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I thought I would just share with a you a few personal insights for staying in marinas – especially from a multi hulls perspective. I can only give you my own personal experience so I hope you find it helpful!

England

The marinas on the South Coast of England have great facilities but are expensive. I paid over £400 per month for my 26ft catamaran and I wasn’t being charged 50% on top for being a cat.

In England the major marina owners often have a discount card which you can use in marinas along the South Coast – it’s worth asking them when you go into pay your bill.

The marinas often give you a berth which actually belongs to someone who has paid to be there on a permanent basis. So, if they come back you have to move your boat. Difficult if you are single handed.

Northern Spain

Again you can ask for a discount card in some marinas. It costs about 5euros and gets you a 10% discount – only good for Northern Spain though.

The marinas are very good if you are staying for a while and will give you a good deal if you ask.

Some marinas penalise catamaran owners but most do not.

I wintered in Northern Spain and was charged 180 euros per month and this included electric, water and Wifi.

Northern Portugal

The cheapest so far! The people are very friendly and helpful and speak good english. You can also negotiate for longer stays.

It actually works out cheaper to stay for a longer time than a shorter stay.

If you stay for a year you can get your haul out and re-launch and pressure wash thrown in for free.

It costs me 98 euros per month including electric, water and Wifi.

From previous experience of staying in Southern Spain, the marinas are expensive and not friendly or helpful, in fact they are unfriendly and unhelpful. I have had friends who have had to fly back to Southern Spain just to move their boats. Although, they have been told this would not happen before they left for England.

Gibraltar is nearly as expensive as England.

Southern Portugal used to be good but the prices have gone up and the anchorages have been either taken over by marinas or you are not allowed to anchor anymore.

If you have anymore information to add to this then please give me a shout! Sassy x