Any affordable NW swing moorings or even very cheap marinas? Preferably near Liverpool

DangerousPirate

DangerousPirate

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Anyone know a nice, little place? Just want to put the boat there and make it easier to get there. Belfast is cheap, but if anyone wants to buy the boat, he has to be from ireland. No one is going to take the ferry or a flight to see it. 99% of people just drive somewhere to buy a boat.

And the fact that you can buy boats so cheap in Strangford Lough compared to what they would be worth anywhere else, is not a good sign either.
 
Probably better off in North Wales as that is where people looking for boats will expect to find them.

Liverpool marina is expensive. Mersey moorings are challenging to access and the limited number are associated with the local clubs. River Dee is less challenging but still not a great place to show a vessel and not really viable for short term.

I suppose you could haul out in a local club for a reasonable price - but if I was looking for a boat I'd go to North Wales despite living here.

What are you selling?
 
obmij said:
Probably better off in North Wales as that is where people looking for boats will expect to find them.

Liverpool marina is expensive. Mersey moorings are challenging to access and the limited number are associated with the local clubs. River Dee is less challenging but still not a great place to show a vessel and not really viable for short term.

I suppose you could haul out in a local club for a reasonable price - but if I was looking for a boat I'd go to North Wales despite living here.

What are you selling?
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Selling my Nicholson 30 soon.

Why North Wales specifically? And not near Liverpool? Seems like North Wales is countryside, while Liverpool is close to the motorway and a major town, easily accessible via train, too. Curious why you'd say that now. Not disagreeing at all with it. Just not sure what the arguments are here.

Anyway. Let me know any places you can think of that are CHEAP. Swing mooring more likely, but any cheap marina will obviously do just as fine.
 
I'd say there are more leisure boats in N Wales than Liverpool by a factor of 100, at least - it's just an easier and nicer place to keep a boat. With that you get the infrastructure. Conway alone has two marinas (expensive) plus river moorings which are affordable with better access than the Mersey or Dee. Then there is the Menai Strait with a ton of moorings plus marinas if you want to bring alongside for viewings. Bangor can be pretty cheap too. Further south there's Pwllheli with a big marina plus moorings etc, and there are other harbours I've missed. As a buyer you can see several boats in a day which makes it worth a trip.
 
Actually, Douglas Marine which is near Southport and Fiddlers Ferry near Runcorn have cheap alongside berths and hardstanding, maybe they would suit? You are unlikely to get any 'passing trade' though and would have to be careful your boat doesn't get stuck there. I have been to both and neither are really where you would go for a day out..
 
Also agree with the north Wales suggestions.

Conwy River, Menai Straits or even Holyhead sailing club.

The availability of a water taxi would also be a consideration if I were looking to sell a vessel while afloat in those waters.
 
Consider a broker who can provide free storage for a few months while at their yard/marina until sold - in location near others and with lift out facilities. Also does checks on both sides. Much less hassle. Nice marina location near to nice club/restaurants etc will enhance value and might attract spontaneous buyer. Pick a location where there are people that might want a boat like yours, and moorings are available.

Think as a buyer - Far the best to look and compare several in an afternoon. Looking for someone not necessarily looking for a Nicholson but likes it when they see it - race record ? -

We finally decided in an afternoon where all the types of boats we were looking at were close to each other, and others, and we could go from one to another to compare.

Consider commissioning a survey so the buyer can see exactly what they will be getting, good and bad, and resolve any issues before sale. Saves a month and avoids a drop out when survey not as buyer expects and avoids renegotiation after survey. Give a good clean and tidy before listing. Maybe new ropes and rigging.

Check the VAT issue.
 
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If you just want storage near Liverpool and not use the boat any more then nowhere cheaper than fiddlers ferry in Warrington, 450pa and it's a lovely spot although getting there is an adventure in itself.

Fiddlers Ferry Boatyard, North West Marina & Boatyard with storage

Douglas marine next cheapest alongside berth but 200/month and again storage only really, you can't day sail from there and out of the way to get to.
 
It appears the OP lives in N Ireland so presumably will need a broker local to where he decides to keep it. I used a broker in Conwy 20 years ago and he wouldn't take potential buyers out to my mooring so I had to do a 160 mile round trip to show them around. I would choose somewhere ashore rather than a cheap mooring.
 
Graham376 said:
It appears the OP lives in N Ireland so presumably will need a broker local to where he decides to keep it. I used a broker in Conwy 20 years ago and he wouldn't take potential buyers out to my mooring so I had to do a 160 mile round trip to show them around. I would choose somewhere ashore rather than a cheap mooring.
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I am currently in NI but I am not tied to any location and I change it quite frequently.

I got a second boat that I am soon going to move on, and then I sell the Nicholson.

Considering all been said so far, it seems that wales is the better option. I never sold a boat through a broker, but this time I would do that because I can't be arsed staying any longer than necessary. I was not aware that some brokers take the boat for free for a few months. I always assumed I have to pay mooring fees anyway? I wouldn't mind if it gets deducted from the sale price.​
 
East Coast Essex/Suffolk some brokers associated with marinas/yards offer free storage for a while while selling if they think the boat will sell - a bit like a car forecourt. They like to offer a variety and makes it easy for them to do viewings - no travelling. You need to see if any do this in Wales/Liverpool area. Speak to some brokers and see what they think. I would only buy through this type of broker as it gives you some assurance.
 
Egret said:
East Coast Essex/Suffolk some brokers associated with marinas/yards offer free storage for a while while selling if they think the boat will sell - a bit like a car forecourt. They like to offer a variety and makes it easy for them to do viewings - no travelling. You need to see if any do this in Wales/Liverpool area. Speak to some brokers and see what they think. I would only buy through this type of broker as it gives you some assurance.
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Well, we're talking about an 8k or so boat here. That's normally reserved for expensive boats, isn't it?
 
Titchmarsh Marina is just about the best value in Essex/Suffolk and has a broker but it's a hell of a sail from Belfast. Have you considered Fleetwood? A hop across the Irish Sea, good access to motorways and a dock/marina and I seem to recall there are mud berths there. Well worth a phone call to sound out the marina.
 
DangerousPirate said:
Well, we're talking about an 8k or so boat here. That's normally reserved for expensive boats, isn't it?
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It’s a long time since I’ve bought or sold a boat via a broker but I’ve once been a customer of these guys.

Based Bangor/Port Penryhn. Reasonable access for viewing, I’d have thought.

Why not give them a call?

Boats For Sale - Dickies Marine Services

I think that The Clyde is a good shout, too.

You seem to have fallen foul of the “there’s only one thing dumber than owning a boat, that’s owning two of them”

Good luck with the sale!
 
I don't think trying to sell a boat on a swinging mooring through a broker is going to have a great deal of success, it will either have to be on the hard or an accessible pontoon for easy viewing.
 
I've sold through Dickies in Bangor (on the hard) and have also looked at buying there as usually quite a few boats to compare.

If you are going to stay in NI for any length of time though, just list there. Any potential price advantage on an £8k boat isn't going to be worth the hassle.

If you move her over here and she doesn't sell straight away you will be in a world of pain just keeping her presentable & free of damp and mold..
 
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