Portugal/W Coast Spain - Oh, such anticaption

HinewaisMan

HinewaisMan

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Location
Exmouth for a while
www.oceanodyssey.net
Greetings,

Having just got to Gib - 16,500 nm from Melbourne - we'll be heading off for the old Mother Country in a few days. With luck, will be in Falmouth mid/late August (we'll do an invite here for any forumites near by for celebratory drinkies - suggestions where?)

Everything we read says that W. Coast Spain and Portugal is going to be hard yakka. Potentially, lots of northerly - wind, current, breezes - lots of day sails - well, morning sailings.

We have the old RCC and Reeds and are working through them for a few places to stop, but does anyone have any good bolt holes they've used?

Thanks in advance

Peter & Jean

(Also cross posted in Scuttlebutt)
 
Are you interested in seeing Portugal and Spain? If not there is a lot to be said for a detour via the Azores. A bit further but should be easier sailing.

We have done the northwards route up the Portugese coast and, yes, it is a bit of a slog. Lots of early starts to avoid the northerlies which normally kick in by late morning/lunchtime and can blow quite fiercely. Add in a touch of swell and it can be a lumpy trip anywhere....

Having said that would not have missed Portugal and Spain. A wonderful trip and plenty to see and do.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Chas
 
The Atlantic coasts of Portugal and Spain are wonderful, the only place not to stop is Peniche, filthy fishing harbour and it stinks. The one place to definitely stop is Bayonna, Spain, it's lovely.

It is an upwind upcurrent slog, I'm half wayish up the Portuguese coast in Figuera da Foz at the moment, leaving in a week to ten days, heading north.If the Portuguese trades are blowing they blow day and night, usually around 20 knots and 25 round headlands. If they are not blowing you get wind during the day but little or none at night - so night is preferable. The Trades are a total nightmare. Also be aware Biscay gales start in August so timing leaving Spain is important.
 
Hi just came down the west coast. First stop will probably be sines, marina a very reasonable 20 euros a night for a 12 m boat, or you could anchor off the beach, which is well protected.

Cascais I am told is expensive but we anchored off, again good holding and secure.

Nazare Marina is is okay, facilities are showing their age, 28 euros a night. Captain Mike is in charge and is a character. Could in theory anchor off the beach but looked very rolly when we saw it. The old town at the top of the cliff is worth looking at, we took the funnicuar railway but you could walk it.

Povoa is a very good marina, reasonaby priced. However when we were there there was fog for 2 days and the fog siren goes on all night, which is similar to an air raid siren but after the second night I am told you no longer hear it.
Hope this helps - J.B.
 
If you are stopping off to do a bit of sight seeing I would recommend Rota which is not far from you. Its on the north side of the Bay of Cadiz with a ferry that runs across the bay to Cadiz ( fantastic place ) literally from the marina. It also allows you to access Seville by bus which we did.Its a decent marina and cheap.
On the way up the Atlantic coast I second Bayona and also Camarinas (14 euros a night ) near Finistere. Excellent boltholes. Lagos is a good place to stock up before you turn the corner at San Vicente. Loads of supermarkets and not overly expensive.
 
Many thanks

Many thanks to all who responded, here and by PM. Arrived in La Coruna this evening after a dream run up the west coast from Gibraltar, although it was three days hard work getting arround Finisterre from Baiona. Biscay's looking kind so we'll be heading off on Tuesday (if we can work out why our new Toshiba laptop (replacing a drowned HP) is refusing to talk to our Pactor modem).

Chill the beers in Falmouth

Thanks again

Peter & Jean

(Cross posted in Scuttlebutt)
 
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