Portugal for winter?

[Sandyman]

If you think Albufiera is expesive then take a look at Vilamoura. Make sure you are sitting down first
If cost is a defining factor then you may be better of hauling out (see info above) We are in Bruces Yard Faro. Secure & inexpensive.
Should you consider that as an option best get your skates on as the yard is filling fast. http://www.navepegos.com/

 

[alant]

I moved on board my boat this year and currently in Scotland. I don't really want to winter in the UK but want to head north to Norway next summer. I was considering taking it down to Portugal for winter.

Can anyone:

1. Recommend it?
2. Suggest nice places, rivers etc
3. Cost effective places to leave the boat with an airport nearby?
4. Weather during UK winter?

Sines?
Very good shelter, both on pontoons or on hook.

 

[GrahamM376]

Sines?
Very good shelter, both on pontoons or on hook.

Nice place but in common with most west coast harbours, not good shelter in gale conditions as open to swell. Wetter than the Algarve and a long way from airports.

 

[Balticfly]

I've wintered there off and on for a decade. Guardiana is lovely but don't leave boat unattended. The current is strong and the Cana (bamboo type stuff) will raft against your anchor chain and exert huge forces. You have to be around to clear it. Also, river levels can rise rapidly in the heavy winter rains (even if the dams upstream of Alcoutim aren't letting water go). I put out two anchors bow and stern one summer and when I raised them after three months one shank had been bent by the drag of the other one, and it wasn't even a rainy summer. A marina or yard give more peace of mind. You get good deals for 6 months. Bruce's yard is ok but not pretty. Lagos is pretty and no more expensive. The yard nearby (sopromar) will do any work you need - not cheap but neither is yachting. Overall Portugal is a great place to over-winter but a hard beat north to get to Norway next spring. What's wrong with a trip to the Azores?

 

[Heckler]

We are finally ready to extricate ourselves from Povoa deVarzim and intend to keep our boat on the South (Algarve) Coast for the winter, then cruise the coaststarting next Spring.
We had planned to keep the boat in the water, Albufeirabeing our first choice, although theirbrochure prices seem a bit steep, even for 6 months. We are not going to liveon board during the Winter.
Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks,
Michael.

We spent 13 months there till this July just gone, excellent. Cheapest on the Algarve. The winter rates I think were going to cost me £1800 for nine months, 38ft. They do a 15% discount for being a member of the RYA or CA. Bruces excellent as well.
Stu

 

[emandvee44]

Thank you for all your replies.
They have space for us at Bruce's, so as we do not intend to stay on the boat during the Winter it is probably the best option for us.
What are the tide height requirements to get up to and into the lifting dock, as we will probably reach the area around 24th. Oct and I think it is neaps then?

Cheers,

Mihael.

 

[nortada]

I've wintered there off and on for a decade. Guardiana is lovely but don't leave boat unattended. The current is strong and the Cana (bamboo type stuff) will raft against your anchor chain and exert huge forces. You have to be around to clear it. Also, river levels can rise rapidly in the heavy winter rains (even if the dams upstream of Alcoutim aren't letting water go). I put out two anchors bow and stern one summer and when I raised them after three months one shank had been bent by the drag of the other one, and it wasn't even a rainy summer. A marina or yard give more peace of mind. You get good deals for 6 months. Bruce's yard is ok but not pretty. Lagos is pretty and no more expensive. The yard nearby (sopromar) will do any work you need - not cheap but neither is yachting. Overall Portugal is a great place to over-winter but a hard beat north to get to Norway next spring. What's wrong with a trip to the Azores?

A really excellent summary.

 

[James Marinero]

Thank you for all your replies.
What are the tide height requirements to get up to and into the lifting dock, as we will probably reach the area around 24th. Oct and I think it is neaps then?

Check this thread
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?463609-Quick-question-about-Bruce-s-yard-Faro/page5

 

[Garry & June 'Friendship']

just to add my tupennyworth.... this will be our second winter in Lagos.....last winter I thought the overall weather was brilliant....very little rain at all and most if not all days were still shorts and t shirts, it only goes chilly when the sun goes down and you may need a fleece...the sea wasn't bad either and I should know as I did two diving courses there over the winter... further east I would also recommend Faro as we spent quite some time anchored off there this summer and thoroughly enjoyed the place and preferred it much more than the often praised Culatra or Guadiana.. one point of note this year is just how full Lagos is compared to last and we have heard of many hopefuls being told there is no space left for the winter !!

 

[maxi77]

Thank you for all your replies.
They have space for us at Bruce's, so as we do not intend to stay on the boat during the Winter it is probably the best option for us.
What are the tide height requirements to get up to and into the lifting dock, as we will probably reach the area around 24th. Oct and I think it is neaps then?

Cheers,

Mihael.

If you e-mail Bruces they will give you all the info you need, They also will meet you at the end of the main channel and lead you up to the dock, and very slick organisation in my experience

 

[Heckler]

If you e-mail Bruces they will give you all the info you need, They also will meet you at the end of the main channel and lead you up to the dock, and very slick organisation in my experience

Bruces' mobile number is the one on the website. I usually call him the day or so before, he then tells you what time he will meet you at buoy 23. He asks for your draft. He then comes out in the dink and leads you in. The last couple of buoys the channel is very narrow, keep to stbd and be careful coming up to 23, keep to port or go through the moorings. Say hello to Graham on his Moody if he is there!
Stu

 

[GHA]

If it's any use to anyone, here's a couple of google earth .KAP files for the Faro lagoon to the entrance, pic below is of 23 to Bruces with a short track of a boat heading out which just went back in the water.

Opencpn will run these either on a laptop or android tablet, not sure what other nav progs will open .KAP files.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/105797157/Faro_1.KAP
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/105797157/Faro_2.KAP

 

[nortada]

Lagos is the fullest we have seen it for years but largely with European rather than British boats so far less 'Little England' - rather nice.