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Travelling Westerly

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To Portugal that is...

All of these threads about Portugal coupled with the constant Cornish rain has convinced me to make the move.
I can go anytime, any route etc, no contraints so where do you recommend I start? Portimao seems to get a good review. I'm looking for a quality marina for a year. Easy flights back to UK.
Straight there or take my time hugging the coast?
 
Brittany is gorgeous and I'd recommend it to any cruiser.

In the middle of September I sailed from Île De Groix near Lorient to the lovely Cedeira anchorage in Spain, where I loitered for a couple of weeks before sailing south; I was in Faro a couple of weeks later. This timetable left too little time for the Rias of Spain to be honest though, and the north coast of Span also looks wonderful (it was recommended to me by the PO of my boat).
 
Cornishwesterly said:
To Portugal that is...

All of these threads about Portugal coupled with the constant Cornish rain has convinced me to make the move.
I can go anytime, any route etc, no contraints so where do you recommend I start? Portimao seems to get a good review. I'm looking for a quality marina for a year. Easy flights back to UK.
Straight there or take my time hugging the coast?
Click to expand...

Straight or hugging the coast❓ Done it both ways.

If time permits, I would ‘hug the coast’. There are some truly remarkable places to visit on route.

When you get here, chug along the coast and select the place that best suits your taste.
 
Cornishwesterly said:
To Portugal that is...

All of these threads about Portugal coupled with the constant Cornish rain has convinced me to make the move.
I can go anytime, any route etc, no contraints so where do you recommend I start? Portimao seems to get a good review. I'm looking for a quality marina for a year. Easy flights back to UK.
Straight there or take my time hugging the coast?
Click to expand...
Hmmm We chose to ‘hug the Coast’. We haven’t got past Brittany yet and we love it.
I know a lot of people who have gone straight South and I always think that they’ve missed some wonderful cruising but they are happy where they are so...
 
greeny said:
Have a good trip. See you there. :)
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Thanks for the replies guys, really looking forward to it. Wife and I agree a slow coast hug route taking in the sights will suit us best.

Greeny, do you mind me asking if you are in Portimao? If so do you recommend it. Ive got no plans that need to be adheared to so can go anywhere. My only requirement is somewhere safe where I dont mind leaving the boat for a couple of weeks at a time.

Thanks
 
Cornishwesterly said:
Thanks for the replies guys, really looking forward to it. Wife and I agree a slow coast hug route taking in the sights will suit us best.

Greeny, do you mind me asking if you are in Portimao? If so do you recommend it. Ive got no plans that need to be adheared to so can go anywhere. My only requirement is somewhere safe where I dont mind leaving the boat for a couple of weeks at a time.

Thanks
Click to expand...


Agree with hugging the coast. We found French marinas OK but eating out expensive. Northern Spain marinas expensive but eating out a bit cheaper. Portugal marinas are OK and eating out cheapest. Beware of Swell on Atlantic Coast closing many marinas even though relatively calm when at sea. Check those that are 24/7 even when rest of marinas are closed. Nazare is one 24/7 - been closed about 4 times in last 12 yrs.

If you call into to Nazare let me know will try to meet up at least for a drink.
 
When are you thinking of leaving ? Just note that the ports along the north Portugal coast are subject to swell and most have a bar so become untenable with more than about 3m. Also my understanding is that Portimao isnt that safe through the winter, southerly gales, especially at the N end.
 
As others have said, there's lots to see on the way here so do it slowly. First time we did LaRochelle to Coruna, second time LaRochelle to Gijon and along north Spanish coast and then some of the Rias again. From Gijon, mostly day sails all the way down to the Algarve and plenty of anchorages so no need to always be in marinas. The Portuguese coast is nasty with swell at times and littered with pots but, unlike UK ones, most have weighted line and no floating pickup so, not much of a problem. From Nazare, if weather settled, avoid Peniche and anchor in 15m off Berlengas isles. If you arrive in Algarve in high season be prepared for a shock in the wallet, all Algarve marinas are hell of a lot more expensive than anywhere on the way, except maybe Cascais.

Berlengas Portugal • Guia de Viagem da Berlenga Grande
 
Greeny, do you mind me asking if you are in Portimao? If so do you recommend it. Ive got no plans that need to be adheared to so can go anywhere. My only requirement is somewhere safe where I dont mind leaving the boat for a couple of weeks at a time.

Thanks
[/QUOTE]
Hi
Yes I'm in Portimao and have been here for 20 years now. Ever since the marina was built in fact.
For me, Portimao and Lagos are both "good" choices although they are very different. Lagos is right next to the town, Praia da Rocha (Portimao) marina is a bit out of the main town and near the beaches and resort of Prai da Rocha. Although still walkable into the main town, maybe 15 mins.
I chose Portimao because of it's easy entrance (no lift bridge) and it's location to the river beaches and sea beaches. Also right next to where I now live across the river and I can see my boat from my house window with binoc's.
Other options would be Albufeira which I believe is a bit cheaper but not my cup of tea and Vilamoura which in my experience is like living in a goldfish bowl with the tourists. The there's always Vila Real de San Antonio on the Guidiana river. Too far east for me and can be very difficult berthing. Only to be attempted at slack tide in my eperience.
Portimao port has the Marina boatyard and there are a couple of other cheaper ones that you can use to lift out and do work. Good facilities there for repairs and spares in my experience.
Lots of restaurants around the marina but many close in the winter. There's always a few open though.
Portimao is a working town with proper shops and DIY stores and with a real feel of a Portuguese community so you can usually source everything you might need there. Small narrow streets in the old area and lots of small restaurants tucked away which stay open all year.
As I said earlier, the two places of Lagos and Portimao are different but both are popular with cruisers. My approach would be to have a few nights in Lagos and then come down to Portimao and try that.
In summer months, in fact all year round if you're onboard, you can anchor in the river and save your money, dinghy-ing ashore to the beaches and shops if you like. Many people spend May through to September on anchor then take a 9 month contract (cheaper months) in the marina through the "winter".
Send me a pm if you need more info on specifics and I'll try and help.
p.s. it does rain here in Portugal sometimes but the good thing is you know you're only a few days from nice sunshine coming back. :) :) :) :)
 
greeny said:
Greeny, do you mind me asking if you are in Portimao? If so do you recommend it. Ive got no plans that need to be adheared to so can go anywhere. My only requirement is somewhere safe where I dont mind leaving the boat for a couple of weeks at a time.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Hi
Yes I'm in Portimao and have been here for 20 years now. Ever since the marina was built in fact.
For me, Portimao and Lagos are both "good" choices although they are very different. Lagos is right next to the town, Praia da Rocha (Portimao) marina is a bit out of the main town and near the beaches and resort of Prai da Rocha. Although still walkable into the main town, maybe 15 mins.
I chose Portimao because of it's easy entrance (no lift bridge) and it's location to the river beaches and sea beaches. Also right next to where I now live across the river and I can see my boat from my house window with binoc's.
Other options would be Albufeira which I believe is a bit cheaper but not my cup of tea and Vilamoura which in my experience is like living in a goldfish bowl with the tourists. The there's always Vila Real de San Antonio on the Guidiana river. Too far east for me and can be very difficult berthing. Only to be attempted at slack tide in my eperience.
Portimao port has the Marina boatyard and there are a couple of other cheaper ones that you can use to lift out and do work. Good facilities there for repairs and spares in my experience.
Lots of restaurants around the marina but many close in the winter. There's always a few open though.
Portimao is a working town with proper shops and DIY stores and with a real feel of a Portuguese community so you can usually source everything you might need there. Small narrow streets in the old area and lots of small restaurants tucked away which stay open all year.
As I said earlier, the two places of Lagos and Portimao are different but both are popular with cruisers. My approach would be to have a few nights in Lagos and then come down to Portimao and try that.
In summer months, in fact all year round if you're onboard, you can anchor in the river and save your money, dinghy-ing ashore to the beaches and shops if you like. Many people spend May through to September on anchor then take a 9 month contract (cheaper months) in the marina through the "winter".
Send me a pm if you need more info on specifics and I'll try and help.
p.s. it does rain here in Portugal sometimes but the good thing is you know you're only a few days from nice sunshine coming back. :) :) :) :)
[/QUOTE]

Excellent summary. Nothing much to add other both the River Guadiana and Culatra offer other areas of interest.
 
The marina one definitely does allow it. Several people living aboard ok, 24/7 electric and do your own work. If doing your own work you will be expected to comply with the rules such as sheeting in when sanding or spraying etc. I'm also sure that Antonio's yard is the same. The couple of other smaller ones I'm not sure about, but I do see people there, working on their own boats so my guess would be yes.
 
greeny said:
The marina one definitely does allow it. Several people living aboard ok, 24/7 electric and do your own work. If doing your own work you will be expected to comply with the rules such as sheeting in when sanding or spraying etc. I'm also sure that Antonio's yard is the same. The couple of other smaller ones I'm not sure about, but I do see people there, working on their own boats so my guess would be yes.
Click to expand...

Same for Sopromar in Lagos.
 
Well good on you Cornish I sure you have a great time , take your time and enjoy .
But I wouldn't leave just yet , Europe is shut to anyone coming from the UK just now,
Last year some boats decided to carry on as normal only to find when arriving there wasn't allowed in,

Bide your time,
 
Hi guys

I was thinking anytime after the new year celebrations (or lack of celebrations as it may be). Have not spoken to insurance yet about dates and Biscay so it may be March (or longer taking into account sailaboutvics advice (y)) if they have an issue with it being sooner. Cant afford to chance an insurance issue just in case.

Northern Spain looks great and thats really on the 'spend some time in' list.

Sailfree, will drop you a PM when we get near (y)
 
Cornishwesterly said:
Hi guys

I was thinking anytime after the new year celebrations (or lack of celebrations as it may be). Have not spoken to insurance yet about dates and Biscay so it may be March (or longer taking into account sailaboutvics advice (y)) if they have an issue with it being sooner. Cant afford to chance an insurance issue just in case.

Northern Spain looks great and thats really on the 'spend some time in' list.

Sailfree, will drop you a PM when we get near (y)
Click to expand...

Biscay during the closed season.

Whilst insurers aren’t happy with transiting Biscay, Oct - Apr, how would they view an inshore route, not more than say 20nm offshore❓

From personal experience, very doable, once you reach Camaret, all day sails down to Cap Breton, round the corner and along the Spanish coast. twice the distance, thrice the fun.

On one trip we day sailed all the way from Brest to Gibraltar - took 4 months - trip of the lifetime.

Sailing ain’t about hurrying.
 
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