Demand for marina and mooring berths soars in UK

[Fr J Hackett]

A friend did that (in France) and it suited them because they tended to go for longer periods maybe twice a year or so. Would it work on the west coast of Scotland? If it did it might get rid of a lot of those moorings which block decent anchorages.

The capital cost of providing such a service with a travel hoist, dock and storage against the costs of laying and servicing moorings would say not unless the moorings are part of a greater complex / marina which has those facilities.
They suit small power driven craft that can be stored in racks where the footprint is not large but for yachts the need for sound storage and cradles would seem prohibitive for those that sail on a regular basis for users like Poignard they are the perfect solution.

 

[Poignard]

The yards I have dry-sailed from use a tractor-trailer combination and launch/lift-out is a quick and easy process.

The contract offers 10 launches/lift-outs a year. More at extra cost.

The yards and rapid-action props are already in existence since people would have laid-up there during the winter anyway.

You are allowed 2 nights free berthing in the nearby marina after launching, and two night free before lift-out.

The scheme certainly wouldn't suit everyone but for someone in my situation, it is ideal.

Also, I never need to antifoul!

 

[[70521]]

Plymouth Marinas have always had waiting lists or at least my 25 years or so of sailing out of Plymouth led me to believe. As for moorings they used to be relatively easy to obtain at Weir Quay ( I had one for a couple of years) Cargreen had some, I am not so sure about the ones in the Cattwater and closer to the city but I expect the pressure on moorings comes from people moving out of marinas because of cost and those marina berths being quickly allocated.
Berths in European Atlantic coast marinas are generally cheaper than the UK ones.

That has not been my experience! I moved from the Exe to King Point five years ago. The marina was only half full. I was able to move berth three times, once after almost being T boned by a motor boat that only ever moved at c20 knots. At the end of an annual contract in July 2021 I departed on extended trip to Scotland with the intention of spending the winter on the hard and received some rather 'oddly worded' emails about the marina being busy in 2022 and would I like to reserve my berth now!

As a Scot I declined their kind offer, why pay for something I was not going to use, and decided that I should look for alternative arrangements; found a mooring on the Tamar. A good pal who was also out for the winter received an offer that was a 12 month contract, a hammerhead berth and 25% increase in fees - he had been a loyal customer from when they opened. Like me he declined their kind offer, he is now at Mayflower.

While KP is full it will be interesting to see how long that lasts.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Surprisingly MDL's Chatham Maritime Marina was not full last year as they booted out 32 boats as they were being used as liveaboards, which was against the condition of the lease for the basin that MDL rents and part of their Terms and Conditions. For years they had turned a blind eye to them provide they still looked like regular boats. However Covid was the reason they were sent packing as flat dwellers complained about people walking round the marina during lockdown when it should have been fully closed. This was compounded by MDL as was just about to start negociating a new lease for the dock as the original 20 year term was nearing its end.

The number of marina berths in the future could increase substantially as the commercial basin is due to close in the next few years and there is talk of this bigger basin becoming a marina. This basin has twin separate access locks that are far larger and could be run by a different marina company. I doubt if the competion would drive prices down.

Indeed - we visited Chatham Maritime Marina last year and we were surprised to get an email a few days ago offering us a berth! Not taking up the offer as am quite happy with Deben.

 

[Concerto]

Just when we talk about no new marinas, up pops this news.

Developer reveals £200m plan for marina and hotel in Southampton - Marine Industry News

 

[Tranona]

Not the first time there has been a proposal for this site. I was involved (on the edge!) of one in 1981 that fizzled out . Usual complications of getting planning approval and financing the high construction costs. This one might stand a better chance as the developer does at least have some experience.

 

[RobbieW]

Just when we talk about no new marinas, up pops this news.

Developer reveals £200m plan for marina and hotel in Southampton - Marine Industry News

I guess they have it covered but the existing Town Quay structure is mostly built on piles. Would it also be the final nail for the Hythe Ferry ?

 

[harvey38]

I'm quite happy to be spending 51 nights on the boat this year which is pretty much all of my annual leave from work, that still leaves 314 I won't be on it so I'm sure they'll be some thinking the boat has been abandoned

 

[jac]

I'm quite happy to be spending 51 nights on the boat this year which is pretty much all of my annual leave from work, that still leaves 314 I won't be on it so I'm sure they'll be some thinking the boat has been abandoned

You could do 104 just using weekends!!!! Where's your dedication !

 

[PeterV]

Two different experiences; I’m still on the waiting list for a council mooring on the Hamble. I asked the Harbourmaster what they did about all the unused moorings in the river, and he said that they check occupancy and re-allocate any not used for 3 months. Despite this though the council mooring the previous owner of my boat had has lain empty now for nearly 18 months, and there’s many more empty moorings around it. And then there’s the large number of boats getting greener and tattier not being used from year to year. I don’t know if the Harbourmaster has any control over this.

I went into Haslar marina this weekend to enquire about waiting lists for berths, to be told they have several free, when would I like to start and which one would I like.

 

[MikeB.]

Anyone looking for a property and a berth - There are currently 9 properties on the market at Ocean Village Southampton that include berths both houses and apartments - from £450k to £700k. Berths from 10m to 14m

 

[ashtead]

Two different experiences; I’m still on the waiting list for a council mooring on the Hamble. I asked the Harbourmaster what they did about all the unused moorings in the river, and he said that they check occupancy and re-allocate any not used for 3 months. Despite this though the council mooring the previous owner of my boat had has lain empty now for nearly 18 months, and there’s many more empty moorings around it. And then there’s the large number of boats getting greener and tattier not being used from year to year. I don’t know if the Harbourmaster has any control over this.

I went into Haslar marina this weekend to enquire about waiting lists for berths, to be told they have several free, when would I like to start and which one would I like.

We have been at Haslar since 2002. If you like the area/access the cheaper place to enquire is Wicormarine which is where we started/ in those days there were waiting lists for marina in Portsmouth harbour hence Wicor at Fareham. Do PM me if you have any questions etc re Haslar BTW.

 

[JaninaofDorset]

I got a Dart Harbour swing mooring 3 months in after applying in 2021, maybe different now. Depends on the boat, mine is a shallow draft, lift keel Southerly. There happened to be no other boats on the list that were that shallow. A 35 foot plus boat with a deep draft wanting a mooring close to town will be a long wait but there are other options. Great place to keep a boat.

yes I suspect the waiting depends on the type of boat you have...

 

[harvey38]

You could do 104 just using weekends!!!! Where's your dedication !

254 miles North of Ramsgate

 

[Lightwave395]

My boat is kept safely ashore in France under what they call 'port a sec' system.

When I want to go sailing she is quickly launched by the yard and away I go. When I return she is lifted out, pressure washed, and propped up again.

It suits us well.

I looked at that but my boats draft was a problem. Also, as we get older it's quite nice to spend a week onboard from time to time during the winter so a pontoon suits us.
I'm sat onboard this morning in Benodet on the way back to my new berth in Arzal.
As far as travel goes, if I leave home on the IOW at 0500 I'm usually at the boat in Arzal by 1800 or before

 

[UK-WOOZY]

I have a mooring in the summer and a marina berth in the winter. I prefer the mooring since it is so easy to go sailing from….no fenders, lines, shore power to disconnect.

having been on a mooring for the 11 years before the past year and a half in a marina, going off the pontoon and through the lock is quicker than getting the tender and outboard out, motoring to the mooring, tie up the tender, untie off the mooring buoy and start the engine.

 

[MAGTRAD]

Recently went to Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne to arrange a new morning for my boat which I intend to move there at the end of next month. I was shocked and surprised to discover that they only had three vacant berths!!!!

 

[dk]

I looked at that but my boats draft was a problem. Also, as we get older it's quite nice to spend a week onboard from time to time during the winter so a pontoon suits us.
I'm sat onboard this morning in Benodet on the way back to my new berth in Arzal.
As far as travel goes, if I leave home on the IOW at 0500 I'm usually at the boat in Arzal by 1800 or before

We used to keep ours at Arzal. It was cheap and security was good in the compound ashore. Not a great base for day sailing from in the summer though due to the lock but we usually went off for months at a time. La Roche Bernard up the river a tad has always been rammed - mostly with UK boats. Its a nice river though. We once motored all the way up to the town at the top (name escapes me) and managed to sail all the way back - albeit quite slowly!
Getting to Arzal required driving but as we live in the West Country the Plymouth-Roscoff overnighter was no problem and the French roads are a pleasure to drive on.

 

[Lightwave395]

We used to keep ours at Arzal. It was cheap and security was good in the compound ashore. Not a great base for day sailing from in the summer though due to the lock but we usually went off for months at a time. La Roche Bernard up the river a tad has always been rammed - mostly with UK boats. Its a nice river though. We once motored all the way up to the town at the top (name escapes me) and managed to sail all the way back - albeit quite slowly!
Getting to Arzal required driving but as we live in the West Country the Plymouth-Roscoff overnighter was no problem and the French roads are a pleasure to drive on.

I'm currently halfway between Lorient and Quiberon heading for Crouesty, bit cold and grey, in about 12 knot SW

 

[John_Silver]

I'm currently halfway between Lorient and Quiberon heading for Crouesty, bit cold and grey, in about 12 knot SW

Hope the tide is fair for you, through Teignouse!