On the hook South of France

[Grey Goose]

I have just sold my berth in Le Lavandou between Toulon and St Tropez. Had my Swift Trawler 34 there for 3 years and feel it's time to cruise further afield.

Now I'm thinking of a bigger boat (Swift Trawler 44) with two engines, generator, solar and more chain and staying on the hook as much as possible June, July and September. Thinking of keeping it on land at Port Napoleon rest of year.

Has anyone any experience of doing this on the coast between Sanary and Nice? Where are the best areas to shelter from swell and winds?

I know Port Cros, Porquerolles and Cavaliere very well and raggies seem happy bobbing in the bays but very few motor yachts.

Any feedback welcome.

 

[Portofino]

Bay of Toulon and the Calanques further W are good for shelter from the Mistrals and other directions.
Moving E of your patch
Agay is usually good and tucking up under the headland at Theuole sur Mer …either side of the Esteril mountains - those red ones .
Cap d Antibes and cap Ferrat stick out S so any side provides shelter depending where it’s coming from .
They both also have little bay s right on there tips .

Your plan is do able .

I have left out the Lerin islands as the wind / wave whistles right through them .
Also skipped the bay of st Tropez as despite the wind dir it always whips right down the bay anyhow .

 

[BartW]

we were 3 years in Toulon, and know the area between Casis and St Tropez quite well,

I would DEFO stay away from Port Napoleon, its a unpleasant , far away place with a plaque of mosquito's
we considered your plan in 2011, but after the boat was there for 1 month, we decided not to, and left the boat for 6 months in expensive but very nice port de Cassis.

for winter storage (in water or out of water) port Corbieres (l'estaque) near Marseille is doable, (just for storage and working not for relaxing nor socialising and no side seeing, unless by car to marseille)

I thought port de Toulon is ok / very good, safe and not expensive, you'r in a big city and easy to sail east or west depending on the forecast

Sanary sur mer and Cassis were my favourite ports, stayed there many night and weeks

Bandol is also a good place / big, but was there only a couple of nights

we liked that region a lot,

 

[Grey Goose]

we were 3 years in Toulon, and know the area between Casis and St Tropez quite well,

I would DEFO stay away from Port Napoleon, its a unpleasant , far away place with a plaque of mosquito's
we considered your plan in 2011, but after the boat was there for 1 month, we decided not to, and left the boat for 6 months in expensive but very nice port de Cassis.

for winter storage (in water or out of water) port Corbieres (l'estaque) near Marseille is doable, (just for storage and working not for relaxing nor socialising and no side seeing, unless by car to marseille)

I thought port de Toulon is ok / very good, safe and not expensive, you'r in a big city and easy to sail east or west depending on the forecast

Sanary sur mer and Cassis were my favourite ports, stayed there many night and weeks

Bandol is also a good place / big, but was there only a couple of nights

we liked that region a lot,
[
My thought with Port Napoleon is based on the fact we would be cruising and not staying there....agree it is not a place to linger! But they do have lots of facilities for anti fouling, engine services etc and do quite a good package including two launch and recoveries. Once in the water we'd stay at anchor or call into ports along the coast if winds too high. Wintering on land seems a good option as we had to pay gardienage in Le Lavandou as the boat was in the water - someone to check the lines and run the engine once a month. I'll checkout your suggestions. Thanks