South Coast Marinas

[jimmiboy]

There is cheap, and then there is cheap. What are your requirements? How big is the boat likely to be and does it have to even be a marina? Is tidal access ok for you, or do you want to be able to get on and go whenever suits? You will pay for convenience - both in terms of access and location.

Don't dismiss Lymington - despite having a reputation as the most expensive, it can actually work out cheaper than many other marinas, particularly the Hamble. I prefer the Haven over Berthon, but both are good and well placed. Beaulieu is also an option, but I don't personally care for the trip up and down the river each time.

Think also about whether you could sub-let a berth (MDL funded much of their expansion by selling leases of berths, many of which are unused by their owners). Brokers of such sub-lets (and MDL) will try to convince you that they can only sub-let to you at their headline rate less the VAT, but that is not legally correct (if they were to press on that, there is a good argument that they are in breach of competition law/price fixing).

A river mooring on the Hamble is incredibly cheap. Depends on what you buy and whether you want walk-on/off and electricity, but is a budget option. Equally, the higher on the Itchen you go, the lower the prices.

Then, there are the sailing clubs - we are at the Royal Southern which is absolutely first rate. Best mini-marina in the country in my view. You need to be a member first and then try to secure a mooring which wouldn't be instant. There is also the RAFYC next door - might be worth asking them, although walk-on berths are likely to all be taken.

I quite like the sound of a mooring on the Hamble, I need to have a drive around and visit a few places, as my friends boat is at Chichester Premier and I can’t afford that. I’m looking at getting something around 20, I’ve also looked at the idea of a swinging mooring at Itchenor. If anyone has any experience or opinions l would love to hear them.
Cheers

 

[Soco2]

I quite like the sound of a mooring on the Hamble, I need to have a drive around and visit a few places, as my friends boat is at Chichester Premier and I can’t afford that. I’m looking at getting something around 20, I’ve also looked at the idea of a swinging mooring at Itchenor. If anyone has any experience or opinions l would love to hear them.
Cheers

Swing mooring on itchenor reach is cheap and pretty but it’s a real pain getting all your stuff on and off, you probably have two options, the harbour taxi to take you out or you can park at westlands and have a dingy there to row out But it can be a muddy pain there at low tides! Personally I wouldn’t do a swing mooring again. Boat was hit in the night once and required repair.

 

[Catalina36]

Try Wicor Marine at Portchester.

 

[Switch]

I was at Wicor for a season. Back then there was no walk ashore pontoon so it was a real pain but it was much cheaper than the other Portsmouth/Gosport marinas. Now they have a walk ashore pontoon I think it would be a good choice. Not many mobo's there so they are very sailing boat focussed.

 

[dustywings]

We are at Bucklers Hard which is beautiful and they have just put in new pontoons so I am sure would have space. If you want cheap then Foulkes and Sons in Bursledon is great value.