Cost of Sailing

[Mister E]

North Wales has a lack of radio checks. So much so you can leave the vhf switched on.
A lack of sewage is another big bonus.

Best of all no where near londinium.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have been retired for some time now ( not really sure how long because they keep getting me to go back in the winter.) & I have had the boat for 18 years from new. Quite honestly I just could not be bothered with all that hassle of flights etc. Booking, Arranging taxi to & from airport,Lugging gear back & forth, transport at the other end.

I have my boat in a marina & can either drive there, or if I feel I need the exercise I get on my Brompton & pedal for 20 mins. Step aboard, have a chat to the boat, make a coffee & faff for a while. I can sail anywhere I want & most years ( covid excepted) I cover the Dutch canals to Camaret or a couple of round UK trips.It will take a few years to run out of destinations. Even without south coast Uk.

The weather in the Channel islands is great & the places to cruise is so varied between Amsterdam & Cameret that one would be hard set to get bored. Single handed sailing is relatively easy.

French Belgian & Dutch marinas are relatively cheap- It would be quite easy for a south coast sailor to put the boat in Dieppe, Cherbourg or perhaps a Dutch marina, if they want to save money & ferries are easier than planes for lugging gear.
Besides it gets too hot further south. No enjoyment in that for me at least. But to each his own.

As for cost- My total sailing inc hols away, kit, sails maintenance, marinas etc- £ 13K PA average over the 18 years. ( boat paid for at purchase) I reckon that is a fairly good deal for a 6 month season, ( laid up the rest) most of it away from home.
So it is the east coast for me & no regrets

 

[awol]

By every measure I can think of those offer worse value for money than the Solent. I don’t disagree that they offer some nice sailing but we’re talking value for money here. The cost of mooring is not that much less but you get access to fewer short sail destinations, fewer foreign destinations, less racing, fewer clubs, pubs, worse location for jobs, fewer options for chandleries and services, the list goes on. If you’re going to suggest somewhere is better value then explain why it’s better value. And let’s not start with pointless insults ok?

Value for money? My fixed costs are about £2500pa which includes Club membership, mooring and 6 months in either a full service marina or a dry shed. I have a plethora of short sail destinations where I can go ashore to convivial pubs and restaurants though I enjoy eating and cooking on board - obviously not as many as the Solent but many more than I can get round in a season. I can reach another country within a day sail - no empty supermarket shelves there! I race as often as I want. I am a member of 2 yacht clubs and tolerated by at least one more. Sufficient chandleries - how many do you need? - and we do actually have access to the internet even if some deliveries cost more. So for a smidgeon over £200 a month I have a mobile man cave with all the amenities (and more) that I need. If only the wind was more reliable but money won't buy that.
However, I am more than happy that Lustyd and the thousands of other like minded souls believe that they have found sailing nirvana in the Solent. I wish them all well.

 

[Mister E]

Oops I forgot the one to keep the hoards away so.
Wales is dreadful either no wnd or gales from the wrong direction, we have not seen the sun for years .
All the midges migrate here when it is raining in Scotland.
The locals don't speak English. There's no where to stay due to the second homes that has caused all the shops, pubs and all other services to close.
This year all the marinas were full , so much so there was not a berth to be had.
We do not have the big ships to give a nice view.
I nearly forgot to mention the sheep. So yes stay in the sailing heaven of the Solent.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I'm still dead heading roses and hanging baskets . Thames Estuary.

If there was any wind it'd be sailing.

I expect I will be sitting on someone's boat drinking coffee for the next 2 hours.

 

[Sailfree]

All boats are a compromise hence we have a variety of owners of different types of boats on here.

I started this thread to illustrate my personal experience and what suited me with cheaper sailing/boat ownership and warmer weather plus the option of being a liveaboard.

Interesting to read what sailing area suits others and I accept that employment usually dictates where we have to live and hence sail.

However sad that its degenerated a bit into my sailing area is better than yours!

Funny how many threads degenerate into my anchor/boat/ sailing area etc (pick what you like) is better than yours. What does it say about us - lack of appreciation of others variety of priorities including budgets?

 

[flaming]

Having sailed the Solent waters for many years but also the East Coast (Thames to The Deben), I think the East Coast offers everything the Solent does and more, at a fraction of the price. It is equally accessible from London and, Oh Yes, the weather factor is much better. ??

I grew up sailing on the East coast and only discovered racing in the Solent after uni. To my personal tastes I choose to drive the 3+ hours to race in the Solent rather than the 30 minutes to the Orwell.

If I'd never got into racing, I'd probably be happy with the East coast cruising, but to be honest, as lovely as the East coast is, if I was choosing somewhere in the UK for a week's cruising it would be the West country.

 

[Tranona]

Value for money? My fixed costs are about £2500pa which includes Club membership, mooring and 6 months in either a full service marina or a dry shed. I have a plethora of short sail destinations where I can go ashore to convivial pubs and restaurants though I enjoy eating and cooking on board - obviously not as many as the Solent but many more than I can get round in a season. I can reach another country within a day sail - no empty supermarket shelves there! I race as often as I want. I am a member of 2 yacht clubs and tolerated by at least one more. Sufficient chandleries - how many do you need? - and we do actually have access to the internet even if some deliveries cost more. So for a smidgeon over £200 a month I have a mobile man cave with all the amenities (and more) that I need. If only the wind was more reliable but money won't buy that.
However, I am more than happy that Lustyd and the thousands of other like minded souls believe that they have found sailing nirvana in the Solent. I wish them all well.

Much the same, including annual cost for me for same size boat in a superb marina with direct access to deep water and only 15 miles from the Solent and 63 miles from Cherbourg. Even better 15 minutes drive from home.

While the high cost commercial marinas seem to dominate the scene in the centre of the Solent, and offer value for money for those who use them for all the reasons lustyd gives there are many more boats and owners who operate on much smaller budgets, particularly at the edges of the region using swinging or trot moorings and non profit members clubs.

 

[Poignard]

I was based in the Solent for many years but eventually I got fed up of the overcrowding, endless radio checks, and fleets of racing boats getting in my way. And, on one occasion, getting in their way and being sworn at; even though I was the stand-on vessel.

Brittany is a paradise, even when not compared to the Solent!

 

[Daydream believer]

However sad that its degenerated a bit into my sailing area is better than yours!

Funny how many threads degenerate into my anchor/boat/ sailing area etc (pick what you like) is better than yours. What does it say about us - lack of appreciation of others variety of priorities including budgets?

You started of by telling us your story & experience- which i admit I found enlightening & interesting
However, we on the forum then responded by telling you- & others who care to read- theirs & you now object
I find that odd considering your original post.
Because you made the first post I would point out that it does not mean you own it either. The forum is for the benefit of all & conversation does wander & that is the interesting point about it. You gave a start which allows that. It was not a thread asking how to tighten a spark plug, but one which suggested invitation for opinion. So one should expect it to develope. There has been no animosity displayed & all points have been in good taste. What has not been to like?

 

[dunedin]

Value for money? My fixed costs are about £2500pa which includes Club membership, mooring and 6 months in either a full service marina or a dry shed. I have a plethora of short sail destinations where I can go ashore to convivial pubs and restaurants though I enjoy eating and cooking on board - obviously not as many as the Solent but many more than I can get round in a season. I can reach another country within a day sail - no empty supermarket shelves there! I race as often as I want. I am a member of 2 yacht clubs and tolerated by at least one more. Sufficient chandleries - how many do you need? - and we do actually have access to the internet even if some deliveries cost more. So for a smidgeon over £200 a month I have a mobile man cave with all the amenities (and more) that I need. If only the wind was more reliable but money won't buy that.
However, I am more than happy that Lustyd and the thousands of other like minded souls believe that they have found sailing nirvana in the Solent. I wish them all well.

Shhhh! You are breaking your own rules and will be black-balled from the Alba community

Totally wrong, there are no short sail destinations in Scotland, no anchorages, no pubs, no chandleries. Much better staying in the crowded Solent with its paltry single island

 

[Sailfree]

You started of by telling us your story & experience- which i admit I found enlightening & interesting
However, we on the forum then responded by telling you- & others who care to read- theirs & you now object
I find that odd considering your original post.
Because you made the first post I would point out that it does not mean you own it either. The forum is for the benefit of all & conversation does wander & that is the interesting point about it. You gave a start which allows that. It was not a thread asking how to tighten a spark plug, but one which suggested invitation for opinion. So one should expect it to develope. There has been no animosity displayed & all points have been in good taste. What has not been to like?

I would point out that I never suggested that my experience was best just an option for others to consider and I think I made it clear it would not suit all.

Yes you are right that MOST points made have been in good taste and many make interesting points - its the ones that are slanted to my sailing area is best rather than the reasons why my sailing area suits me that I find sad.

Anyway my Rocna anchor is better than yours so there and I am typing in sunny weather but only 17 deg C today so no sunglasses necessary!!

 

[James_Calvert]

..... However sad that [the thread] degenerated a bit into my sailing area is better than yours!

Before retirement, we were based near our then home on the Medway, on the Solent, Medway again, Salcombe, and Solent again. On moorings or midstream pontoons. Where available, club berthing gave best value.

We're now retired and moved permanently, adjacent to Salcombe.

The East Coast is great for local cruising with a range of destinations not much more than a tide away. The water there is relatively sheltered but very brown. Summer holiday cruises were mainly to France and the Channel Islands.

The Solent is again great for local cruising. Not so sheltered against westerlies though. Really good for Channel crossing for the CIs and France. In our later Medway days we'd move the boat down there in advance for a good start to our summer cruise.

Salcombe provides great sailing east or west to local ports, but a bigger stretch of channel to cross. Not an all weather port of entry due to the bar, and once clear of the land, little shelter. Dartmouth and Plymouth better bases in that respect.

 

[roblpm]

Value for money? My fixed costs are about £2500pa which includes Club membership, mooring and 6 months in either a full service marina or a dry shed. I have a plethora of short sail destinations where I can go ashore to convivial pubs and restaurants though I enjoy eating and cooking on board - obviously not as many as the Solent but many more than I can get round in a season. I can reach another country within a day sail - no empty supermarket shelves there! I race as often as I want. I am a member of 2 yacht clubs and tolerated by at least one more. Sufficient chandleries - how many do you need? - and we do actually have access to the internet even if some deliveries cost more. So for a smidgeon over £200 a month I have a mobile man cave with all the amenities (and more) that I need. If only the wind was more reliable but money won't buy that.
However, I am more than happy that Lustyd and the thousands of other like minded souls believe that they have found sailing nirvana in the Solent. I wish them all well.

Cmon...... location? club?

 

[roblpm]

All boats are a compromise hence we have a variety of owners of different types of boats on here.

I started this thread to illustrate my personal experience and what suited me with cheaper sailing/boat ownership and warmer weather plus the option of being a liveaboard.

Interesting to read what sailing area suits others and I accept that employment usually dictates where we have to live and hence sail.

However sad that its degenerated a bit into my sailing area is better than yours!

Funny how many threads degenerate into my anchor/boat/ sailing area etc (pick what you like) is better than yours. What does it say about us - lack of appreciation of others variety of priorities including budgets?

Well if you ignore the slight insults there is still a lot of useful information. So thanks for starting the thread.

I also find that the slow migration to Facebook groups means that you can never find the information you want again later whereas this forum can be searched a lasts (hopefully) forever!

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Having chartered and owned I have to say that owning for me was what gave me involvement and pleasure, I could go anywhere my fancy took me, I had a boat that suited my needs and likes, I enjoyed the constant repair, work and upgrades and the people that had boats around me. In the end it really depends on disposable income and what you care to spend it on.

 

[Minerva]

Well if you ignore the slight insults there is still a lot of useful information. So thanks for starting the thread.

I also find that the slow migration to Facebook groups means that you can never find the information you want again later whereas this forum can be searched a lasts (hopefully) forever!

The search function within Facebook groups actually works quite well

 

[steve yates]

I think we should stop writing on this thread or we’ll be getting as busy with Solent sailors as they are on the West Coast of Scotland (where I live…)

The OP started this with a very informative post about an ‘alternative’ way of sailing a yacht for UK sailors. As others have said, circumstances differ and it’s not for everyone.

Our original intention was to go back to the Med but we ‘got stuck’ in Brittany. Even allowing for the bat bug, we managed three months on board last year and just short of that this year (which is much less than we would normally).

The decision to go South was after a summer gale in August in Scotland - I can count on one hand the bad days we have had in France (one was really bad!!!) Our sailing experience is much better than it was in the UK, we are now speaking French (badly), got French Residency,, sailing a lot in nice weather, going to a lot of new places at little or no cost and eating well (not to mention drinking). Our social activity is as frenetic as it was in the UK.

It really is ‘horses for courses’ but knowledge is power and just might give others something to think about…

How did you get french residency?

 

[awol]

Cmon...... location? club?

You're joking, right? Dunedin has already, and rightly, chastised me for my lack of control in responding to excessively monied Solent provocation. Let's just say it's not Port Edgar!

 

[steve yates]

By every measure I can think of those offer worse value for money than the Solent. I don’t disagree that they offer some nice sailing but we’re talking value for money here. The cost of mooring is not that much less but you get access to fewer short sail destinations, fewer foreign destinations, less racing, fewer clubs, pubs, worse location for jobs, fewer options for chandleries and services, the list goes on. If you’re going to suggest somewhere is better value then explain why it’s better value. And let’s not start with pointless insults ok?

Couldnt disagree more. I'll give you fewer options on chandleries, but you just need one, not options, and anyway the internet is amazing for buying shit. Worse for jobs? Id say its a far better place to work, but yes, there are less jobs and wages are lower...but thats not how I would choose a marina.
There are numerous other options with better value for money, which really means the cost of berthing and transport to and from said berth. Eg scotland, the east coast even (which I dont consider cheap) I simply would not pay those prices, there isnt enough "value" in it for me to stump that much out each year just to keep a boat.
If I lived in Glasgow, I could drive to tarbet marina in 2 hours, and pay approx £3k pa for a 13m boat, in beautiful surroundings with great sailing all round. If I lived in London, I would be tempted to fly up and hire a car and do the same rather than pay solent prices Still be cheaper. But the point is, there is nothing special about the solent, its just busy. There are better places to sail and far cheaper places to keep and run a boat. If it suits you, (and it obviously suits lots of folk, then fine, its your money to spend as you please. And snce the solent pleases you, then great. But you can't seriously try and tell everyone else it is fantastic value for money, or the best value in the uk.