Portugal Moorings

[Wandering Star]

Does anyone have any information on cheaper solutions for keeping a 39 foot sailboat on the Algarve, The marina websites I've looked at have rates almost at par with SC of England. There must be cheaper solutions? How about moorings or marinas on the Guadiana River?

Any info gladly received as I'd like to place my boat in the area, somewhere secure even if inconvenient, for a year or two.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[samwise]

Apart from the marinas at Vila Real (Spanish side) and Ayamonte (Portugal) near the mouth the Guadiana doesn't offer a lot of choice with upriver choices limited to the small set ups at Alcoutim and Sanlucar. The river does suffer from silting in places and in the winter months there is a risk of flash flooding and damage to moored boats from debris washed down by the current. That said, the wildlife in the upper reaches is spectacular, but I would ( and did) draw the line at leaving a boat unattended.

Re Algarve marina costs you can find that most marinas are prepared to do a deal between September and April. Many liveaboards haul out during the very hot, busy and expensive months, paying cheaper rates for shore storage.

 

[bitman]

not sure how your draft is...

out side the faro marina (vasa da gale) you have some space to anchor your boat. i have no idea what the prices are as when i was living in faro didn't own a yacht.

some idea's
- inland side of praia de ilha de faro
- olhao
- fuseta
- tavira

 

[gavin_lacey]

The algarve is not a cheap place. Very equivalent to SC prices but the weather is rather better. If the nine month deals dont suit then a cheaper option is the west coast. Sines marina a day sail from the algarve is massively cheaper, inner pontoons are good although the outer pontoons can catch the swell. There are good anchorages around the algarve but few if any moorings.

 

[charles_reed]

Pomerao is cheap - but you may find getting a 39' up there a bit challenging.

On the whole I'd agree with other posters, the Algarve has few marinas and their prices are on a par with UK South Coast.

The only places I'd leave an unattended boat would be Vila Réal or Ayamonte and neither have hard-standing space.

However, if you look along the Spanish Atlantic coast, you'll find far more choice and be able to negotiate, in person lower winter prices.

Have a look at http://www.portfocus.com/spain/zz_marinas_in_andalusia/index1.html

I went up the Guadalquivir to Gelves in Sevilla, that city is an experience you should not miss.

 

[mandlmaunder]

Dont know if Ohlao ever got it's marina finished, but if it didn't if was free.
Or you can anchor in many of the tributary's and tidal ponds in the area.
It was 5 years ago that we were there and apart from the very loud kari oki it had every thing needed to over winter for free.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[jeanne]

Olhao is not free now, but may be the cheapest option, as there are still no facilities, no staff or office. They only take long term bookings, and I don¨t know how you can contact them to find their terms. They looked pretty full last time I passed.
I only know of one place that rents moorings, the boatyard at El Rompido, Veradero Rio Piedras, 0034 959 399 026, over the border in Spain, which is usually cheaper than the Algarve anyway.
There are also new marinas being built at El Terron and Puerto Umbria. Neither is ideal as a base, due to a shallow entrance, so they may feel the need to be econonical.
The lagoon at Faro is big, pretty empty, close to an airport,and has sheltered channels, so it is very suitable, but I think you would need to have a mooring laid. Bruce could do it, he has a yard at Faro, 00351 919 317 171

 

[All_at_Sea]

Having spent three years on the Guadiana river up at San Lucar l can't praise it enough. I laid my own mooring and kept a Nic 38 there quite happily with the assistance of a local bloke (English) that l can put you in touch with. For more details PM me.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Having spent three years on the Guadiana river up at San Lucar l can't praise it enough. I laid my own mooring and kept a Nic 38 there quite happily with the assistance of a local bloke (English) that l can put you in touch with. For more details PM me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you have to dodge tree trunks during the winter floods? I'm sure I read a blog where someone had to do this quite regularly.

Also, did you leave the boat untended on its mooring for weeks at a time, or was it looked after while you werent there, (or were you there all the time?)

 

[jeanne]

If you are considering the Guadiana, I wouldn´t recommend leaving the boat unattended unless you can get someone to keep an eye on her. The main trouble is that the holding is very variable, plus there are submerged sodden trees, and boats that seem happily moored for several months, have suddenly wandered off for no apparent reason. I know the chap who is mentioned above, and the Nic, which had to be re- secured after a little wander. OK as long as someone is going to act as caretaker.

Floods are less likely nowadays with the construction of a very large dam upriver - but can still happen. Last spring, we had a sudden flood after a bridge on a tributary coming in at Mertola upstream, had to be blown up because it was obstructing flow and flooding several villages after torrential rain in central Portugal. There is always rubbish in the river on big springs, especially bamboo cane that can wrap round chain and catch bits of trees. It´s the excess weight that sets you going. But if you are out of the main current, as the Nic was, it is not usually a problem.

 

[absit_omen]

I had a couple of years in Lagos but it has now priced itself out of the market along with the weakness of the pound.

I can't think of anywhere cheap AND secure.

If I was going back I would consider NAZARE (north of Lisbon) where I stopped on the way back to UK. Cheap, basic, secure but NOT on the Algarve!

Good luck.

 

[All_at_Sea]

Yes the odd tree trunk but in general all was ok. Robin, who lives in the village looked after the boat when we were away and did have to reposition her twice in the three years we were there. Jeanne is right you do need someone local to keep an eye on things.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks everyone, am replying to myself because all the advice and replies were extremely useful so didn't want to leave anyone thinking I'd singled out any one piece of advice!

Probably going to take Samwise's advice and leave the boat in Lagos on a 9 month contract (Euros 2700) with the 3 high season months spent on the hard at the Marina Formosa boatyard in Olhao. That'll give me time to carry out maintenance on her as well as, to use SWMBO'S description, time to enjoy a proper holiday which I think equates to a Thomson packaged holiday in Greece or on the Costas!

Thanks for all the advice.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[25931]

Forget Olhão marina as there is a two year waiting list and no visitors berth.People put down moorings in the Ria Formosa and there are live-aboards in the lagoon at Culatra.There are many boats ashore in Bruce's at Faro.(Ayamonte is Spain ,Vila Real is Portugal)
Jim