Ash78
New member
Hi All, as relative newbies (day skipper qualified last year) thought I would share a summary of our second bareboat experience, itinerary and a few snaps. Our first bareboat in Mallorca (end Sep) last year had more challenging weather so both wanted a less stressful more enjoyable experience this time!
Day Uno - 9 Sep:
Checked in to boat in Port Adriano. Boat was a Bavaria Sport 360 on Volvo Penta 220’ IPS. Did full inspection on condition of the boat and equipment, missing water hose but soon sorted, boat in good condition. Had a skipper for half day to get used to the controls and explore boat. Practised stern to berthing (using joystick) in Port Adriano and dropped skipper off mid midday. Ventured off West by ourselves to Paguera, dropped anchor for a few hours then headed round to Port Andratx. Note we set up a Ports IB account earlier in the week to make the berth reservations online, which we later were advised is the only way now. Loaded the boat with provisions from the local Eroski near the marina office.
Day Two - 10 Sep:
Set off mid morning to head west, stopped at Cala Sant Elmo (opposite Dragonera) for a few hours, then headed north round to pre-booked berth at Port Soller. Very nice meal at PATIKI (far end on the beach - reserve online).
Day Three - 11 Sep:
Drove further North East and poked nose into Cala Colobra, but noticed Cala Tuent was quieter so dropped anchor in Tuent for the day, very quiet but jelly fish which found Mrs A. Ventured back to extended berth in Port Soller. Phoned Port Andratx to check if they could accommodate us for next day as couldn’t book on the PortsIB website and advised no problem and we would be in berth 28.
Day Four - 12 Sep:
Checked weather and noticed a few thunderstorm warnings so headed back South West to Sant Elmo then checked into berth 29 in Andratx as someone was in 28. Marineiros said we didn’t have a booking and couldn’t stay even though they said on the phone we were on 28. Eventually said we could stay.
Day 5 - 13 Sep:
Checked out of Andratx early and headed down to Cala Blanca - spent the day on anchor before returning boat to Port Adriano.
Tips:
1) Always good to have your own checklist of what you need on the boat when chartering. I put one together after last years experience - again the water hose and electricity adaptors were missing and there weren’t enough lines!
2) PortsIB bookings online and at least 48hrs in advance. Can create an account once you have the boat details.
3) PATIKI restaurant in Soller is well worth a visit.
4) Plan how you go into / out of a marina. As only two of us onboard (and newbies) Mrs A had to do all the lines and fenders so planning ahead helps keep stress levels down.
Overall a much more relaxing trip and both feel like we learnt a lot and grew in confidence on how to handle the boat.
After checking out of the boat and heading to a hotel for a few nights Mrs A has already commented that she wished we were staying on the boat for a few more nights, so I’d call that a successful trip!
Day Uno - 9 Sep:
Checked in to boat in Port Adriano. Boat was a Bavaria Sport 360 on Volvo Penta 220’ IPS. Did full inspection on condition of the boat and equipment, missing water hose but soon sorted, boat in good condition. Had a skipper for half day to get used to the controls and explore boat. Practised stern to berthing (using joystick) in Port Adriano and dropped skipper off mid midday. Ventured off West by ourselves to Paguera, dropped anchor for a few hours then headed round to Port Andratx. Note we set up a Ports IB account earlier in the week to make the berth reservations online, which we later were advised is the only way now. Loaded the boat with provisions from the local Eroski near the marina office.
Day Two - 10 Sep:
Set off mid morning to head west, stopped at Cala Sant Elmo (opposite Dragonera) for a few hours, then headed north round to pre-booked berth at Port Soller. Very nice meal at PATIKI (far end on the beach - reserve online).
Day Three - 11 Sep:
Drove further North East and poked nose into Cala Colobra, but noticed Cala Tuent was quieter so dropped anchor in Tuent for the day, very quiet but jelly fish which found Mrs A. Ventured back to extended berth in Port Soller. Phoned Port Andratx to check if they could accommodate us for next day as couldn’t book on the PortsIB website and advised no problem and we would be in berth 28.
Day Four - 12 Sep:
Checked weather and noticed a few thunderstorm warnings so headed back South West to Sant Elmo then checked into berth 29 in Andratx as someone was in 28. Marineiros said we didn’t have a booking and couldn’t stay even though they said on the phone we were on 28. Eventually said we could stay.
Day 5 - 13 Sep:
Checked out of Andratx early and headed down to Cala Blanca - spent the day on anchor before returning boat to Port Adriano.
Tips:
1) Always good to have your own checklist of what you need on the boat when chartering. I put one together after last years experience - again the water hose and electricity adaptors were missing and there weren’t enough lines!
2) PortsIB bookings online and at least 48hrs in advance. Can create an account once you have the boat details.
3) PATIKI restaurant in Soller is well worth a visit.
4) Plan how you go into / out of a marina. As only two of us onboard (and newbies) Mrs A had to do all the lines and fenders so planning ahead helps keep stress levels down.
Overall a much more relaxing trip and both feel like we learnt a lot and grew in confidence on how to handle the boat.
After checking out of the boat and heading to a hotel for a few nights Mrs A has already commented that she wished we were staying on the boat for a few more nights, so I’d call that a successful trip!
