non Schengen over wintering- have I left it too late?.

[phanakapan]

What with one thing and another (orca threat/health/weather etc etc), we find ourselves only half way down Portugal (Porto atm), our Schengen time due up in mid December and nowhere booked for over wintering out of Schengen. We were thinking of Tanja Bay Tangier, and started trying to contact them months ago- but when they eventually replied they said they were full ( but things may change..) Has anyone got any suggestions of potentially free spaces from December for 3 or more months….Tunisia? Rabat? I’m stressing out big time about not being able to find anywhere. We don’t have a huge budget - or much time to get somewhere before the winter weather kicks in ?but I’d be happy with a confirmed booking in somewhere interesting with a bit of a live aboard community. I know we could just cross the Atlantic, but I’ve got a grandchild on the way and a 90 year old mother in the UK and I’d prefer to be within easy travelling distance back to the UK. Any leads? Many thanks in advance, folks ☺

 

[Goldie]

AFAIK Gibraltar hasn’t yet joined Schengen, have you tried there? Space is limited but with Ocean Village/Marina Bay now accepting visitors in addition to Queensway Quay, there is a bit less pressure on berthing than in recent years. Failing that, I think you’d find space at Restinga Smir in Morocco but I’m not sure how much of a live aboard community there is there.

 

[PlanB]

How about Marina Smir, in Morocco. Not a million miles from Gib. Haven't been for some years, but Capt Sensible may be able to offer more up to date info.
PUERTO Marina Smir - Marina Marbella

 

[phanakapan]

AFAIK Gibraltar hasn’t yet joined Schengen, have you tried there? Space is limited but with Ocean Village/Marina Bay now accepting visitors in addition to Queensway Quay, there is a bit less pressure on berthing than in recent years. Failing that, I think you’d find space at Restinga Smir in Morocco but I’m not sure how much of a live aboard community there is there.

Good idea, but they also were full for long term berthing when I contacted them recently. I’ll keep trying them- peoples plans change all the time-although they are also a bit of a stretch to our budget ?

 

[Yngmar]

By mid November most are settled in their wintering spots and there's usually a few berths available from people who made reservations but couldn't get there. So do make sure you get put on waiting lists for places you're interested in - might get lucky.

Long way to Tunisia from Porto and the currently freakishly nice weather in the Med won't last forever. Then it'll be a hell of a cooling period with all of this too warm water sloshing around.

There's very few Brits left wintering in here Cartagena. A lucky few rediscovered their Irish, Italian or other roots and got a new passport, but most pack up their boats in a hurry and fly home soon after berthing. It's a sad thing to see and diminishes the cruising community a lot. The rest are in Turkey, which is now difficult to get a berth in!

 

[sailaboutvic]

One suggest is to turn up in Gib and ask for a berth yes it a chance but you more likely they find you a place then emailing them
Option 2
This may not be to your liking or others here ,
But find a berth in a marina and keep your head down very unlikely anyone going to come knocking .
You could also check out before getting your head down .

Yea yea yea guy I know ban from the EU , boat impounded so and so on .
Not my experience.

 

[Graham376]

I know for a fact there are some folks living in Bruce's boatyard who have well overstayed their 90 days limit without problems - so far. Portugal seems a bit more laid back than Spain and less likely to be caught in a yard than when visiting marinas who all report visitors, with copy of passport. Only problem in Bruce's, there's no overnight power for heating.

 

[Blueboatman]

Thinking about it , this Schengen lark must be terrible for the overwintering business . I should give eg Bruce a call, they must have thought long and hard about it too and might have sensible suggestions from their end of the telescope ?

 

[Graham376]

Thinking about it , this Schengen lark must be terrible for the overwintering business . I should give eg Bruce a call, they must have thought long and hard about it too and might have sensible suggestions from their end of the telescope ?

Bruce won't want to know your circumstances and you could be putting him in a difficult position by telling him, just keep your head down and say as little as possible. In his ideal world, he just wants folks to dump their boats and bugger off but does accept liveaboards, some of them permanent residents. If thinking of heading there, book in advance as they're pretty full. We've been using the yard for annual 4-6 weeks haul for 16 years.

 

[RupertW]

Rabat would be an excellent idea - great safe cheap place to stay and a beautiful old town but I heard a few weeks ago that Rabat was full for winter - but that was for catamarans. They don’t respond to email - it’s a call in French if you can do that.

 

[Stingo]

Why not apply for Portuguese Residence? Once your application has been acknowledged, nevermind processed, problem solved.

 

[Stingo]

Why not apply for Portuguese Residence? Once your application has been acknowledged, nevermind processed, problem solved.

SEF (the Portuguese immigration dept) does accept a marina receipt as proof of address in Portugal.

 

[Graham376]

Why not apply for Portuguese Residence? Once your application has been acknowledged, nevermind processed, problem solved.

Documented proof needed of presence in country prior to B day to obtain residence but, as you say, an application to SEF would generate an email and QR code, confirming application received and in the pipeline for interview.

 

[phanakapan]

Rabat would be an excellent idea - great safe cheap place to stay and a beautiful old town but I heard a few weeks ago that Rabat was full for winter - but that was for catamarans. They don’t respond to email - it’s a call in French if you can do that.

Okay, yes I read that too- I had emailed (in French, English and Arabic) but had no reply. I’ll try a call in French, I can just about manage it I think!

 

[nortada]

I know for a fact there are some folks living in Bruce's boatyard who have well overstayed their 90 days limit without problems - so far. Portugal seems a bit more laid back than Spain and less likely to be caught in a yard than when visiting marinas who all report visitors, with copy of passport. Only problem in Bruce's, there's no overnight power for heating.

Another market for heated jackets?

https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/heated-clothes.589260/

 

[nortada]

SEF (the Portuguese immigration dept) does accept a marina receipt as proof of address in Portugal.

But a rental contract would.

 

[nortada]

Agadir - day sail from the Canaries and a good airline to the UK

If you Google Agadir you will see location of the 2 marinas in the harbours - well protected.

 

[phanakapan]

Portuguese residence is also something we’re starting to look into- we might be a bit short of the proof of income side of things for a year or two until our pensions kick in. Unfortunately, I’m one of those ‘goody two shoes’ type of girlies that finds knowingly or even accidentally bending rules difficult, so chancing not getting caught isn’t an option for me… no judgement on those who do, I wish I could!

 

[Stingo]

But a rental contract would.

Marina receipt, rental contract, iceberg, goldberg.... same thing. Did you miss-read my post?

 

[nortada]

Marina receipt, rental contract, iceberg, goldberg.... same thing. Did you miss-read my post?

I am referring to a property rental contract - has worked well in the past but if you are already known to SEF?

Edited original post to ‘could’ to reflect the uncertain times in which we live.