On the hard wintering ideas - Sicily, Sardinia or the Italian west coast

[FlyTheCoop]

Hi cruisers!

I am looking for feedback on good wintering boatyards/marinas in Italy and the islands.

Our 44ft cat is currently in Menorca sailing east. We are looking for somewhere for 6-7 months from mid October. Would prefer if we can stay on board for a week both ends of the season to pack/unpack the boat, rather than getting a hotel (only applicable if she's on the hard obviously).

So, the questions are:
1. Should the boat be in the water or on the hard?
2. If on the hard, should it be undercover? Which marinas do this?
3. If in the water, what about fouling, security and swell? Which marinas fare best here?

I understand the marinas themselves can be cheap but hauling out and hardstanding isn't...

Thanks in advance...

[bikesherpa]

Originally Posted by FlyTheCoop

Hi cruisers!

...

So, the questions are:
1. Should the boat be in the water or on the hard?
2. If on the hard, should it be undercover? Which marinas do this?
3. If in the water, what about fouling, security and swell? Which marinas fare best here?

..

Hi,

1. The boat does not have to be on the hard, in the areas you are looking for. There are many all weather harbors. Actually, in some places, it is more dangerous to keep a monohull boat on the hard than on the water, due to the fact they get very strong winds but no swell.
2. You should ask the yard if they offer it. Many motorboat here are covered with wrapped plastic while on the hard in winter months. Not so common for sailboats. The reason for covering is mainly to protect the boat from dirty dust (yards could be quite dirty places) and to keep the boat drier. Snow/Icing is not an issue.
3. Fouling is not an issue if you plan to anti-foul yearly in late spring. Security is generally good both in marinas and fenced/secured yards. I'd me more cautious (remove high value items aboard, etc.) if you choose a yard that put your boat in an area open to the public.

Overall, I'd recommend to check out the following places:
Sardinia: Cagliari (Marina del Sole - Boatyard), Marina di Villapitzu (Porto Corallo), Alghero
Sicily: Marina di Ragusa, Licata (Marina Cala del Sole), Siracusa, Castellammare del Golfo
West Italian Coast: Rome (Fiumicino Porto Romano boatyard), Riva di Traiano Marina, Punta Ala, Salerno

There are really dozens, if not hundreds, of places in the areas you are looking for.

[Kenomac]

We've hauled our boat out at the Nausika shipyard in Sardinia over the past two years and will do it again this winter at their facility near Venice. Wonderful people, clean yard and competitive prices. Their security it top shelf.

We ran into problems five years ago when we tried leaving the boat in the water in Menorca with unreliable expensive people watching it. It's better to haul out and forget in a secure, clean yard.

Nausika has a crane that can handle your boat or a larger cat.

[Lokiyawl]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We've hauled our boat out at the Nausika shipyard in Sardinia over the past two years and will do it again this winter at their facility near Venice. Wonderful people, clean yard and competitive prices. Their security it top shelf.

We ran into problems five years ago when we tried leaving the boat in the water in Menorca with unreliable expensive people watching it. It's better to haul out and forget in a secure, clean yard.

Nausika has a crane that can handle your boat or a larger cat.

Hello,

Can you tell me if the Nausika shipyard in Sardinia will allow the owner to work on his/her own boat? If not do you know of any other shipyards in Sardinia (preferably on the East Coast) that do? Thanks, James

[Kenomac]

Nausika allows you to do your own work.

[Lokiyawl]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Nausika allows you to do your own work.

Thanks, that is a big help to me.

James

SV Sueno, Amel Maramu