Nautica Ranieri in Bari: we chose this marina because we were going to be leaving our boat for several weeks of land travel on mainland Europe. We chose it because it was conveniently located for us, having just sailed over from Dubrovnik (a straight shot across the Adriatic), and it was by far the most reasonably priced (45 euros a night), and also very secure marina on our intended course down the southern Adriatic, around the “boot” of Italy and westward.

The marina puts a big premium on security. The boatyard is directly adjacent to the coast guard and is behind large walls with secure doors. When we arrived by taxi fully laden with our provisions from shopping, the marina opened its auto doors and allowed the taxi to drive up to the boat, and we entered and exited via a key-card accessible door. Otherwise, no open entries to the boatyard or marina are possible.

We decided to haul out and have some maintenance and beautification work done at Nautica Ranieri because the yard had well-qualified workers and decent (for Italy) rates. Under the direction of Antonio Ranieri and his brother Nicola, this 2nd generation management team runs a good operation. They speak good English and are very accommodating (for instance, allowing us to send packages of things we ordered to the marina). They have skilled labourers in all the trades and they do a brisk business. They do not allow owners to live or work on the boat when it is on the hard. They do not do work from August 8-September 5th (their month of the holiday).

The yard has fast internet, showers, bathrooms, a tented lounge area, a chandlery, all in a pretty basic, industrial setting. The neighbourhood is all locals, no tourists. The access the channel in and out of Bari (shared with large ferries) is excellent.

Ranieri Chantiers Nautico is a private boatyard on the north side of Bari harbour with winter berths available. Good rate and spaces available.