Overwintering in France, Spain, Portugal

[Kimmo]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I don't think you'll have any worries in Ceuta... Seville is nice but a long hike up river and from what I've heard needs pre booking and can be expensive.
The Guadiana's a good place giving you both Spain and Portugal on either side and good links by road rail etc.... also if your in the Med... I can strongly recommend Cartagena as a winter spot.... big city and really nice...

Hello and thanks for the suggestions. Cartagene could be a possible place. I've been thinking of going further to Med and when starting a return trip to home, we would use the French channel connecting Med and Bay of Biscay (Canal du Midi?), to save time. Although our draft of 1,65 is probably too much.

Ceuta itself is probably fine whatever happens in Morocco, but it would be nice to visit Morocco itself during winter months. Doubt that Ceuta alone would hold our interest for several months.

[jos444cars]

marina sant charles on the east coast of spain is very recommendable, friendly even dry winter storage available. most reasonable prices we found in spain
second option [my boat is presently there] is the America's cup marina Valencia = as there is since 4 years no americas cup any more the huge marine gives very attractive rates [apprx 13 Euro/d for my 40' cat incl water+electr.]. however no dry facility

[swagman]

Hi Louise,

When we were cruising only a few years back we tended to choose our wintering spots based on (a) roughly where we were (b) availability of flights to and fro UK (c) cost. Many other cruisers did likewise.

But towards the end of our 5 year stint someone pointed out that nice spots summer months were not always so nice in winter months. And reflecting on that, have to say they were not wrong.

So if I were to do things again and have to choose now on where to winter in N. France, Portugal or Spain then I'd probably seriously consider all the larger cities before choosing the regular smaller towns with marinas.

Brest, Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, or Las Palmas Mallorca might be worth reviewing.......

When the weathers bad you might find it nice to have somewhere other than the local expat bar / restaurant / supermarket to visit. We're not particularly 'cultured' but found English movies, music concerts, museums, galleries and other places of interest all helpful in making the spring arrive that bit quicker.............

Enjoy wherever you choose.

Cheers
JOHN

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by swagman

Hi Louise,
So if I were to do things again and have to choose where to winter in N. France, Portugal or Spain - I'd probably seriously consider Brest, Lisbon, Barcelona, or Las Palmas Mallorca.

When the weathers bad it is nice to have somewhere (other than your local bar or supermarket) to visit.

Cheers
JOHN

My 1d's worth
Portugal...
Portimao. excellent marina and a nice town with good train service all along the Algarve from Lagos to Spanish border... lots of lovely country/hills to explore
Spain Nth...
La Coruna... cold
Spain Sth... Cartagena... warmer, central to Almeria/Alicante airports and a very nice city... off the beaten tourist/ex-pat tracks.
Palma, Majorca... hmmmm.. yeah.. its ok
France...
would not consider it... not in the Med... and as for Brest..brrrrr
To cold...

[goboatingnow]

France...
would not consider it... not in the Med

why ever not.

Dave

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Louise Pim

My partner and I live on a 42ft Moody and are planning on going over to Brittany in April/May and then heading down the South West coast. We would like to overwinter somewhere in France or possibly Spain or Portugal. Can you suggest cheap and friendly places to stay? Louise

Here is a link to an excellent website about a guy who has been cruising the Med for five years or more and there are some recommendations about where to over winter. Diary I am planning on doing the same thing so if I get any additional info I will pass it on to you.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

why ever not.

Dave

Its a personal thing...
I've a few invites to go from folks I've met... but doubt I ever will

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its a personal thing...
I've a few invites to go from folks I've met... but doubt I ever will

That's OK then cause med France is one if my favourite places.

Dave

[Roaring Girl]

Some of the places being dismissed here have advantages, and it depends on your pleasures and budget, plus whether you will be aboard all winter. You will also get lots of info on the YBW.com boards, and on the Cruising Association info if you're a member. (I'm just finishing the pilot updates for southern France.)

Seville - fantastic city. If you can afford the Club Nautico go there, or you can anchor for free in the river off Gelves. (Be prepared for floods there though, which need a bit of pre-planning)

Rota - near Cadiz and much preferable for wintering (we wintered there) - sweet town, all facilities, not a mile out like Cadiz marina, and great connectivity.

Cauta - an option but a bit cut off. Better than Gib. Some friends really enjoying the new marina at La Linnea this winter.

Mellilla - a great town and lots to do with quite a lot of liveaboards. Connectivity not so great. Very cheap for a harbour.

Cartagena - fantastic place if you want to have gone that far in your first season.

Southern France - not cheap and needs planning but fantastic. If not aboard, seriously consider Port St Louis. Alternatively Toulon Darse Veille (fab town, good connections, v few liveaboards and the filthiest loos we've ever seen.) If you could get a space in Marseilles or Nice, both are extraordinarily good value but v hard to find spaces in and excellent cities. You might also get space in Menton which would be quite cool. Many anchorages but none suitable for a winter spot really.

Genoa would be interesting, - we spent 3 days there and were tempted to winter.

The anchorage at La Grazie might be a winter spot, or take a deep breath and winter in Rome, at Ostia. Not cheap but fab. You could also winter at anchor at Portoferraio in Elba, which would be a great spot, with cheap harbour space in Jan or Feb, v well protected and so on. We've spent over two months there (and at Gelves BTW).

In Sardinia, look at Cagliari, and in Sicily, people have spoken well of the new Marina di Ragusa on the southern coast this year.

PM me if you want to know more, and east of Gib there's info on our blog.

[barnakiel]

We spent 1 winter in Spain (Sevilla & Cadiz). Too cold, too wet, too boring.

b.

[goboatingnow]

Southern France - not cheap and needs planning but fantastic. If not aboard, seriously consider Port St Louis. Alternatively Toulon Darse Veille (fab town, good connections, v few liveaboards and the filthiest loos we've ever seen.) If you could get a space in Marseilles or Nice, both are extraordinarily good value but v hard to find spaces in and excellent cities. You might also get space in Menton which would be quite cool. Many anchorages but none suitable for a winter spot really.

The great secret , is marina Baie des anges, near nice, always tends to have winter berths available. Great location, shops, etc, train station.

Dave

[Mippy]

Thanks everyone for all the info. I've been away last week doing a very intensive 5-day Day Skipper Theory course - quite manic - but the great news is that I passed! So can now help Jon out in plotting our route and understand more what he is doing. Will of course go on studying and learning more. I went on a Day Skipper Practical course last October to get more experience but did not take the exam as I didn't know how to plot a course etc and did not feel up to being Skipper but I really enjoyed the course and being out for five full days and doing night sailiing too. We had a fantastic teacher!

Happy sailing to everyone.

Louise Pim

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Louise Pim

Thanks everyone for all the info. I've been away last week doing a very intensive 5-day Day Skipper Theory course - quite manic - but the great news is that I passed! So can now help Jon out in plotting our route and understand more what he is doing. Will of course go on studying and learning more. I went on a Day Skipper Practical course last October to get more experience but did not take the exam as I didn't know how to plot a course etc and did not feel up to being Skipper but I really enjoyed the course and being out for five full days and doing night sailiing too. We had a fantastic teacher!

Happy sailing to everyone.

Louise Pim

Congratulations Louise.... now you need to take the Practical....
Having 2 capable skippers on board is well worth it... never know if the time may come when one is incapacitated... and the Skippers happier... takes a load off knowing someone else can helm the boat to safety if things go pearshaped...

[Mippy]

Thanks Boatman!

We're off in May and I can't afford to do another course at the moment but will do the Practical when I get a chance and when I feel up to the responsibility of being a full Skipper! I'll probably do it next year when I've had more experience. I found the theorry fascinating although it was very pressurised and I need time to absorb and understand things. But anyway - I passed! It's given me a whole lot more confidence. (Don't know why this had suddenly gone into italics!)

All the best,

Louise

[goboatingnow]

Its really worth doing the practical, as the theory isnt in itself a "ticket". Most people seem put of by the practical, but its very straightforward.

Dave