There is no single right answer. Keep your yacht in the Mediterranean if you want a long, warm season and plan to use it mostly on holiday. Keep it in Holland if you want it close to home, close to the yard that built it, and easy to use on weekends. Many owners end up combining the two: a Dutch base for service and winter storage, and one or more Mediterranean seasons when their plans call for it.
Below we compare the practical points that usually decide the question: season length, berths, service, storage and the transport between them.
Season: how many months will you actually use it?
The Mediterranean
The cruising season in the western and central Mediterranean typically runs from late spring to early autumn, and the shoulder months are often pleasant enough for day trips. For a weekender such as the AZUR 45HT, with its outdoor galley, shaded lounge and two sun beds, this is where the boat is used as it was drawn: long lunches at anchor, swimming from the electric swim ladder, a night aboard in one of the two cabins.
Holland
The Dutch boating season is shorter and the weather less predictable. Typically, owners use their boats from spring to early autumn. What Holland offers instead is variety close to home: rivers, lakes, the IJsselmeer, the Zeeland waters and the coast. The AZUR 45HT's shallow draught of 0.79 m is an advantage here, as it opens up waters that deeper boats avoid.
A simple test: count the weeks you realistically expect to be aboard. If most of them fall in one summer holiday abroad, the Mediterranean usually wins. If you picture many short outings spread over the year, a home base makes more sense.
Berths
Marina berths in popular Mediterranean areas are in high demand, especially for the summer season, and annual contracts are often arranged well in advance. Prices vary widely by region, marina and boat length, so we do not quote figures here.
In the Netherlands, berths for a 13.5 m yacht with a beam of 4.32 m are generally easier to find, although popular marinas also have waiting lists. A dry berth or indoor storage is a common alternative for owners who use the boat less often.
Service and aftersales
This is where Holland has a natural edge. The yard in Heusden built your yacht, knows every weld and every system, and is a short drive away for most owners in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Paint to sample finishes, hardtop options and interior details are easiest to look after where they were made.
That does not mean a Mediterranean owner is on their own. For routine work on the Volvo Penta IPS drivetrain, owners can also rely on the wider dealer network that typically exists in major Mediterranean boating areas. Ask the yard how service would be arranged for your intended home port. For background on long-term care, see our article on aluminium yacht maintenance.
Winter storage
An aluminium hull handles saltwater well, provided the yacht is properly maintained and its corrosion protection is checked regularly. Still, a winter out of the water is good practice in both regions.
| Mediterranean | Holland | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical season | Longer, late spring to early autumn and beyond | Shorter, spring to early autumn |
| Winter options | Afloat in a sheltered marina, or ashore in a boatyard | Commonly ashore, often in indoor storage halls |
| Distance to the builder | Far, service through local specialists | Close to the yard in Heusden |
| Berth availability | Competitive in popular areas | Generally easier, with exceptions |
| Ideal use | Holidays, longer stays aboard | Weekends, short trips, frequent use |
The yard thinks along with owners on storage. If you keep the yacht in Holland, a winter at or near the yard combines storage with the annual service. If you keep it in the south, the yard can advise on storage ashore.
Transport between the two
Moving a yacht between Holland and the Mediterranean is routine work, and owners generally choose one of three ways.
By road
A yacht of 13.5 m length and 4.32 m beam is typically moved on a low-loader as an exceptional transport, with permits and, depending on the countries crossed, escort vehicles. It is a reliable option, and the boat arrives without any engine hours added.
By ship
Yacht transport by cargo ship or specialised yacht carrier is common between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and also to the Americas. The yacht is lifted aboard and secured in a cradle.
On her own keel
With CE category B certification and 1,240 litres of fuel, the AZUR 45HT is built for offshore conditions within its category. A delivery trip by sea is possible in the right weather window, but it takes time, adds engine hours and depends on careful planning. Most owners leave this to an experienced delivery crew.
Costs and timing vary with season, route and method. Your quote can include the options that suit your plans. Read more in our guide to shipping a yacht.
VAT and paperwork
Within the EU, a yacht on which EU VAT has been paid can typically move freely between member states, so a Dutch-delivered yacht can be kept in Spain, Greece or Croatia. Local rules on registration, crew certificates and cruising taxes do differ by country. We recommend checking your situation with a specialist adviser before you decide.
Our advice: decide by how you will use it
- Mostly holidays, longer stays aboard: the Mediterranean.
- Mostly weekends and frequent short trips: Holland, close to the yard.
- Both: a Dutch base, with the yacht shipped south for selected seasons.
Whatever you choose, the yard is happy to talk it through when you plan your yacht, so that options such as the panoramic sliding roof or the electric sun awning fit the climate you will actually use it in. Our ownership page explains what happens after delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Bekkers yacht be kept in the Mediterranean all year?
Yes. Aluminium copes well with saltwater when the hull and its corrosion protection are properly maintained. Most owners still plan a period ashore for service and antifouling.
Where can I see a Bekkers yacht in the Mediterranean?
Sea trials can be arranged at the yard in Heusden. Contact the yard to arrange a trial.
How is a yacht transported from Holland to the Mediterranean?
Typically by road on a low-loader, by ship, or on her own keel with a delivery crew. Which option fits depends on timing, route and season. The yard can include transport in your quote.
Does the shallow draught matter in the Mediterranean?
The AZUR 45HT draws 0.79 m. In Holland that opens up rivers and lakes; in the Mediterranean it lets you anchor closer to shallow beaches and coves, always within local anchoring rules.
Who services my yacht if I keep it abroad?
For specific arrangements in your home port, ask the yard.
