Brighton

[baroque]

I am sailing from Sweden (Stockholm) June 2005 to Brighton where I plan to live aboard. This was meant to happen this year but lots happend to delay me, which I'm glad about.
Now I have everything flowing in the right direction and my lovely HR Monsun 31.
I recently received my license from the marina, which stated that liveaboards were not allowed, except in certain circumcumstances, where it will be waived.
I have been to Brighton and the staff and liveaboards I met were very positive. What is the staus quo today?Any liveaboards in Brighton please.

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[dart]

Passed through Brighton recently and didn't like it. Why have you chosen there?
It is an artificial marina with no natural shelter so susceptible to surge. Make sure you get a berth well tucked in.

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[robind]

Wheres your profile Dart? I have been in Brighton for a long time and the only surge I have heard about was in your post, maybe you hadn`t got your land legs back while you were (breifly) in there?
)) Regards
Rob

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[dart]

The officials in the office said there was surge in SE winds on the outer pontoons. It was OK when we were there although very windy and exposed. It reminded me of the artificial marinas in Portugal and Spain but without the weather!

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[AndrewB]

Nearly all major UK marinas have the 'no liveaboard' clause in their terms and conditions. Just a few are quite strict about this and will, for example, limit the number of nights you can stay aboard. Most however are quite happy in practice for you to liveaboard, provided the yacht is kept in serviceable condition, you do not claim any residential rights in respect of the berth to which you are allocated, or otherwise make a nuisance of yourself.

I'm not in Brighton myself, though I know it quite well and there are certainly liveaboard yachts there. Just sign the terms and move in. I would recommend you sign for just a month in the first instance. Take the boat out occasionally while you are there, and keep a reasonably low profile (don't hang out all your laundry to dry on the rigging and don't use the marina as your accomodation address). With an excellent range of facilities right to hand, Brighton is a good place to stay.

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[Sea Devil]

I do not think most marinas themselves worry about live aboards - I get the feeling it is to do with rates and local council regulations. Planning permission and so on which is why the clause is there in the paperwork. Also does extended cruising mean liveaboard and if not define liveaboard. I have never been refused entry or asked to leave any marina - ever. Most of them are pleased to have live aboards around - helps security..

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[AndrewB]

Don't think this is quite true. A few years back some local councils did try it on regarding council tax for liveaboards. But since the VOA clarified the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/chapters/council_tax/council_tax_man_pn/frame.htm>definition of a dwelling</A> for tax purposes, which normally would exclude a seaworthy yacht in a marina, councils have not been a problem. However, marinas are fearful of another situation arising like that of the infamous "Noah's Ark" (MV Picton) at Penarth, and so are insisting formally on the no-liveaboards clause as a get-out.

There definitely are one or two marinas on the south and east coast where it has been made quite clear to me, without my asking directly, that they do not tolerate liveaboarding in the sense yachties understand it. But these are certainly a minority and most, as you say, are happy to turn a blind eye.

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[Abigail]

We lived aboard in Brighton for over a year, using the marina office as both a personal and company address with no problems at all. Tell the marina office your plans and they are generally positive as they see liveaboards helping with security etc over a very large area. They have clamped down a little recently, partly due to people living on completely unseaworthy vessels to lessen their living costs, but if you are in a good boat and clearly not planning to really mess about they're fine. They particularly worry (tho not necessarily refuse) about dogs.

We were on the outside of the outer pontoon on the east jetty and yes surge is an issue. We used a lot of very heavy mooring warps! But we were fine all last winter. If you ask you might get a berth further away from the sea wall - certainly try and be on the east jetty as it's friendlier, quieter and more protected.

The most irritating feature is that the depths are a bit variable despite constant dredging and the further from the sea wall the more difficult this can be. However we got out just at LWS in a 2m draft boat in September.

Although the marina is a little way from centre of town it's agreat place to live and the No 7 bus is very reliable! BTW we moved for all sorts of reasons (not least much better sailing I have to admit) to Ipswich in April but we were back in Brighton in late September and found it little changed.

HTH

<hr width=100% size=1>Sarah & Pip

www.greatlittleboats.com
UK & Ireland distributors of Swifgig

 

[wiggy]

I know friends who have lived in the marina for years, I think officialy you can only live on your boat for 11 months of the year (local by law) but marina dont care. As to a surge I have raced and worked out of Brighton for 8 years and have never seen anything that could be called a surge inside, most livaboards are up the Eastern end anyway. One word of warning, a big development is about to go in to planning office, including masive towerblock and complete removal of area that includes Health centre and Casino, all to be replaced with houseing (loads of dust and noise with prervailing wind ). Do investigate this building work as if it gets the go ahead it could start next year.

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