A cold shoulder at Lymington

[scrambledegg]

We turned up at Lymington last Saturday about 4pm, 11m sailing vessel, hoping to find a berth for the night. Firstly tried the Berthon marina: "sorry sir, we have nothing available". So, backtracked a little and tried the Yachthaven, but got the same response. Both marinas appeared to have pontoon space available. It's the only time we've turned up at a Solent port and simply been turned away.
It was the first time we've visited Lymington so don't know the protocol. What should we have done? Is it necessary to book a space in advance here, did they not like the cut of our jib, do they have a no rafting policy?
Anyone to enlighten me?
Thanks

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Don't know about Berthon but we have used Lymington Haven a few times, have always got in (we're 12.8m), but apart from one time a few weeks ago we have always booked in advance. No rafting possible there I'd say except maybe on the hammerheads where the biggest boats are. You might have got a raft at the town quay.

 

[scrambledegg]

Thanks Graham. It starts to make sense.
I've just noticed on the Yachthaven website the sentence: "We encourage visitors to book in advance". So, for sure, I could have been better prepared.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

It's worth booking so you can then experience what might just be the best marina Shower / WC block in the world. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration but very good indeed.

 

[jac]

Town Quay is lively- Pleasantly busy - you do get members of the public milling around but not often on the pontoon itself. SOme issues with drunken behaviour late at night.


Despite that I would go there as a preference to a marina.

 

[Lucky Duck]

It's worth booking so you can then experience what might just be the best marina Shower / WC block in the world. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration but very good indeed.

At their summer prices I would hope so!

The ones at Chi must come a close second though.

 

[Martin_J]

I've visited both a number of times in previous years..

This year I phoned ahead, about 24hours ahead.. although doing this isn't great because you then feel more committed to getting there.. and like you, I got 'No berths available' from the Yacht Haven.

Berthon also said the same over the phone until I asked 'really?'.. and they then allocated me a berth number..

An hour before arrival I did phone them again, early evening and somehow got allocated another berth..

We stayed there for 3 days (changed berths once) and and left about £155 lighter..

Berthon has a huuuuuge touch screen behind the desk.. Worth going to visit just to see it! Shows on screen details of each berth and details of each yacht including dates of when they should be back (if they've gone away)..

There were many empty berths around us as it happens...

Sounds like there are two sides to the story
1) Marina staff not bothering to check the lists of which berths are empty or not having authority to let out empty berth.. This is what I suspected when I phoned ahead.
2) Boat owners not letting the marina office know if they are going to be away for a few nights...

How many here on the forum go away for a few days and don't let the marina know ? perhaps because they don't want others using what they think is 'their' berth..

Marina management should be more aware of and do something about the first because they are turning away money.

We, the berth-holders should do more about the second because by allowing empty berths to be re-used it could keep marina costs lower..

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Lymington berth holders get a share of the income from visitor fees.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

At their summer prices I would hope so!

The ones at Chi must come a close second though.

Yes they're pretty good. Premier's current standard, very similar to MDL I'd say. Lymington Haven a notch above. Costs all very similar.

 

[scrambledegg]

Town Quay is lively- Pleasantly busy - you do get members of the public milling around but not often on the pontoon itself. SOme issues with drunken behaviour late at night.

Despite that I would go there as a preference to a marina.

Thanks , I deffo should have tried to get to Town Quay. For future reference are there any facilities there, loo/shower, I mean?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes, on the quayside, not luxurious. Also very handy for the Ship (opinions vary on that place).

 

[colhel]

Other alternatives are the Dan Bran pontoon (soeak to the harbour master) or Lymington Town Sailing Club, both walk ashore and both use the sailing club facilities

 

[mainsail1]

I am afraid it is pretty frequent on sunny weekends in July and August that Lymington Marinas are full as far as casual visitors are concerned. the same applies to Yarmouth. Town quay is usually OK unless you arrive later than say 1600.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Not sure last weekend really counted as a sunny one!

We were due to meet up with family at Lymington but the weather forecast dissuaded me from booking a berth and I didn't want to risk rocking up to find no spaces in the marinas or the town quay so we made other arrangements

 

[mainsail1]

Not sure last weekend really counted as a sunny one!

We were due to meet up with family at Lymington but the weather forecast dissuaded me from booking a berth and I didn't want to risk rocking up to find no spaces in the marinas or the town quay so we made other arrangements

Ah, I wouldn't know. I was grounded last weekend.

 

[Kukri]

It's worth booking so you can then experience what might just be the best marina Shower / WC block in the world. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration but very good indeed.

Hearing that I was visiting the Berthon, a friend texted me from the Philippines, “Best showers ever!” Although the showers that she used and the ones that I used were different, I have to agree!

 

[sailorman]

Thanks Graham. It starts to make sense.
I've just noticed on the Yachthaven website the sentence: "We encourage visitors to book in advance". So, for sure, I could have been better prepared.

And no doubt pay in advance " to secure your berth"

 

[LadyInBed]

Town Quay is lively- Pleasantly busy - you do get members of the public milling around but not often on the pontoon itself. SOme issues with drunken behaviour late at night.


Despite that I would go there as a preference to a marina.

I've not been to Lymington town quay for a few years.
From a thread on here they were going to change the pontoon arrangement. Did it happen and is it better?

 

[chubby]

I've not been to Lymington town quay for a few years.
From a thread on here they were going to change the pontoon arrangement. Did it happen and is it better?

Not happened yet and when last there no changes!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Not happened yet and when last there no changes!

Due in the next couple of years if the commissioner's website is to belived