Some people think, winter time in Sardinia is just a bit colder than summer and that the sun is always shining.
That’s not true.
In fact we have to deal with a lot of messy things on the island, that don’t even come to your mind when only being here for a few weeks in summer:
- Rain – Especially south-easterly winds are loaded with orange desert sand that will definitely leave marks on uncovered sails and are also able to ruin white surfaces if not removed immediately … You might be happy to have someone to clean your boat after bad Scirocco wheather.
- Wind – Be prepared that sometimes local phenomena add 10 or 20 knots to the predicted wind. I will tell you, in which harbour your boat is protected and in which not. And – you will certainly be surprised. It will help you make a good decision for your winter mooring. I will also check the mooring and – as if it was my own boat – lay other lines to make it safe.
- Hail storms – Oh, they are really awkward and disgusting. Often just local phenomena, but very violent. You may want to cover your boat to have an additional chance to prevent damages. I will do that for you. In any case, it’s better to check your boat afterwards if no coverage, no windows, no bulls-eyes were damaged. If so, I care about the repair so that no rain is getting inside the boat.
- Cyclones / Medicane – No kidding, minimum once in autumn or spring there is one in the Mediterranean. And you are right to be concerned (one of those beasts flooded big parts of Sardinia in 2013, and with climate change they are more likely to happen). Better not only to check the mooring, but to go before its about to happen, and take off all sails, lay some more or thicker mooring lines, add some fender, talk to the harbour (in their language), and go there and check after the worst is gone through. If problems or damages occur I will get you photos and a wheather report, that you can hand over your insurance company.
- Snow – In the water, we usually have no temperatures below zero. And usually there is no ice. But, there are times when
And – despite what your harbour says – there is NO ONE who goes around and looks for your boat in that moment. Especially not in the deepest winter months, like January, February …
I know just a very, very few harbours (and no, they are not in Costa Smeralda) who maintain this service for you.
Another very important service is to switch on the motor to avoid diesel infestation and to keep your batteries in shape.
So if you leave your boat as it is, you might have a nasty surprise when you arrive. If you leave your boat in my hands, it it’s more likely that you feel as if nothing bad did happen.
But there is also one good thing about the winter at the Sardinian coast: You can have a wonderful sailing winter. Since I am on the Island all year round, I will help you with the trip planning and get you some good hints ashore.
It is important to know which restaurants with good, genuine food are open, where to find local people and to join them in their beautiful festivities that will definitely warm your heart and soul in the cold months.
