Winter in the Med

[Bill Balme]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of living aboard during the winter months in the Mediterranean?
We are planning to do just that and wondering whether you would favor Greece (or the Greek Islands), Italy (Rome) or the French Riviera.

We're also considering cruising during those months - perhaps making crossings from Rome or French Riviera to Sardinia, Sardinia to Tunisia, maybe even Crete to Sicily...

Would appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks,

[BC Mike]

Seagypsywoman has her boat over there. Maybe she will respond.
Michael

[bearhill]

I would look very hard at Turkey,e.g.Maramis or farther east. Weather would be warmer.

Steve

[swagman]

Hi Bill,
Whilst one will always find exceptions - on a cost basis the lowest would possibly be Turkey, then maybe Greece, then Italy, then France as most expensive.
On a climate basis - the further south normally the warmer you'll be. The Gulf of Lyon is no place to be in winter months.
On a cultural basis - the variables are so different you are best to go with what suits you.
I'd personally plump for the French Riviera and bugger the cost - but I'm sure you'll love them all.
JOHN

[lilly]

I spent a couple of winters aboard a ketch moored at Golf Juan next door to Antibe. That was a long time ago but I doubt the weather has changed too much.
My memories of those winters are weeks of dark skies, COLD and most of all HEAVY WEATHER! When a 'Mistral' came in we knew we were in for sometimes days of big winds and bigger waves crashing over the sea wall and big swells coming into the harbour. Everyone stern tied. Near us was a converted high speed landing craft from the second war. It had huge engines. During some storms the owner had both engines screaming it full throttle for hours trying to keep from being pushed on to/in to the volkwagon sized rocks that made up the sea wall while his family watched from the shore. During one storm our ketch come loose and smashed into the Aga Khans luxury yacht and our bow sprit make a large hole in its bow and then we were smashed stern first onto the wharf and our transom was torn off. Our boat sunk . Our ketch was a Bristol pilot boat made of teak.
I'd find a very safe place and get some warm clothes and lots of books.
We were caught in the same storm that caused the Italian cruise ship 'Leonardo D Vinci' to go aground of the beach in front of Cannes.
Very disturbed seas there. Be careful.

[Intentional Drifter]

Here's a link to a couple that just wintered over in Rome.

http://www.libertysails.com/html/italy.html

ID

[Craig Harlamoff]

Chris at Pacific Yachts has quite a bit of experience on the Med:
http://www.yachtworld.com/pacyachts/

[swagman]

Hi Bill,
If Turkey is an option then check out our blog as we've covered a lot of Turkish ports over the past five weeks. www.yotblog.com/swagman.

All we've seem appear to be resonably priced compared with Greece / France / Italy and the local 'chat' between US and UK expats indicate the best all round (cost / facilities / social life) are either Marmaris or Kemer.

Definately better weather this far south than France / Italy.

Cheers
JOHN