Preveza - Cleopatra Marina - info please

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Borden

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We are considering moving this Spring from Tunisia to Greece -probably no need to explain why- and Cleopatra at Preveza looks interesting. The price I've been quoted is reasonable. I'd appreciate any feedback from forumites on Cleopatra marina, Greek formalities and any other useful stuff.
Many thanks
Borden.
 
Borden said:
We are considering moving this Spring from Tunisia to Greece -probably no need to explain why- and Cleopatra at Preveza looks interesting. The price I've been quoted is reasonable. I'd appreciate any feedback from forumites on Cleopatra marina, Greek formalities and any other useful stuff.
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You don't say whether you're planning on basing yourself there for the summer, or also living there during the winter.

If the latter, not a good idea: the place is utterly dead (that includes the adjacent yards, Preveza Marine and Aktio): no-one about, no shops, no bars or restaurants open. If you want a marina in the area with a bit of life, Lefkas or Gouvia (Corfu) are far preferable. The new marina at Messalonghi also isn't far away. It was v quiet 18 months ago, but may be busier, now. If it interests you, I'd search for posts specifically about it. Preveza airport, by the way, is highly seasonal: there are few (if any) international flights in winter. The alternative then is a bus to Athens (about 7hrs including transfer to Athens airport) or Corfu (bus and ferry).

A cheaper option is town quays: there are heaps of these with varying degrees of shelter and liveliness, but it's hard to offer you specifics with so many options. I once wintered on a pontoon at Preveza town (across the narrows from Cleopatra yard): cheap, reasonable shelter, but not as lively as Lefkas.

Assuming your're a UK citizen with a UK-registered boat and no VAT issues, formalities are straightforward. If you're over 10 metres, you'll need a DEKPA (around £30) and not much else. There was a bit of a scare last year about an additional cruising tax, but I believe this is in abeyance: no doubt others can advise. ICC is required for Greece, although I've never been asked to show it. For the most part Greek officaldom is fairly relaxed (sometimes to the point of coma).

In high summer you'll need a copy of the Italian Colregs, which can be summarised as "the stand-on vessel is always Italian-flagged".

Jim Baerselman's site has lots of useful info on Greece and elsewhere: www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/
 
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There are three boatyards at Preveza, Aktio, Preveza and Cleopatra.

Market forces keep prices competitive.

The cheapest is Aktio - only hard-standing berthing and lift and launch by an hydraulic trailer.
Next most economic is Preveza - they have a slightly better (tarmaced) hard standing but, again, no floating berths.
Most expensive is Cleopatra, which has a marina, 2 travel-lifts (the largest allegedly does up to 18m beam) and fully tarmaced hard standing, chandler etc.
Whilst headline prices on all 3 are similar, like O'Leary there are lots of subsidiary charges. These are least in Aktio and Preveza but can become tiresome in Cleopatra.

It is not possible, unless you use a dinghy, to get to Preveza town easily as pedestrians and bikes are interdit in the tunnel. All 3 yards do run daily ferry services into town, but on constrained hours.

There is also, one of the famous "unadopted" marinas actually in the town. If you can find a spot, it's free and Dmitri can supply shorepower (water is a little more difficult).

Preveza is becoming increasingly popular and therefore expensive - Greece is however (if you have local knowlege) the cheapest and most pleasant cruising ground in the Med.

IMHO a paradigm change from Tunisia.

Preveza airport (actually a military field) is only served by charter flights - to get a cheap flight you have to wait until the last minute - many disconsolate yachties can be seen languishing away there awaiting their "cheap" flight to MAN, BHX or LBA.
Personally I don't mind the 4:30-6:00 hour coach-trip to ATH to get a really cheap flight when I want it (usually not EasyJet who've got more expensive and unreliable of late).

There is an extremely good taverna, close to the Venetian castle, reasonable prices and cooking to better-than-usual Greek standards.
 
I concur with what Charles has said. I would also add that I don't think there is sufficient protection at Cleopatra to leave the vessel afloat unattended.

Messolonghi has the benefit that it is only 3.5 hours from Athens by bus as opposed to Prevesa and Levkas being 5-6 hours. It may well be cheaper.

If you are getting hauled out at Messolonghi, just insist that they do not put you on their bloody trailer! Get them to use the new travel hoist which they have said they are getting this year.
 
Preveza - Thanks for the info.

Many thanks to all who replied to my request for info on Cleopatra marina. The consensus seems to encourage me towards Messalonghi so I'm going to do some serious study on that.
Cheers
Borden
 
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