Summer Cruise

During a summer cruise, one of the most beautiful experiences is certainly sleeping on board your own boat. The night on board can be planned as an integral part of thevacation, or it can sometimes be necessary if you haven’t arrived at your destination in time. But where should you moor the boat to spend a beautiful night that is also
peaceful and safe? There are obviously two options: spending the night at anchor, in an anchorage, or mooring the boat in a comfortable marina.
Both alternatives certainly have great advantages: let’s see how to make the right
choice.

The Charm of the Anchorage, the Comforts of the Marina

There’s no doubt that the charm of a night spent at anchor is unique and unbeatable, and it’s no coincidence that it’s one of
the most sought-after experiences for sailors. In fact, anchoring in a bay may seem like the ultimate exampleof freedom – although we’ll see that, in reality, things aren’t exactly like that. On the other
hand, opting for a berth in a marina means ensuring greater
comfort, many more services, as well as a completely different level of safety. Let’s explore these
aspects!

Sleeping at Anchor: What to Consider

It’s certain that the option of sleeping at anchor is fascinating. But it’s not a choice to be made lightly.
Of course, there are no schedules, no need to book a berth, no fees for
mooring, and so on. However, it’s true that there are several other aspects to consider. First ofall, the weather factor: if the forecast isn’t optimal, the port option might certainly be betterfor more protection. This choice should also be made considering your
crew: are they all seasoned sailors, or are there some newcomers? Are there perhaps children on board whomight get bored spending 12 or more hours at anchor? And again, is everyone actually willingto give up the services that can be found in port, from the bathroom to the shower, as well as restaurantsand shops?The anchorage must also be prepared, knowing that on board, starting from the galley, there must be everythingnecessary to spend a night as peaceful and comfortable as possible. And, above all, it’s important to pay
attention to the anchoring, knowing that in the presence of wind the boat may rotate: not considering
the swinging when choosing the spot could be fatal. Also because, as is well known,
especially in summer, it’s almost impossible to find protected, beautiful bays that are at the same time
totally deserted, often finding yourself actually mooring close to other boats. The
risk is that of encountering tensions, skirmishes, arguments, or actual incidents. Sleeping at
anchor can be a magical experience, but only if done on the right night, in the right place, and with the right preparation.

The Advantages of Sleeping in a Marina

It’s not surprising, at this point, that in many cases the best choice is to sleep in port. For manyreasons: because the weather isn’t particularly favorable, because the crew on board isn’t readyto sleep at anchor, because after one or two nights at anchor you need more comfort,because you need to refuel anyway, or simply because you want to visit avillage or a city, taking advantage of restaurants, bars, and supermarkets.In our Liguria, there’s no shortage of enchanting anchorages to reach during a summer cruise, many of which – such as the anchorage of Riva Trigoso or that of Bonassola – are actually very close to our marina in Genoa. Do you want to enjoy the many services of our marina? Book your berth at Marina Porto Antico!