Bit of Bembridge bother? ....or not?

[derekgillard]

You won't want to hear this but i was there on Thursday and it was almost empty.. All Friday morning the staff were mapping out the pontoon trying to fit everyone in over the weekend, guess if you went there today (Tuesday) it will be half empty again.
The Pontoons have all been dredged over the last few years so i'm not sure how accurate the charts inside the harbour will be.
I've always found them very friendly so if you told them you did not have electricity i would be surprised if they would not have credited you the cost.
All in all a lovely place just too popular on a nice bank holiday weekend.

Derek

 

[JumbleDuck]

Bit like going to Portpatrick and complaining about the rafting.

I don't mind rafting at Portpatrick, but I detest the climb up those vertiginous ladders. Last time I was there I wouldn't even let my young crew try them - we rowed to the beach and got ashore that way. There was some talk about installing floating bollards, so you wouldn't have to get to the quayside to tie up, but I don't know if anything has come of that, and it wouldn't solve the shore access problem.

The marina+ charges for no facilities whatsoever - not even toilets - were a bit painful as well.

 

[lpdsn]

I don't mind rafting at Portpatrick, but I detest the climb up those vertiginous ladders. Last time I was there I wouldn't even let my young crew try them - we rowed to the beach and got ashore that way. There was some talk about installing floating bollards, so you wouldn't have to get to the quayside to tie up, but I don't know if anything has come of that, and it wouldn't solve the shore access problem.

The marina+ charges for no facilities whatsoever - not even toilets - were a bit painful as well.

The pontoons idea fell through. Then there was some form of trust that also fell through so a year or two back they set up some form of Community Development Company (I'd have to look it up to get the name and exact legal set-up right). I doubt anyone is getting rich on the dividends as there must be many weekends when weather or tides means the harbour is pretty near empty. It is a nice setting on a good day - lot better than Bembridge even which isn't bad for the Solent.

It's cheaper than Stranraer as well (and even worse Stranraer now charges round figures so I can't even get rid of all the 2p & 1p coins).

If you think Portpatrick pricing is bad try Carnlough. Scenic harbour for shallow draught boats but since Ballymena took over the local councils on the coast they've set flat rate visitors charges for Carrick, Glenarm and Carnlough. Now that really is charging marina prices for drying against a wall.

I don't mind the climb at Portpatrick.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The pontoons idea fell through. Then there was some form of trust that also fell through so a year or two back they set up some form of Community Development Company (I'd have to look it up to get the name and exact legal set-up right).

My recollection is that the last private owner came up with the pontoon idea, but it was decided that no pontoon could survived a blow there - after all, Rennie's southern breakwater lasted less than three years. I idea I heard of was for guiderails up the walls with floating beams on them to tie up to, a bit like you get in some locks. Perhaps they would have the same issues.

The trust was also a notion of the last owner, who sold the place to a community benefit society, which is mainly local people.

It's cheaper than Stranraer as well (and even worse Stranraer now charges round figures so I can't even get rid of all the 2p & 1p coins).

Portpatrick:

Stranraer:

So for me at 8m, Portpatrick is more. The issue, though, is that you get stuff-all for the money. Well, maybe the issue was that you get stuff-all for the money. I see mention of toilets and showers on the Portpatrick website, so perhaps the facilities are no longer limited to a filthy public toilet which shut at 5pm.

If you think Portpatrick pricing is bad try Carnlough. Scenic harbour for shallow draught boats but since Ballymena took over the local councils on the coast they've set flat rate visitors charges for Carrick, Glenarm and Carnlough. Now that really is charging marina prices for drying against a wall.

Bloody hell. That's a bit unimpressive. It's years since I was at Carnlough ... I'm now not in any great hurry to go back. Shame, 'sos it was quite nice, as I recall.

I don't mind the climb at Portpatrick.

Good exercise, I suppose, but I wouldn't let a child do it without a safety line rigged. They could perhaps fit better ladders, if nothing else.

 

[Cuan]

We've got one of those for when we go to Bembridge

Just on the issue of electricity. We have one of these for when rafted 6 deep at regattas. Works a treat for persuading people to share...

 

[lpdsn]

The trust was also a notion of the last owner, who sold the place to a community benefit society, which is mainly local people.

I hadn't realised it was the same bloke. Maybe that explains some of the negative stories I heard.

So for me at 8m, Portpatrick is more. The issue, though, is that you get stuff-all for the money. Well, maybe the issue was that you get stuff-all for the money. I see mention of toilets and showers on the Portpatrick website, so perhaps the facilities are no longer limited to a filthy public toilet which shut at 5pm.

At 13m Stranraer is more expensive. If you want to save money you'll just have to get a bigger boat. By the way, you've got last year's Stranraer prices there compared this year's Portpatrick. >12m is now £26.50.

Stranraer marina is pretty good but it has the disadvantage that they seem to have located Stranraer just outside the gates.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I hadn't realised it was the same bloke. Maybe that explains some of the negative stories I heard.

Lots of shenanigans around ports on the Rhins. Drummore was bought by a couple of locals who promised to revitalise it as a trust but did nothing. The local council said they were going to purchase it compulsorily, but nothing seems to have happened and the place is falling into ruin. Which is a shame, because it could be a very nice and useful wee harbour for drying boats, and like the rest of the area Drummore could use the trade.

Update: This has some interesting information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-38662584

Further update: As has this: http://www.thenational.scot/news/15...s_move_a_step_closer_to_saving_their_harbour/

If you want to save money you'll just have to get a bigger boat.

I shall try this argument with the boss. Perhaps by phone.

Stranraer marina is pretty good but it has the disadvantage that they seem to have located Stranraer just outside the gates.

Oh, Stranraer isn't that bad. I was stormbound there a couple of years ago and we had a surprisingly good couple of days. The castle is good, we found a few nice cafés and the park is a winner in nice weather.

 

[Seven Spades]

To the op next time book your berth in advance and pay the surcharge if you are lucky enough to be able to plug in. It it the same in amy other places, electricity is not always guaranteed it is very much first come first served.

 

[Roger52]

Although more expensive you can book a finger berth at Bembridge so no rafting and less competition for a power supply.

 

[Sea-Fever]

Although more expensive you can book a finger berth at Bembridge so no rafting and less competition for a power supply.

Ah...very helpful I think I saw that on the website but it didn't sink in...unlike my keel.

 

[Seajet]

A. It's not an old trick, for those tend to be repeated by wily seadogs for the benefit of the unlearned.

B. The geometry is simple, the dynamics not so easy, but the likelihood of being alongside 'an ideal boat' is vanishingly small. Give it some actual concentrated thought for a minute.

C. A trained engineeer wouldn't be on either boat.

D. The shear force on the rivets is trivial compared to the ones that will distort and break them.

E. Only a complete fool would try it twice.

F. 'Smart arse in the pub', well, if the cap....

Yes trained, qualified engineers ( I'm one of those, not just a photographer ) were on both boats when we tried it, in the 1970's it was a popular theory - and no, unless there was no other option I wouldn't try it again.

Pan's People were also popular around that time, and they seemed a good idea to me !

Isn't it interesting how as soon as one mentions anything on here, maybe a useful tip or just for historical interest, certain clueless vindictive gits are quick with insults without any useful suggestions themselves,,,

 

[Scubadoo]

Last year when the electrics kept tripping, I asked for a refund, no problem.