A cold shoulder at Lymington

[awol]

I note that Fascadale has occasionally waxed on the quality of abluting facilities and has done so this year for places as far apart as Lochmaddy and the Solent. My gold standard is Portavadie (not that I have use for the hair straighteners) against which I compare all others but I am wondering how it compares with Berthon and Lymington Haven which have both had mention in this thread.
Is it perhaps time for a Good Shower Guide and if so what criteria would be used?

 

[Seajet]

Just don't call it the Golden Shower award.

 

[jac]

Just don't call it the Golden Shower award.

That's Trumped all other posts in this thread

 

[Robin]

That's Trumped all other posts in this thread

:biggrin-new::biggrin-new:

 

[Seajet]

Robin,

good to know you are back in the UK; the book ' Narrow Dog To Indian River ' - sequel to the much funnier ' Narrow Dog to Carcassone ' - gives a big hint what to expect in the ex-colonies, I'm glad to see you're out of it.

 

[dgadee]

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.

Lorient has much better ones. I've tested them both.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Wow they must be amazing

 

[colhel]

We stayed at the Haven last weekend and had a meal at the Mayflower, each to their own of course but I was a dissapointed with the attempt at going posh, posh prices, small portions, not particularly well cooked, and that 10% discretionary service charge that always gets my back up and served on wooden chopping boards.

 

[nicho]

We stayed at the Haven last weekend and had a meal at the Mayflower, each to their own of course but I was a dissapointed with the attempt at going posh, posh prices, small portions, not particularly well cooked, and that 10% discretionary service charge that always gets my back up and served on wooden chopping boards.

We never accept food on wooden boards, and always insist on plates. Can't help but think wooden boards are unhygenic.

 

[Dockhead]

Having sailed the Forth, Dysart to Port Edgar, and seen a lot of Portpatrick from on shore, I'm very happy with the Solent ta !

You've seen the worst of it in this thread, but it's still fantastic with so much choice - and as sailing is falling in popularity that helps too, one just has to be realistic and not go for obvious places on Bank holidays; the way round this is to be self employed or retired as I and my chums are, but even with a 9-5 job there's plenty of scope once one knows the hidden gems.

Indeed!

And don't forget that an anchor solves all marina berthing shortage (and cost) problems. I've never understood why people seem to anchor only in Osborne Bay, and even that in very small numbers. There are almost unlimited places to anchor in the Solent.

 

[girlofwight]

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.

Apologies for replying to an old thread, I’m catching up whilst travelling.

Although I post here in a personal capacity I’m a Yarmouth Harbour Commissioner. My understanding is that although bookable berths get filled up, it’s a long time since a casual visitor in an average sized boat was turned away. The Harbour Staff are adept at fitting boats in, on a raft if necessary, and do a good job.

Personally, I get tetchy gong to sea in the Solent without a booked berth, but Yarmouth is open for the casual visitor, even during the waterside Gaffers festival and Tattingers.

 

[Lucky Duck]

According to one regular poster here, boats were being turned away from Yarmouth en-mass on the Friday before the August bank holiday.

We occasionally book a finger berth at Yarmouth but otherwise are happy enough taking our chances, the distances between ports isn't that great...

 

[girlofwight]

Thanks Little Grebe. That’s not my understanding but I’ll ask a question for sure.

 

[prv]

Although I post here in a personal capacity I’m a Yarmouth Harbour Commissioner. My understanding is that although bookable berths get filled up, it’s a long time since a casual visitor in an average sized boat was turned away.

What then is the purpose of the big red “Harbour Full” sign?

Pete

 

[girlofwight]

What then is the purpose of the big red “Harbour Full” sign?

Pete

Legacy and contingency, Pete

 

[sailor211]

Apologies for replying to an old thread, I’m catching up whilst travelling.

Although I post here in a personal capacity I’m a Yarmouth Harbour Commissioner. My understanding is that although bookable berths get filled up, it’s a long time since a casual visitor in an average sized boat was turned away. The Harbour Staff are adept at fitting boats in, on a raft if necessary, and do a good job.

Personally, I get tetchy gong to sea in the Solent without a booked berth, but Yarmouth is open for the casual visitor, even during the waterside Gaffers festival and Tattingers.

For some years since I moved from Lymington I have given up trying to get a berth if not booked. Both Berthon and Yacht haven have no space and often ignore calls on VHF. Basically not enough berths, and too few berthholders not notifying when they are away,

 

[steveeasy]

Posted before about Lymington. Again went a few weeks ago, quick call to Haven and allocated a berth straight away.

Steveeasy

 

[Applespider]

Thanks Little Grebe. That’s not my understanding but I’ll ask a question for sure.

That's good to know - and I might try next time I'm down that way. I probably haven't even bother trying this season after not getting in several times last year. Within my group of skipper friends who between us sail most weekends though, we've pretty much all stopped going since the impression has been that if you're not there by 2pm on a Saturday, there's no point in trying.

To be fair, we have been offered the buoys outside on occasion - so not sure if that counts as not being turned away - but it's not quite the same as being able to wander into town.

 

[girlofwight]

What then is the purpose of the big red “Harbour Full” sign?

Thanks Little Grebe. That’s not my understanding but I’ll ask a question for sure.

So, I’ve spoken with HM, and this is his reply:

There are 25 finger berths that can be booked in advance online. These berths are usually fully booked most of the summer.
When these are full the boys start to fill the walk ashore berths. These are rafting berths that are allocated on arrival. On busy days these berths are rafted up to 4 boats deep.
When these berths are full the staff begin to offer our customers non walk ashore berths, the town quay and the crane berth.
When these are full the staff start to offer the outer moorings of which there are 40 available.
No one gets turned away. There is usually a berth available however it might not be the preferred berth.
As an example , dog owners tend to require walk ashore - non rafted berths. If one is not available they tend to go elsewhere.

When the outer moorings are full there is an option to anchor.

There is no reason why someone who wishes to visit can’t do so. They will always get something it just might not be what they were expecting.

The Harbour Full sign doesn’t exist. I removed that 2 years ago.

Boats are not being turned away on mass in fact this summers has been a record breaker with more vessels visiting than ever before.

As I said, I’m here in a personal capacity, first and last as a boat owner, who likes to be alongside the wood, but happy to try and help.

Incidentally, if you have to anchor and tender in, do what Trinty House does and anchor just outside the harbour limits. It’s cheaper....

 

[Lucky Duck]

Interesting, here is the what was posted back in August;

They were full by about 1pm on Friday
image: http://www.ybw.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.png

. We’d anchored behind Hurst Castle on Thursday night expecting to head south first thing next day, but changed plans on rechecking the forecast after anchoring. So after a big brunch Friday morning, we put into Yarmouth at about midday to wait out the weather. I was off the boat much of the afternoon, but my friend who stayed on board said the radio was going all day with people being turned away. I know both Lymington marinas were full as we thought of going there first.

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?506343-Washout/page3#gb05zDpsQfJpVlu0.99

I suppose given the dire weather prospects for the Bank Holiday Sunday that people didn't fancy being on the moorings