The speaker discusses the Mediterranean as a great place to keep a boat and enjoy sailing, even after Brexit. They emphasize that you can stay for up to 90 days and suggest a 3-month stay, spending one month at home and the other two months on the boat. The Mediterranean is the same latitude as Sicily, Greece, and parts of Turkey, which means you can enjoy sunbathing at noon on Christmas day.
The area has several marinas, including six between the Straits of Gibraltar and Estepona. Tangier and Smear in Morocco, with two marinas each, are recommended for keeping your boat permanently. The cost of keeping a 12-meter boat in either of these marinas is around £5000 per year.
The speaker also mentions the culture and language of Morocco, and suggests that it could become a popular place for British boat owners. In Spain, the first proper marina in the Mediterranean is Alcadelzo, right beside Gibraltar. The annual fee for a 12-meter yacht in Alcadel Marina is around £3000 a year.
Gibraltar has two public marinas, Queensway Key and Marina Bay, which are not part of the EU, allowing for frequent visits. However, getting a permanent annual birth in either marina might be difficult due to long waiting lists.
The speaker also mentions Ilo Verde, a very long-established boat yard in AltaCirus, which is part of a Spanish free zone, making all work and goods duty-free. They recommend staying at Victoria Marina or Regina Christina for accommodation while the boat is in the yard.
The speaker concludes by emphasizing that Estepona, once a fishing village, is now a vibrant town with a purpose-built marina. It's a perfect place for a permanent birth and is a long-stay place where boats will be looked after properly in winter months.
1. Mediterranean mariners can sail their jib to Estapona.
2. Despite Brexit, the Mediterranean remains a good place to keep your boat and enjoy sailing.
3. It's possible to stay for three months in the Mediterranean, returning home for one month before returning to your boat.
4. The 90 days are a rolling total, allowing for visits in the winter as well.
5. The area is on the same latitude as Sicily, Greece, and parts of Turkey, making it possible to sunbathe at noon on Christmas Day.
6. The coastline of Italy curves north into France, where it sometimes snows in Marseille.
7. The western Mediterranean is particularly accessible due to budget airlines and numerous marinas.
8. There are six excellent marinas between the Straits of Gibraltar and Estepona.
9. There are two marinas in Morocco, two in Spain, and two in Gibraltar.
10. Tangiers and Smear, both in Morocco, have excellent facilities and allow for permanent boat storage.
11. Return flights into Tangier Airport from the UK cost between £170 to £250.
12. The cost of keeping a 12-meter boat in either of the Moroccan marinas is around £5,000 a year.
13. Tangier's new marina is surrounded by cafes, bars, restaurants, and is just a short walk to the souk.
14. The nearest town to Smear is Md, which is a short taxi ride away.
15. The first proper marina in Mediterranean Spain is Alcadezo, right beside Gibraltar.
16. You can fly into Gibraltar Airport for as little as £300 return from London, Manchester, Newcastle, etc.
17. The annual fee for a 12-meter yacht at Alcadezo Marina is around £3,000 a year.
18. Gibraltar has two public marinas, and as it's not in the EU, your visits can be as frequent as you want.
19. The marinas in Gibraltar are Queensway Key and Marina Bay, and it's worth asking about getting a permanent annual birth.
20. Both marinas are in a walking distance from the airport, although taking a taxi with luggage is probably the way to go.
21. Marina Bay is the closest to the airport and is part of the Ocean Village marina complex of bars, restaurants, casinos, and a floating five-star hotel.
22. Queensway Key is surrounded by quality apartments, restaurants, and bars, and is a very secure place to leave your boat all year round.
23. There's a third marina in the general port area for local boats, mainly motorboats, and it has spaces for luxury superyachts.
24. Ilo Verde, a very long-established boat yard in AltaCirus, is part of a Spanish free zone, making all work and goods duty-free.
25. Victoria Marina, a two-star hotel, is walking distance away from Ilo Verde and is only 40 euros a night.
26. Regina Christina, a five-star hotel, is a taxi ride from the boat yard and is not recommended due to poor service.
27. Estepona, once a fishing village, is now a vibrant town with a purpose-built marina, making it the jewel in the crown of this part of the Mediterranean.
28. To get to Estepona from the UK, it's best to fly into Gibraltar, walk across the frontier, and get into a taxi to Estepona Marina for around 50 or 60 euros.
29. The author's sailing books, "French Canal Route to the Mediterranean" and "Gentle Sailing Guide to the Mediterranean", are available for instant download from gentlesailing.com.