Post Bank Holiday musing

[Adrian]

As if often the case after a wet bank holiday weekend aboard Twilight, SHMBOs mind wanders to warmer climes. "why cant we be in the south of France?" So i try to explain about the problems of getting a berth, the expense of getting the boat there, the cost of flights and the fact that the SOF can still be wet and windy at this time of the year, normally that's enough to keep her happy 'till the next Bank Holiday wash out, this time it was different, she started doing her own research and managed to find a couple of 10m berths for sale with 7 year leases working out MUCH cheaper than our Hamble berth.

So the questions:

1) Ive really no idea what the process of buying a berth involves or what the costs of buying will be, what sort of cost will Solicitor/agent fees be?

2) If we go down to have a look and call in to marina offices will they know of all the berths for sale at their marina or do I need to go to the agents as well? Looking on line the same few berths seem to be listed with all the on line agents. Is this typical?

3) Realistically we wont move until next season as we have committed to our berth for this year so when would be the best time of year to look for Berths?

4) the 2 berths identified are in Cogolin and Cap Ferrat with the latter being favourite because of its proximity to the airport, any comments on these two harbours?


This will probably all come to nothing as usual but an interesting (to me!) exercise.

Thanks

 

[Pinnacle]

I suggest you PM jfm as he seems to be very knowledgable about berths in SoF. Also, you might also like to touch base with jimmy the builder as he has just moved his boat there from Brighton.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Does it have to be SoF...? Purely by the by, but a good mate of mine was thinking Turkey a couple of years as weather was equally as good, but out of Euro zone.... just musing....

 

[RichardS]

4) the 2 berths identified are in Cogolin and Cap Ferrat with the latter being favourite because of its proximity to the airport, any comments on these two harbours?


This will probably all come to nothing as usual but an interesting (to me!) exercise.

Thanks

We have a company-owned boat in the Marina de Cogolin (rather than the Port du Cogolin). I'm told it's very nice by those who have been but I never have so that's not a lot of help really!

Richard

 

[mcanderson]

We have thought of the very same thing and have applied for a berth at Beaulieu Sur Mer. This is what I have been able to find out so far as we to have looked at buying a berth at either Beaulieu Sur Mer or Cap Ferrat and so this will be based on that part of the coast. We are expecting to have to wait 5 years plus to get a berth. Have a look at http://www.portdebeaulieu.com/

Why this area – we go there once a year for a break and love it. We have stayed at other places along the SoF coast, but this is our favourite and so moving the boat there appears to be a good idea as we wish to retire there.

Getting there – Nice Airport to Cap Ferrat 80 Euros by taxi. You can catch a bus to the train station near the airport and then get a train to Beaulieu Sur Mer for a couple of Euros. There is also a good bus service, but I haven’t used it and don’t know how much it costs. I have read it’s the same as the train.

Cap Ferrat harbour is very pretty and has a full range of services. You will pay an additional 5.09% on top of your purchase price as a purchase tax and an on going annual fee which varies and you will need to research. The interesting thing is what happens at the end of your lease? Here I have had contradicting advice and its everything from you start again at the new price to you will have first rights at a reduced amount. If anyone else has more information then please let me know? There is a small supermarket just off the harbour and a great walk to a bigger one at Beaulieu.

You might be well served by going down for a visit and asking in the local brokers about berths. The smaller ones don’t have a large internet presence and we found their prices greatly different from those found online.

Hope this helps! Let me know how you get on and good luck!