sicily marinas

[johnf]

We are planning a move from Torrevieja to Corfu in Spring 2017 but are thinking about breaking the journey in Sicily and maybe even spending a year there before moving on in 2018. I am flying to Sicilly to check out the marinas in October this year and see that Ragua and Licata seem to be the best places to look at. ( any other suggestions to consider??). If we stay there we may have her taken out of the water for the winter.

We do not live aboard all year but visit for school holidays and whenever we can. My boat is 14 metre. Cost is an important issue.

One final question to anyone in Sicily is about the illegal immigrant issue. Whilst I have every sympathy with their plight I read of some violence in Palermo and security issues on the Island. This may all be exaggerated but I would be grateful if anyone has any first hand experience of the effect of the immigrant influx to the Island.

Many thanks

John

 

[Dave100456]

Can only comment on Syracuse where we spent 4 days when on passage two weeks ago. Wonderful place no issues re safety or security.
If its of use, I will be in Licata in two weeks but just for one or two nights, PM me after then and I can feedback my impressions.
Dave

 

[sailaboutvic]

I think you will there are lots written about Licata and Ragusa on here .
We stayed in both over the years .
Both are safe Marina .
Licata has a big town on the door step .
Ragusa a small town but every thing you need .
there are three supermarkets , butches , two bakery's , and plenty of bars and restaurants to keep most people happy and a reg bus to Ragusa city .
Just a long day sail from Malta .
The real different in my books is the fouling Licata has , bad enough for us never to go back there , and we have copper coating , lucky we never had a problem but many did , to the extent of having to be tow off to the yard to be lifted .
To be fair , they do have a diver who charges some where around 100 /150 for half hour dive , for us who dive on our boats , we know very well there not a lot you can do in half hour , maybe clean prop and hull inlets .
If it wasn't for the problem we would visit again .
I have read on fourm people saying there isn't a problem , I not sure why they write this , it isn't being fair to follow cruisers
Looking for information to miss led them .

 

[SeamanStaines]

There was absolutly no issue with illegal immigrants in Ragussa, a couple of Morrocons around selling trinkets but that was all and they where never a problem. We have wintered there for the last three years and are retunrning in October. Agree with Vic on fouling at Licata, nightmare. Ragussa by comparision has very little as there are fresh water springs in the harbour which makes the water brackish.

 

[multihullsailor6]

There is a new marina on Sicily's north coast close to Palermo airport http://www.marinadibalestrate.com they might be offering good rates in their first winter.

 

[whiteoaks7]

I have to admit I can understand you wanting to go to Sicily because it's lovely, but when we passed through we had a difficult time finding space anywhere. That said, Palermo is a fabulous city. But - have you considered Sardinia? Maybe have a look at Arbatax, we almost decided to overwinter there due mainly to lowish (comparatively) rates.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I have to admit I can understand you wanting to go to Sicily because it's lovely, but when we passed through we had a difficult time finding space anywhere. Maybe have a look at Arbatax, we almost decided to overwinter there due mainly to lowish (comparatively) rates.

Where did you try ,?
Licata and Ragusa has tons of room , and the prices for a winter 7 months contract is about the best your going to find around them parts . 12 mts for around 1300 E , what isn't good is that both Marina won't let you work out side on the boat on the hard or stay on board .

 

[Monique]

Stayed in Marina di Ragusa last winter.. as sailaboutvic ans seamanstaines... I visited a friend in Licata and as pointed out by Vic, he had a beard this long.... on his boat. Our own boat is out of the water now (in water since July 2014) (Coppercoat) and only the prop was fouled. I would forget Licata for the reasons mentioned. MDR has best prices on the Med.

Arbatax is 7 kms from the nearest anything...

GL with your search.

 

[johnf]

Thank you for all your comments very helpful as always

 

[NOHOH]

From Google Earth, which aint that clear......Balestrate Marina is cut off from the town by a railway line....and the roads go a very long way round. The town is very densly built up with no apparent centre.......The website has no English or any other language translation. This would all be fine if your intention is merely to `dump` your boat for the winter and go elsewhere.....which is what most Italians want. So....its for Italians rather than International Liveaboards. Don`t expect too much.

 

[Carmel2]

Re the fouling in Licata. Yes its bad, very bad, but it comes off if you sneeze at it.