JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Indeed, but the Isle of Wight is hardly short of marinas and tarted-up harbours, is it? It would seem like a shame to exclude a river's worth of cheapskate boaters in search of yet another few quid from wealthy yotties.
cherish your harbour master - a rant!
- Thread starter Birdseye
- Start date
Indeed, but the Isle of Wight is hardly short of marinas and tarted-up harbours, is it? It would seem like a shame to exclude a river's worth of cheapskate boaters in search of yet another few quid from wealthy yotties.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Could you point out the post where I said that's what I want to happen in Newport?
Seajet
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I certainly got the impression that's what you want too, as you seem keen to prevent the wall crumbling, river silting or nasty non local liveaboards...
So, as a local what do you want ?
So, as a local what do you want ?
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l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Read up on statutory harbours and their responsibilities under the Port Marine Safety Code - it costs money For the harbour to simply exist. If the river is full of cheapskate boaters (which it isn't) and no one else, they are the only source of income and they have to put their hands in their pockets for the facilities they have, let alone any improvements. I don't know if you know Newport at all, we aren't taking about a nice little picturesque creek, it is the decaying main commercial port of the island.
Seajet
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So can't answer a question as usual; I agree it's unattractive though, so why the surprise nobody, councillors or boat owners, feels like putting money into it ?! 
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
So can you point to the post where I suggested any such thing - it was you talking about wanting security, investment and improvements before you would even deign to progress further upriver than the Folly.
I want the harbour maintained and used, not left to decay, and for people to continue to use it - more leisure boats as the commercial side declines. It doesn't need any "smart" facilities or "security" to keep out the locals. Nor does it need a small number of people monopolising it in rotting hulks that can't move anywhere, who aren't prepared to contribute to the facilities.
It is a local resource that can benefit locals and visitors alike.
At the end of the day, it's of no real consequence to me, my draught doesn't make the trip up the river worthwhile and I no longer keep a boat of any description there; but I do like living on an island and I like nice beaches and harbours with people enjoying them much more than neglected decaying ones.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
So can't answer a question as usual; I agree it's unattractive though, so why the surprise nobody, councillors or boat owners, feels like putting money into it ?!
What question are you referring to?
I think you are showing your usual lack of understanding of things if you think no one "feels like" putting money into it and displaying the worst type of cheapskate boaters attitudes - want something for nothing and expect others to pay for it.
Seajet
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I mentioned security, which could be as simple as getting police to visit frequently, not necessarily employing people specially for the place.
I didn't suggest any investments or improvements, in fact I stated that the sort of boats which can get there probably don't want these.
Surely liveaboards do contribute to the local economy at least in a small way, and it's in their interests to be tied up to something which won't break off in the middle of the night, if I was one I'd do at least a little to maintain it.
Possibly if you'd like to live near docks in good condition you or another concerned local could form a volunteer group, if people can get steam railways going from just a weedy track with no rails it should be possible, either harness the liveaboards or if they really won't help, a pile-driving barge might just have to go where they are !
I didn't suggest any investments or improvements, in fact I stated that the sort of boats which can get there probably don't want these.
Surely liveaboards do contribute to the local economy at least in a small way, and it's in their interests to be tied up to something which won't break off in the middle of the night, if I was one I'd do at least a little to maintain it.
Possibly if you'd like to live near docks in good condition you or another concerned local could form a volunteer group, if people can get steam railways going from just a weedy track with no rails it should be possible, either harness the liveaboards or if they really won't help, a pile-driving barge might just have to go where they are !
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Mmmm, from here:
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They would if they earnt and spent their income and paid their rent. Would you look on a bunch of converted horse boxes and coaches with no engines and people living in them in a local lay by the same way?
Have you visited one of these railways restored by volunteers? You will pay handsomely to get in and use any of the facilities. And anyway why would I want to work for nothing to provide facilities for other people to use that they don't want to pay towards? I expect to pay for the facilities I use and think that it is reasonable to expect others to do the same.
Ex-SolentBoy
Well-Known Member
Seajet
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Yes, I'm happy to pay for the hard work done by railway volunteers, I paid the Swanage outfit a while ago to give my engineer father a go driving a large Pacific Class loco and jolly good it was too.
I've already said I have never fancied visiting Newport, so I don't want investment in it; you're the one living there moaning about it, you invest money and / or effort in it...
Triassic
Well-Known Member
If someone came on my boat uninvited they are going straight over the side, and I don't care who they are.
I don't want to give the impression I'm a cheapskate, I really don't mind paying for a service or a benefit, but what I'm not prepared to tolerate is someone exploiting an opportunity to make money out of me without doing something to earn it.
If you go into a "harbour", or a marina, or even a stretch of river that is maintained in a particular way so that we are able to use it when otherwise we would not be able to then that is fair enough, but if a local authority think they can turn round and declare an area of natural shelter "theirs" and charge anyone who enters it then I for one will vote with my feet and go somewhere else. One of the biggest attractions of sailing is the ability to get away from the rat race and enjoy the peace and quiet you can find by going places that others can't. I'm definitely going to visit Falmouth, but I'm going to make sure I've got the option to leave straight away if they try and charge me £15 for dropping my anchor in a quiet spot.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
I do invest money in it, I have no option, I pay my council tax and when I kept boats there I paid my harbour dues...Yes, I'm happy to pay for the hard work done by railway volunteers, I paid the Swanage outfit a while ago to give my engineer father a go driving a large Pacific Class loco and jolly good it was too.
I've already said I have never fancied visiting Newport, so I don't want investment in it; you're the one living there moaning about it, you invest money and / or effort in it...
rib
Well-Known Member
Triassic.... you have said several times that you wont pay to anchor somewhere quiet.you wont in Falmouth area. you will if you want to be in sight of the town lights and all that goes with it.there are quiet spots to anchor where its so quiet you may spot a deer swimming.kingfisher flying a seal or two on a near by pontoon owls tooting .but it allways rains so keepaway
rib
Well-Known Member
Falmouth area I mean 5miles not500 yds
Stoshak
Well-Known Member
We usually visit Newport two or three times a year, for a few days at a time. The visitor's pontoon is usually pretty well full in season
The harbour staff are always helpful and welcoming, and the facilities, although a bit spartan, are adequate and clean.
We have never felt in the least bit threatened and do not recognise the vandalised skip attack business.
It is a significant thread in the rich tapestry of the Solent, and we are very grateful to the IOW tax payers for giving us the opportunity to berth there at reasonable rates.
The harbour staff are always helpful and welcoming, and the facilities, although a bit spartan, are adequate and clean.
We have never felt in the least bit threatened and do not recognise the vandalised skip attack business.
It is a significant thread in the rich tapestry of the Solent, and we are very grateful to the IOW tax payers for giving us the opportunity to berth there at reasonable rates.
prv
Well-Known Member
Newtown they have no right to charge for anchoring, and they know it. The National Trust ask for a donation, but after certain actions of theirs elsewhere I'm disinclined to give one. In fact I don't remember being asked in recent years, but I don't go there often because as a mostly weekend sailor it's usually heaving.
Never been troubled at Hurst, and I do stop there fairly often before leaving for points west or crossing the Channel.
Never occurred to me to anchor at Lymington - surely there's not room in the river?
Likewise Cowes - surely it's not sensible to anchor in the town? In fact I thought it was prohibited, and reasonably so. And I'd worry about fouling the anchor on what must be a very cluttered bottom. I have anchored just upriver of the Folly in Kindred Spirit (and nobody asked for money), but I'd think it was too shallow for Ariam.
Pete
Elessar
Well-Known Member
don't agree. Was completely agreeing with the snail and he said what i was thinking. Far too many people on here prepared to put down things they have no experience of, but one of their mates said it was no good.
Coppercoat is another example - "i've got it and it's great" and "i saw one in the boatyard that didnn't work so I'll NEVER have it".
Seajet once said the "wide open" spaces in a 40 footer were "dangerous" at sea, as you could fall to the lee side - well there was more space than an anderson I guess. Now drag that thread up, perpetuate it and hey now we all have to sell our boats because they are so dangerous. That's the same amount of evidence as he has for the carnage that awaits in Newport.
I call them the negative naysayers, saying nay about the things they know nothing about. They just love to put things down.
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
There is no room in the river and hence there is a bylaw which prohibits anchoring. Outside, you anchor wherever you like including across to Keyhaven and Hurst, and there is nobody in a position to charge for that.
Triassic
Well-Known Member
Now this was reassuring. It's a bit like parking your car, you accept you need to pay in the town centre, you would be a bit miffed if a Traffic Warden tapped on the window if you were in the middle of the countryside.....
This not so reassuring. Are you saying they effectively lay claim to the entire inlet?