Caribbean Adventure
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2021
- This updates my progress in trying to ship my boat Golden Haze to the Caribbean in the coming weeks.
It will be shipped hopefully by Peters & May - www.petersandmay.com/en/
YACHT SHIPPING LIMITED Have told me they will not be visiting Antigua or Martinique so I am now waiting to hear only from Peters and May... who have a window in November....I get the impression they need more boats to come forward to make the voyage worth while and I need to be 100% certain they will in fact go to either Martinique or Antigua - They are pushing St Thomas in the American Virgin islands and that is impossible for me!
Quite a complicated project! and the onset of winter makes it harder for me to get Golden Haze from Boulogne to Southampton to be loaded.
My books are available to download from: www.gentlesailing.com 
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The complexities outlined undermines the principle and ethos of the whole sailing experience; the freedom of going where the whim takes you.
Tim hi, I really go sailing/boating because of far away places with strange sounding names - I love travelling and am a bit of a nomad so having my own boat is perfect - exercise some sailing/navigating skills and get to see some wonderful places.. ruclips.net/video/48xnkwfyzSQ/видео.html Marquesa Islands for one or Martinique for another - but voyaging has always been an administrate challenge - As Columbus found
Hi Michael
You're making a really good case for sailing over yourself. The other options seem messy/expensive...
Kev you could be, right but I have left it too late for this winter to do the 4,290 mile voyage. The transatlantic has hassle too - see ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html
@@SailingGently hmm, guess you're the best judge. I'm just an armchair observer. But you do say the best time is coming up soon. Except for conflict with a major mass cruising event. (Guess this is like a mass coronal ejection). And if the constipation that causes isn't enough, there's a challenging hot rock event en route. Enjoy Spain.
My thoughts exactly
Michael another fascinating episode. So good to listen to you going through all the variables and trying to weigh up your options. You are a very good storyteller but guess that is your experience from having worked in the Broadcast industry...Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Russ and thank you for the compliments - Certainly having been a drama telly director probably helps the story telling skills and certainly helps with the organisational bit...
I understand this is a big ask, but a video of you doing the transatlantic passage yourself would be wonderful and educational plus it would save you all of this hassle! I’m sure you could find some crew on your channel.
T Haldis I would love to do it and make a video but from past experience once you cast off from Madeira or Canaries out into the Atlantic it all becomes a bit a bit the same - except bread making days! The hassle setting up for it is greater than shipping - see ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html
Great to see your videos again Michael. Messy business getting to Carib in this covid climate. What were your quoted costs from the companies ? Think when I checked a few months ago it was running ~£11k.
Can’t wait for your next updates.
Ste hi,
The cost with both companies is around 8,000 UK pounds - although they quote in either dollars or euro... and that compares favourably with prepping and positioning the boat to do a transatlantic...
Very informative, a long term visitor mooring per month in Yarmouth is a quarter the rate charged in Port Solent. Have you thought about Itchen, I think that's pretty reasonable too.
Thank you David - not thought about that - I love Yarmouth and a few weeks there would be nice - I'll go and look at their tarif
As always so informative for others making similar plans. Many thanks
Thank you Alenka - I did think it was worth sharing as it's taken me ages to get to this level of knowledge about shipping
Very helpful again with lots of infos. Never thought it's that complicated. Thanks!
Hope it will work for you and you can start your adventure soon. 😀⚓⛵
Thank you Sturk... I did think it would be easier until covid came along and a spike in international shipping
Always view with interest. An insightful review of the dynamic options available. In my mind there are too many moving parts and risks outside your control to this situation! Await how this plays out… whichever scenario you’ll be on board, sailing and sipping in the sun somewhere. Not a bad outcome I’d say.
Phil you are right I am very very lucky to have the options - and really it's a waiting game - for me the worst part is getting Golden Haze from Boulogne to Southampton in this dreadful weather!
Looking forward to hearing how things work out!
Thank you Heathcliff
After listening to the video all I can say is: good luck and fingers crossed. Looking forward to see how the adventure continues
Rafal thank you for the good wishes - I look forward to reporting back in the next weeks
The Universe has given you all the signs to sail to the Caribbean yourself or go to Spain - thnx again for the info - you have the ability to make a story of it Sir!!
Thanks Johan, I'm letting the 'doors' close themselves..... Not making decisions at the moment
I thoroughly enjoyed the logistical discussion for your upcoming jaunt to the Caribbean. I must say that I never thought it would be so complex of a journey. Your explanations were clear as a ship's bell with excellent diagrams and explanations. I need to tie a piece of string around my finger to remind me to purchase your books, for if they are as detailed and easy to understand as your videos I cant wait to get at them! Thank you for your charming and respectful manner and style, a Gentleman Sailor if I ever saw one!. Indeed, I noticed the camera on the shelf as well as the beautiful captivating mermaid hanging on the wall, and I know she will accompany you wherever you sail! My prayers and well wishes are to see you in Martinique with a sundowner on your yacht enjoying the warm gentle breeze and colorful sunset! Cheers, My Friend!
My dear Michael,
What a nice post - thank you... I learned logistics in the theatre as an ASM & stage manger and later at the BBC when I was a PA - a lady called Margot Heyho and I managed a production of Les Mis with filming in France, UK, IOW with over 400 extras, 7 scenery lorries and 20 actors not to mention the 'crew'' between us... Today there would be 10-15 people doing our job so the Caribbean is whilst challenging really a matter of keeping calm and not panicking - Mr Mannering!!
Excellent video. Fascinating interesting and very informative as ever. Thanks.
Thank you for watching Foster
Hi Michael, i thought id use your most recent video to really thank you for what youre offering here. Its an incredible inside, very valuable and also very entertaining to watch. But most importantly its motivating. I spend several years sailing around europe and now im ready for some blue water cruising with my first own little boat. Really hope to meet you in the caribbean in 22 or 23 and have a beer. Safe winds, good luck with the crossing either way it goes and keep the videos coming!
Wonderful Max - really pleased the videos are inspiring - sailing is a wonderful pastime and blue water cruising a brilliant lifestyle... Look forward to meeting you in the Caribbean - I will be in Le Marin - Martinique... My fingers are still crossed the trip will work out .... Fair winds
Worlds become very different, when it comes to travelling! Hope it all works out.
Yes the world has changed Chris. I'm fairly laid back about it - will just wait to see how events pan out
Just watched your previous video about preparing the boat for and making that Atlantic passage. Remember that the necessary added equipment could also avoid difficulty getting out of the Caribbean in some future unforseen circumstance.
Barney that's a good point but part of my planning has always been that if I wanted to sell Golden Haze I would do it out there if the 'adventure' does not work out or please me...
Interesting to hear about the joys of boating. I hope it works out for you.
Mr Stratau boating can be challenging even before you set foot on deck and cast off!
Excellent as ever…….thank you .
Thank you too! Glad you liked it
It's a complex process. It's an expensive process. Throw in a worldwide pandemic and its logarithmicly compounded. I wish you every success 👌
Thank you Patrick. You have summed it up pretty well....
Great update Michael and have to say that is one crazy situation you're having to deal with. I'm sure you'll make the right choice and get things in order...BUT...as you mentioned you have a home in Spain which would not be a bad place to spend the winter😎...and put your Caribbean adventure off to 2022...which is just around the corner!
Yes Dennis - it's true I am fairly laid back about it all - I have plan A and plan B so it's not really a drama but I am interested to see how the next weeks pan out
I love your videos for the real-world useful info you share. The nitty-gritty is fascinating, thank you.
I've done some travelling during covid and the big lesson I've learned is that every step is an opportunity for something to go wrong. The restrictions change all the time, and I've been both trapped and also required to go into expensive quarantine twice. Add to that the visa complications from Brexit, and all the usual uncertainties around anything to do with the sea, and I've decided to just hunker down for a while and keep things simple. Your mission to get both yourself and Golden Haze through so many obstacles sounds much too fraught for me encourage you to press on with it.
Chris hi,
You have had really bad luck going into quarantine twice! - I am fairly laid back about the project - hardest part is getting GH to Southampton if a ship is found for the voyage by either P&M or YSL... I am now considering getting her to Cowes fairly soon.. If not Spain...
Very informative.
Thank you James - I thought it was worth sharing....
i have a friend moved an FP from Marmaris back here to Australia. Had alot of trouble finding a ship with deckspace. Apparently there is huge demand for wind gen towers. Took him months, but had a recent successful ending.
Your right Perry. All of a sudden there is a big uptick in world shipping - greater demand than capacity - interesting
Thank you for sharing this video and you explained the situation very well. You cannot be knocked for your aspirational plan but the timing could not be worse. Global supply chains are creaking, a shortage of shipping and the commensurate rocketing of sea freight rates all act to bring a perfect storm to push your aspiration onto a lee shore. I think a winter in Spain may look more attractive as each day goes by.
However, easy to say from the armchair - and an opportunity lost - is lost forever, so I sincerely hope your Plan A comes to fruition.
Best of luck. 🤞⛵️
Thank you Norman - you are right about shipping problems and today I began to make plans for Spain - I will leave the shipping door open for a little while longer but it's looking less and less likely
See if you can a private light aircraft flight from Southampton to Boulogne, might work out not much more expensive than your current plans as you won’t need a hotel etc.
Good thought Johan - thank you.. It has got easier as P&O now take foot passengers on Dover Calais ferries and Boulogne where I live is near by
You can get a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe and go as a foot passenger under £40 , And from Southampton to Brighton you can get a train on the southern line to Brighton ,Then bus or taxi to Newhaven for the ferry .but plz check it out .
Mat you are right..Newhaven Dieppe is a good alternative - the only problem is I assume the boat will load (if it happens!) in the morning towards early afternoon and with only two ferries a day out of Newhaven I would need to overnight in Newhaven -
Michael, If you are prepared to slum it and go for a completely zero-frills, low budget option you could try to get a temporary berth at Kemp's Quay up the River Itchen. Very inexpensive, about £350/month for 32 feet. Very close to Southampton city centre but cheap and cheerful with none of the usual marina facilities to speak of. Mostly drying berths but a limited number of deep water berths sometimes available.
Rich thank you - I will have a look... Someone suggest Cowes and that is looking possible - these suggestions really do help
I have just emailed them Rich - Thank you again!
@@SailingGently You're welcome. I kept my Ben 331 there for 4 weeks last winter pending a relocation to the West Country and it was very convenient, and inexpensive.
@@arabis5343 Looks like it could work well for me - only problem is that one of the two yacht shipping companies has cancelled it's voyage and the other not confirmed yet
i think if you looked up the definition of a logistical nightmare, there would be a link to this video. good luck on whatever happens; and marbella wouldn't be the worst place to spend the winter.
Thank you crucible and you are right Plan B Marbella is not a dreadful option - I just have to wait and see
Or get a taxi from Southampton to Newhaven ferry for 10.30 am and once to get to Dieppe 15.30 pm then get a Train to Boulogne and get to Boulogne by about 9.10 pm .
Mat that is a really good idea and I missed finding it! What has changed is that now P&O take foot passengers to Calais which is only half an hour from my home by train (+ getting to the station and waiting) I had not realised there was a bus/train service via Arras to Boulogne - thank you for finding that out!
Brilliant….such fun to look forward to but perhaps not for you anytime soon .
You could be right David -
I’ve looked at this problem, professional crew is cheaper, but if you have to ship look at Dutch firms
Simon hi, Perhaps right but it goes against the grain to pay someone to do what I can do myself - I will look at Dutch companies - thank you
Defo spend winter in spain lots of money spent wouldnt trust shipping to deliver
Robert you could be right - I will just have to wait to see how it all pans out
Great video, thank you for all the details as you navigate this administrative maze.. Could you do a video on the brexit fallout related to boat residence/ownership between the UK and schngen? I am looking at buying a boat and travelling on the Euro canals, but the 90/180 rule is becoming a show stopper.
Thank you Francois for watching - I think the 90/180 has spoilt long term European canal travel for Brits and I don't see any way round it at the moment although I suspect once the dust has settled over Brexit things might start to become easier - or not
@@SailingGently Thank you Michael, patience is a virtue they say..lol Not sure how the VAT will work out either, unstable times for sure. Regarding the Caribbean, how does chartering a similar size 30 ish boat off season compares to shipping back and forth? Not the same as your own boat but could be a compromise?
@@francoismychannel9114 Francois chartering is vastly expensive - several thousand a week for the smallest boat - it is the sunshine sailing playground for the USA -I also looked seriously at buying out there but that too is very difficult... very small single hand type boats on the market and those that are are in rough condition...
@@francoismychannel9114 I looked at chartering Francois and the fees are frightening - they are aimed at very large family's or groups chartering for their main holidays - and 'charge like angry bulls!!'
This story has already unfolded and here I am, a year on, looking back at what is a most complicated logistics juggle. Would the best solution not be just to hire a French crew and get them to give you a call when they are 2 days out of Martinique? They may require a steering system and some bottles of water but not much more. Surely it would cost less and be far less stressful.
Rob hi,
the problem is that it is a long way from the UK to the Canary Islands before you even start the Atlantic crossing... If my boat had been located in Gibraltar or nearby then I would probably have taken her across myself but the logistics with the 90 day in 180 day rule make it very demanding. Would I use a ship to relocate my boat again? Probably yes depending on logistical circumstances
Michael, that is an answer that I didn't expect! Very interesting than you.@@SailingGently
Sounds like a lot of hazzle, risky and expensive. What about just sail her across yourself? To me that sounds easier and far more predictable.
Vegard it is hassle but less than prepping and positioning the boat for the 4290 mile voyage. I did think about until I made this video ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html
Thanks for sharing Michael 🤠 would you consider the passage? UK and French relations on channel waters isn't at its best - it would be the right time of year to sail it for you? .
Thanks for another interesting vid Michael.👍
Billy hi,
I think politicians both French and English have a different agenda to officials... I find the French officialdom very courteous and polite but serious and they collaborate with their English counter parts on an hourly basis so it's a good working relationship, I think. I tend not at the moment to fly my British ensign in Boulogne port as it is the biggest in northern France and the fishermen are naturally unhappy with the quota situation... Discretion is the better part of valour I think
I think you must be starting to realise how Schrödinger's cat feels. It seems that either nothing is going to happen, or everything is going to happen at once. I didn't realise that the Ferries were not taking foot passengers any more - I guess they have lost a lot of those travellers to the Eurotunnel.
Good luck with it whichever way it goes.
Thank you Paul - for the good wishes - Schrödinger's cat probably didn't know what was going on - actually your right that sums it up!!!
Cracked the place to wait once I know when - Cowes marina - biggest problem is the 2 shipping companies do not communicate - I only find updates to destinations/shipping windows by visiting their web sites but neither appears to have a ship chartered yet!
--- I do not understand why some organisations find it so difficult to communicate to customers -
I think the foot passenger issue is that they do not have to mount the Air Bridge thing to the ship nor use staff to man it - last time I travelled pre covid as a foot passenger I was the only one!
Call a hitchhiker agency to try to get a place in a car to be able to use the shorter way by ferry.
Thank you Fritz - that's a good idea - I will look into it!
Bloody hell logistics night mare best Spain be the go for me cheers n beers Marty
Yes Martin Logistics suck. Once you just got in a car now I probably will Spain - I will decide in about 3 weeks
Wish I was a castaway!
Just like to get out there Ida... very challenging
At approx £8000 would it be cheaper to hire a crew to sail out for you and you fly ... Is this even an option ? Either way I'm intrigued to find out how it all works out. Stay Safe & Fair Winds !!
The problem Bob is that its nearly 5000 miles port to port and at 5 knots it's going to take 40 days even if you don't stop - which you would and she is not really set up for a transatlantic at the moment - If it all goes pear shaped this year and one of the two shipping companies has just pulled out - then maybe I will set her up and sail her across myself next year... but the capital cost plus marina fees plus all the bits will be about the same as shipping her.
Listening to the fickling fate buoys, I 'hear' it as, Marbella here we come for the winter. Golden Haze and Michael. I am not hearing the markers giving much more guidance than, get out now.
Having seen that treacherous crossing you made (opposite direction perhaps) I cannot envision the timing you need this shortening daytime to be anything especially safe if its risk factors occur.
Joanie you are probably right - I am so lucky to have the option - there is nothing I can do now to move the shipping project forward - just have to wait and see what the shipping companies come up with....
Also, is the Portsmouth to Caen ferry (then train) not easier than flying to get home?
Thank you Dave - I had not considered that route and they take foot passengers I see... Trouble is a 5-6 train journey via Paris and metro but a good thought - Easyjet is 1 hour from Gatwick for 30-50 pounds. I will certainly look more closely at the Caen option
Hi Michael
All the Solent area marinas have been very, very busy this year, as people have stayed close to home (due to both Covid and Brexit). They do seem to be getting a little quieter now, but only in the last week or so.
How about waiting for the ship in Cowes, handy for Southampton and slightly cheaper than Port Solent. East Cowes Marina do a weekly rate which would reduce the costs by a couple of hundred quid. Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards will probably similar deals (assuming they have space) Also, I can buy you a beer while you are here 🙂
Dave that is a good idea - I will go and have a look at the marina prices - just had not thought about it. Thank you!
Dave thank you so much for the Cowes suggestion. The winter rates are so much lower at Cowes Yacht Haven but strangely not so at Shepards. that is now the plan I will move Golden Haze to Yacht Haven the moment a shipping is confirmed - it's then only 10 miles to Southampton docks for loading!
@@SailingGently Hi Michael, glad you got sorted with a better deal. If you fancy a beer / need a hand with anything, drop me a message when you are heading towards Cowes.
@@dave300m7 Dave thank you... Will do. Do you know if Red Funnel Cowes to Southampton is operating? their web site is down
@@SailingGently Hi Michael, yes both the fast cat and slower vehicle ferries are running
what do you think is the min. to spend on a yacht (40' or so) to have a sea worthy vessel that won't immed require pouring a bunch of $ into? thx
varies a lot but a good quality boat is probably $110,000-120,000 or 80-90,000 UK pounds... - I guess
Wow. Lots of logistics.
I guess you are going through all of this because you don't or shouldn't do an Atlantic crossing this time of year.
Jeff hi, Actually this is the time of year to cross from the Canaries or Madeira as the trade winds set in... However the cost of equipping the boat for an ocean voyage and getting her down to the Canaries in winter makes it impossible for this year.... Had I know what was going to change with shipping her I would probably be in the Canaries now!!!
Why not bypass all the insane logistics and expense of the piggyback option and find a capable mate to help you sail to the Caribbean after all? What are the weather prospects for that?
Barney I have left it too late in the year to get out of the English Channel and across Biscay - plus prepping the boat - ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html it is a voyage of 4,290 miles from Boulogne to Martinique and not to be undertaken lightly...
Crazy the ferries don't allow foot passengers, what about Eurostar? The whole excercise doesn't look practical to me. As others said, sailing your own boat seems the best. My own plan would be buy a boat out there.
MJ your right - makes it very difficult not taking foot passengers on Dover Calais but it makes life easier for them. they do not have to mount or man the 'air bridge' onto the ship. Sailing my out there is a bigger project ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html
and I looked at buying out there and there is little available in my price range and size... Eurostar goes to Paris unfortunately or Lille - actually I will look again at that option - thank you
Hire a compitent captain to sail her to the Caribbean.Probably cheaper and less headache
Richard I would be loath to pay someone to do something I can do myself but it is some 4,250 nautical miles with a Biscay crossing at the start of winter. Sadly it would take at least a month and a half to two months from northern France. The boat is not set up for an Atlantic crossing but I will look at sailing her across myself next year if current plans
@@SailingGently I appreciate you taking the time to explain your situation.All the best, first time viewer.We have a Pearson 367.
@@Inamorata.367 Nice boat! excellent size for a couple - went round the world in a 36 ft Moody
Alas, your choice of marinas in the Solent isn’t to be applauded. Try Wicormarine where I keep my Konsort. It should cost notably less…
Widley hi,
Thank you for the advice - I will try them now!
They look like a good option - thank you but it depends on if they have a berth free and that depends on my dates ... but I will certainly ask them first when I know
@@SailingGently they always have spaces in the autumn. My boat is coming out for the winter on 24/10 so if you’re still needing a berth… 😀
@@WidleyWesident Widley hi,
yes I have been in touch with them and whilst they cannot guarantee a place it looks very likely it will work out. I just have now to see if Peters & May have enough bookings as the other company has cancelled!
@@WidleyWesident Thanks Widley - The major problem now is that one of the two shipping companies has just cancelled the sailing!
Wondering about it - is just sailing to the carribean an option? I hear there's a good video on how to do it :-)? Ah see you've answered this one already! Sorry!
I have left it too late for this year Tom but it is a thought - the only thing is I would have to buy a lot of 'kit' for the crossing which as I intend to just cruise the islands I really would not need.... But if things go pear-shaped this year I might think about it again - Shipping the boat was intended to be the easy option!!!!!
Have you considered putting links to your literature on your RUclips pages . click n buy and I'd of already ordered at least one, if not the set. I'm sure i'm not the only one.
(I'm sure i'll make the extra effort, if you authored it with your wisdom, it has to be useful).
Thank you for the suggestion - and the kind words.... It's a thought - I do try to link to my books site www.gentlesailing.com I will put the link on the intro in future...
Seems like a lot of uncertainties as well as time consuming steps with no definite answers as to time frame/schedules. As others have offered, with your experience and knowledge why not just sail her from Boulogne to Martinique....Certainly you could hire a qualified crew to help in the crossing and, the timing could not be better for a predictable downwind sail in late November. We certainly will enjoy watching either adventure.
Georges thank you. The problem is I have left it too late to undertake the 4,290 mile voyage from Boulogne to Martinique and the boat would need considerable expensive prepping for the transatlantic - see ruclips.net/video/zpO0npASlI4/видео.html
The cost would be more and the hassle even greater I think!
fly to martinique buy a 15,000 boat. enjoy it for the season, sell it at the end of season for 5000 and have saved money and kept your hair too! ?
that sounds like one big headache you are fix'n to embark on!
I tried that - flew over there a short while ago and there was not one boat under 30,000 and very few even at that price on the market - most smaller boats in the Caribbean appear to be boats that have sailed over from Europe or perhaps USA and the owner has decided to sell rather than take them home... and they are mainly pretty tired!
Pay a crew to sail it to your destination 🤔
I can sail her myself Gary - done a circumnavigation so I prefer not to pay someone to do what I can do - although I never expected the shipping option to become such a minefield
P’tit ponge =rhum and lemon with sugar cane
Can't wait - thank you Jacques
Don't Go !
Bulent - you could be right but I will wait to see how the shipping dice fall
I would knock the Caribbean on the head for the moment, too many unknowns and uncertainties beyond your control and bureaucracy. Sounds like a total nightmare just getting to and from the UK!! In contrast Southern Spain or Southern Portuguese coasts sound good 18-21C as opposed to winter in northern France or the UK.
Have you thought about The Canaries - Tenerife or Gran Canaria? The south shores of Gran Canaria around Maspalomas are the warmest and driest of all the Canary Islands in winter. I shall be visiting Gran Canaria from mid november for about one month, not sailing though. Looks a great place.
Or how about a port on the coast of Morocco, Med or Atlantic side? Should imagine they might be cheap and EJ flies to Morocco. Just some thoughts.
ATB.
Thank you Alex - don't disagree with you but will probably let the door close itself rather than shut it! My Brexit status as a French resident means I can spend unlimited time in France but the rest of Europe is not so easy as I have to obey the 90/180 day rule in all other European countries... Love the canaries but fear 90 days is not enough
@@SailingGently Ah, I see your dilemma. How about if you were to become a French citizen as opposed to just having residency or is it one and the same? For presumably as a French citizen then you could go where ever and for how ever long you wished with in the EU? Also isn't the 90 days in 180 rule only for those EU countries in the Schengen area? I know mainland Spain is certainly within the Schengen area, but the Canaries? Sorry just guessing but trying to help, but not particularly well. Couldn't you get residency in the Canaries? I don't know hard this would be or what this would entail or indeed the costs. I am guessing you'd have to have a permanent address there either an apartment or house or other? If not the Canaries then how about the Western coast of Morocco, North Africa for spending time you have to be out of the EU. Surely there must be suitable ports somewhere along it's length that have reasonable facilities, security and aren't too expensive and guarantee you warm weather. How about 3 months in the Canaries or Southern Spain then 3 months somewhere on the north African coast? Or just go and live in Thailand for the European winter and come back in April each year? As nice as the Caribbean is it seems a whole great palaver getting there especially in current times and dare I say it a bit of a one trick pony. And then there are the storms/hurricanes. Not for the faint hearted. Good luck and all the best with your plans what ever transpires.
Alex hi,
Yes I am looking at French citizenship and it is probably the solution - I cannot apply until I have lived here another 4 years and the process appears to take a couple years - you have to prove you are properly integrated into French society and speak French to a sufficient standard so it is not an easy road to citizenship.
Louise and I looked a Morocco a few years ago as it is French speaking but came to the conclusion that we would never intégrate with their culture...
I have the Marbella option and the weather there is pretty good in winter.
Thank you for your good wishes... It is all coming to the boil and i will be able to see the future - well this winter in a very few weeks
@@SailingGently Yes I guess it's a case of keeping your options open or the least worse option if there is no clear best. Good luck and keep us posted as you tell a very good story. Becoming a French citizen don't you have to swear life long allegience to the French state amongst other rituals? Liberty fraternity egalitie and sing the Marseillaise? Only kidding. The thought of declaring any allegiance to France with that merde Macron currently as head of state would definitely grate. Anyway good luck. ATB.
Alex hi, Basically with French citizenship, which is a long complicated process, you get a French passport to go with your UK passport & citizenship and you have dual nationality and the freedom of movement within the EU... probably worth it just for that!
Teach to a paying crew and get both help and cash
It's certainly a thought Anders but I fear I have left it too late for this year!
Hire a crew and sail.
I have done it a couple of times Ron from the UK and the Med with crew who just want the sea time but getting south from northern France at this time of year plus all the restrictions make it even harder than shipping!!! If that's possible!!!
@@SailingGently I hope it all works out for you.
@@rondo1775 Thank you Robn
Gday Micheal,. Have u arrived in the Caribbean?
Thierry hello,
No! I have arrived in Marbella - Spain,,, One of the yacht shipping companies cancelled their sailing and the other doubled the price - will tray again next year
@@SailingGently could be worse, could be on the Belarus border. So what's in Marbella?
I assume you have been there before, is there any place you have not been? I was looking at mooring prices in northern Italy, marina Di Carrara, I dabble in marble sculpting so fantasized about living aboard and working in a studio there which I have done before,in pietrasanta,used to be sculptors paradise, but the marina did not reply,typical Italian I suppose, so don't know if that would be feasible, the paperwork would most probably be over the top, the more I venture into this sailing scenario the more complicated and expensive it becomes to the point of is it worth the hassle.. I have been following the mini 650 Transat, looks like a very exciting thing to do if you have $150000 to blow away.
My boat project has stalled again as now I have an extremely sore back and have been sitting all day waiting for it to heal. Ah old age, can't wait to get there..anyway get that go pro out and tell us what we are missing out on.
Enjoy your time...
T.
@@thierryeymard9259 Thierry hi, I lived in Spain for around 10 years until 18 months ago when I moved back to France but I still have a very small apartment in Marbella which is much warmer for winter than Boulogne! My experience of Italian marinas is that they are pretty expensive... And not answering would be par for the course... Google their web sites??? I do remember Italian paperwork being daunting as well although my step daughter lived near Madrid very happily for years... The joys of getting older are much over rated - Michael
Frustrating, I do wish you success.
Thank you... Just have to wait to see what happens with Peters & May. a couple of weeks perhaps