Sailing to Lebanon: Seeking Advice

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-02-26 10:15:25
Countries: Lebanon

Can anyone offer any help / hints / tips / advice please?

My self and 9 others are looking to bareboat charter in the far east Med in order to visit Beirut. So far we have been unable to find any charter company who would consider such a trip, despite the political situation in Lebanon being in no way as bad as it was. We have been told that insurance would be a problem, as well as their being a problem with charter yachts being stolen.

Has anyone out there ever undertaken a similar trip and if so, would they be able to offer any advice regarding any possible charter companies, or even provide a contact from a Beirut marina? I have tried contacting several people using the latest Noonsite info, but have not received any responses to date.

Thanks in anticipation.

Gareth

info@noonsite.com

In answer to Gareth's query about visiting Lebanon.

I have lived in Beirut for 18 months now, I moved here with the intention of sailing here. It is indeed sail friendly in many ways, great weather, mostly gentle and predictable winds, some decent ports and it is cheap. You also have Cyprus only 100 miles away, and not that much shipping to worry about. However, the Lebanese are 99% motorized and motor cruisers are the order of the day. The rental agencies pretty much only hire these and so sailing hire would have to be from Cyprus I'd think. There is no danger to boats here and I have not heard of any boat theft. I know insurance companies are quite lazy and I was annoyed that they don't research, they seem to base their knee jerk reactions on a country's political stability rather than any actual insurance risk. The Movenpick hotel marina in Beirut is great, or St George's, both have full service and good prices. Good luck, and hope it works out. James.