Leaving a boat in Portugal

[irlontop]

Hi All, 

just looking for some recommendations for Marinas to leave a boat in for 2 - 3 weeks, 

preferable somewhere reasonably priced and safe to leave the boat unattended

TIA

[jy51]

You don't indicate what time of year you wish to leave the boat, or which part, the North, Porto or further South Lisbon or on the Algarve Faro.  Each region is very different with different seasonal conditions.  I have cruised most of the coast and can give a personal opinion if I know where, what budget and how you intend leaving and returning to the boat.

[irlontop]

Thanks for reply, 

it will be September, 

aiming for either Lisbon or else Faro, Both close to airports. 

Don't have an exact budget, hoping we can negotiate a longer term deal for the 3 weeks or so. 

Plan is to fly out and back in, no flights booked yet, but either Faro or Lisbon airports should work. 

Thanks

[jy51]

Sorry for the long delay in responding didn't notice your posting.


September is not a bad time to head south, however, it is also close to the start of changeable weather along the Portuguese coast with Atlantic swell, so don't leave it too late and if there is a swell running, stay well off shore, I can not stress that too much and under no circumstances try to enter ports like Povoa de Varzim in those conditions.  I was there when an English yacht ended up on the sea wall with two deaths, On other visits I have seen bodybags of dead fisherman helicoptered home after being swept off their boats in winter swell.  I have left Povoa de Varzim when we had swell so bad it was impossible to leave the cockpit until way offshore to untie the fenders or ropes, friends later told me that on the same day two small fishing boats capsized drowning the occupants. Sailing the coast of Portugal even in bad weather is not a problem as long as you are "well offshore".
 
Lisbon and the surrounding area will be expensive, although Cascais is probably the easiest and safest marina to enter.  If you don't get that far Povoa de Varzim is the cheapest and has a tram system to the airport, but its cheap for a reason!  Beware! 

If you reach the Algarve try Portimao which has a big modern, well protected marina and not too expensive or go further on to Faro which is very good and close to the airport but watch the depth!

Lastly, September is still classed as the high season in many regions and you would probably be better off paying for one month as three weeks would be charged on a daily rate making it more expensive than a one month contract. 

[ianpowolny]

Hi there. Once you pass PdV prices start to rise. We left the boat at Pavoa for a month. I think was about €350 for 45ft. Last year, heading north I aborted going in. You couldn’t see the entrance because of breaking waves.

There’s also Lexios. A bit broken down but all weather and nice people. This is a short taxi ride to the Metro and then one stop to Porto airport.

As a backup Vigo is linked by bus (1-1/2 hours and €12) to Porto airport. There you have Cangus, Moana, the Real club, San Adrian, Marina Davila Sport, and Punta Lagoa.

Peniche has a bus link to Lisbon. I’ve not used it but I seem to remember there are a number buses through the day. I’m not sure I’d leave my boat there unattended.

Oeiras is expensive but not as bad as Cascias.

Portimao is a great place to leave the boat and Dynamite Mike will keep a eye the boat at a very low cost. Also a great place to get work done. Not cheap but then you are in the Algarve. I did a one way hire from Portimao to Faro airport but there are also shuttle mini buses which allow you to share the cost with other travellers

If you go to Faro it’s Bruce’s Yard. You have to haul out with the associated costs, plus its 2 hours either side of HW to get in and out.

If you contact Rory Stewart through the Facebook page he may know of a mooring you could use at Alvor.

We are back to Vigo end of August and moving north. Let me know if there any other questions, we’ve been on this coast for last 4 years.

Hope this helps, Ian