Port Napoleon

[SpiceIslander1]

I am thinking of laying up my boat for the winter at Port Napoleon and have read mixed reports on how good it is.
The correspondence I have had to date with office staff has been excellent and the prices seem reasonable.
Our intention is to leave the boat there for the winter and return in the spring so we are not thinking of living aboard.
However, can anyone who is based there, or has been there recently, give any advice on the suitability of the port for laying up and the standard of the facilities.
Also, as we have no transport (even bikes), what is the situation getting to places like Port St Louis, Marseilles or Avignon? Are lifts/taxis readily available at reasonable rates?
I usually put up a full size substantial cover on the boat for the winter, but have concerns about the stong winter mistrals. It is a sound cover and would be well tied down but will it still be there in the spring?
As we may return home via the Rhone next summer I understand that the yard can arrange transportation of my mast to Le Havre - is this so as I haven't enquired yet?
Any comments on these points would be welcome together with any other advice on Port Napoleon.

 

[Roaring Girl]

Your most up to the minute advice will come from Zigmundo Van Dog when they next come along.

We laid up RG ashore in Port Napoleon over 07/08, while we travelled to NZ. One of us lived ashore for about 7 weeks early 08 and then we were afloat for about a fortnight before leaving. For any substantive period of time, bicycles or a car are a must. We used bicycles except for a week of sightseeing.

The haulout crew are worth watching, but you'd probably do that anyway. I've seen worse. The stands etc are of good quality. They can and will move your boat about while you're not there; we limited the odds of that by leaving our anchor and chain under the bow (both locked on) on a palette - so they would have had to move that too.

Most facilities are ok. Reasonablish loos etc. As ZVD said on another recent thread, there is a restaurant, where it is to be hoped you can buy bread. On site, there are many boatie facilities - chandlery, repair shop, paint shop etc. Plus many tradespersons - electricians, gas etc - for various needs. What there isn't is food! Nearest food shops are at Port St Louis, which is about 3km away, and the mistral is usually against you.

There is (or was - this might have changed) a regular run by taxi at 0900 and 1100, which fits for supermarket/market shopping, into PSL. From there you can bus to Martigues or Arles for trains, or get a taxi all the way. Quite often another cruiser will take you for a small consideration. I would check the latest taxi/shuttle arrangements with the office but also anyone else with more up to date knowledge.

A winter cover is a good idea as there's a lost of dust and cr*p that gets blown around. But it MUST be very securely tied down; I saw plenty survive the winter but they were well secured. Take off all lines and sails as well if you can.

They are very used to mast transport etc - but worth again asking around re best companies etc. We came the outside route so no direct experience, but I have heard varying stories.

The prices at PN have apparently leapt up in the last year, so it will be worth doing the comparison shopping. The office is extremely efficient which is very helpful.

HTH

 

[chasroberts]

If it is just a straight 'lay up and leave' then also to be considered is Navy Service. Rates where much lower with services to correspond. Having said that the showers were clean and hot and they did not mind you living aboard on the hard for a while. Security was good and we left the boat there for a winter a couple of years ago without problem.

NS is as close to Port St Louis as Port Napoleon but would agree re bikes if you are going to require shopping etc.

There is also a taxi driver lives within the complex who will take you to Nimes.

Worth considering if cost is a concern......

Web site : http://www.navyservice.com/

Good luck

Chas

 

[SpiceIslander1]

Thanks for all the useful comments and I'll follow them up.

 

[samwise]

Navy Service

NAvy Service is cheaper than PN but the facilities are correspondingly low rent, Security is not brilliant . There is CCTV and the German gut who runs the "taxi" service between NS and Arles ( He also runs the rather curious snack bar inside what is the biggest "marina a sec" I have ever seen) does a patrol every so often , but the site is wide open to anyone. We had stuff nicked off our boat while we were there. In fairness I should have stripped the stuff off, but we lost a Kim MOB sling and some expensive blocks, all nicked off the blind side of the rather inadequate CCTV. That said the people there are very helpful and friendly and the mast step/unstep guys are mustard.

Very bad mosquitos, you will be eaten alive is out in the open after about 5pm and not soaked in Cinq et Cinq ( the local anti bUg brew).
It is a long hike to Port St Louis so I would recommend a folding bike. I bought a cheapo from Compass and has it delivered direct to NAvy Service.

Port Napoleon is much more up marker and pricy, but as has been said, Zigmundo Van Dog is the expert on the ground there. I understand there have been some changes to the management there, which may make a difference one way or the other . A bike is pretty essential if you go there too.

 

[Liz_I]

PORT NAPOLEON

They will no doubt have room, in the water, for you over the winter. Check prices with them on the link, already given.

Make sure that you have someone to check your boat when you leave it. Beware – people do ask the office and they will tell you someone checks the pontoons everyday. Basically one of the girls goes round checking the electricity plug ins & names of boats in berths! It has nothing to do with the safety of your vessel. If, on the off chance someone notices one of your lines has chafed through then something might be done about it! We have run ins every winter about this. We check boats on our pontoon and any friends who have asked us to do so. Although there is no fetch the Mistral and more especially the SW'lies can be vicious, chafe, as always is the major problem.

We understand the pontoons are being repaired this summer. Basically some were breaking away due to the combination of neglect over the years since the marina was built and the increase in boat size/weight.

There are all normal facilities one would expect of a yard. Boat lifting & movement is very professionally carried out.

As for working on your boat when on the hard. It is now not allowed to use power tools (ie electric sanders) If you wish to do this sort of work on your boat then you must move to the work area which is small and usually well occupied. At a cost of 80 euro each way plus 10% on top of the normal daily/weekly rate!!

However, this spring we did note that a blind eye was turned quite often! Or the work was done after office hours.

As mentioned in a previous post the restaurant is, at present open for breakfast and should be opening normally at some point. Showers & loos are of an acceptable standard, laundry is good but at a price!

You will need transport, kind souls have been known to offer lifts into town for shopping etc.

Mosquitoes can be a hassle but spraying has, to some extent been successful. However during the spring/summer 'arabie'/ 'no-see-ums' are more of a problem.

Security is becoming more of a problem but less so 'on the water'. Just make sure anything moveable is locked securely below.

In the immediate area there are 3 choices. Port Napoleon dutch/belgian owned & run. Navy Services, privately French run but only a port a sec no in the water spaces at all. Port Saint Louis itself where it may be possible to winter afloat on the visitors pontoon but there is no security at all. The problem everywhere is lack of available berths. Sadly you pays your money and takes your choice. Good luck.