Where in the central Med for the winter?

[Borden]

Our boat is presently in Portimao marina on the Algarve coast of Portugal and during the summer will be taking two months away from work to sail her further into the Med.

We plan to meet up with some of our family and crusie the Balearic islands then move on towards our lay up location for winter 2007-8.

We are thinking of Tunisia or Malta (don't want to go further than 15 degres east).

If anyone has any experience or recommendations the advice would be much appreciated.

Fair winds

Borden

[swagman]

Hi Borden,
Met with a couple who raved about Tunisia last year - but both spoke colloquial French and admitted that made a big difference.
I'd plump for Malta if you're restricted to those two choices, and if you want a local contact to investigate options for you please let me know and I'll pass on his email.
But do check our the difference in your insurance beyond 15 degrees - you may well find whilst the premium will increase, the lower cost of travel to mainland EU or Turkey, plus lower cost berthing, might more than makes up for any increase.
Cheers
JOHN

[Euro Cruiser]

Borden, you will find Tunisia - I am told - cheaper than Malta, which is where we are currently berthed. In-season, there is unfortunately no reliable berthing available in the Valetta area with the possible exception of Grand Harbor (the new Camper-Nicholson marina). The CN marina is not well located from a yachtie's viewpoint so you may not like being isolated as much as that requires. Berthing in general is tight in Valetta and I see no real solution in sight. On arrival, my rec would be to seek berthing in Msida first (cheap, location good), Manoel Island Marina second (expensive, excellent location), and Grand Harbor third. I would not assume you can arrange for long-term/winter berthing any time between May and late October, unless you're willing to put the boat on the hard.

Jack