Best Value Marinas - UK South Coast

[tracker]

Happy New Year All - In June I need to get my new Hunter 44 from Southampton to Falmouth in prearation for a trip South to Gibralta.

I want to make the trip in a number of easy day sails and am looking for good value marina berths with 2m depth where I can leave the boat during the week.

Any ideas ?

John

 

[pragmatist]

Good value - marina berths - isn't that an oxymoron ?

You can however leave your boat unattended (by arrangement with DHNA) on the visitors pontoons in the middle of the River Dart which is likely to be cheaper than a marina although you would need to take the water taxi ashore.

But if you're going to leave the boat each w/end have you got some kind soul to collect and deliver you to the boat each time ? If not then public transport is rare and probably limits you to places like Plymouth with a mainline railway station.

Enjoy the new boat and the planning !

 

[chuns]

Easy day sails to Falmouth

Pragmatist makes the key observation - unless you do one way car hires, getting back each weekend is laborious.

Weymouth has a mainline station so that may be your first stop. Next day to Brixham/Dartmouth/Salcombe. Check out the web timetables of the local busses, especially Sunday - you will be disappointed. Maybe better to do Weymouth one weekend then Lyme bay the next. Then you have a full day to get back (where to - Southampton?)

From there Plymouth is a nice sail, with good transport links. Next leg is an easy six hours to Falmouth.

Notice how I ignored the bit about good value marina berths?

 

[jimi]

Actually think you're best just sailing straght to Famouth! Catch tide from Soton to Studland, wait for next tide (to get past St Aldelms and Portland) and then carry on straight to Falmouth?

 

[pragmatist]

Re: Easy day sails to Falmouth

Although Salcombe is a lovely spot it is virtually impossible to get there via public transport - looked at travelling by bus from Plymouth and it would have taken all day to get there ! Dartmouth and Torbay are not so bad as you can get a bus to Newton Abbot on the mainline to London. The good news (assuming they don't drown the trains of course) is that it is a stunning trip alongside the River Exe - did it once as the dawn came up - wonderful ! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Joe_Cole]

Re: Easy day sails to Falmouth

Or go to Exmouth itself; but I think it would be advisable to book ahead with the marina there. Railway stations at Exmouth, or across the river at Starcross.
If you would be happy leaving the boat on a swinging mooring for a week you could save more money.

 

[whisper]

Re: Easy day sails to Falmouth

Wouldn't include Salcombe in this list as it's a pain to get to by public transport. Torquay and Brixham are OK , Dartmouth a bit more difficult.
The next good place would be Plymouth - probably the best of all with regards to facilities and transport links.

 

[mikebees]

Re: Easy day sails to Falmouth

A Hunter 44 - you wont make it further than Poole.