Where to leave a boat?

[ross84]

Hi all,

As you know, still looking at getting into this yacht game but the options are overwhelming - I'll get there though! So far the idea central to my plan is to work in the British summers (June-Aug) and then cruise around the rest of the year, possibly RTW.

Say for example, if I got as far as the Med/Caribbean/South America, am I being unrealistic to think that I can just leave my boat in a boatyard (I guess on the hard, no?) and then fly off, returning back to continue cruising, once I've loaded the coffers? Would a bilge keel make this process cheaper? Is this financially even viable on a budget?

Thanks!

 

[RupertW]

Hi all,

As you know, still looking at getting into this yacht game but the options are overwhelming - I'll get there though! So far the idea central to my plan is to work in the British summers (June-Aug) and then cruise around the rest of the year, possibly RTW.

Say for example, if I got as far as the Med/Caribbean/South America, am I being unrealistic to think that I can just leave my boat in a boatyard (I guess on the hard, no?) and then fly off, returning back to continue cruising, once I've loaded the coffers? Would a bilge keel make this process cheaper? Is this financially even viable on a budget?

Thanks!

A bilge keel is a uk thing and I doubt would make a difference. Yes, there is almost always somewhere to leave a boat afloat or ashore for a few months. There is usually good online knowledge of the trade-offs of price, security, safety and so on of the options for any given area. We have done it the expensive and conventional way so far of working in the UK and leaving the boat in a marina in one country or another during the winter and sometimes the summer too.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya. Not a problem in any of the mainstream cruising grounds. All over. Can be cheaper to leave ashore than in the water. Lots of places give discounts for longer stays. Plus there is security in yards and marinas.

Obvious thing to watch out for are the seasonal weather patterns like Carib Hurricanes. But otherwise I've seen boats moored up all over the place.

Good luck!

 

[LadyInBed]

So far the idea central to my plan is to work in the British summers (June-Aug) and then cruise around the rest of the year, possibly RTW.

Haven't you got your time slots a bit arse about face for the UK! I would sail in the summer and work in the winter in UK waters.
Getting to the Caribbean is normally done UK to Canaries in mid to late summer then cross to Caribbean late November to December.
Once you are in the Caribbean your plan would hold good, as June - October / November is considered as the Hurricane season so that's the time to have the boat tied down and for you to top up the piggy bank.

 

[ross84]

Thanks all - here in the north-west, to put the boat on the hard for 6 months was more expensive than keeping it the marina.

Haven't you got your time slots a bit arse about face for the UK! I would sail in the summer and work in the winter in UK waters.
Getting to the Caribbean is normally done UK to Canaries in mid to late summer then cross to Caribbean late November to December.
Once you are in the Caribbean your plan would hold good, as June - October / November is considered as the Hurricane season so that's the time to have the boat tied down and for you to top up the piggy bank.

Honestly, the Med in summer sounds miserable to me anyway - but regardless, my work is seasonal and happens in summer. Good to know about the Caribbean! Do you know which is the best time to cross the Pacific from Panama? And I guess coasting around South America would be favourable too, because it's the southern hemisphere.