Well priced places to leave a boat atlantic coast france/spain and med spain

[steve yates]

Trying to figure out realistic cost of taking a boat slowly down this route, not for en route but just leaving it somewhere every 2-3 months for a similar 2-3 months period,( brexit, and I know about the french visa idea etc but I have to be back in uk at first often for various pita reasons) through summer and winter., Boat is sub 12m.
Thanks

 

[ashtead]

I suppose that you plan to travel down to Med along coast of Spain(down Orca alley past Barbate etc) as opposed to crossing Biscay so you might want to look at iTube videos of those who have done this to find stop over points. It’s not entirely clear the length of a leg - are you planning say a month to reach first layover port or is it longer legs?

 

[BobnLesley]

As Ashtead's already noted, you need to give an idea of what you intend to do/where you want to be. If you're travelling in 2-3 month bites, you could comfortably 'cruise' to pretty much anywhere you want in that initial 2-3 months

 

[steve yates]

There’s the catch, I would have no timetable, so couldn’t tell you. I might o avoid certain areas in winter maybe, die to big swells/diffficult entries but basicallyI would amble for between 6-12 weeks at a time, dump the boat somewhere appropriate and come back some months later to carry on.
I was I suppose hoping for advice from folk who had been down that way, along the lines of, port x was a good place to leave our boat and was about a third of the cost of those robbing gits in port y
Much in the way of itis miles cheaper to leave a boat in penzance harbour for a month or two as opposed to round the other side of the lizard in falmouth, which would cost at least double.
I’m not after an itinerary, just firsthand experience of useful places for longer stops. Hope that makes sense.

 

[ashtead]

Seems you are in summary flexible and driven by finding a cheap secure marina which has space and can offer a 3 month berth? Have you thought of exiting water for the layup and being tractored to a local field?

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Valencia is cheap. And a lovely City. I was only meant to stay over winter but 6 years later I see no reason to move.
£230 a month for 8.5m

 

[steve yates]

Valencia is cheap. And a lovely City. I was only meant to stay over winter but 6 years later I see no reason to move.
£230 a month for 8.5m

Now thats useful to know, thank you.

 

[steve yates]

Seems you are in summary flexible and driven by finding a cheap secure marina which has space and can offer a 3 month berth? Have you thought of exiting water for the layup and being tractored to a local field?

Exactly Happier to leave it in the water though rather than faff around with hoisting & launching generally.

 

[Graham376]

Where you are berthing at different times of the year will have a big effect on budget. Prices vary widely between say northern Spain and west coast of Portugal compared to the Algarve. Typical Algarve marina, Lagos, for a 10m-11.99m boat with beam up to 3.5m. Low season €539/month compared to €1258/month in high season, both +23% VAT! Move along a bit to SW Spain and it's cheaper.

OTOH, in Algarve, it would be far cheaper to haul out into Bruce's (Nave Pegos) at about €300/month + lifts and get annual maintenance done while you're at it.

 

[Goldie]

I’d suggest not being in a rush to get past the rias of Galicia. It’s a superb cruising area with loads of shelter and anchorages and compared with further south, relatively well priced. We found plenty of marinas at good prices when we wanted them (most of our time was at anchor) and many offered discounted rates for CA members. We met one couple just about to return to UK for a month due to family bereavement and they’d arranged to leave their 39ft boat at Marina San Adrian De Cobres at the eastern end of Ria de Vigo. Price quoted was €200 p.c.m. (2024). Travel to/from UK offered several options with flights to Vigo or Santiago de Compostela, ferries to Bilbao or Santander.

When you can bear to tear yourself away, you’re well positioned to head south.

 

[steve yates]

I’d suggest not being in a rush to get past the rias of Galicia. It’s a superb cruising area with loads of shelter and anchorages and compared with further south, relatively well priced. We found plenty of marinas at good prices when we wanted them (most of our time was at anchor) and many offered discounted rates for CA members. We met one couple just about to return to UK for a month due to family bereavement and they’d arranged to leave their 39ft boat at Marina San Adrian De Cobres at the eastern end of Ria de Vigo. Price quoted was €200 p.c.m. (2024). Travel to/from UK offered several options with flights to Vigo or Santiago de Compostela, ferries to Bilbao or Santander.

When you can bear to tear yourself away, you’re well positioned to head south.

Thats great,, and no I won’t rush past, I really fancy poking around there for a while.

 

[potentillaCO32]

France will be difficult to leave a boat in the atlantic coast in july ( from 14th especially) to the end of august.

 

[steve yates]

France will be difficult to leave a boat in the atlantic coast in july ( from 14th especially) to the end of august.

That's worth knowing, thanks. Now I am aware that I want to arrange to be sailing over there between bastille day & early september.

 

[westhinder]

That's worth knowing, thanks. Now I am aware that I want to arrange to be sailing over there between bastille day & early september.

14th of July to 15th of August is the absolute top holiday season for the French, so expect everywhere to be crowded, especially Brittany.

 

[potentillaCO32]

14th of July to 15th of August is the absolute top holiday season for the French, so expect everywhere to be crowded, especially Brittany.

Yes even getting a space in a visitor berth can be tricky

 

[steve yates]

Sailing & anchoring then

 

[dunedin]

14th of July to 15th of August is the absolute top holiday season for the French, so expect everywhere to be crowded, especially Brittany.

Ideal time for a lift ashore then

 

[michael_w]

I looked at a boat in a shore storage facility in Cordemais on the Loire. Basic, security looks reasonable. Close to Nantes

 

[potentillaCO32]

Ideal time for a lift ashore then

Yes. Its possible to get 10 month even when there is a big waiting list.

 

[Thresher]

I've kept a record of the marina charges along that route 2023-2025 and have attached them. I hope they are of use.