Different Views of Arbatax, Sardinia

Created by doina. Last modified on 2009-03-25 16:23:34
Contributors:
Countries: Italy

Report received November 2007
I have lived in Arbatax for 10 years and keep my Prout Snowgoose 37 catamaran in the marina. I must warn all boat owners that not only is it the worst maintained marina I have visited in my 14 years cruising, but it now has another serious problem.

They build oil-rigs within a few metres of the moorings and are welding and angle-grinding 24/7. Any boat spending more than a few days in Arbatax will have rust spots embedded in its gelcoat. This can be polished out of the smooth gelcoat but it is in the non-slip for ever.

So many boats have been affected that it is now a real problem. Even my car was ruined after only being parked at the marina for one day. If anyone wants more information on Arbatax please email me.

Keith Potter
keithpotter@fastmail.fm

Report received July 2008
I would like to correct the impression readers may have on the above named marina following Mr Potter's posting. My wife and I have lived aboard our C&N 38 ketch in this marina continuously for almost 6 years, unlike Mr Potter who returns home for 6-7 months every winter.

Yes, gas-rigs are built in the yard close by. One gigantic rig (22,000 tons) did cause some problems, but there was an insurance claims system set up to deal with any and all claims for damages (to boats, cars, property, clothes on washing-lines, etc.). They now build far smaller rigs which cause no problems to my knowledge.

I would like to mention that the marina offers water and electricity to every single berth in the marina,(16-64 amps &3-phase for motor yachts to 60Mtrs), has new shower toilet and laundry facilities, a pizzeria-restaurant, bar etc.etc.

We are expecting new 3Mtr wide pontoons in late September ready for the 2009 season. The marina staff are very helpful and courteous.

Contact me for up-to-date info on the marina.

Alan Richardson
SY Legong
yachtlegong@yahoo.co.uk

Email received September 2008
I have been using Arbatax for wintering my cat, a Prout Event 34, for the last 6 years. I can assure you that Alan Richardson's report is to be accepted and respected.
Chris Monnington

Email received 8 January 2009
I was in Arbatax for just two weeks in the worst month of the year: August. I found the people to be very helpful as well as it being a good place to leave a boat (we planned to leave our boat - a 33ft sloop - there). There are other harbours very close to Arbatax which have similar or lower tariffs.
Gianfrancesco Costantini

Email Received Mon, March 23, 2009

Subject: Arbatax Marina

I also visited Arbatax marina on several occasions only to find my boat covered in rust spots. There may be some sort of insurance scheme but it is not advertised and I don't know how you would find out about it. The staff are very helpful, there is no doubt about that, but mostly they are young kids racing round the marina in dinghies - while telling everyone else to slow down! The marina was always poorly maintained and frequently dismantled to allow rigs to leave but I do believe it is now looking much better and has more facilities. I would still be careful about leaving a newish boat or one with unmarked gelcoat there, unless you are on board to wash it off every morning. I think the first posting was a fair comment at the time it was posted.

From: David Star