Buckler's hard marina

[arfa]

Buckler\'s hard marina

I have just checked in with the harbourmaster and been told that there is no availability on Saturday as all berths have been booked out. I have been advised to call on Saturday to check availability. Only problem is that I wil need to be underway on Saturday morning to get there at a civilised hour. Anyone out there with any experience as to whether it is worth rocking up to see if a berth is available ? I am only small (21ft LOA and draw just under 1m with the keel up).
I would like to stay in the region as I used to live there many moons ago. Any advice please ?

 

[fireball]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

If you don't mind piles there is generally room on there ... also I believe there are some visitors buoys too ... alternatively you could always anchor up in the river (and still get charged!)

 

[arfa]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Thanks for the advice. I have checked the almanac and the only anchorage I can find is at the mouth of the river, is there room to anchor further upstream ? I am happy to spend the night on the hook as I have many happy memories of sculling at dawn on the river and the prospect of a peaceful dawn on the river is exactly what I am after

 

[Evadne]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

The rest of the river is full of moorings. I'd go on the piles just upstream of the marina as suggested. Last tiime I was there the marina had a minumum length charge of 38 feet, so you may find it a tad more expensive than you were expecting. Piles are pro rata.

 

[fireball]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

If you're happy outside the marina then the piles are by far your best bet ... quiet, lovely view and far cheaper than the marina (I think it was ~ £15 for a 30'er over night....

 

[jhr]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Given your size and draft, it should be possible for you to anchor above the landing at Bailey's Hard. Once you are past the final mooring in the river (it will be obvious) you can drop the hook in the middle of the river. However, you will dry out for a couple of hours around LW (longer at springs) and I wouldn't risk going up there in the dark unless you really know your way. About 25 minutes down to Bucklers Hard by dinghy, or go ashore at Bailey's Hard and it's about 15 - 20 minutes' walk.

I guess it's best to check with the Harbourmaster but I've seen several boats do this - particularly cats and bilge keelers - I reckon you'd be OK with a lifting keel.

In theory you can anchor anywhere on the river except for one mile either side of Buckler's Hard itself, though in practice, moorings and quite steeply shelving banks will rule out most of the river.

Hope you make it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Goldie]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

If you're planning on staying aboard, just pick up a free mooring and be prepared to move if someone claims it. You'll still be charged though! I'd be very surprised if you couldn't get on one of the pile rafts.

 

[Stoffer]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

We always go further up past the marina and round the next bend and pick a free mooring and thats with over 1.5m draft. You will still have to pay but the guys will know if someone has gone for the weekend so you can settle down. It is the most quiet beautiful spot and there is dock and a path along the shore so you dont need to row all the way to the hard.

 

[ebbtide]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Only 21ft LOA and wants to park in Bucklers Hard Marina - how times have changed!
Anyway, it will cost you £19 overnight if you must; others have hinted at going further up and escaping the avaricious HM.
Anchoring is only a fiver and prohibited within 1M of BH - but the plethora of moorings should dissuade you anyway.
I prefer to dry out against the Palace quay or Timbrels opposite then stagger to Monty's or the Beaulieu Arms (wearing collar and tie natch.)

 

[Saddletramp]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Has anyone got up to the village? I take less than a metre and I looked at the wall by the village and there should be enough depth there. Are there gulleys that could be a problem if I did not make it all the way and had to sit on the mud for a while?

I think Malaprop just answered my question - thanks

 

[arfa]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Thank you all for the advice - I like the idea of dropping the hook near baileys hard and HW is around 4am so I should geta decent night's kip !

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

The wall, at the head of the river, dries completely, but you should have enough water to get up there on the tide.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

There should be a 10m marina berth vacated on Saturday, but the HM doesn't know it yet. Go on the piles up river from the marina. The small boats are on the last couple, in about 1.2m LAT. Short dinghy ride to the facilities of the marina, lovely view of the river bank etc, etc. I kept a boat up there for about 3 years.

 

[Sailfree]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

WE were told the same but on the weekend in question they fitted us in.

Word of warning though beware of the cross tide to the berths when tide floods or ebbs. It made my first berthing there interesting and the 2nd one expensive when my advice to SWMBO was frankly wrong!!

 

[davies]

Re: Buckler\'s hard marina

Cramped, congested and expensive. The piles are a much more pleasant option. Have a good trip whatever you decide to do.