Overwintering in France, Spain, Portugal

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by swagman

100% agree the Algave is nice and that anchorage looks pretty - but it has not got a reputation for good holding. Only tried it ourselves when day sailing and can confirm we had difficulties also.

A story we were told was that a few years back the guys running Portimao Marina came out to pre-warn some long term anchored boats of an approaching storm - actually offering them safe haven for the duration. A nice gesture.

Cheers
JOHN

Portimao is a good anchorage except in strong S and SW'lys when it can get lumpy... then you snug in behind the breakwater as the sky lets you know its coming... and the weather board in the marina...
Spent a year there at anchor interspersed with Alvor, Culatra and Olhau...
all great anchorages...
(One caution to those who've not stopped there (Portimao) for a while... since the dredging for cruise ships a coupla 3 years back the drop off into the deep is a lot steeper than it was restricting the area.. also a sand bar has appeared about 100 metres of the beach in front of the restuarants between the steps and the big rock at the W end...
so careful how you allow for swing... or you'll be bouncing at low water when the fishing boats come in...)
Oh... and Tequila's spot on about the folk in the marina... great people and the yard is clean and secure with sailmakers/chandlery/engineering etc to hand..

[Roaring Girl]

I have been told (but cannot be sure) that long term anchoring at Alvor is now not permitted. Before you base all your winter plans on the idea, try and get latest news. Other wise, portimao or Seville would be my choices, and we has a v good water afloat in Rota (near Cadiz) with v good weather.

[SailorXL]

Hello Louise,
wondering what place for overwintering you find last year or two years ago?

Hello all sailors,
we have now the same question. Next season we will start again for a long journey, starting in the East Sea direction south.
We are looking for a place for the winter while staying on board except some weeks for visting the area or at home (we have heating on board!).
Two special questions:
1. Sevilla sounds good, did anyone had problems with the lock with big ships? The marina in Sevilla seems very secure and not that expensiv. Also the anchorage in Gelves sounds good. If anyone has more new (2011/2012) information, it would be great to get that .
2. What about La Rochelle? Is there a little bit a sailor community over the winter? We have been there a week in summer 2003, and it was nice, but no experience for winter time?
Looking forward to here from you all,
Sabine

[jacaranda]

Has anybody experience of sailing up the river (Rio) Duoro in Portugal?

[Nostrodamus]

If you take a look at our blog we did the same journey over the last couple of years...any questions then please just ask
Home « Cygnus III Cygnus III

[jckb]

You'll see many of the opinions on this thread reflected on the pages if my website. They're designed to help people choose where to cruise, where to visit, and where to lay up.

Suggestions on how to improve the pages are welcome, and I can provide blog links if your own pages describe a place or an area.

[Tellus]

Sadly to watch this yesterday BBC News - Sardinia hit by deadly Cyclone Cleopatra and floods
and winter hasn´t began yet