Brighton Marina

[MedwayNewbie]

Hi All,
Does anyone on here berth at Brighton Marina and if so, what made you choose it ? I am looking for places on the south coast that i can get to within an hour/hour n half from south london for weekends sailing but also the potential to one day cross to France.

What would be the sailing "range" from Brighton along the coast single journey, so leaving the boat somewhere and picking it up the following weekend for the return trip.

TIA.

 

[sighmoon]

We don't keep ours there, but we did stop off last year. We came from Chichester Harbour, and then went to Dieppe when we left, both easily one day sails. Eastbound, there's Eastbourne, and then after that, there's Dover, which is probably the port that inspired the phrase "any port in a storm".

We were storm bound in Brighton for a couple of days, and it's not a bad place to be stuck with kids to entertain: there's a cinema, a bowling alley and a plethora of pasta restaurants on the marina site. Not to mention Brighton pier.

There's an Asda close by, too.
The adjacent nudist beach was a nauseating disapointment (don't even try to picture it in your mind).

Sailing wise, it's quite easy - plenty of space and all tide entrance, though the entrance can get a little rough.

 

[lustyd]

We don't keep ours there, but we did stop off last year. We came from Chichester Harbour, and then went to Dieppe when we left, both easily one day sails.

We were storm bound in Brighton for a couple of days though, and it's not a bad place to be stuck with kids to entertain: there's a cinema, a bowling alley and a plethora of pasta restaurants on the marina site. Not to mention Brighton pier.

The adjacent nudist beach was a nauseating disapointment (don't even try to picture it)

BUT had you still been in Chi harbour you would not have been so trapped so swings and roundabouts . I've been to Brighton in a blow and it's not a fun entrance!

 

[sighmoon]

BUT had you still been in Chi harbour you would not have been so trapped so swings and roundabouts . I've been to Brighton in a blow and it's not a fun entrance!

I suppose that depends on your boat - we have a deep fin keel and were anchored. It was a bit choppy when we were there (Westerly F6). A nearby boat braved a dinghy ride, but got soaked. We happily sat in the cockpit watching kids race dinghies around us instead.

 

[Seajet]

Brighton entrance can indeed become downright dangerous due to reflected waves in big southerly winds, there was a spectacular photo of a lifeboat & Contessa 32 right in the entrance depicting the nastiest ( not largest, nastiest ) waves I've ever seen in a photo, where the lens usually flattens things out...

 

[robp]

The Solent is do-able in a day and plenty of places to leave the boat but at a cost. Chichester Marina would give you free nights as part of the same group - Premier.

But one of the issues that comes up frequently, is that day trips can be a bit bland due to limited destinations along the coast. As mentioned North Fr is easy.

Lots complain about the overcrowded Solent but it would be a lot more interesting and dare I say pleasant cruising, for what is probably an extra 30 - 45 minutes drive?

 

[Seajet]

Medway Newbie,

I don't know what sort of boat you have but Emsworth Marina may well be worth considering; it's a lot cheaper than Chichester, and in my opinion vastly preferable.

It's a real sun-trap, lots of very pleasant walks, and a short stroll beside a mill pond to town which has all one could possibly wish for, restaurants of every grade & type, chandlery, shops, boats to peer at etc.

It is tidally restricted with a sill; the average boat will have about 2,1/2 hours either side of HW give or take; there are some deep keel boats there.

I wouldn't use Brighton marina if it was free, as they say nowhere to go on weekend trips, very boring coastline; the Solent spoils one for choice,I've sailed out of Chichester for 40 years and never tire of it, there are still places I haven't visited !

 

[lustyd]

The Solent is do-able in a day and plenty of places to leave the boat but at a cost. Chichester Marina would give you free nights as part of the same group - Premier.

But one of the issues that comes up frequently, is that day trips can be a bit bland due to limited destinations along the coast. As mentioned North Fr is easy.

Lots complain about the overcrowded Solent but it would be a lot more interesting and dare I say pleasant cruising, for what is probably an extra 30 - 45 minutes drive?

That's pretty much what I was thinking, although cost should also be taken into account as well. Isn't it premier that group their marinas? If so I believe the benefit isn't as good going Brighton to Solent rather than Solent to Brighton. I'm not a customer though so may have that wrong.

 

[lustyd]

Medway Newbie,

I don't know what sort of boat you have but Emsworth Marina may well be worth considering; it's a lot cheaper than Chichester, and in my opinion vastly preferable.

If my marina fee rises next year I'm holding you responsible!

 

[pvb]

That's pretty much what I was thinking, although cost should also be taken into account as well. Isn't it premier that group their marinas? If so I believe the benefit isn't as good going Brighton to Solent rather than Solent to Brighton. I'm not a customer though so may have that wrong.

Premier currently run 8 marinas (Eastbourne, Brighton, Chichester, Southsea, Port Solent, Gosport, Swanwick and Falmouth). As I understand it, berth-holders get 42 free visitor nights a year at any other Premier marinas.

 

[robp]

That's pretty much what I was thinking, although cost should also be taken into account as well. Isn't it premier that group their marinas? If so I believe the benefit isn't as good going Brighton to Solent rather than Solent to Brighton. I'm not a customer though so may have that wrong.

I've not heard about grouping. My understanding is that if one is a birthholder you get quite a few (40 I think), free nights at other Premier marinas. I've only ever used them at Gosport and Port Solent. Shows how far I get these days! I never use more than a few nights either.

I enquired at Emsworth years ago and was actively discouraged at 1.6M draft fin. Sounds like the Sales Prevention Officer was in action then.

 

[lustyd]

Just looked it up and it was MDL I was thinking of with their zones. Sorry for the confusion, I'll keep quiet next time

 

[robp]

Just looked it up and it was MDL I was thinking of with their zones. Sorry for the confusion, I'll keep quiet next time

I'm not best at keeping up with what my own marina does

 

[RupertW]

I agree with the issues about blandness of sailing destinations which is why I prefer Newhaven as a base.

The marina is a bit of a dump but I prefer to base my boat at the next harbour to where I want to go on a Saturday night. The entrance is also much more accessible than Brighton in nasty weather, but still not perfect. I aslo like the boatyard, Peter Leaonard for work at a good price compared to when I was in Brighton.

Easy sailing destinations from Newhaven are Boulogne, Eastbourne and of course Brighton, so we'd normally spend Saturday nights out in Brighton - either at the marina or in town. I also liked the day sails along the Seven Sisters, and anchoring off the very picturesque Birling Gap. The scenery in either direction from Brighton is a bit dull until the Solent going one way or after Newhaven going the other.

But it's a place to drive down and sail from, not spend a night or two, or expect much in the way of facilities.

 

[bromleybysea]

My expeirence as a visitor over several years is that the staff in Brighton are useless. Strange that at Eastbourne they are much more professional, given that it's the same company. Brighton is great for a night out but that's not why I have a boat. The problem with both is that there is a very limited range of places to go for a easy day sail, the Solent is a long way and often a beat to get there. I live in south-east London and keep my boat on the Blackwater-it's an easy drive providing you time it right for the Dartford crossing, and the sailing is great. It's also cheaper and more friendly than the south coast.

 

[pvb]

My expeirence as a visitor over several years is that the staff in Brighton are useless. Strange that at Eastbourne they are much more professional, given that it's the same company.

I visited both Brighton and Eastbourne marinas just a few weeks ago, and the staff at both were incredibly helpful, friendly and efficient. Brighton is great for its "buzzy" atmosphere; Eastbourne is more laid-back. Both are nice places to visit.

 

[MoodySabre]

I live in south-east London and keep my boat on the Blackwater-it's an easy drive providing you time it right for the Dartford crossing, and the sailing is great. It's also cheaper and more friendly than the south coast.

The east coast is only a days sail from France, Belgium and Holland. A longish day but how often do you do it? The weekend and day sailing opportunities are varied and interesting. I have been into Brighton but can't see the attraction. As said above, the coast isn't very interesting.

Come and see for yourself. Plenty of east-coasters will take you for a spin.

 

[chinita]

I have kept a boat in both Brighton and Eastbourne. IMO facilities, management and atmosphere are better in Eastbourne. In spite of the lock at Eastbourne, access to the sea is never a problem.

Once you are out of whichever marina there are limited options for the next port of call - if in Brighton you can go to Eastbourne and vice-versa!

I have now moved to the East Coast. Much nicer and prettier and you soon come to terms with (and even begin to love) the mud and tides.

 

[masterofnone]

south east coast

I keep the boat here in newhaven, only cos i live here. taking into acct the reciprocal days at premier, if you are a cruiser go to either of them. most of newhaven yacht club members are now not berthed here.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

How about Ramsgate/Dover? 1.5 hours from the smoke,easy access to the continent, LOADS of destinations within easy reach; east coast, south coast, Thames, Medway, the lot