Winter in west coast Spain or Portugal

[hoferman]

Hi all,

I am thinking of leaving my sailboat this winter on the west coast of Spain or Portugal. I own a 68ft schooner and will not be on board for months. Any tips on harbours, ‘safe places’ of specific no-go advice on this matter.

Hope someone can help?

Thx Ralph

Ps. I am new on this forum and will browse a bit around snd then post an introductory message.

[dcarratt]

In general, this coast is quite exposed to winter storms and so I would plan to lift the boat and store it out of the water for the winter and combine this with maintenance work.

One of the best facilities for winter repair work is in Lagos, Portugal. In Spain, here is more protection up one of the rias (long sea inlet). For example, Vigo Spain is better protected because it is at the end of a ria. You could try Real Club Nautico de Vigo if you want to leave the boat in the water. I have left my boat there for a few weeks.

La Coruña is the principal port on the Spanish coast but Marina Coruña is not very well protected from swell. I have left my boat at Marina Sada (near La Coruña), out of the water, for one winter but I don't think there is sufficient depth or lifting capacity to handle a 68ft boat.

Overall, of the places where I have direct experience, I think Vigo or Lagos are good options.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, hoferman.


Hopefully, boatman61 will chime in, with some useful local knowledge.

[boatman61]

Puerto Sherry in the N corner of Cadiz Bay..
Portimao, either in the marina or on the hard..

[hoferman]

Hmmm, I was already kind of aware and afraid I would get reactions like that. Meaning, 'it is not a good idea to leave your boat on the west coast of Spain / Portugal over the winter". Off course expect on the hard. But as my boat is somewhat large, this will be also not straight forward.


Ok, I am going to change my plans. That is, either stay in The Netherlands for another year, or find a proff. crew to help me sail her around Portugal to the Med. The problem is that I do not have the time to do it myself and really would like to enjoy longer sailing summers in the Med (compared to the North of Europe).


thx. Ralph

[letsgetsailing3]

Things I've learned:


It's never great to be far from your boat.


It will always be longer than you think. Things come up.


It's better to wait until you can go with the boat (and stay with it).


Little problems unattended become bigger problems.


That's been my experience, anyway. So I'd bite the bullet and wait until I was ready to go, before I'd send my boat there.