Views on lay-up afloat in France or Belgium?

[milltech]

I was going to take the off season afloat on the Hamble, but it occurred to me that it might be fun to have a pied-a-terre in France during the Winter. Does anyone have any views about where and the costs, and if there are any administrative problems?

It seems to me that it needs to be a ferry port, not far from a terminal for pedestrian (cab using) travellers, good shelter and security in a nice-ish town. (But then I think Calais is a nice-ish town because they're nice to the English, so I'm not too fussy).

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[Anchorite]

Ostend fits the bill: walking distance from ferry (although ferry is twice as long as Calais, say 4 hours). Marina inside lock gates so no hassle with swell, shops and restaurants line the quays, three-masted Mercator in the next basin. And plenty of nightlife (if you're allowed...)

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[AndrewB]

Assuming that reasonably easy access on foot is crucial, then unfortunately Belgium is probably out the picture right now because there are no cross-channel footpassenger ferries serving any of the ports, apart from on the Hull - Zeebrugge route. (The new Ramsgate - Ostend ferry only takes cars). Air via Charleroi (Ryanair) or rail via Brussels (Eurostar) might be considered but both involve a complex interchange to rail services, and the latter is expensive.

In NE France, the much improved Calais marina is full, I believe with a waiting list, though at present they are accepting yachts for laying up ashore. Boulogne is possible, assuming that the recently announced footpassenger coach service on the new Dover - Boulogne ferry goes ahead, and continues to offer a winter service. Alternatively, both Boulogne and Dunkerque marinas can be reached direct by train and bus from Calais (as can Gravelines and Etaples for 'mud-creek pontoons') but there are only limited daily services.

 

[heerenleed]

Why don't you consider the SW of the Netherlands. Always sheltered waters and excellent public transport to most of the towns. Also, most marinas offer very interesting winter rates.
There is cheap BasiqAir flying from Rotterdam to Stanstead and from Rotterdam there is a dense bus network to any place in Zeeland (SW province).

If you need any more info, pls let me know.
cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.heerenleed.tk>http://www.heerenleed.tk</A>

 

[milltech]

Thanks everyone, more contributions?

Thanks everyone for the responses, “more locations required”, would seem to be my immediate response if any others have a view about Ferry ports west of Calais or knowledge of the winter ferries to Boulogne, (I could of course make a phone call). Perhaps I should look further West to Ouistreham (sp?) if the ferry runs all year.

Heerenleed
Thanks for the suggestion, Stanstead is not the easiest airport for me to get to and I think The Netherlands is quite a bit further East than I had planned to go, although I do appreciate that it is a very friendly country and easy for those of us with less than adequate language skills. I suppose a harbour close to the Hoek ferry would increase the options, or a direct train/bus to the airport.

AndrewB
I didn’t know that about the ferries to Belgium, useful information. Last time I looked at Calais in the winter was two years ago, I’ve never seen it in summer. When I was there all the pontoons, if there were any, had been removed and there were virtually no boats to be seen. I rather thought is would be easy to find a winter berth but from what you say things have changed. I think for weekends closeness to a ferry terminal is essential, I think adding trains and buses at the other end adds just too many impediments.

Anchorite
Yes, your option does sound good, though AndrewB’s comments on the ferry situation would seem to knock it into touch.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[ericflint]

We are of in a couple of weeks to look for moorings in France. I have been told that Le Havre is a good option but I have no price etc. It also has the added interest of the Seine. hope to be able to post more info.

eric

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[milltech]

That would be most useful. I'm 14 and a bit metres FYI.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[Koeketiene]

As mentioned earlier, but I'm biased, Ostend is a good option. We're considering moving Yanita there permanently in the new year. Ryan Air to Charleroi + train to Ostend. Just checked Belgian Rail on-line; a ticket from Charleroi to Ostend costs €16.20 + takes 1H40min. So, is do-able & affordable. A couple of months ago I paid £13 to BR to get me from Ramsgate to Gillingham.

If you want France, Dieppe would be my preffered option. Clean, friendly marina (Jehan Ango). Check http://www.mairie-dieppe.fr/port/port-plaisance/portplais3.html for prices.
You're looking at about £1,000 for the EIGHT month winter period. There is a ferry service: Hoverspeed Newhaven-Dieppe

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[AndrewB]

Have you actually tried this yet and if so how long does it take you to reach Ostend harbour, from arrival at Stanstead, including check-in times and the interchange at Charleroi?

I checked this journey recently, for a delivery trip from Ostend. It doesn't look as if Ryanair are running their cheap Stanstead - Charleroi flight at present. In any case, I think you are optimistic about the transfer. The airport is appears to be about 10 km and a €20 taxi ride from Charleroi Sud station, and you still need to change in Brussels and often Bruges as well, with a journey time given on the Belgian Railways website when I checked of between 2hrs 20 mins and 3 hrs. More realistic might be a direct flight to Brussels, typical online booking cost £33 one way from London, then another interchange to rail.

In all, this didn't seem like a viable option for weekend visits. It would be useful to see if TransEuropa can be persuaded to take footpassengers on their new Ramsgate-Ostend ferry.

 

[Koeketiene]

Hi Andrew,

You're yight about Ryan Air - they don't seem to be flying to Charleroi at the moment. However, when we did it last there was a free bus shuttle to the station. From Charleroi to Ostend took us about 2Hrs by train. All in all, about 4H30 from Stansted to Ostend. This does not compare to badly with the ferry. Even if they took foot passengers, Ramsgate-Ostend still takes 4Hrs for the crossing alone.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[milltech]

Yes the costs at Dieppe look a good deal because the length of their winter season is so long, however it seems as if the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry service is summer only, and I cannot find any others.




<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[AndrewB]

New services that widen your options in Belgium.

We heard today that TransEuropa have just agreed to accept foot passengers on at least some of their services on the new ferry from Ramsgate to Ostend.

Hoverspeed have also recently announced a connecting coach service from Calais to Ostend, that meets two of their daily crossings from Dover. They also have a connecting service to Boulogne. But this may be for the summer season only.

From Ostend it is easy to reach the other coastal marinas in Belgium, at Nieupoort, Blankenburge, Zeebrugge, on the train-tram.

 

[milltech]

Re: New services that widen your options in Belgium.

This was the mail from them yesterday which suggests that they haven't, on the other hand providing the "from £50" could be tied down insome way, who cares! I shall follow it up. Does anyone have Ostend Winter rates to hand?

"Unfortunately we have no immediate plans to carry foot passengers, but the 24hr car returns are competitive (from £50 for a car and 5). Nigel Castle, General Manager UK"


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[mainshiptom]

Re: New services that widen your options in Belgium.

John

One more place to consider is Brugge fior winter moorings !

We stayed for one week ! it is a great place and very cheap marina, air draft just under 5 meters, biut not sure on connection with rail?

I would consider to move their myself

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