Pirx
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about moving to either Maryport or Whitehaven. Any opinions, anecdotes, thoughts please ?
Cumbrian Coast: Whitehaven or Maryport opinions ?
- Thread starter Pirx
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Motor_Sailor
Well-Known Member
What sort of boat? What sort of sailing?
JimC
Well-Known Member
Both give access to the same cruising area: the Solway Firth, and the same destinations for weekend cruising: Kippford, Kirkcudbright, Isle of Whitorn, Portyerrock, Ravenglass etc. Whitehaven has a longer tidal access window, one of the longest of the Irish sea ports. The Solway is wide open to the prevailing westerlies and there is a 70 mile fetch from Ireland for the waves to build up in before they steepen and break in the shallowing waters of the Firth, so you must expect to spend more days harbour-bound than you would in some locations.
I've been berthed in Whitehaven for the last four years and can only speak for that. It is a large and well-run marina and you walk straight out of the marina into the town which, although not particularly prosperous, is lively and friendly. I enjoy the time I spend there and will often drive up to the boat and spend a few days just using her as a base for walking in the adjacent Lake District or just chilling and enjoying the salty maritime environment ( the marina also houses the fishing fleet and a variety of workboats.)
Here is a promtional video about Whitehaven Marina
And here is the other side of the coin
No boats were damaged though, I believe
I've been berthed in Whitehaven for the last four years and can only speak for that. It is a large and well-run marina and you walk straight out of the marina into the town which, although not particularly prosperous, is lively and friendly. I enjoy the time I spend there and will often drive up to the boat and spend a few days just using her as a base for walking in the adjacent Lake District or just chilling and enjoying the salty maritime environment ( the marina also houses the fishing fleet and a variety of workboats.)
Here is a promtional video about Whitehaven Marina
And here is the other side of the coin
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JohnGC
Well-Known Member
We where based there 14/15.
I agree with JimC.
The only problem we had was sand blowing off the beach during one episode of high winds. We where based in the West Strand, I doubt it's an issue in Lowther particularly further in.
West Cumbrians are a warm hearted bunch.
I agree with JimC.
The only problem we had was sand blowing off the beach during one episode of high winds. We where based in the West Strand, I doubt it's an issue in Lowther particularly further in.
West Cumbrians are a warm hearted bunch.
Pirx
Well-Known Member
Jim & John, many thanks, that's really helpful.
Motor_Sailor to answer your q, we have a small but well found 7 meter yacht, live between Preston & Lancaster and it's hard to find a suitable mooring within a reasonable travelling distance. I spent some time on the W coast of Scotland last summer on a friend's boat and very much want to return and explore more, so Cumbria might be a good home and a jumping off point to go cruising further North.
Motor_Sailor to answer your q, we have a small but well found 7 meter yacht, live between Preston & Lancaster and it's hard to find a suitable mooring within a reasonable travelling distance. I spent some time on the W coast of Scotland last summer on a friend's boat and very much want to return and explore more, so Cumbria might be a good home and a jumping off point to go cruising further North.
JimC
Well-Known Member
we go Isle of Whitorn, Portpatrick, Girvan or Troon
voyager35
Well-Known Member
I am mainly based in Maryport
Plus points over whithaven are much cheaper, more room/ time on hard for winter maintenance, easier access from M6 (you can avoid the crawl along the A66), freeflow access so no lock to contend with
Minus points are a shorter tide window (gates normally open around 5 hrs )and the town is a bit down at heal
Plus points over whithaven are much cheaper, more room/ time on hard for winter maintenance, easier access from M6 (you can avoid the crawl along the A66), freeflow access so no lock to contend with
Minus points are a shorter tide window (gates normally open around 5 hrs )and the town is a bit down at heal
steve yates
Well-Known Member
I lived in keswick for 20 years and know both towns well. I was based in Maryport from 2015 to 2018, and I chose it over Whitehaven.
It's noticeably cheaper, it's very very friendly, Maryport has better pubs and quicker access to the lakes if you want to go walking.
Maryport is considerably closer to scotland than whitehaven, a real factor in cruising over to there and back with the solway tides.
It's an easy 3/4 hour crossing to kippford for the night for example, and back again the next day.
More to the point, Maryport has built an amzing customer lounge where you can relax or work in, with kitchen, tv, pc , library etc. It's really rather cool.
Both towns have a lot of deprivation, but Maryport is probably friendlier and less down at heel around the marina than whitehaven.
Its approx 40 mins to maryport when you leave the M6 at jct 40 penrith. It's over an hour to whitehaven.
Voyager, which boat is yours?
It's noticeably cheaper, it's very very friendly, Maryport has better pubs and quicker access to the lakes if you want to go walking.
Maryport is considerably closer to scotland than whitehaven, a real factor in cruising over to there and back with the solway tides.
It's an easy 3/4 hour crossing to kippford for the night for example, and back again the next day.
More to the point, Maryport has built an amzing customer lounge where you can relax or work in, with kitchen, tv, pc , library etc. It's really rather cool.
Both towns have a lot of deprivation, but Maryport is probably friendlier and less down at heel around the marina than whitehaven.
Its approx 40 mins to maryport when you leave the M6 at jct 40 penrith. It's over an hour to whitehaven.
Voyager, which boat is yours?
SaltyC
Well-Known Member
I agree with Jim and Steve, Cumbria has a lot to offer the cruising sailor. Maryport is smaller than Whitehaven yet has as many facilities plus a berth holders lounge, no car parking problems and 'free' hard standing to berth holders for up to 6 months a year at any time.
As Steve says Maryport is quieter in the basin on an evening, no inebriated Revellers shouting as they wander the Harbour late at night, and the locals in the town seem to me to be friendlier than Whitehaven.
Both Harbour's can have 'interesting' approaches in poor conditions so can need care (Which harbour's don't?). Although on paper Whitehaven has a longer access window, depending on draught, you need to consider the time taken to lock out, at Maryport with a flap gate you are straight out so actual sailing time may not be a lot different.
I have personally found the Maryport staff to be more professional, knowledgeable and helpful than Whitehaven, If you radio in to ensure clear access you are invariably met by a member of staff at your berth to take lines - a boon if short handed.
As Steve says Maryport is quieter in the basin on an evening, no inebriated Revellers shouting as they wander the Harbour late at night, and the locals in the town seem to me to be friendlier than Whitehaven.
Both Harbour's can have 'interesting' approaches in poor conditions so can need care (Which harbour's don't?). Although on paper Whitehaven has a longer access window, depending on draught, you need to consider the time taken to lock out, at Maryport with a flap gate you are straight out so actual sailing time may not be a lot different.
I have personally found the Maryport staff to be more professional, knowledgeable and helpful than Whitehaven, If you radio in to ensure clear access you are invariably met by a member of staff at your berth to take lines - a boon if short handed.
Motor_Sailor
Well-Known Member
I think it all depends on how much local sailing you want to do. I agree with everything that has been said, but would add that although Maryport is closer to the Dumfries and Galloway coast, but you're much further up the Solway estuary if you want to head round the Mull of Galloway and up to the west coast of Scotland. Often you can make the mull in one close board out of Whitehaven. It's a seventy mile leg and doing it in a oner at least makes it a little easier.
If you're not looking for any local day sailing, then Glasson Dock is an option for a winter base with the traditional migration north at the start of the season and back at the end of the summer. With a 7m boat, Glasson sailing club as a winter haul out venue is also an option and is much the cheapest.
If you're not looking for any local day sailing, then Glasson Dock is an option for a winter base with the traditional migration north at the start of the season and back at the end of the summer. With a 7m boat, Glasson sailing club as a winter haul out venue is also an option and is much the cheapest.
JimC
Well-Known Member
Here's a recommendation for Glasson Sailing Club of which I'm a member. I kept my boat there before moving her to Whitehaven. Glasson Dock is a nice location and should be very convenient for the OP living between Preston and Lancaster. The only drawback is the restricted tidal access.
glassonsailing.co.uk
glassonsailing.co.uk
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steve yates
Well-Known Member
Makes no odds for the mull of Galloway distance wise from maryport or Whitehaven, it's 45 miles to the mull from Whitehaven and 47 from maryport.
Solwaycruiser
Well-Known Member
Plenty good info already re both harbours but just to clarify, if you want to go places from one of these harbours, then Whitehaven involves less distance for most of the destinations you are likely to head for.
It is true that Maryport is closer to Scotland but that only really works if you are heading to Kippford and the channel markers have been lifted and at the moment there are no plans to replace them. Not that many people will be willing to take that on I think. Also whilst possible to lean on the pontoon at Kippford with a long keeler it has its issues. If you have a boat that happily takes the ground level then it is maybe worth it. It is a very attractive destination.
For other destinations Whitehaven is either a similar distance or is closer. Whitehaven has a better tidal window even accounting for locking in and out and also has freeflow at times. From memory Maryport has quite a short opening time.
It is true that Maryport is closer to Scotland but that only really works if you are heading to Kippford and the channel markers have been lifted and at the moment there are no plans to replace them. Not that many people will be willing to take that on I think. Also whilst possible to lean on the pontoon at Kippford with a long keeler it has its issues. If you have a boat that happily takes the ground level then it is maybe worth it. It is a very attractive destination.
For other destinations Whitehaven is either a similar distance or is closer. Whitehaven has a better tidal window even accounting for locking in and out and also has freeflow at times. From memory Maryport has quite a short opening time.
Ulysses II
Member
I've kept my boat at Whitehaven for the last three years and have been pleased with the decision to choose that option. The marina is well run and the staff are friendly and helpful. Locking in and out is pretty efficient and doesn't waste much time at all. The boat yard now has pretty comprehensive services. The Galloway coast and Isle of Man are within a comfortable day's sail and Northern Ireland is then in range for the next day. You can save a bit by having a berth in the West Strand part of the marina, but that leaves a bit of a walk round the harbour to get to the main marina facilities. We've never had a problem with noise at night. If the weather isn't great you can be walking in the western Lakes in under an hour.
Pirx
Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone, very helpful. Current plan is to stay where we are for a bit and then probably Maryport.
