Cheap over winter berth nr. Cardiff

[NickRobinson]

Off to view a low value boat tomorrow in Cardiff.

8m, capable of drying out. Sail boat, so mast. Any ideas for a (reasonably) secure budget pontoon berth? Elec. nice but not essential. Probably up to May.
TIA

 

[Seajet]

I don't know how local you need or what keel she is, but would Uphill near Weston super Mare be any good ?

 

[NickRobinson]

I don't know how local you need or what keel she is, but would Uphill near Weston super Mare be any good ?

Thanks for the info- I don't know the Bristol Channel. Google is showing river moorings and beach and a small pontoon?
The boat in question is long keel with bilge plates.

 

[Seajet]

Well it's not exactly Port Solent !

A muddy creek with some pontoons, easy access by car though.

It's a few years since I've been there but there used to be a decent chandlery hewn into the cliff, seems to have normal boatyard facilities like boat lift / crane.

I wouldn't think it an expensive place to be.

Have you tried the Bristol Channel forum on here ? They' ll know the best options.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Milford Marina in Milford Haven did very good winter deals when I bought my boat there eight years ago. It seems to be a wee bit pricier now (I think management has been contracted out by the council) but still just over £1000 for 8m, and it's a very, very nice place to be.

 

[NickRobinson]

Looks interesting- (I'd not followed the river up far enough on Google maps)

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Barry yacht club offer storage ashore for non members if the boat hasn't got to be on the water. If you want a marina then Cardiff Marina is suppised to be reasonable.

 

[bitbaltic]

Milford Marina in Milford Haven did very good winter deals when I bought my boat there eight years ago. It seems to be a wee bit pricier now (I think management has been contracted out by the council) but still just over £1000 for 8m, and it's a very, very nice place to be.

Milford Marina is part of the Milford Haven Port Authority.

It is the cheapest (and I wholly agree, nicest) marina in the BC but it is a long way away from cardiff for the OP with a small, new-to-him, older boat at the fag end of the season.

Milford has on-site engineers (windjammer).

The bad news is there are not many pontoon berths in the inner Bristol Channel on which to stay afloat over winter. Choices are:

Quay Marinas at Penarth or Portishead. Full service, friendly staff at both, winter rates but top dollar as such. Both have on-site engineers (team marine at Penarth; i forget the lot at Portishead but they are well regarded).

Cardiff Marina (marine group, a growing marina chain in the west). serviced pontoons, prices similar to Quay. Also on site engineers.

Cardiff Yacht Club. Pontoons sometimes (I think) without services, stern or bow- to moorings. Some swinging. Possibly a wait list. Best bet in Cardiff Bay. Will have to join the club.

Cardiff Bay Yacht Club. Some swinging, pontoons with and without services. Generally regarded as having a bad attitude. Will have to join. Like to trumpet a wait list.

No on site engineers at these clubs.

Consider Swansea. 6 hours west on a single tide, council marina, second cheapest to Milford. All pontoons are full service. Swansea yacht club pontoons heavily oversubscribed in comparison. On site engineers, can’t remember name, have heard mixed reports.

Unless a pontoon is absolutely critical I would take yellow Ballad’s advice and bring the boat ashore unless you are very confident of taking it further afield right now. Barry YC has a long standing offer for storage for nominal membership costs.

 

[NickRobinson]

Thanks all- really useful leads. I'm only viewing tomorrow, its a silly time of year to buy, all the fees, little of the fun unless an unmissable buy.
I may be back here repeating the question for another similar boat/location in due course.