Bristol Sailor

[steveej]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and new to the world of boating.

I live in Bristol but have recently been learning to sail on the solent which has been incredibly exciting.

I am now thinking of buying a second hand boat in the 26 - 30 foot range for me to use weekend sailing, stopping off overnight somewhere on the saturday to return to my home marina on the Sunday that kind of thing.

The question is where am I going to keep it?

I would like to keep the drive to no more then 90mins (2hrs max) abnd the costs to be no more than £2k per annum, £2.5k at absolute push.

Will there be anywhere on the south coast within this budget? what about swing moorings or other alternatives.

I think I have three realistic locations:

- Bristol Channel (Cardiff?)
- Solent (Southampton?)
- Somewhere between Plymouth and Poole

What I need is something that allows me to get out regularly and learn as much as possible over the next few years, that is practical and affordable within these constraints.

What would people reccomend?

Thanks

 

[SteveSarabande]

Portishead is just a few miles from you. You will learn loads about tides and low water in the BC

 

[[70521]]

Welcome to the Forum

May I recommend a swing mooring on the Exe.

 

[bitbaltic]

Do you mean these annual costs to be for berthing or moorings only, or the all in costs of boating?

Some pals just moved to the south coast and are paying a bit more than this- but not a lot more- for a half tide mooring in a well serviced boatyard. Others will know more about swinging and drying moorings on the South Coast but there will be options.

Your budget is about equivalent to the cost of berthing a 26-30ft boat in any of the marinas in the upper Bristol Channel. The Yacht clubs in Cardiff are cheaper. There are various small clubs in the upper parts of the channel with limited numbers of drying moorings which will be cheaper again but you would have to enquire about availability. These might, though, be the best compromise between getting to the boat and getting out on the water in the shortest time, which might help you get the most out of ownership.

Speaking of Bristol Channel marinas don't forget Watchet which is also within your driving distance criteria.

Cheers

 

[robmcg]

Plymouth. Lots of choice down there, no real tidal restrictions, good cruising area.

 

[trapezeartist]

Portishead Cruising Club has moorings in the Avon at Pill and Chapel Pill. I'm not sure of the cost but it comes in well below your figure, and will save you quite a bit on fuel and bridge tolls compared with Cardiff. I think the maximum LOA is 30 ft. If interested come along to the clubhouse in Pill on a Wednesday evening. www.pccsail.com.

 

[Picks]

Steveej,
I live not far from bristol and have a swinging mooring in Torpoint/Plymouth. Travel time for me to the chain ferry is 2 hours as long as you avoid Friday evenings in the summer time!! Cost for my 31ft boay on swinging mooring is approximately£1100 for the season ( april to end of October). Then about £160 a month for dry storage over the winter. I too thought about where to keep the boat, Bristol channel or south coast and concluded that Plymouth and the surrounding area was much nicer than the channel. No doubt people will disagree and love the challenges that sailing in the channel brings. In the end its what you want from your sailing area.
Good luck.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Chepstow and District Sailing Club. Moorings on St Pierre Pill. Very exciting sailing up and down the channel! If you can sail and navigate there, you can do it anywhere!

When I was a member, the total cost per annum was £22! (Was quite a long time ago).

 

[Fantasie 19]

Chepstow and District Sailing Club. Moorings on St Pierre Pill. Very exciting sailing up and down the channel! If you can sail and navigate there, you can do it anywhere!

When I was a member, the total cost per annum was £22! (Was quite a long time ago).

Top of Chichester Harbour - memberships available at Langstone Sailing Club, mud moorings also available....