Where to put boat in the Med?

[mjkinch1]

The family have come to the conclusion that the warmer weather and seemingly better boating in the Med should be our target this year! After reading more posts and articles than I can remember, I am not any closer to making a decision as to where this should be?

We have a fairly open view, somewhere easy to get to, good marina facilities and easy to rent property in the area, so we can keep it as a base. Most of what I read tells me that Moorings as as rare as Rocking Horse droppings and very expensive, whether it is France, Spain or any of the other med countries.

The boat is 35' sports cruiser, and we may transport from the UK, otherwise we will sell it and purchase a boat locally.

Any suggestions about where there are actual moorings available, and suggested areas would be great - we plan a couple of jaunts over the next month or so. Also any local knowledge you can impart would also help a great deal. Thanks in anticipation!

Martyn

 

[DavidJ]

Mooring space is a big big problem, We and at least one other forum member are in Empuriabrava Costa Brava and it's based on a vast canal system with apparently 2500 moorings over the entire area. (have a google) The chances of picking one up are good.
Transporting the boat will cost you £4000 I reacon and mooring fees €4000 a year. Load of apartment rental available. Fabulous boating area with lots of hidaway coves and the Medas Islands half an hour away.
Flights to Perpignon, Gerona, or Barcelona
It will suit us for a couple of years.
David

 

[tcm]

Re: w med routine

unfortunately in w med, loads are opeople are in the same position. They'd like a nice place with nice hol and no hassle. They ring up a few nice marinas from their office.

Boaty: Got any places?
Marina: Maybe.
B Well, is that yes or no? It's a 35 foot boat.
M Well, if you turned up with a boat next month, we could possibly squeeze you in by shifting a few boats around, then move you a week later to a monthly mooring, and again in June, and again in August, and we'd be failry sure to have a spot for you next winter too.

B Hm, well, that's a thought. We're having a look at a few places, so here's my number, would you let me know?

M Rightyho, I'll stick it in the skip with the other four thousand numbers of middles class people from northern europe who hope we're going to run round and "book" them a space in the same way as they might "book" several restaurants but only go to one, or none at all, and won't pay unless the turn up and so on, and then find it's all a teensy bit spensive and cheaper at another place in croatia, and so on. Yes, i'll do that. Anyway, goota go, three more people on the phone...


There are a million dreamers, so you have to decide full-on what your plans are. You should be ready to pay up front, and recognise the fact that for the most part, people don't rent non-existent berths.

Most of all, you need to TURN UP at a marina, not just make a phone call. Anyone can do that, and there are not too many spaces. But there are always some spaces, cos people die or sell boats or get sick of boats : you need to be right at the front of the queue.

 

[jfm]

mjk, where do you live? See other posts - imho you have to have easy air travel, ie be near an airport at both ends

 

[tcm]

Re: buying locally

top tip from a top dealer in the med (no, not me) : choose a marina, and buy a boat from a dealer based in that marina, with a berth for year 1 being part of the deal. Then boat, boatfixing and berth sorted in one fell swoop.

Choose france if you can't take the heat and don't mind things being a bit expensive here and there. Choose southern spain if you can take the heat, and want a longer season than france, and don't mind crappier chip-based food. Choose eastern med greece/turkey if you and family are fine about not being able to flush loo paper down the bog but keep it in in a bag without throwing up. Don't choose italy unles you have the lingo and good contacts with the local Family.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: w med routine

spot on Matt you have to turn up at the Marina and keep turning up till you get one

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Denia?

tcm's advice is good. If you just phone up and ask, you'll get no for an answer but I turned up in Club de Mar in Palma last October with my boat for what was supposed to be a 1 week stay and I'm still there now. The marina have said now that I can stay as long as I like providing I dont mind being moved around in July and August. Big deal
My previous mooring was in Denia on the Costa Blanca. I know for a fact that there are moorings officially available for rent there in the new marina and indeed my old 15m mooring is available. I can put you in touch with the owner if you're interested. Denia is also building another marina in the harbour in readiness for the Americas Cup and there will be other developments along this coast as well
Denia is not a bad place but it is 1.5hrs drive from Alicante or Valencia airports which is a pain. Its a bit dead in winter and this stretch of coast can be windy sometimes. It is a good jumping off point for getting to the Balearics

 

[banus]

Re: buying locally

tcm has hit the nail on the head. If you buy a boat from Marina Marbella they will guarantee a berth for the life of the boat. You should be able to negotiate the first year free like in the price of the boat. After that the prices are reasonable.The prices of boats in Spain are comparable with her and when you are away they will look after and clean the boat for you. (at a price) Call Chris Clements on 0034952 777098. He will give you prices on whats available etc. Marbella Puerto Banus area

 

[PhilF]

Re: w med routine

he's right I just turned up at San Pedro in Mar Menor exchanged glances with the gorgeous Andalina, told her I had the boat with me and paid up for the next 9 months - who knows what will happen in May, worry about it then

 

[mjkinch1]

Re: w med routine

Thanks for all that info. We will plan a trip out to Nice and trawl along upto Port Grimaud (?), and I guess Palma as well - they seem good spots.

Its good advice about buying the boat and getting the mooring included, I think we will sell over here, and get another boat when we find a good marina. That may be the best way to do it- particularly if you reckon the prices are about the same as picking a boat up in the UK.

We went and had a look at Malta this weekend at the Portamaso complex, great Marina, about £1500 a year mooring, and the purchase of a boat seems pretty reasonable, although VAT is 18%. The people at the Marina were pretty good. Someone told us it was a cheap place to keep a boat, and sardinia is about 2.5 hours away. Flights were quite expensive, and at 3 hours would be longer than say Alicante, Palma or Nice. I am not sure it is our first choice, but it was nice. Anybody have a boat in Malta?

We also had a look at Bordeaux and keeping a boat on the Gironde, so we could get onto the Canal de Midi, but I am not sure river life appeals so much. If I can persuade her indoors, we may hire a boat for along weekend and see what it is like.

Anyway planning more weekend trips in February, so any locations you think worth visiting let me know.

Thanks for the feedback

Martyn

 

[mjkinch1]

Re: w med routine

Looks good - I found http://www.cbrava.com/empuriabuk.htm which gives a good overview. Gonna do some more research, but I like the idea of the canal systems as well for a bit of variation.

Will let you know how I get on

Martyn

 

[mjkinch1]

Thanks for that - I have not had that type of conversation yet, but I can guess it takes place pretty often!

I was being a bit lazy really, trying to find a couple of recommended spots, and then targetting those to go and visit, rather than trawling randomly from port to port.

If someone said you must try xx, as its great position, people etc - then I would make a point of going there and seeing for myself, then as you pointed out, if I like it I can try and cut a deal, even if means purchasing a boat there.

Thanks for the info

Martyn

 

[mjkinch1]

Re: buying locally

I live near Manchester and Liverpool, and East Midlands. Popular locations are Nice, Palma, Barcelona, Alicante etc. Easyjet or BMIBaby are best for me. Liverpool is closest.

Martyn

 

[mjkinch1]

Re: buying locally

Thanks for that - I found the web set for the Club de Mar - it looks nice. I am in Palma in Feb, and will go over and take a look.

I am not sure about Denia, location wise we used to spend time in Calpe, and always found it, as you said, windy. But I iwll add it to my list.

I like the idea of Palma - I will let you know how I get on

Martyn

 

[jfm]

marinas near Nice

If you are nr Livpool then Nice makes sense. Good summer timetable, though only one easyjet per day in winter.

Dont go to Port Grimaud. It is a very long drive (1.5hrs+) from Nice airport and will cost you 200 euro+ in a cab, zillions in a chopper, and a 30minute wait if you get a hire car.

If using Nice airport (which has the most flights of any) then the marinas East are St Jean Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu, Cap D'Ail, Villefranche. V. hard to get spaces excpet praps St Jean and Beaulieu. All these are <30min cab

West of Nice are St Laurent du var, bai des anges, Antibes (where we are based, and others on the forum), Golfe Juan, Cannes, LaNapoule and La Rague. all within 30mins cab, which is as far as you want to be imho. All these are very nice cept the first one (which is a bit smelly, though cheapest). You wont get a space in Cannes (and you aint missing much imho) whereas the others have a few spaces and you'll get one if buying a boat

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: buying locally

I know they had a few spare berths in Marina Port de Mallorca http://www.portdemallorca.com/ a few weeks ago as well but its pricey

 

[MedDreamer]

Re: buying locally

Martyn

As you know we are in Alcudia, which is 45 minutes by taxi from the airport (€55 each way) or car hire (less than £10 per day from Record Rental in the airport).

It's a friendly place and there is plenty of everything within yards of the marina - beach, restaurants, shops, swindlery.

If you can get a berth (which might be difficult for a 35 footer) then it is cheaper than around Palma and the cruising is superb.

It makes me wonder why we want to come home /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[DavidJ]

Re: w med routine

If you want to enjoy the canals you will have to take your arch off because of the bridges so it helps if yours is 'bringdownable' Also properties are available with mooring space outside which is cool, assuming again you can get under the bridges.
Don't let this be a downer because once you've done the canals a couple of times that's it really....can always go round on the tender.
A huge part of the marina is accessible before hitting the bridges
David

 

[itsonlymoney]

Re: buying locally

Martyn
I wish you would make your bloody mind up /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Ian

 

[jhr]

Re: buying locally

I think he's been a model of decisiveness and consistency.

If you don't agree with me, try a search, using the words "Nick2" and "dinghy" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif