Would you recomend your winter marina to others?

Nostrodamus

Nostrodamus

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www.cygnus3.com
This year we are in Ragusa over the winter.
There are things that can be improved but on the whole I would give it 8/10.
Good live aboard community, plenty to do, good shops, and helpful friendly marina staff.
Well sheltered from swell.
New airport opened nearby with Ryan air to Stansted and the marina will pay for a taxi.
The price is excellent.
Still sunning ourselves.
Would I recommend it to anyone else for winter?
Wholeheartedly yes.

Would you recommend your marina?
 
Nostrodamus said:
Sandyman said:
The speed your going Sandy I guess you may get here in 2 or 3 years time but for a 45ft it is 1320 euros for 7 months with an 8th month free which can be Sept or May.
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Ha Ha yes it seems like it at times. We are in no hurry so seeing plenty & visiting places other beers cannot reach lol

That sure is a good deal. Plus lecky & water I assume ?
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Licata, Sicily.
Very new marina; shower blocks/laundry/cafe all less than 5 mins walk away. Very clean overall. Helpful friendly staff.
Large live aboard community for those inclined to get involved in activities and get togethers.
Decent supermarket with several clothes shops etc in the mall just behind marina. Brilliant gym, 15 mins cycle ride away.
The main town is not big but offers pretty much everything you could need and everything is within walking distance.
Well sheltered.
Airport further away but there's a direct bus which costs a mere 9,50€ so I'm told, we've got a share in a hire car so not an issue.
Price identical to Ragusa with the extra month thrown in.
Good climate.
Would I recommend it? Wholeheartedly yes for the majority of reasons above stated :)
 
Yes and I have done many times.

Agios Nikolaos, Crete. One of the warmest and driest winters on the European side of the Med I think. A good, though not perfect, marina which has been full both in the water and on the hard for the last few years. Advance booking is essential. There is a large liveaboard community present all winter with many more going home only over Christmas and the New Year. Lots of activities too; two walking groups (easy and hard) weekly BBQ, music group/jam sessions, international choir, and many others depending on who organises what. In the past we've had a computer club and an art group as well. The marina is right in the town which stays open over winter. Several supermarkets (Lidl is a car ride away) countless bars and tavernas, most within easy walking distance of the marina. Easy access to the airport at Heraklion (a 90 minute bus ride (€7.20) or a 40 minute car drive). A good gym is a short walk away, as is a heated outdoor swimming pool for when the sea is too cold (though SWMBO swims in the sea every day throughout the winter). There is a sandy beach right outside the marina.

On the downside it is windy here in the winter. The usual wind is from the NW and often blows at F5/6, when we get southerlies they are strong in the marina (F7/8 sometimes F9) but the wind causes no problems. When the wind is strong and in the NE (which is rare) a surge develops in the marina that is uncomfortable and has caused minor damage to boats not moored wisely. These surges happen usually only three or four times each winter. Last year we hardly had any at all. Big metal springs in the shorelines help reduce the shock-load on your cleats. The surges are more uncomfortable than dangerous.

There are also too few toilets and showers for the number of yachts, queueing is not unusual at peak times. There is (currently) only one coin operated washing machine and one coin operated dryer but I know they're looking at getting a second washing machine. Queueing for the washing machine is common.

This will be our eight winter here and we now wouldn't go anywhere else. :)
 
I would, indeed have in the past, recommended Finike. Maybe I shouldn't have as the problem now is that it is full so I expect the prices will go up next year!
 
Hi, thinking of Ragusa for next year ... can you please tell me the name of the new airport, so that I can look at prices. I need to 'commute' 6 months on, 6 months off and Stansted is ideal. Cheers!
 
luturna said:
Hi, thinking of Ragusa for next year ... can you please tell me the name of the new airport, so that I can look at prices. I need to 'commute' 6 months on, 6 months off and Stansted is ideal. Cheers!
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Cosimo is the name of the airport.. the marina will pay for two transfers a year by taxi.
Prices are cheap with Ryan air
 
Thanks for that, I'll have a look at Ryanair. Can't wait to get back to the sailing life ... I was on my last boat for 8 years full time, then decided to become a landlubber ... BIG mistake! Just bought another boat and back sailing in the spring and so looking forward to it. Thanks again for the input.
 
luturna said:
Thanks for that, I'll have a look at Ryanair. Can't wait to get back to the sailing life ... I was on my last boat for 8 years full time, then decided to become a landlubber ... BIG mistake! Just bought another boat and back sailing in the spring and so looking forward to it. Thanks again for the input.
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No problems.. any questions about ragusa please just ask
 
With respect, would it be an idea to do the recommends in the spring after a winter in a place???

Horsey before carty?

Anyway, enjoy your stay!
 
Marina Bay Gibraltar

1/Good liveaboard community ( Chinese whispers are rife and you can easily spend your next years cruising fund in Charlie's bar with Capt sensible getting very inebriated)
2/Free boat redesigns (Every time a strong westerly hits the marina)
3/Good child entertainment (From playing pirates, walking the incredibly long plank needed every time you want to get them off the boat)
4/Good laundry service including free drying) As the laundrette is 30 mins walk away, your washing should be dry by the time you get back to the boat)
5/Marina staff are always available (If there not in the office then they will be in Charlie's bar see point 1)
6/Good transport links (If you can't see the runway you need to clean the salt of you glasses from point 2)
7/Good documentation checks (Just walk across the border)
8/Good communication links (The marina WIFI is rubbish but after point 1, everybody in Gibraltar will know your news faster than any e-mail)

Totally tongue in cheek!!!!

My comments are based on a winter and a full summer in Marina bay and although it's not every body's taste we had a great time here and were very sad to leave.

Darren & Vicki
 
:D

Will send you pictures of the SS White Elephant when it finally arrives and the, er, new bridge to get to the main pontoon.

Bridge of sighs.....

Enjoy yourselves! Happy Christmas (oh and Sam Tabs too!! and other half) (and Nostro and Mrs N)

Well plus all cruisers too!!

CS
 
Merry Xmas to you and Mandy too!

Enjoy your trip away from Gib.

We do miss the Gibraltar social scene. It's now all a bit of a blur.......generally due to the alcohol consumption at that time!

Pics would be a sight worth seeing. We'll probably be calling in your way next year. Bad pennies and all.

Daz n Vic
 
Nostrodamus said:
This year we are in Ragusa over the winter.
There are things that can be improved but on the whole I would give it 8/10.
Good live aboard community, plenty to do, good shops, and helpful friendly marina staff.
Well sheltered from swell.
New airport opened nearby with Ryan air to Stansted and the marina will pay for a taxi.
The price is excellent.
Still sunning ourselves.
Would I recommend it to anyone else for winter?
Wholeheartedly yes.

Would you recommend your marina?
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Bloody hell Nostro and you are only giving them 8/10.... Pretty hard to please you!?!!? Sounds like a 10/10 to me..
What else can they do for you to make it up to 10?? Just wondering..
 
wazza said:
Bloody hell Nostro and you are only giving them 8/10.... Pretty hard to please you!?!!? Sounds like a 10/10 to me..
What else can they do for you to make it up to 10?? Just wondering..
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He's keeping 10 for when he has saved up enough to winter at Lagos.
 
The 10 is for when they build a toilet/shower block that isn't a bike ride away. Currently, if you have to walk by the time you get there you've forgotten what you went for. and also for when they have a user friendly and affordable yard.
Generally it is a good place to be and I agree with the score.
 
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