CaptainCava
regular
Reged: 06/07/2002
Posts: 101
Loc: Chertsey, Surrey
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As from this weekend I'm officially retired and about to embark on a 20 year old dream. I'll be leaving the Hamble and coast hopping to Portugal, where I'll leave the boat for the winter. Mainly due to things I've read on this forum, I would like to 'winter' the boat at Lagos. I emailed the marina to ask if I could reserve a place on the hard. They responded very quickly and pointed out they only had berths on the water. They gave me the contact details of the yard next door. It is called SOPROMAR YARD. Does anyone have experience of 'wintering' their boat, on the hard, in this yard? Thanks in advance.
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Conachair
regular
Reged: 24/01/2004
Posts: 544
Loc: Canaries
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Congratulations! Logos I like, nice town, train station next to the marina to Faro airport, good supermarket close and many a good night to be had in Lazy Jacks or South Bar. I was on the hard in Sopramar for a good few months, they have a reputation for being a bit pricey around that part of the world but less so than UK. Worth it in my book, I had a shot blast and repaint (steel boat) and an engine overhaul, good guys working for them and nice guys running it. Can't remember costs but reasonable for lift in/out and hard standing. Might get a bit tight for space over winter but no doubt they'll find a space for you. No problem living aboard, shower in the boatyard. Marina does deals over the winter as well, as with most of them down there summer gets a bit expensive. Lots UK boats spend the winter there, some much longer. Might be worth comparing costs re in/out of the water. If you're in the marina then a cheap easyjet could get you sailing for a few days in the depths of UK winter. Portimao is another option, boatyard there may be cheaper if it's just hard standing you want though not as close to bars etc.
Enjoy the trip down, before too long that 5am alarm clock to catch the tide will be but a memory 
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anteak
regular
Reged: 28/01/2004
Posts: 1363
Loc: West Sussex
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Seconded to all that. I found Hugo at Sopromar excellent to do business with.
In addition, I reckon the Portuguese to be extremely helpful in general. Quite different, IMHO, to those deeper into the Med.
If you are coast hopping all the way to Lagos you are going to be pushing it to both enjoy the trip and get there for this winter. But then, I never have been one for hurrying and plan to take two years getting back to Lagos, starting next summer!
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A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. EB
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roly_voya
regular
Reged: 05/02/2004
Posts: 1049
Loc: Pembrokeshire Wales
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Only been to Portugal once and that area looked convienient but we found the whole of the south coast very comercial and touristy, mainly geared to beach holidays. Further north and on the west coast was a compleatly different experience and much cheaper but don't know if there is anywhere to winter.
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chockswahay
regular
Reged: 13/07/2003
Posts: 96
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We stayed in Lagos over 2006/7 winter. V nice. However there is a boatyard in Faro that will keep boat on hard, I can not remember the name but we visited and spoke to a few 'residents' and it was safe, secure and much cheaper than Sopromar. The yard is just behind/near Faro railway station and I think the owner was called Fred??
I am sure a search on here or google will find it.
Good luck
Chox
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jeanne
regular
Reged: 02/04/2002
Posts: 434
Loc: Sanlucar de Guadiana, Espana
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You are thinking of Bruces Yard at Faro. He is very helpful and the yard improves all the time - although the loo/shower facilities are very basic. Haul Out cost is about par with everyone else, but hard standing cheaper and security good. The entry through the last bit of the channels is tricky, so he will come and guide you in.
Tel 00351-919317171
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chockswahay
regular
Reged: 13/07/2003
Posts: 96
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Well done Jeanne (Fred.........? close enough to Bruce, he he).
We spent time on 'the river' but on the Portuguese side, during the big bash fiesta weekend Aug 2006. Had a great time, really nice place both sides.
Cheers
Chox
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bazonbeleza
regular
Reged: 19/11/2005
Posts: 806
Loc: faro, portugal, & Liverpool fo...
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I winter in brucies yard , handy for the airport, good hard standing, exellent cradles, very basic loos and shower, they've built their own travel hoists and take up to 80 ton, I heartily recommend them. Both bruce and his oppo carlos speak good english.
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Nauticat sailors do it in comfort (and carpet slippers)
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samwise
regular
Reged: 06/12/2001
Posts: 643
Loc: Boat back in Suffolk
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Lagos is a good place to overwinter. Excellent social life, very friendly Brit community that organises a number of excellent social events, plus a regular radio net that provides advice, hints and tips etc.
Sopromar is an OK yard, but not the cheapest. Good chandlery and friendly folk. The hardstanding is usually pretty packed over winter. I guess hardstanding would be cheaper than on the water, but check with the marina about a berth on the pontoon. We got an excellent six month deal running October to April and the advantage of the pontoon is that you are close to showers, loos, shops, bars and restaurants. If they still have the lone guitarist singer who entertains in Lazyjacks it may we worth investing in a rifle to take him out when it gets too much! Seriously though, it's generally pretty quiet.
Albufeira and Portimao are less attractive and a bit remote from shops etc but both were offering good deals for overwintering. Vilamoura, further round the coast is big and busy and quite expensive.
As you now have the time, don't hurry down. Enjoy Brittany, Northern Spain, and the Atlantic coasts of Portugal and Spain. We took four months and wished we had taken longer.
Good luck
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Read our sailing blog:
http://kalessin-of-orwell.blogspot.com
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snowleopard
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 10992
Loc: Cornwall
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I don't think stopping north of the Algarve is really an option. There is only one harbour between Lisbon and Cape St Vincent, i.e. Sedes and I wouldn't want to stay there long.
The tourist trade is winding down by October then it should be relatively peaceful. If you want to get away from the seaside commercialism, drive a few miles inland where you will step back 200 years.
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One hull good, two hulls better.
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Obeide
regular
Reged: 09/04/2007
Posts: 26
Loc: Herefordshire
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For hard standing you really can't beat Bruces in Faro, we wouldn't go anywhere else. If you need work doing you are probably better off in Lagos or Portimao. Be warned though there is one firm here that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, but i think they are not allowed to work in Sopromar (lagos boatyard) anyway. Be careful and ask people that have been around the area for a few years. When people overwinter and move on the cowboys have a fresh batch of people to prey on - just because an outfit looks professional doesn't mean they are. The Algarve is brilliant though, and i'm sure you'll have a great time.
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