Dear John Watson - MDL

[SloopJohnB]

Just read about your new deal for small boat owners in Hamble in Sailing Today.
Got another one for you that:

Won't cost MDL anything but a bit of time and goodwill
Wouldn’t be compulsory for anyone
Won’t save me any money but would give me a reasonable chance of knowing that when I get somewhere on Sat night, I’ll get a berth.

Not my idea but it’s a good one. Why not let your berth holders do a swap with other berth holders from other marinas. We need a reciprocal arrangement involving as many marinas as poss that their berth holders can allow another pre notified berth holder from another marina to use his berth. Latest time of arrival agreed (after which you can relet). Person who turns up produces his ID and pays for his berth in normal way.

We could ask Kim for a forum to set up berth swaps for following weekend etc.

Was tempted to suggest that marinas should allow this for free ie not taking payment twice for same berth. That’s probably asking too much!

Surely this is not too much to ask given that we pay the highest charges in Europe for no additional benefits.

What about it John?

 

[johna]

Not sure that this will work as none of us can be sure we will arrive at any particular destination. Also the present voucher system works for me.

What I would suggest to John Watson is that Berth holders are able to exchange berths at another MDL marina on an annual or seasonal basis so that a different cruising area could be experienced for a season. I am based in Cobbs in Poole it would be nice to have a season at QAB for instance. Perhaps it could be operated in a similar manner to holiday time share so the QAB boat may exchange with someone on the Hamble and the Hamble boat have a year in Poole. Owners travelling from the midlands or even London might find such facilities attractive.

Any comments?

Johna

 

[jwatson]

Hi, just back this morning from 10 days holiday (and boy did I need it!).
Let me get my feet cleared and I will revert.
Cheers, John