Spain - Winter lay-up

[Ray_G]

I am heading south in the spring, to the Med and thinking ahead to next year's lay-up would ask if anyone could advise of a suitable marina in the south of Spain? I am told that spaces are getting difficult to obtain and so hence my thoughts of early reservation.

 

[Andrew_B]

Earlier this year I sailed along the Spanish coast after having crossed the Atlantic from Florida.Every marina I approached was full and unless you enjoy sailing along endlessmiles of beach with no anchorages I wouldn't bother with Spain.
Where I would go is Southern Portugal.Though its still tidal it does get the same weather as Spain and there is plenty of room for visitors or longterm.Also you will find it alot cheaper.I stopped for 3 weeks and was charged 40 pounds a week including water and electricity.

If Portugal doesn't sound right them head for Majorca or Menorca.A little more expensive but fantastic.

Good luck

 

[colvic]

I agree! Spain is now FULL if you are anything over 10mtrs. and also prices are rising.

We Brits and the Germans are to blame and it's interesting to see justhow many Germans have gone West this summer to Croatia etc.

Give Spain a miss.

Phil

 

[ccscott49]

Barcelona is 3300 euros, for six months for a 57' boat, inclluding leccy and water, very secure and right in the middle of the city. Portugal, especially the marinas, is now getting expensive, although anywhere between portugal and gibraltar is still fairly cheap. Forget gibraltar or the costa del sol, Almerimar is also very reasonable. IMHO

 

[MedMan]

There are two marinas at the eastern end of the Costa del Sol that both have thriving live-aboard communities - Almerimar and Aguadulce. Many spend each winter in one of these marinas and cruise the Balearics each summer. Almerimar is out in the sticks and quieter, Aguadulce is on the edge of a reasonably large village and near a major road and consequently livelier and noiser.

It is now some time (1998/99) since I over-wintered in Almerimar so you will have to look to others for more recent advice. However, don't be put off by some of the negative comments on this thread - this part of Spain has much to commend it. The winter weather and the camaraderie of the live-aboard community are both amongst the best in the Med.

 

[ccscott49]

I agree. As I said, I think, couldn't remember the name of the aguadulce place.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Portugal

Andrew - which parts of Portugal - I agree with your comments on Spain - we had a week out their on land last year recying the marinas - whilst they were ok - there was no where to sail to - day time and overnight anchorages.

Is the Algarve coast any better? I am planning to move the boat from Brittany further south into warmer climates as part of a cunning plan to get my wife more interested in longer term sailing (Job prospects in City of London - lokking slightly dented - therefore change in life style will be required!)

Any thoughts would be welcome

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Portugal

I moved from Portugal (Lagos) this year, the rates had increased a lot! Portimao, is a little cheaper, Vilamoura a little more expensive, there is a new marina about to open, or it may be open at albufiera, I think is the name of the place, theres a few nice anchorages and theres another marina just up the river guardiana, but thats about it, on the algarve side, a couple of places around Faro. Portimao has a couple of good anchorages and theres a wonderful place just east of lagos, the name escapes me, which is a pity, seeing as I anchored there about 50 times!! As for laying up out of the water, you have portimao, vilamopura, Lagos, (Sopramar) and again thats about it. The coast of portugal is really nice from cabo san vicente to about albufiera, then its pretty boring until well into spain. i'm sure you will get a lot more info.

 

[hylas]

no way for Aguadulce... Full..
But there is plenty of room at Almerimar and the marina is one of the cheapest of the whole med..
I recommend it for all aspects

 

[chrisrixon]

Don't they sting you if you want to antifoul your boat?

 

[MedMan]

Pontoon Gossip! Its amazing how such myths persist. I was told that story in 1998 but it simply wasn't true. You can only employ 'approved contractors' from whom the marina take a cut but you can do whatever work you like on your own boat.

 

[chrisrixon]

Strange, I'm sure they told me that on the phone, I guess I got the wrong end of the stick, thanks!

 

[MedMan]

Unless they have changed their rules recently, of course!

 

[DreamyLady]

I am at Almerimar in Spain. Berths can be difficult to find in winter if 12m or above. A lot of marinas in Spain (including Almerimar) do not allow you to either live aboard your yacht for more than a week whilst ashore or undertake work on the yacht yourself whilst ashore.

 

[hylas]

Strange, I spent the whole winter there and plenty of people have been living on board without any problem... It was still plenty of space for boats of 12 metres and above..
But yes it can be some limitation if you are ashore

 

[Guest]

Re: Andrew

Must be some bays to anchor in on del sol, I've just got a berth west of Estepona
spos one could always make for a different Marina at the end of the day, but that gets expensive heh.. Mind you I know where I'll be popping along to and thats Gib cos everything cheaper there, and only about 20 miles from my marina

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)

 

[mpprh]

Hi

Not quite Spain ! ................ but

there is a sizeable overwintering community at Aigues Mortes, France.
It has the advantage of shelter, low cost, and an attractive medieval walled town with restaurants, supermarkets etc nearby.

Aigues Mortes was the departure port for some of the crusades. The original port is now silted up, and todays moorings are on the canal linking Grau de Roi to the Rhone a Sete canal.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

 

[charles_reed]

Alvor nm

nm

 

[Gerry]

Portimao had some good deals for the winter a few weeks ago, half the price of Vilamoura. Some berths at Vila Real too. River Guardiana can be a bit full of debris over the winter months we spent some time at Pomerau in November and got pretty battered by trees and dead cows floating down river!

 

[Sunny_Jim]

This season, we cruised from La Rochelle round Spain down Portugal and back to Spain through Gib and up the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

We ended in Torrevieja in the "International Marina @ Euro 1,000 for 6 months in water for 6 months Oct - April. It's a good little port with a good chandlery & yacht services run by Brit who is HLR (Honorary Local representative) for Cruising Association (CA)

If you haven't already joined CA, I recommend you do so as they have a thriving Mediterranean Section whose MEDNET is a great source of useful info...

I would be pleased to e-mail my pilotage notes for our cruise if you would like them.

It's an interesting trip and there are wonderful places to visit en route. Have you read "Brighton to the Med" by David & Pat Teall? This served pretty well as our passage planner as far as Almerimar.

Another good and cheap winter layup is Puerto de San Pedro del Pinatar but it is in the boondocks.

Best wishes for your trip...