Buying first boat - Worried about moorings

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dedwards

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Hi,
I am looking at getting my first boat (approx 28 foot yacht) in time for next season. I've done loads of research and think i've got all aspects of the situation tied up.. bar getting the mooring.

As my budget is only £1500-2000 for the summer season I know there are limited places I could afford in the Solent but everywhere I have contacted so far has been unable to commit to saying if they have spaces.

Whats the best way for me to go about finding a mooring? should I fill in loads of application forms now or should I wait?
Is there a real chance of me not being able to find somewhere suitable? (especially as the boat I currently have my eye on is a fin keeler) In which case, should I only get a boat after I've secured a summer mooring?

This is the only thing stopping me from getting a boat so what should I do?

Cheers.
 
Its an eternal problem..... cart and horse and all that..... IME best is to phone them, or better still turn up, stating that you have a boat, arriving a week on Tuesay (select appropriate date) and need a berth, while waving cheque book and see what can they do...

You may end having to pay for a mooring before getting your boat mind you....
 
Get something like a Jeanneau Fantasia, Parker 275, Kelt 850, Feeling 285 or Jouet 760 with a lift keel, and that really broadens your prospects!
Other than that, as Magna C says, go and dicker with them personally, they have loads of tyre kickers on the phone.
My yard do not commit to me for next season this far out, and I have been with them for the last 5 years! It is nothing personal, just you may not be there on April 1st 2007 with cash as promised in October 2006.

Also get on the waiting lists now, you can always pass over if you dont want it when it is finally offrered.
 
Try Quay Lane boatyard They say they're full at the moment, but I'd be astonished if they didin't have something at the start of the season.

If you need a mooring now, the one next to me, half a mile up towards Fareham from the Hardway is free. It used to be run by Hardway marine, but they've moved to Fareham and I can't remember what they call themselves. I shan't be sorry to be sacking them to move on to a club mooring next year, as I've found that their business practices leave a little to be desired. PM me if you want to know more.

I'm sure that the new owners of Hardway marine, whom I would recommend as a very helpful local chandler would give you the number.
 
Visit the boatyards (and marinas) rather than phoning, that's what I did and I found you sometimes get a better response, as well as some idea of what the place is actually like. I also found yards were generally unresponsive to "I'm thinking of getting a boat" but quite good at "I've got a boat and I need a mooring".
Get your name down on their waiting lists, then check back after Christmas, at regular intervals if necessary if you've not heard. Some yards are less organised than others (total chaos vs. organised chaos /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).
Eventually one will turn up, I found Chichester and Portsmouth harbours the most productive, Chichester harbour conservancy included, though others may have things to say about Hamble river harbour authority.
If you can stand the ferry fares then the Isle of Wight may be worth looking at as well. Given your budget, you're not looking at marinas, obviously.
Good luck.
 
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Whats the draft, do you want swinging, mudberth/half tide or marina?

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Is there a real chance of me not being able to find somewhere suitable? (especially as the boat I currently have my eye on is a fin keeler)

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
I had exactly the same crisis a couple of years ago - should I, shouldn't I - mooring then boat or boat then mooring. Eventually we took the plunge and, in keeping with whats already been said, found that once you can say 'I have a boat, where shall I tie her up and hand over the dosh?' you'll be surprised at how many berths suddenly become available.

We also found that as the winter wears on, more berths become available as people sell-up / move on etc. In our experience, pre December it looked like nothing was going to be available but by Feb / March we had marinas actually calling us to see if we were still interested. That said, do fill in all the forms / make the calls / visits etc and keep on the case - in the pre season berthig frenzy saliency is often a more powerful tool than the waiting list.

Good luck and dont lose resolve, go for it!

Mark
 
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The new owners of Hardway Marine, whom I would recommend as a very helpful local chandler would give you the number.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well said! Tony & Angela used to be here on Hayling but moved to larger premises at Hardway - right next to the club, who don't charge for a short stay on their pontoon so you have no excuse for not visiting.

Having dealt with them since I bought Ebb Tide I would say that 'swindlery' is not appropriate here - they work their socks off to get the best deal for you.
 
Have you looked at the Nutbourne moorings in Chichester. They are usually only about half taken. It is a very quiet part of the harbour and you will need a good dinghy with an outboard. I think there is still an arrangement with Thornham Marina to keep a dinghy there and to park there. There are also chains on the beach not far away for dinghies but you have to pay extra for the privilege of using them.

Although the moorings are in deep water the tide limits the times you can get away in the dinghy especially from the marina.

Take a look at the moorings section of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website

The reasons for their lack of popularity should be obvious from the above but it is a very pleasant spot although not particularly well sheltered. If you are on a tight budget they are worth considering. In time you may be able to graduate to one of the more popular areas.
 
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For comparison, about £1700 for summer (swinging) mooring and winter haul out package in Chichester harbour, 29', long keel.

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Wow ! Is that with Chichester Harbour Conservancy or with a specific Marina/Boatyard ? Where exactly is the haul out location ?
 
Thanks for all the replies... To answer some of the questions:
I want the deepest/most sheltered/best access/best facilities mooring I can get for my money - I have a budget and i'm not afraid to use it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However, seeing as my biggest fear is buying a boat only to find that I can't afford to keep it i'm only going to turn my nose up at moorings that are unsuitable for the boat. Unfortunately, the boat that so far ticks most of my boxes doesnt tick "can take the ground", which obviously exacerbates the problem.
The other fear I had was filling in loads of forms and then having lots of differing companies insisting I give them money. I know of at least one that insisted I sent a deposit with the application form.

So, in conclusion: the general consensus is to fill in loads of forms and harass loads of companies as soon as possible. And don't put off getting the boat because something will turn up before April.

Is that right?

Evadne> where did you get that package?
 
Alright smart arse, I was only trying to be helpfull /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
A touch of LTPS? (lunch time posting syndrome).. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
Hi
For your budget try Gosport Boat Yard and Wicor Marine in Portsmouth harbour. I don't know about Chichester but it is worth a try as is Southampton Water. Chichester Cons. web site says their applications list for 2007 is now avaiable - be quick. I think you can forget the Hamble and Lymington. As others say go and see them personally and give them a reminder every now and then.
 
I'm quoting from memory, but the summer mooring was definitely £750 and the winter package is £900 to £1000, though that only runs to the end of March.
Hayling Yacht Company, Mill Rythe, Hayling Island tel. 02392 463592. Not sure if there are any moorings going at the moment, but that is for one of the swinging moorings in the hole, i.e. hardly ever dries out, unless the wind is in the wrong direction. Access restricted to about +/-3 hours depending on draught and tide. Also in grave danger of bumping into several other forumites, I've been there since 1987.
Lovely spot, idiosyncratic yard (aren't they all?)
 
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