There goes next season?

[38mess]

Let's hope we have similar weather to last summer, the spring weather was amazing but we couldn't go anywhere. Our wedding day in June, which we had to cancel was the most beautiful sultry day and night, what's the chance of that happening again ?

 

[st599]

Only managed a 1 week charter as the boats I normally skipper were out all year.

45 knots + out in the Solent, great fun.

Can't wait to get out sailing and meet up with friends both in the UK and abroad.

 

[stevie69p]

I totted up last years sailing mileage and it came to 800 miles, which I thought wasn't bad, considering much of that was very local to my home berth. On many of the early trips that were allowed, I didn't venture ashore; just making sure that I had plenty of provisions and water on board. My recollection is that it didn't turn out to be a bad season, all things considered. I had some glorious weeks spent at anchor when the weather was settled and very little breeze, and then I sailed on the days with breeze to the next anchorage.

This year was supposed to be the start of my 'semi retirement' cruising plan, where I would work the winter months and sail the spring and summer. I'm not sure how realistic a prospect that plan is going to be, at least the earlier part of it. Which leaves me with a predicament as to whether I should renew my annual marina berthing contract or not, as the plan was to not to be back in until late September. First world problems, I know...

I'm just hanging off making any decisions until late March and see how things are looking by then. My plan had been to go to Ireland and then maybe Brittany. I'm not sure if either of those will be an option, so may well end up on the west coast of Scotland instead.

 

[eddystone]

All seems very negative just like similar posts last March. Actually I got some very good sailing in last August to October and am reasonably confident will be sailing in June if not earlier

 

[doug748]

Apologies if this should be in the Lounge but it is boaty. BTW I am not expressing any sort of opinion on whether anyone is handling things badly or well, just commenting on the effects on my hobby. Please dont hijack.

Boat on the hard in Gosport, marina also in Gosport, both Tier 4. Strong hints that this is going to be the same or tighter until Easter at least. AFAIK no point in renewing my contract with a marina which wont/cant allow access anyway due to Tier, boat probably safer in the yard at least the anodes wont waste away. Not a happy bunny.

We were in a similar situation last year and a number of people did not launch at all.

It can be a lottery but last spring I launched ASAP, which turned out to be 25th May. I took a one month deal in a local marina, took off to France on 6th July, stayed for five weeks, came back to another month in a marina and then came out of the water for the winter.

It could have all turned titsup but in the end I was aboard for 68 days and covered 750miles, over a 4 month season. Well pleased really but of course it does depend on:

a) Being retired.
b) Not being tied to a marina contract
c) Being lucky with the way things pan out.

So, if I were you, I might not renew, keep your powder dry and see what occurs.

.

 

[RJJ]

Since we're on the topic:

We planned to leave for a family Atlantic circuit in June 2020. We postponed to 2021 for better or worse. We could as it happened have gone.

Any thoughts on this year? Given house/work/school planning, we need to decide in April, or beginning of May at the latest. Will we:
- be able to leave UK in June/July?
- be able to enter Brittany / Galicia / Portugal (quarantine on board if necessary?)
- be able to assemble in Canaries and cross to Caribbean?

Answers on a postcard. Thanks.

 

[nortada]

Since we're on the topic:

We planned to leave for a family Atlantic circuit in June 2020. We postponed to 2021 for better or worse. We could as it happened have gone.

Any thoughts on this year? Given house/work/school planning, we need to decide in April, or beginning of May at the latest. Will we:
- be able to leave UK in June/July?
- be able to enter Brittany / Galicia / Portugal (quarantine on board if necessary?)
- be able to assemble in Canaries and cross to Caribbean?u

Answers on a postcard. Thanks.

RJJ - my answer on a postcard.?

Our background is totally different to you Guys.

Basic plan. 6 winter months under sail in Portugal, 6 summer months in U.K. in static caravan or cruising under power.

We are both 77 and have being doing this for the last 20 years. Sold up house in U.K. in 2006 to continue to fund 2 boats and caravan plus life style.

Until 2016 worked perfectly.

Then along came Brexit so loads of research resulted in getting a boat recognized as a residence so we got Portuguese residency - good move.

Then along came Covid.

Result, we came back to Portugal 23 Oct 2019 for the winter, planning to return to U.K. Apr 20 but still stuck in Portugal, as we are residents at least we can stay as long as we like but after 450 afloat, wouldn’t mind coming ashore for a while.

Big plus, by and large we have been free to sail in near ideal sailing conditions and enjoy by far a still cheaper cost of living (well).

Big minus, we have been away from family and U.K. friends for 15 months, can’t return to the U.K. and at present, can’t see where from here.

Not complaining, just showing a different perspective. Given the opportunity, would we go back and change things - NO.

So our message to all is, we feel your pain and given the chance, think outside the box and grab it if you can but there will be sacrifices.

Our future, well the static caravan, although a great 15 years, is no longer fit for purpose so when we get back to Blighty we will sell and buy a modest 2 bedroom apartment before returning to Ionia to continue our nomadic life style for as long as possible.

Best of luck to all for the coming season and keep dreaming - it will all happen.

Finally, AJJ, looking forward to buying you your first beer in the Marina Bar in the Fall as you pass through on your Atlantic Circuit.

ps Escaping back to Liveaboard Link to the rest of the Folk who make dreams come true.?

 

[doug748]

Since we're on the topic:

We planned to leave for a family Atlantic circuit in June 2020. We postponed to 2021 for better or worse. We could as it happened have gone.

Any thoughts on this year? Given house/work/school planning, we need to decide in April, or beginning of May at the latest. Will we:
- be able to leave UK in June/July?
- be able to enter Brittany / Galicia / Portugal (quarantine on board if necessary?)
- be able to assemble in Canaries and cross to Caribbean?

Answers on a postcard. Thanks.

Not a clue, so of course I am going to spout anyway -).

It looks far too chancy to me.
Quite apart from the new political arrangements with the Continent (which in reality would probably be relatively ok, as you pass through) there are too many unknowns about the virus and how it will be affecting France, Spain and Portugal during the spring and late summer/autumn. They are only now ramping up their vaccination programme and could yet get a severe jolt with the new strain, it's easy to imagine getting stuck without being able to stick or twist, in any of those three mainland countries or the Azores.

Arriving, and passing through, the West Indies could be even more problematic. At the best of times some of these countries have precarious economies and health systems, you would not want to be stuck there bouncing from place to place and welcome nowhere, not even on a flight home.

You want a dream to go well, particularly with the family involved, my thoughts are that you would set off with the cards stacked against you.

.

.

 

[RJJ]

You want a dream to go well, particularly with the family involved, my thoughts are that you would set off with the cards stacked against you.

Thanks Doug. You're absolutely right of course.

Very sadly we decided not to go last year on that basis...others went and while the ARC wasn't the party-filled mass jolly one signs up for, it seems to have been a success. And we'd have missed all this remote schooling nonsense, and we'd right now be on some rather pleasant beach in some rather emptier-than-normal Caribbean island...

But indeed, it's a worry. The worst-case risk is: boat impounded, we fly back to UK for quarantine at our expense, then don't have a home, school or job (because we'll be on sabbatical leave).

Likely case seems to me quarantine on arrival in one or two spots en route, which we can stomach.

If anyone has a really good crystal ball...

 

[nortada]

Abortive post so proper response is below.

RJJ thank you for the .

 

[nortada]

Doug,

Of course, it must be your call but if I may, I would like to take the Liberty to add a few of my thoughts to your post.

Personal circumstances must govern all but if RJJ is contemplating the Atlantic Circuit, they must have some flexibility.

Not a clue, so of course I am going to spout anyway -).

It looks far too chancy to me. (You could be right but all life is chancy so it is all about where your risk level lies).

Quite apart from the new political arrangements with the Continent (which in reality would probably be relatively ok, as you pass through) there are too many unknowns about the virus and how it will be affecting France, Spain and Portugal during the spring and late summer/autumn.

(Agree under Schengen you can have 3 months cruising in the EU and if required, use Morocco as a bolt hole or even get Portuguese residency, which would give you unlimited stay in Portugal. Then you can use this as a base to operate out of).

They are only now ramping up their vaccination programme and could yet get a severe jolt with the new strain, it's easy to imagine getting stuck without being able to stick or twist, in any of those three mainland countries or the Azores.

(Here in Portugal, we are in the thick of Covid but if RJJ is planning the Circuit, they will aim to be in the Canaries in November so could/would leave departure from the U.K. until end of August. By then I suggest even Portugal should have got the virus contained.

Having got to Southern Europe, you could dump the boat and recover to the U.K. or do 90 days in, say Tangiers, before another 90 days in the EU and if it is still all rat-shit in the Americas stay around the Med/ North Africa until things settle down.).

Arriving, and passing through, the West Indies could be even more problematic. At the best of times some of these countries have precarious economies and health systems, you would not want to be stuck there bouncing from place to place and welcome nowhere, not even on a flight home.

You want a dream to go well, particularly with the family involved, my thoughts are that you would set off with the cards stacked against you.

(I would suggest, provided you think outside of the box and remain flexible the dream is still there to be grabbed).

Life doesn't come with many second chances!

ps Stuck here in full Portuguese lockdown, I have time to spare so if anybody has any specific questions, ask or PM and I will do my best to answer.

 

[RJJ]

Doug,

Of course, it must be your call but if I may, I would like to take the Liberty to add a few of my thoughts to your post.

Personal circumstances must govern all but if RJJ is contemplating the Atlantic Circuit, they must have some flexibility.



Life doesn't come with many second chances!

ps Stuck here in full Portuguese lockdown, I have time to spare so if anybody has any specific questions, ask or PM and I will do my best to answer.

V thoughtful thanks. It is indeed a chance for us as owing to school age, we have already decided it's this year or not at all.

Good point though that if we end up living aboard somewhere like southern Spain or Algarve for winter it may not be that bad a life...

Thanks for taking the time

 

[nortada]

V thoughtful thanks. It is indeed a chance for us as owing to school age, we have already decided it's this year or not at all.

Good point though that if we end up living aboard somewhere like southern Spain or Algarve for winter it may not be that bad a life...

Thanks for taking the time

No problem, if you wish we could explore options further but if you are contemplating coming to Iberia, I would recommend Portugal over Spain.

As has been apparent throughout the Brexit Saga, Portugal has been more pro Brit than Spain.

As happens our daughter has a house in Ayamonte in Andalusia so we get to see both sides.

 

[Solent Sailor]

We managed about 2/3 of our usual time aboard last year - pretty good in the circumstances (especially as we didn't sail after September and have done previously). We went as far as Falmouth and found no difficulty getting in anywhere, save for Weymouth and then we found a spot in the inner marina. Torquay could also only put us up for one night, which was initially disappointing, but once we'd reacquainted ourselves with the town we were less unhappy (sorry locals!).

I'm generally quite pessimistic but I can see us being back on the water properly much earlier than many are suggesting on here - April/May for local sailing. May/June for longer trips away overnight. We probably won't be crossing the channel this year the way things look, but if we can, we will.

 

[dom]

My take is much more optimistic:

First, we have to be mindful of mid-winter blues and it's freezing and horrible outside.

Next, this Covid-19 mental fatigue is real so don't go flogging boats or anything like that -- act in haste repent at leisure and all that!

Practically speaking, the vaccines are here well ahead of schedule and the UK's effort is world leading. Top marks to Bojo for finally nailing something!

Summary, the weather will soon warm, we'll all be jabbed, the girls will pull out their summer gear, restaurants & pubs will reopen and...

.....away we go!! ☀ ? ?

 

[magicol]

I’ve followed this thread with interest but cannot see the logic of selling up now as a consequence of the pandemic. I’m more optimistic about getting back on the water than I am about getting back to what we are now calling ‘normality’. Like many, we had some enjoyable and safe sailing last year. Lockdown, the vaccines and the back end of winter will surely see things ease again but many of us will still be reluctant to get on a plane and travel abroad this year. Me, I want to have a good summer but I still want to be careful and avoid catching this virus and it’s variants. So I reason that enjoying my boat is the best way to achieve this. If pubs, restaurants and other places open up, so much the better but even if restrictions remain in force what better way to enjoy the spring and summer whilst staying relatively safe than out on the water in my pride and joy!

 

[Lightwave395]

I'm just hoping France will let me in this summer to get to my boat at all, I'm regrettably considering bringing her back to the West Country but if I can't get to her I can't do that either.
I did at least get over briefly three times last year - went in June as soon as the border opened and moved her to a new location, went back in August for a lift out, antifouling and other maintenance then went back in October to remove stuff for the winter.

Interesting 'B' word question from other threads - if when I can get back, loaded with the stuff I removed in October (liferaft, sails, etc) how will the Douanes view my gear...

 

[TernVI]

.....

Interesting 'B' word question from other threads - if when I can get back, loaded with the stuff I removed in October (liferaft, sails, etc) how will the Douanes view my gear...

I think you may regret doing that!

 

[matt1]

The head of Astra Z yesterday said the UK was well on track to vaccinate the over 50's by March (I assume end of March). Given that's a non govt source with no reason to make stuff up, I'm inclined to believe him. I can't believe the Govt will keep us in lockdown once the over 50's are jabbed so realistically end March - 3rd week or April should start to see some normality return?

 

[dunedin]

I'm just hoping France will let me in this summer to get to my boat at all, I'm regrettably considering bringing her back to the West Country but if I can't get to her I can't do that either.
........

Hopefully there will be no issue getting back to your boat in France. But if any concern a delivery crew should be able to bring the boat back to the UK with no problem. You may even be able to be signed on as delivery crew, provided there is a fully qualified and certificated professional delivery skipper on board.
Might need to take a folding bike with you (ref a previous delivery crew thread)