By simoncurrin - 24 Sep 2015
In the summer of 2015 we sailed around the north and west coasts of Iceland. We had arranged a secure winter berth in Reykjavic harbour. There are no sailing specific services available in this part of the world but I will post here some of the information we have gleaned since our arrival in this port. We will return in April to sail back north to Isafjordur to enjoy the winter sports there. We are leaving the boat unattended in Reykjavic.
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By simoncurrin - 25 Sep 2015
Notes on wintering afloat in Iceland.
We booked our berth in Reykjavik nine months before we planned to arrive. We actually flew out, courtesy of EasyJet, to meet the Harbour Master (Gisili) and the Chairman of the Brokey Sailing Club (Aki). Both were very hospitable and showed us a super secure berth. There are many more options available if you want to be hauled out but we preferred to stay in the water so that we can use the boat for city centre accommodation and a base from which to explore Iceland during the autumn, winter and spring. We may well stay for the winter 2016.
There are no services dedicated to supporting sailors in Reykjavik so tracking things down has taken some time and perseverance. Iceland is outside the EU so equipment bought for yachts in transit will not be charged VAT.
Services we have found and used:
Yanmar agent, Björn Sveinbjörnsson Maras, Yanmar, Iceland Email bjorn@maras.is Tel: +354 555 6444 Mobile: +354 8406647 www.maras.is
Diesel Mechanic, Rudolph Kristinsson taeknihf@taeknihf.is mobile +354 6907602
Dyneema imported from Lithuania by Hampidjan, Magnus Gudlaugsson, Skarfagardar 4, 104 Reykjavik +3546643359 magnusg@hampidjan.com www.hampidjan.com
Rope (limited stocks of 12mm polyester by Robline) at competitive prices www.isfell.is
Furuno, Sveinn Sveinsson, Sales Manager, Brimrun, Holmasloo 4, 101 Reykjavik mobile +3548940460 email denni@brimrun.is
Raymarine: SONAR service Engineer, Oskar Aoalbjornsson, Hvaleyrarbraut 3, 220 Hafnarfjordur. +354 822 1914 email oskar@sonar.is web www.sonar.is
B&G: Ásgeir Örn Rúnarsson, Friðrik A. Jónsson eh, Miðhrauni 13, 210 Garða e-mail: asgeir@faj.is http://www.faj.is
Sailing Club - Brokey. Currently housed in four shipping containers on the dock side near to the Opera House but plans are afoot to start building one day. Contact Jon Peterson www.brokey.is
Propane gas in composite cylinders £35 for a 5kg cylinder plus fill) from any garage. No Butane available.
Diesel - about the same price as UK (2015)
Storage ashore at Snarfari Marina where a 100 ton crane can be shared and rented for the marina 's lift out day.
Postal address for receiving parts
Regulations of importing gums for Greenland where they are mandatory for polar bear protection. It is not possible for a foreigner to buy a firearm in Iceland and not all airlines will transport guns. Police permission to import must be sought.
Car hire - Enterprise now are in Iceland but to get the best price book from the UK. They don 't yet have a desk in the airport so you will be met at arrivals and taken by minibus to their office 3 minutes away.
Airport bus from city centre is expensive and time consuming
Keflavik Airport is struggling to cope with the demand that budget airlines have brought. Expect lengthy queues.
Laundry at the sailing club or the the Laundromat Cafe. Dry cleaning.
Swimming. Fantastic heated, outdoor pools and hot tubs all over Reykjavik
SIM cards only available to buy in larger towns but good 3G coverage.
Icelandic Harbour Guide and Almanac
Domestic airport is close to city centre and approximately 40 minutes drive from Keflavic International Airport.
Provisioning - price comparisons with UK
Facilities for drying out along side - none known.
Dive - PADI
Harbour Contact details and website
Weather information
www.yr.no
http://belgingur.is/map/island-3.2.full/wind/2015-09-25T19:00+01:00
http://www.vegagerdin.is/vs/ArealKort.aspx?la=en
Current weather in Reykjavik Harbour http://vedur.mogt.is/harbor/?action=Stations&harborid=1&stationid=1004
Airline connections: Manchester, Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburg and Birmingham via EasyJet
Iceland Air also fly to the same UK destinations as well as USA and the rew of Europe. Other budget carrier including WOW. Flight to Torshavn in the Faroe Islands go from Reykjavic 's domestic terminal near the city centre.
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