Portugal/SW Spain - Leave Boat?

[Chuteman]

The Latest

In Cascais Marina outside Lisboa/Lisbon .........I wanted to go to Lisbon to check
out Alcantara but the sail from Nazare today was tiring enough that I did not want to do 2 more hrs into Lisbon.

So I'll try to contact them by phone or internet tomorrow or take the train into town depending on how I feel in the am..........I still have a few days and leaning toward continuing the push south......toward SW Spain.

I've met some people along the way who say it will get more crowded & expensive heading south as many cruisers take up winter quarters in the
Algarve or SW Spain.........so all I can do is make some contacts & see how it works out.

The last few days were not good from an internet access basis in the stops I made.........so have some catching up to do.........

Again, thanks to all.......and will report on final disposition

 

[franksingleton]

This is a sister thread to the one I started about "Parking" a sailboat
for a couple of weeks in NW Spain/Portugal.
There could be a chance (with the weather's cooperation) that I could make
more progress than initially planned - so I want to get opinions & even better
experiences of leaving a boat further down the Portugal coast, SW Spain,
Gibraltar or just inside the Med.

Will be in La Coruna shortly.........will look there (plus the other places suggested in the other thread) but if the weather looks ok
might start moving down the coast.

Thanks in advance

Not the cheapest but Lagos is difficult to beat. Afloat or ashore at Sopramar with its excellent chandlers.

Ayomonte - Rio Guardiana has been recommended. You might think of Rota. The new marin at la Linea, I forget the name might be worth a try. Excellent provisioning. Flights from Gib.

forget Gib. No liftout, according to Queensway marina.

See my logs for a general feel of the area.

 

[capnsensible]

Not the cheapest but Lagos is difficult to beat. Afloat or ashore at Sopramar with its excellent chandlers.

Ayomonte - Rio Guardiana has been recommended. You might think of Rota. The new marin at la Linea, I forget the name might be worth a try. Excellent provisioning. Flights from Gib.

forget Gib. No liftout, according to Queensway marina.

See my logs for a general feel of the area.

The marina is called Alcaidesa.

You can lift out in Gib.

You can do just about anything to do with boats in Gib.

If you want to get up to date with your log, please just ask!! Misinformation is rather unhelpful......

 

[HoratioHB]

Try Povoa de Varzim. We were there a few weeks ago. Ridiculously good value, haul out if needed. Average facilities and Porto airport is only 40 mins away by local metro. Several of the ARC boats have stopped there an gone home for a few weeks because of the convenience and cost.
can be closed occasionally for large SW swells but mainly in the winter. Oh and it its foggy the fog horn is bloody awful!.

 

[Chuteman]

This Chapter Ending

I'm pressed for time right now But wanted to say THANKS AGAIN to everyone who contributed with suggestions, ideas, experiences and other bits plus those I met along the wave

Decided to leave Rota after one night & with the expert navigation hints from a member in Rota..........and head to La Linea - Alcaidesa Marina.
Especially after the urging of some folks I spoke with at Lagos & the conditions were such that it was a nice ending toward my entry to Med.

The ONLY (and not minor) problem at Alcaidesa is that for the Vistors pontoon/slips on #12........it is directly open to wave surge from the bay with W & NW winds........dock stories talk about a 55' power boat even breaking loose during a high wind situation recently.

If you are 12m or less you can go around to another pontoon on the east side with the big concrete walkway between the two. Another British couple with a 12.1 m boat wants to move over but the weekend staff is not "authorized" to allow it.......

So I thought I could park the boat & run but now I'm considering changing marinas unless I can work something out last minute with the Commodore as the staff told me today.

 

[Chuteman]

Longer Thanks

Now that I left La Linea I can share the end of the story + some details
that might help others.

Puerto de Alcaidesa (La Linea) is newish & they are still going thru some "teething problems" friendly staff, reasonable cost, some english spoken (but there is a fair amount lost in translation), facilities are clean & new, showers work well,
laundry "only" 3 euro (I've seen as high as 6 euro), about a 15 min walk to
GIB airport which for UK folks is perfect (BA, Monarch Air, Ez Jet).....no other services within marina but if you like to walk or have a car -not that far
A few points to consider:
Berth Charge - You will be charged by where You park NOT by size of boat
BUT if you are over 12.5 m You will have to go to 15m berth & pay that price.
One UK couple(12.1m) I met was directed to Visitors Pontoon on a Sat late afternoon by weekend dock staff(me too) and on Monday - they were allowed to move to 12m pontoon (much better protected from W & NW swell that enters marina - but cutoff is 12.49m).......yet they were told that Sat & Sun the 15m rate was still due.....huh???

Elec Adapter - to fit larger receptacle - they give You "raw" plug & you are told to disconnect your wires & attach to their plug......all the other marinas
I've seen already have it wired (double receptacle to take typical small plug & route to larger).....they don't realize that their brand new plug will be ruined shortly by all the connecting & disconnecting wires - I declined & just bought an adapter set yesterday - for future use

A mega yacht Captain came in yesterday while I was settling my account.
He had asked earlier in the day for help with an electrical connection box that was not working right - no one responded & so he had to use his generator.
He was trying to explain to office staff the problem again & asking for a solution.......they tried to give him a "raw" plus & he told him he did not need a plug + his was even much bigger than they offered...they kinda said the electrician was called but may not be there until Monday - now not sure what he was paying a night but why not just let him run cable to another box as that pontoon - Med Moor for mega & larger sailboats......was not at all full.

Oh, yeah - plenty of space available & some pontoons have not even been finished......pretty big place.

Wi-Fi - Very expensive & unreliable per office staff.......I did not even try\
McDonalds has free wifi next to GIB border crossing - just don't eat too many fries.

Surge - have to repeat that if the wind turns west or NW - the Visitor's pontoon in right in line with the marina channel opening - One staff member that I spoke with because I was concerned when I left the boat unattended - he said " it won't be comfortable sleeping but the boat won't be damaged if you secure properly. BTW the boat was fine when I got back & supposedly they check lines everyday. I did add chain & springs to my dock lines

If You have more questions, I'd be glad to answer. There seemed to be more boats when I came back.....and I would visit again but pick my pontoon slip carefully.

Again, I truly appreciated all the suggestions, assistance by members & other sailors I met along the way and guidance to various ports.
My travels took me from Falmouth - Camaret - Benodet - Lorient - Pornichet - Les Sables - Santander - Gijon - La Coruna - Baiona - Nazare - Cascais - Lagos - Rota & La Linea.
I just started a new Med Leg - In Estepona tonight.

Would be happy to answer any questions about stops along the way although mine is more of a delivery (mentioned before) than a cruise...that will come in 2012.
Fair Winds to All

 

[LauraKatie]

West Coast Portugal

We are currently in Pria de variz ( i think i have spelt it correctly) just North of Porto.
Did biscay La Coruna about 3 weeks ago. Severe gale 11 for 6 hours was not much fun!

Will be moving south to Lisbon end of October and thence on to Gib for winter rest.
Lisbon certainly worth a stop.

 

[Chuteman]

Agree on Lisbon

LK - I was in Cascais for 1.5 days and enjoyed that area & those I spoke to that visited Lisbon enjoyed the city........need time to see it all & I did not have the time......

Biscay - mine was not bad at all ......since I was just asked (elsewhere) about my crossing........here are the websites that I used in planning - they were very accurate & worked. I also used along French & Spanish coasts

My crossing was only 200-225 nm so the forecast window was VERY accurate and when I saw what I liked I went.........

http://passageweather.com/

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/mari...&CEL=C&SI=mph&MENU=0&MEER=fatl&MODELLTYP=uv10

http://www.myweather2.com/Marine/Sea-Areas/Bay-Of-Biscay.aspx