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Old 07-11-2013, 02:50   #1
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Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Before rounding the Cape, Durban seems to be a popular stop. I just haven't read of many folks stopping in Port Elizabeth to re-provision even though it's closer. Can anyone (that has actually been there, please) offer some advice as to why Durban would be a better port or would Elizabeth be just as suitable? This would not be a stop to explore, but to wait out weather if necessary/ stock up on provisions, etc.
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:07   #2
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Richards Bay is best. I tried to go from there to Knysna but got punched in the nose so backed up to Pt Elizabeth. Easy harbour to get into and plenty of good shopping not far from marina. Only bad news from everyone about Durban on all fronts. Left from there to Simonstown. Windy spot but beautful and much nicer than Houts Bay. Easy train ride into Cape Town. Cape Town looks good from Table Mountain but otherwise no hell.
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:29   #3
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Thanks very much, I'll check out Richards Bay.
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Old 07-11-2013, 04:29   #4
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

You would probably have to stop at some of the ports on the way up from Cape Town. The weather never holds out. Durban is convenient as most things are close by. Richards Bay is a better small craft harbour (Zululand Yacht Club) but a fair distance into town but it may not always be necessary to make the trip. Very helpful people. The other stop over is Knysna - but very difficult to get into in bad weather.

Enjoy.
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Old 07-11-2013, 04:39   #5
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

You might be interested in Tony Herrick’s “Cruising Connections” (the Cape of Good Hope cruising route)
Cruising Connections for new and used paper marine navigation charts, cruising guides and passage planning notes, pilots, flags, sailing books and marine ebooks .
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:28   #6
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

I wouldnt stop off at Durban if you need to get provisions. Too dangerous / dirty and lots of vagrants hanging around the marina area. Rather stop off at Port Elizabeth or Richards Bay.
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:50   #7
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

You may find the blog of S/V Ainia (he's a member of CF) helpful. Bruce and June Clark had to leave their Bristol 45.5 in SA after he injured himself, but they are preparing to return and many of their 2012 blog entries deal in detail about SA ports, transits and "good points/bad points". They seem in love with SA, but found a few spots a little sketchy.
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Old 07-11-2013, 20:59   #8
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Durban is crime ridden. Richards Bay would be my choice. Also the cheapest. I lived in Durban for 23 years and made many a trip to Richards Bay where I also redid the blumbing on a cat for a month. A good place for a haul out too. The best of luck.
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Old 07-11-2013, 23:54   #9
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Hi Setemupjoe. Port Elizabeth is a nice stop-over..but maybe a little far from the provisioning shops. I live here and would be happy to show you round and help you do the shopping. PM me if you decide on this plan. Cheers Alan.
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Old 08-11-2013, 02:35   #10
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alan.

That's a very kind offer.
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Old 09-11-2013, 05:24   #11
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

Good afternoon,
The normal practice is to touch African soil in Richards's Bay or Durban. Cruisers then try and get as far south down the coast as they can with a following breeze. So most of them only pull into Port Elizabeth if the wind turns onto the nose.
Port Elizabeth is quite a nice port also known as "the friendly city" with lots of folk like Aquabrat hanging out at the yacht club. Go to the club and tel anyone you need a lift into town. Simple as that. The club is known as the friendliest club along the coast.
I used to live there and has done the run down the coast and round Cape Agulhas to Cape Town more than 20 times. From PE onwards it is a nice passage to Cape Town. As said above, Simonstown is the nicest port down Cape Town way.
Good luck with your rounding of one of the Great Capes.
Regards,
Banjo.
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Old 14-11-2013, 09:59   #12
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Re: Port Elizabeth or Durban?

I can't thank you all enough for the excellent advice and useful input. I really like this site!
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