Bradwell Marina

morgandlm

morgandlm

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Having just read a post on the PBO Main Forum about the financial stability of marinas in these difficult economic times, I find myself wondering about Bradwell who must have spent a small fortune of someone's money expanding the basin.

Does anybody have any info. about what is intended for the expanded bit? Are there lots of boats looking for berths?

Happy New Year, by the way!
Morgan
 
Hi Morgan (BTW someone brought round a bottle of Bonsella vino the other week and it was not bad - got it from the Co-op). Not entirely an "unexpected gift" but well received.

The marina have bought the plant and employed the people to operate them so the cost is only huge and not absolutely ginormous!

They are apparently going to put a pontoon along the far end of the marina with fingers that will be big enough for 50' mobos and for arger visitors. That will still leave plenty of room for those on E pontoon to reverse out. They wouldn't be doing that unless they knew they could fill them - Bradwell and spending money speculatively are not phrases seen in the same sentence!
 
I also got a bottle of Bonsella from one of my sons for Christmas. I was not very fond of the boat name until I learned that it has something to do with a small gift to or from a trader or traveller in South Africa (from the Zulu language, I think). Since we lived in Zambia 20 odd years ago it seems rather appropriate. Another son gave me a tube of Bonjela which is what he always call the boat .. Grr.

I am reassured by your comments about Bradwell although I suspect that the business plan behind the expansion does not look as good today as when they first made it. (Did they have a business plan?). For all it's agricultural qualities, I still like the place.
Hope we meet up in 2009.
Morgan
 
As you have raised the point I think I'll ask the question when it comes to paying up - I'm not afraid of asking awkward questions. I once asked Stuart (the manager) when they were going to dredge the creek - he said it Crown property and they couldn't touch it - I said it might be Crown property but its your b..... mud that's silting it up! He was not amused. Mind you, he wasn't amused when I asked politely if they could put a light bulb in the gents loo! I'll let you know what they say.
 
We had to move from Bradwell last year as we needed a wider berth for our new boat. Being an older marina doesn't allow enough space in between fingers for 2 newer style boats. We were told in no uncertain terms not to consider the future of the extended basin for our needs!
 
I dont get this thing about 50' Mobos at Bradwell. I may be pigeon-holing, but I would have thought owners of such vessels would expect far more facilities than Bradwell currently offers. Agree fully with Roger that the creek needs dredging and would have thought that dredging the creek and thereby offering perhaps full tidal access to sail boats of current size would make a far more sensible proposition.
 
Tis only wot I erd. This is what those on E pontoon were told apparently.

Wouldn't take them more than a few sessions with a dredging rake thing on an outgoing spring tides - shoot it all down the river. Will they? Fingers crossed - would give me an 45 mins either side of HW.

Perhaps we need a berth-holders association - apply a bit of pressure - what do you think Alan, Morgan, ArcEveryman anyone else?
 
Roger, you are right, it would be right thing to do, but my gut feeling is that unless there is a clear commercial gain, then they wouldnt do it. Its an interesting question - would you pay more than at present for greater access ?. We should bear in mind that the shock of being asked about wi-fi was clearly almost too much at the time.

Having said that tho, I believe a "collective" of some description at the marina would be useful, so count me in.
 
I'm certainly up for being part of a group representation to get the creek dredged. It has got measurably worse since 2005 when I first moved there. Some sort of berth association sounds like a good excuse for a beer, anyway.
Morgan
 
[ QUOTE ]
sounds like a good excuse for a beer, anyway.
Morgan

[/ QUOTE ]
Agree fully. Do we have a quorum then ????
 
Interesting point about the needs/requirements of those with 50' mobo's. Things like wireless broadband would be cheap compared to the other things needed to compete with upmarket marinas; the showers for instance! I like Bradwell the way it is, the staff etc, but perhaps this a long term plan, the new pontoons being the start, so in 10 years time (say) they see it as being a lot posher.

IanC
 
I'll make some placards and we each take up position on the end of a pontoon at Easter Weekend OK? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Perhaps an inaugural meeting over a beer at the start of the season would be good. Ask anyone you know if they'd be interested and we'll post a date once people are around again.

They can only say no. In fact ...............
 
Jobs a goodun then. Easter it is. Who has got the neatest handwriting for the placards ??? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Jobs a goodun then. Easter it is. Who has got the neatest handwriting for the placards ??? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I foresee a lot of empty berths available when they have hoicked out the ringleaders of this rebellion. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jobs a goodun then. Easter it is. Who has got the neatest handwriting for the placards ??? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I foresee a lot of empty berths available when they have hoicked out the ringleaders of this rebellion. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
It was Mr.MoodySabre sir, it was , really /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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