete, yes sold the Targa 48 in 2010 and only bought the SS P53 in 2014. Had a few years of proper holidays! Actually I got fed up with the weather in UK, but we had commitments which meant a move to Palma before was not on the cards. Actually saw our T48 in Cala D'or recently. Thanks for the message


Chris

 

[petem]

Hi Pete, yes sold the Targa 48 in 2010 and only bought the SS P53 in 2014. Had a few years of proper holidays! Actually I got fed up with the weather in UK, but we had commitments which meant a move to Palma before was not on the cards. Actually saw our T48 in Cala D'or recently. Thanks for the message

Chris

Yes, I remember you had a load of kids! They must be more grown up now (my little lad is 21 now).

 

[c_j]

Hi,
Thanks, that is what I am being told regarding berth and I think we will go for 18 x 4.8 as there are no 18 x 5 where we want to go and we would have to move up to 20 x 5.5 which I am not keen on for obvious reasons. Many people have said that our size boat is often put on 15m x 4.5berths, but I don't want to go that way either, so really it is satisfying myself that 4.8 will be ok. Regarding gardienage , I have a few recommendations but may well be in touch!

Thanks

Chris

 

[c_j]

Yes thats right, five, oldest is 39 this year, my youngest 22, they all seem quite keen on the Majorca move!

Chris

 

[c_j]

Thanks Mike, that is exactly where we plan to go, going on 17th January to finalise details.
Is the need for a diver because of fishing gear and ropes left floating?



Chris

 

[c_j]

Congrats on making the move. You've got aircon already; presumably you've also got a generator; if you haven't already got one, then the third essential is a passerelle.

Thanks and yes, we have a really good med spec with uprated Gen and Passerelle, In fact I have spent most of the last year gradually getting ready of this move. Thanks for your reply

Chris

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Is the need for a diver because of fishing gear and ropes left floating?
Chris

No Chris! Its because the warm water fed by whatever is in the run off from the land (fertiliser, sewage etc etc) is the perfect breeding ground for barnacle critters and they love to make their home on anything underwater that isn't antifouled such as props, propshafts, rudders, bow thrusters etc. Sterngear fouling can easily take 5kts or more off your speed. In fact I once left my boat in the water in Palma unused for about 3 months in the early summer and the first time I used it after that, the boat wouldn't plane at all. I had to anchor up and go under the hull myself with a scraper and clean some of the bastards off the props before the boat would get on the plane. In the end I was having the boat dived 3-4 times a season just to keep the sterngear clean. The hull itself was never a problem because the local antifoul paint (Titan) works very well but everything that can't be antifouled is home for the barnacles

This is not just an issue in Palma but throughout the W Med although in Palma it is particularly bad and one of the downsides of mooring there

 

[c_j]

No Chris! Its because the warm water fed by whatever is in the run off from the land (fertiliser, sewage etc etc) is the perfect breeding ground for barnacle critters and they love to make their home on anything underwater that isn't antifouled such as props, propshafts, rudders, bow thrusters etc. Sterngear fouling can easily take 5kts or more off your speed. In fact I once left my boat in the water in Palma unused for about 3 months in the early summer and the first time I used it after that, the boat wouldn't plane at all. I had to anchor up and go under the hull myself with a scraper and clean some of the bastards off the props before the boat would get on the plane. In the end I was having the boat dived 3-4 times a season just to keep the sterngear clean. The hull itself was never a problem because the local antifoul paint (Titan) works very well but everything that can't be antifouled is home for the barnacles

This is not just an issue in Palma but throughout the W Med although in Palma it is particularly bad and one of the downsides of mooring there

Ahh I see, amazing what you learn from a simple post, thanks again.

 

[jfm]

Stone Me!
Welcome back!
Your plan sounds good. FWIW, and it's just personal opinion, I'd keep the boat in Cala d'Or rather than Palma. Palma is a bit city-ish, and although you say you want that be careful, because in Club De Mar you are a taxi ride from the city and you're next to a big dual carriageway. Not my idea of a nice place to be. On the plus side, Palma has life in winter and is vvv close to the airport, whereas Cala D'Or is a longer airport taxi and is dead in winter. I also prefer the anchorages on the cala dor coast to the W side anchorages that are easy to get to from palma, but each to their own on that. There are plenty on here in each camp.
On berth size, generally in the med you can be 10% bigger on length but you cannot exceed the stated beam, and in some ports they insist on a 20cm allowance for fenders. Best wishes

 

[c_j]

Hi jfm and thanks for the welcome. Yes we have given it a fair bit of thought, and your opinions are spot on in many respects, but we have visited Palma a few times this year and been around the island looking at various options and Cala d'Or was definitely an option. ( I thought Stone Me 2 was there and I looked around, only for my wife to point out I was standing right next to her!)

We plan to cycle into city or walk to try and get a bit of exercise to compliment my new Mediterranean diet!

So for the time being its Palma.

Thanks again

regards


Chris

 

[jfm]

Hi jfm and thanks for the welcome. Yes we have given it a fair bit of thought, and your opinions are spot on in many respects, but we have visited Palma a few times this year and been around the island looking at various options and Cala d'Or was definitely an option. ( I thought Stone Me 2 was there and I looked around, only for my wife to point out I was standing right next to her!)

We plan to cycle into city or walk to try and get a bit of exercise to compliment my new Mediterranean diet!

So for the time being its Palma.

Thanks again

regards


Chris

Yep SM2 (Targa48) was there summer 2015, the last time I was there. I saw it several times and assumed it was still yours, but see from this thread it obviously wasn't (!).
Here is a little video of our 2015 raft up (4 boats from this forum+ one other) in Cala Gran, the bay just on your left as you exit Cala D'Or to the open sea

 

[c_j]

Yep SM2 (Targa48) was there summer 2015, the last time I was there. I saw it several times and assumed it was still yours, but see from this thread it obviously wasn't (!).
Here is a little video of our 2015 raft up (4 boats from this forum+ one other) in Cala Gran, the bay just on your left as you exit Cala D'Or to the open sea

I could cope with that.

;-)