New Rio Guadiana 'Drive-In' Vessel Haul-Out
A new boat-yard has recently commenced operations which may possibly provide an alternative for intrepid live-aboard yacht owners, who are currently prohibited from so doing whilst purchasing haul-outs at Junta de Andalucia marinas and others on the Andalusian coasts.
Not only are boat owners in these localities required to additionally pay for accommodation ashore during the haul-out and/or the course of any work, but also such work may not be done by the boat owners themselves, their crew, friends or nominated employees - only by those provided by the yard itself. The rates charged by the yards mentioned above are usually between E40 and E55/hour + IVA at 16% and do not necessarily reflect an equivalent standard of workmanship, according to the sad experiences of many.
The new, small-vessel boat-yard on the Algarve side of the Rio Guadiana at Marina Guadiana (not to be confused with Vila Real Marina) is located on the southern side of Vila Real de Santo Antonio, near the river entrance and the Vila Real lighthouse. This has a 70-ton semi-submersible hoist, requiring the helmsman to drive into the slings for transporting up the ramp. Due to the significant riverine current, this must be timed at real - not tabled - slack tide, particularly as there is no protecting wall on the incoming tide side, and requires experience and good judgment at the right state of high tide. Not for the faint-hearted! The hoist can accommodate vessels of up to 3.5m draught and 6.3m beam.
Works can be carried out either by the boat owner, or nominee - with the management's advance permission and appropriate liability, etc., insurance - or the yard staff. Services, such as pressure washing at 6euros/m (+surcharge for catamarans), repairs, etc. are available. Current example rates are 25 to 30 euros/hour. All berthing fees and other charges attract IVA at 21% which contributes to the dry-berth rates being significantly higher than neighbouring marinas and various Algarve yards - where the lift and launch rates are keenly competitive. An example, a 20m LOA dry-berth currently costs E20/day which, for 6 months, amounts to E4,356 including IVA, but exclusive of hull-cleaning, water and electricity, which is quoted at E26.15/month for electricity and E24.03/month for water + IVA.
Present daily water rates are, curiously, according to length being 1.34euros under 10m, 2euros under 15m and 2.67euros over 15m and the erratic, unearthed, non-ring mains circuit 15amp electricity supply typically costs 1.9euros/day or 16.30/month May-Oct and 2.55euros/day or 21.45euros/month Nov-Apr. It must be borne in mind , however, that the supply can fail or be suspended, without notice, and may vary between 90v and 300v+, causing the destruction of such equipment as battery chargers, compressors, microwaves, laptop computer chargers, etc. necessitating precautions to be taken. The cold-water, communal ablution facilites are suitable for warm weather use only. At present, there are no waste-oil, boat or domestic waste receptacles in the yard.
As the yard is some distance from the town and supplies, some form of personal transport is desirable. The location is subject to mobile telephone calls being somewhat broken. For live-aboards, Spanish TV reception is good, but not Portuguese, without a booster or satellite dish. Road access, which is secure, requires advance notice during non-working hours, which are Mon-Fri 0900-1300+1430-1800 Sat 0900-1300. |
