Another Marina Rant

[CaptainCava]

Can anyone think of a good reason why certain marinas (Haslar this time) refuse to take advance bookings?
Oh, and please........no pontificating about should be anchoring etc.......please!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Good to see you back on the forum Captain!

I had this problem last weekend too. I think it is because so many people make a booking and then don't turn up. EIther they change their plans, or the weather becomes unfavourable.

Thus there is a chance that the marina could have an empty berth, ie no money, for the night.

It is unfortunate that people do not bother to phone back to the marina to say they are not coming - just common courtesy really.

 

[tom52]

But they could take your credit card details and charge whether you turned up or not.

 

[TigaWave]

Do they still refuse if you pay for the nights you've booked?
I've never found anywhere so crowded you cant get in somewhere...but could just have been lucky and its a while since I've sailed in teh Solent.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]

I've never found anywhere so crowded you cant get in somewhere...but could just have been lucky and its a while since I've sailed in teh Solent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Last week Saturday, we were number 19 on the waiting list for Dolphin Yacht Haven in Poole so we went to Weymouth instead.

SUnday, Dolphin wouldn't even put us on the waiting list - we got onto Town Quay about 1500 and it was chocker by 1530.

Next bank holiday, we are going to stay at home and catch up on the gardening - there are plenty of other weekends in the year!

 

[TigaWave]

Blimey!!
Even the West coast of france in August wasn't that bad.....but here in Sweden its kind of empty...more water than they know what to do with I feel.... Now I understand the need to book,

 

[BrendanS]

.and just try getting into Yarmouth (IoW) any summer weekend after about 15:30!

 

[CaptainCava]

They don't seem to want to do that. Seems like a great way to make more money.......and marinas aren't usually slow to do that.

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Use Royal Clarence.

They take bookings.

 

[Windfall]

We were turned away from Bembridge last Sunday evening.Ended up at anchor in Priory Bay - a bit rock & rolly but free! Had a very private & quiet evening, unlike Bembridge where we have been at least 4 deep and then treated ourselves to lunch in the Baywatch with the money we'd saved on the mooring.

Perfect.

 

[Birdseye]

[ QUOTE ]
Can anyone think of a good reason why certain marinas (Haslar this time) refuse to take advance bookings?
Oh, and please........no pontificating about should be anchoring etc.......please!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes- they dont keep visiotrs berths as they should . Instead they make more money by renting out the berths of permanent bertholders when they are away for the night. And since they arent sure in advance, and since you might not turn up anyway...............

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Full Up etc

Hmm, we did not get to France on the BH 'cause of the Fog. Poole TQ is blackballed 'cause of the price so we got pissed on boat wine around the back of geen island off in South Deep - nice and quite and free some lads were having a squiffy party on a MOBO so entertaining as well watching them.
Sunday ended up in Gosport loads of room - again free (as I am a Premier customer.)
You just have to be well stocked up with bonded stores for such weekends.

Brian

 

[T_S]

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif To think that the premium flats that overlook Haslar marina used to be knocking shops for the Royal and visiting navys!. Come to think it I still cannot come to terms why people think Haslar is a big deal!

 

[JamesS]

I can think of a very good reason for not taking bookings!

Nothing is more frustrating to arrive at a half empty marina at 4 pm only to be turned away because the xxxx rally or club has booked all available berths but has yet to turn up.

Long may it continue!!

Cheers

 

[chrisc]

ah, but wait till July......

 

[CaptainCava]

Yes, that's quite frustrating too, but if everyone got into the habbit of making a pre-paid booking, you would never have to suffer that frustration again.

I think the main issue for me is that by not taking bookings, it makes it difficult to plan things in advance. Things like meeting other people who may want to pop in for the evening to see you, or might want join your boat for a days sailing.......or planning a battery re-charge after a couple of days at anchor.....or re-provisioning at a handy local supermarket......or, I could go on and on.

But even more important, it means you can't make reservations at restaurants if you are not sure you are going to be there.....and just as bad, it means you have to stop sailing just after lunch if you want to get in!

I'm sorry, but I still have not heard a GOOD reason for not accepting bookings. Where will it end? Perhaps in a few years time we will all be doing no more than little day sails from our home marinas.

 

[alahol2]

God help us... The whole point of sailing, for me, is that I don't have to plan anything. I may well set out heading for a particular place, or at least in a particular direction, but if winds, tides, weather, the kids, the wife, the engine, my inclination suggests otherwise than I'm likely to go with the flow. It's bad enough having to get home on a specific day without tying every other day to a fixed schedule.

 

[CaptainCava]

ah.......but what about food in good restaurants?

 

[TigaWave]

you could always have a pair of wire clippers ready as you approach the pontoon...a quick snip to the steering wire and your a yacht in distress with no steering, they'd have to fit you in?

 

[T_S]

[ QUOTE ]
God help us... The whole point of sailing, for me, is that I don't have to plan anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

So I take it you only sail for short distances then? Otherwise good pilotage is needed for your families safety!