Bembridge (again)

[JamesS]

I see from this months mag that Bembridge Marina are putting their berthing fees up by 20% (yes, twenty percent) this year.

I wont be paying as I've refused to go there ever since they started hiking their prices and being generally customer unfriendly some two years ago.

Am I alone in the view that if you ever wanted a model of how to take one of the best locations in the south and then screw it up completely you need look no further than Bembridge Harbour?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Another victory for the RSPB

Not sure I'd object IF they spent the extra income on dredging, but I don't imagine they will, and eventually Bembridge will become a shoal draft bird sanctuary, like Pagham. Already the pilot book recommendation that you can enter at HW -3/ 2 is looking a bit old fashioned.


Long live the Bar Tailed Dimwit.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[StephenSails]

Having to walk 1/4 mile for a shower in the heat of the summer also seems a bit of a joke.

That said Brading Having Yacht Club is worth the visit I think, great food and drink for little money and always a friendly welcome.

<hr width=100% size=1>Visit my discount online chandlery and news site
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtinguniverse.com>http://www.yachtinguniverse.com</A>

 

[Ruffles]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

I agree on the dredging. Last year tried to leave 1.5 hours after HW (and cooked breakfast). Turned the corner and was faced with what looked like a mountain stream. We were lucky to get back to the pontoon.

Come to think of it Macmillans says 'Entry impossible +- 2.5 hrs LW' which is definitely true - but not helpful.

Still, had a great day walking around the South of the island.

Rob.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Stemar]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

I agree, Brading Having Yacht Club is the only reason I'd ever go back there! Bembridge is a lovely place, but the entance is a nightmare, especially with an underpowered sailing boat, and I found the visitor's pontoon hugely overcrowded and overpriced. If I do go back, I'll dry out on the beach, assuming it's still allowed!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Fill]

Couldn't agree more. We too have largely given up on Bembridge. Allegedly, about 2 years back a new marina master (mistress actually) realised you could get a lot more dosh by annual berthing fees rather than visitors mainly at summer weekends.

Hence the new bridge from the visitors pontoon, rafting up 6 deep or more (oh, my poor fenders), not enough showers or loos in the new block and a long trek to the village. Unfortunately there's almost certainly enough who will still pay the extra to make it worth their while.

France anyone?

<hr width=100% size=1>Fill

 

[Hurleyburly]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

No drying on the beach allowed now, think Macmillan's phrase is 'strictly prohibited'.

Well...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[plombier]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

No drying on the beach allowed now, think Macmillan's phrase is 'strictly prohibited'.

Not according to:


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.harbours.co.uk/bembridg/bembridg.html>http://www.harbours.co.uk/bembridg/bembridg.html</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Wake up Bembridge

This

picture which heads the page referenced above makes it clear how relatively easy it would be to construct a couple of jetties with a retaining cill between them, and turn Bembridge into an afloat haven for a good few craft (residents and visitors), no doubt to the considerable benefit of the community. It's something which every tupenny-hapenny coastal village on the other side of the Channel seems capable of undertaking, but not our friends in Bembridge.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Victorious]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

I spent many happy childhood days on that patch of beach.

I intend to visit it again before i sail south.

If someone in a hypothetical 15 ton wooden boat.... fitted with a hypothetical wing engine with the prop on the starboard side......(due to a hypothetically thin Rudderpost and deadwood)......... Were to encounter a minor problem with the engine controls.... as he was passing said beach. (on his way to the wonderfull visitors pontoon/facilitys).....in such a narrow and crowded stretch of water, He'd have no choice but to turn to port... and run her aground on the empty beach.... DAMMIT! a falling tide as well.....
He would...... like any law abiding citizen, Move his boat as soon as repairs were completed to engine controls... (and he'd build a few sandcastles for old times sake while he waited for the tide)

one or two kind but misguided souls could even risk grounding themselves in a brief but futile effort to tow 15 tons of pine on oak off the sand
We would all then help each other float off ASAP by emptying each others drinks lockers...
<snigger>

<hr width=100% size=1>www.victorious.co.uk

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: Another victory for the RSPB

hey Russel, how is she coming along. Have you updated the website recently.

The last time I saw you on the newsgroup you were still tearing big bits out!

Nice to see you here.

<hr width=100% size=1>J

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

</A>

 

[Joe]

Bembridge is by far the worst harbour on the isle.
The entrance is poorly marked and dangerous if you dont know it.
The harbour is unfriendly and expensive and often no where to moor up.
There is no information as to where anything is and never anyone around to tell you.
What a waste of what could be a good location.
Wont ever go back
Joe

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimbouy]

Such a shame as it is a lovely part of the island,

Where do you rate as the best on the island?

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[Joe]

Well Newtown is very nice.
I quite like the upper reaches of the Medina river although i feel that the Folly Inn has become to up market and lost some of its personal touch.
Yarmouth has much improved with a good freindly pubs and chandelery on hand. In fact i stayed a couple of days last season.
Most places in fact.
Joe



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Barry777]

I think they have taken to hiring it out as film lot. Did anyone see that telly programme last night with John "thingy" - crime thriller at 9.00pm... can't remember the title. Also had the lovely Jemma whats her name....senility creeping in I think. All the "boaty" bits were shot in Bembridge I think. Agreed?


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatless]

Thanks Barry - wondered where it was. It was described as Hampshire, and Bembridge is the only harbour I haven't been in. Did try once - thump - took too long to get off and haven't been back.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[tome]

I saw this and wondered if it was Bembridge also.

I used to take the previous boat into Bembridge, though we once slept on the windows after a bold night approach on an ebb tide. Current boat draws 1.8m and I haven't attempted it yet.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PRODISC]

Twas Bembridge harbour indeed. The boat house was on the northern shore of the harbour known as "The Duver". If you had looked carefully you would have noticed the "Atrills" work boat on its shore. The boat house is currently used to build traditional wooden craft to order and renovate other wooden boats from around the coutry.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Feedback from Bembridge Harbour

because I have been volunteered to organise a club rally to Bembridge, I have been following this post with interest.

I sent an e-mail to bembridge harbour, drawing attention to this thread. This is their response.

"After reading the thread in your forum there's not much to disagree with I'm
afraid.

The positive side is that new ablutions are being built close to the new
visitors moorings as we speak.
They are situated next to Lynx engineering at the entrance to the new jetty
.
They should be ready for use by May, planning authority problems
notwithstanding.

The council said planning permission was needed but the harbour company
evidently think not as they are carrying on with the building work.
To be frank, I think the council would be unlikely to be able to prevent
something so neccesary as ablutions to be built, but they appear to be on
another planet, so who knows.

If anyone would like to visit the www.bembridge.com forum
(www.bembridge.com/forum/default.asp) you'll be very welcome to post your
comments there. (Joining is simple). Your comments might get noticed by the
harbour company and help solve any problems you have.

Hope this is of some help.

(Please do post this on your YBW forum)


Brian Langford.
(for www.bembridge.com)"

<hr width=100% size=1>I'm average size, Its just that everybody else is short.

 

[PaulR]

Re: Feedback from Bembridge Harbour

We have always enjoyed Bembridge and have many fond memories of the crowded marina on saturday nights and the mass exodus at HW the next day- we were dissapointed last summer to find the marina reserved for residents only and as others say the change to being rafted up against a pontoon out in the harbour-having said that last time we were there the loos by the pontoon weren't operational but the harbour launch ran a shuttle service to and from the marina loos (no charge) that was fine, always found it challenging to get in and out (we draw 5' 7") but still a lovely harbour- have always found harbour staff friendly and helpful so certainly hope no changes there- will try it again this season

<hr width=100% size=1>