Yachting Monthly — November 2017

CHILGROVE GIN

The question of the month

wins a bottle of Chilgrove Gin

(UK residents only). This super-premium gin,

handcrafted by keen sailors in the Sussex

Downs, blends the finest botanicals with a

neutral grape spirit. http://www.chilgrovespirits.com

WIN

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

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How do I get afl oat

in North Africa?

Q

I am a US diplomat serving in

Tunisia and I’m going to be

there for a while. It’s a long

time to be away from my home port

and since the country has an extensive

Mediterranean coast, I am really keen

to get on the water while I’m here. I

am looking at either buying

or leasing a yacht for the

duration, ideally something

about 25ft-35ft. I am having a

great deal of diffi culty trying

to fi nd information locally

and was wondering if you had

any recommendations about

where to start with getting

a boat and where to go once

I’ve got one?

Scott Jackson

A

Graham Hutt, author of the

RCCPF North Africa pilot, replies:

Tunisia began developing

marine tourism in the 1960s and it

now has the most developed yachting

facilities in North Africa, with over 50

yacht-friendly harbours around the

coast. The country was affected by

an uprising in 2010 and 2011 but this

led to democratic elections and it has

recovered well. The opening of marinas

in Bizerte and Gammarth are testimony

to the determination of the Tunisians

to encourage and protect their sailing

industry and marine tourism.

The mild climate means that sailing

in Tunisia is feasible throughout the

year. The north coast to Cap Bon can be

subject to the accelerated winds and

increased swells of the Strait of Sicily,

particularly in winter. At this time of

year it pays to monitor the weather

and predicted sea state. South of Cap

Bon the prevailing winds blow off the

land, although the winter systems can

herald strong easterly gales, which put

signifi cant strain on mooring lines.

more choice, however, if you look in

nearby Malta, which also has a choice of

bareboat charter options if you decide

not to buy.

For more information see Imray’s

North Africa guide (4th edition),

including the 2017 supplement available

as a free download at http://www.rccpf.org.uk

Sailing up the Tunisian

coast in early March

offers wind and warmth

There is a good choice of

harbours. One of the most

picturesque is Sidi Bou Said

in the Gulf of Tunis. With

its ancient town atop the

hill, this has always been

my favourite Tunisian marina since my

fi rst visit there in 1981. The spectacular

remains of Carthage are close

by. Further south, Hammamet

has a large and modern

marina complex surrounded

by numerous hotels and

restaurants. El Kantaoui is

another lovely spot nearby.

The popular Monastir with its

bustling kasbah and old city

walls has long been a base for

wintering. The town is only a

short walk from the marina and

the nearby airport with charter

fl ights to Europe make it ideal

for crew changes. South to the

Gulf of Gabes there are more

cruising options, including the

tranquil Kerkennah Islands and

the island of Djerba.

To purchase a yacht

in Tunisia you would be

best to check local marina

noticeboards to see what

is for sale in that location.

You may be better and have

Monastir marina is

one of over 50 yacht

harbours in Tunisia

PHOTOS: JANE RUSSELL