Up river to Seville

[Dilemma]

We are currently at home, whilst our boat is ashore at Bruce's Yard in Faro. We are planning the next stage of our journey to the Med, starting mid March 2019. We want to go up the Guadalquivir, stay a couple of nights and do the tourist stuff. We would appreciate any help and experiences that you can share.
The questions in my mind are: Can you navigate the river at night? What is the air draft of the overhead cables on the Western branch of the river up to Marina Guelves? (We have an air draft of 19m). Does the Puente de las Delicias only open 3 times a week at 20:00? What times can you get through the lock?

 

[capnsensible]

Been up there a few times but some years ago. The only question I can answer for sure is that you can navigate the river at night. There are some good pit stop anchorages on the way too but sadly I no longer have the chart to describe them.

Very tidal, you need to start around Bonanza on the young flood and don't be shy with the engine. Watch out for big vessels running at speed up and down to Seville.

Lock times changed dramatically when the new lock opened, there didn't seem to be leisure craft lock through a anymore. You could try an email to the Yacht Club in Seville, if you can get there, it's fab and near the city centre.

Cannot remember the air gap on the pylons outside Gelves, which is a bit run down, tidally constrained and a long way outa town.

Not all gloom, if you can get up there, Seville is well worth a couple of days looky looky!

Further thought, for passage information, try again an email to the marina at Chipiona which is a good departure point anyway.

Hope it goes well!

 

[richardbrennan]

I am afraid I cannot help with the navigation query, but my wife and I recently spent four nights in Seville and I can offer the following recommendations.

I had one of the best meals of my life in a restaurant called "La Quinta". It's a bit off the beaten track, but it's very reasonable for the quality of the food, (try the slow cooked pork), and has a courtyard if you fancy dining al fresco. We also had a couple of very nice lunches at "Casa Carmen" which is just off the river.

As far as the sights go, the Alcazar and Cathedral are well worth visiting, and it's worth booking a tour on line to avoid the queues. We also found the Bullring well worthwhile, it has a very interesting museum. I would not bother with the bus tours, most of the sights are surrounded by pedestrian only areas, so most of it was around the old Expo sight which is now pretty derelict.

Whatever else you do, go to a flamenco show. We went to La Casa de Flamenco and again booked online. It's a small intimate venue and it's worth getting there a bit early to get a front row seat.

I hope you find this useful and enjoy your visit.

 

[DownWest]

One of my favourite places. Went up the river in '77. Did it on one tide, but in a Mobo. Not sure if I would try at night. Not least, because of the wild life to see in daylight.
Been there often since and it has changed quite a lot. But the old town is still a delight.

 

[temptress]

We went up river in one tide. Our air draft is 23m. Spent a great few weeks stern in at the yacht club. The oppie fleet used out anchor bouy as their regular race mark. Loved our time there.

Don't know the current lock opening times but i recall something like once a day and additionally when they have a freighter. Was all quite straightforward when we got there.

 

[macd]

As said, it's possible to make Guelves in a single tide, but there are many anchorages en route. The channel is comprehensively buoyed, but I wouldn't want to run it at night -- not least because much of the west bank of the Guadalquivir is in the Doñana National Park, which is particularly famed for its bird life. Scenically, however, it's flatter and less interesting than the Guadiana.

On passage 10 years ago, I dropped the hook on the west side of a broad, straight reach about two-thirds of the way up from Sanlucar (having managed to sail most of the way there, which was pretty lucky). Good holding, well away from the shipping channel, and a large colony of storks busy nest-building a short distance away. Memorable. (Afraid have no position reference to hand, but the colony is easy to spot.)

Beware of being ashore at dusk: the mozzies are on an Old Testament scale, but were OK anchored off.

 

[Roberto]

Some pictures and a few family videos while going upriver, lock, bridge and all.

https://sybrancaleone.blogspot.com/2010/06/vid-rio-guadalquivir-sevilla.html

 

[capnsensible]

Problem is that that old lock is long gone. The big new one doesnt have regular lock through times for small craft, you have to go in with commercial traffic. The times vary and are not reliable. I got lucky when I went through but Ive known people to be held up for days.

The Bridge is more reliable and once through there is an old small marina (Marina Sol) where its possible to wait for a locking without timing for the bridge too.

lots of messing about but generally worth it of your patient.

Great vids, ta, bought back memories!

 

[Roberto]

Problem is that that old lock is long gone. The big new one doesnt have regular lock through times for small craft, you have to go in with commercial traffic. The times vary and are not reliable. I got lucky when I went through but Ive known people to be held up for days.

The Bridge is more reliable and once through there is an old small marina (Marina Sol) where its possible to wait for a locking without timing for the bridge too.

lots of messing about but generally worth it of your patient.

Great vids, ta, bought back memories!

You remember what was it winter 2009 or 2010 maybe? the bridge broke and the boats could not get out for weeks, IIRC some even unstepped their masts.
There are much worse places to be stuck into I must say, love the town.
Also, once a catamaran iirc touched the cables overhanging the section to Gelves, big fireworks.

 

[macd]

Also, once a catamaran iirc touched the cables overhanging the section to Gelves, big fireworks.

A boat did that just before I was there in April 2008. Perhaps the same one, although I doubt it was the first, or last. I'm not sure what the tidal range is there (on a 32-footer I didn't need to know), but on lofty craft it does need taking into account.

 

[capnsensible]

Got some contact numbers for advice, correct 2016.

Marina Gelves 0034 955 761212

Marina SunSails. After the old lock. 0034 954184848

Marina Cub Nautico in the centre upstream from bridge. 0034 954454777

All may have websites now.

New lock opened around 2012.

 

[Dilemma]

Capt Sensible and Roberto, many thanks