Update on Sant Carles Marina

[Hurricane]

Just thought you'd like to see some recent photos showing how the new Sant Carles Marina is coming along. I was posting them on our private marina forum so I thought I'd copy them on here as well.

I got back late yesterday after a long drive across Spain and then the ferry from Santander to Plymouth.

You may have seen the pics of the boat yard that I posted from the marina. This new yard is the envy of any marina and the staff are experienced and helpful. The lift manager for example is ex Hamble Point and is very careful in everything he lifts.

The swimming pool in these photos is, in fact, finished but some of the ceramic tiles had come adrift and they were refixing them so the water had been taken out. You can see from the photos that it is an infinity pool so when its full it is supposed to feel like you are swinning in the marina!!!

The grass at the moment is a bit thin but growing at a terrific rate and the marina bar should be open for Easter. The smaller building beside the pool is for berth holders - I believe that it will have Gym equipment and easy chairs - I know what I will opt for!!!

IMO the vegetation in this marina will be very lush and in a couple of years you wont recognise the place. You must realise that only last year this was a derelict parcel of swamp land.

So, here are the pics - in no particular order - hope you find them interesting

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Coming along nicely, H. You'll be glad of that pool in July/Aug!

 

[jfm]

Yes, loads of progress, looking great. Ref the infinity pool Mike, I'm not sure I'd want to feel I'm swimming in the marina! I scrub my hands clean after handling the lazy lines!

Is there significant tidal range? Just trying to figure out why it's all on floating pontoons and piles, not stern-to

 

[Hurricane]

[ QUOTE ]
Just trying to figure out why it's all on floating pontoons and piles, not stern-to

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I think it was probably a cost and speed of build thing. The marina was constructed from a small lagoon and I think pontoons were the most appropriate. Only my view though - could be other reasons. About half the berths are stern to anyway. From my point of view, I prefer the pontoon arrangment - gives me access to the side of the boat as well and a good separation from the next boat. The boat can ve cleaned on the berth for instance.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've seen that many marinas in France and Spain in and around the Golf de Lion area have pontoon berths rather than stern to berths. This could be because pontoon berths are more secure when the mistral blows. Certainly pontoon berths are far more convenient for berthing particularly when shorthanded. We quite often don't take our boat out because we can't face the hassle of faffing about with lazy lines and cleaning the bow area up afterwards. Unfortunately, stern to berthing is a fact of boating life in most of the Med so you just have to deal with it