Drying Out Large Yacht in the Solent

[Dockhead]

The lifting berth at Cowes Yacht Haven is out of service, and so I'm stuck for getting scrubbed off before leaving on my Baltic cruise on 7 May.

That's the only place in the Solent that does it for a reasonable price. Elsewhere its 400 or 500 pounds or even more, for my 54 foot yacht. I think I was quoted 800 pounds (!!!) at Swanwick Marina once.

So I think I'm going to dry her out. I've done this once before, at the RAF Yacht Club on the Hamble. This worked pretty well, but not perfectly because the berth is fairly short and the whole bow of my boat hangs out where I can't reach it with the pressure washer.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? I know plenty of scrubbing piles around the Solent, but some aren't deep enough (we draw 2.4 metres) and others don't have power or water. Ideal would be a place with pressure washer rental.

Grateful for all tips!

 

[npf1]

I think Sealift @ Haslar (Gosport) can do that size. I regularly used them for the Skookum.

 

[lw395]

Wicor? I think they have the depth.
RS Divers?

 

[Dockhead]

I think Sealift @ Haslar (Gosport) can do that size. I regularly used them for the Skookum.

Thanks -- yes, I've already tried calling them for a quote. I used to use them in the past and find them to be good.

They became rather costly for one shot services (as opposed to a book of coupons), but I think it's still a lot less than 400 squids.

 

[rotrax]

It used to be possible to use the scrubbing piles at Hamble and get the water taxi operator to pressure wash the hull with their mobile washer.

Try calling the Hamble water taxi-worth a punt!

 

[Dockhead]

Thanks!

 

[Dockhead]

SeaLift now takes 325 pounds for a lift and scrub! Wow.

I think it's going to be the scrubbing grid for me after all. I'm trying to work out whether I can get into the RAF club grid with the not so big tide on the 7th. My log says I got in with 4.2 metres rise of tide last time so maybe I can do it.

Or maybe upchannel where the tides are bigger. Is there a good scrubbing grid in Dover? Anyone know?

 

[npf1]

Imho, that's prob false economy and bite the bullet and go Sealift.

 

[ianat182]

I scrubbed off at the RAFYC last Tuesday with a 4.6 rise of tide; next to me was a Rival Bowman 42' which draws 6 ft; with the forecast 4.8 tide that night I guess he was happy enough since it would be the same morning tide and the evening of 4.9m forecast. Low water was the lowest I've ever seen it there,though a 0.6 forecast.
Not a good idea if both on the same two piles(mine is a 25footer and 1.3m draft) with the biggun leaning on me and the worry of tipping me over!

ianat182

 

[Channel Sailor]

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/assets/assets/scrubbing_piles.pdf

A possible option for you.

 

[Dockhead]

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/assets/assets/scrubbing_piles.pdf

A possible option for you.

Thank you!

I won't have a crew until next weekend, when we are just off neaps with only 4-ish high tides. With 2.35m draft, and all the scrubbing grids 2 or 2.1 above chart datum, it looks like nothing is going to work.

Further East the tides are much bigger, but both Dover and Brighton apparently no longer have functional scrubbing grids. I haven't reached Shoreham yet. Dover will lift us for 200-odd -- that is starting to look like the only reasonable option. Or bite the bullet and pay Sealift 325. I previously used Sealift quite a bit -- for half that cost. I like that system, which is faster and easier, and it seems to me less stress on the vessel, than a travel lift. Shame they doubled the tariff.

 

[Pete7]

Can Barney not lift you for a few hours?

http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/kingston_marine_boatyard

Oh, I have just seen their price for 16.5m is £370, perhaps not.

 

[Dockhead]

Can Barney not lift you for a few hours?

http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/kingston_marine_boatyard

Oh, I have just seen their price for 16.5m is £370, perhaps not.

Indeed! What the hell has happened to the cost of lifting out here? First time I did it at CYH, it cost 99 pounds! It wasn't that long ago! And SeaLift used to cost 120!

I can do it in Dover for 200. That's looking like the best option so far, although it looks like there may be scrubbing piles in Shoreham which has big enough tides that the neaps won't matter. Presently trying to figure that out.

None of the scrubbing piles in the Solent seem to work for me on neaps.

Aren't you smug at this moment with your bilge keels

 

[michael_w]

My father used to dry his 50' long fin and skeg ketch out against the posts opposite Moody's. Handy for the pub whilst waiting for the tide to return,

 

[Dockhead]

My father used to dry his 50' long fin and skeg ketch out against the posts opposite Moody's. Handy for the pub whilst waiting for the tide to return,

I know them well! That's at the Bursledon Hard. My former mooring was right next to them. I'm afraid I can't get in there at neaps however. They would scare me a bit as well due to the sloping bottom.

 

[Mister E]

Not smug about the Cat we have now as it has more hulls to clean than the previous bilge keel one.

 

[philwebb]

What about getting a diver to do it? Should be a lot cheaper, and the diver would probably come to you.

 

[Dockhead]

What about getting a diver to do it? Should be a lot cheaper, and the diver would probably come to you.

Thanks -- that's a good tip. That's the way we always did it in Florida years ago. I'll check it out.

 

[Dockhead]

In Dover and in Lymington (Lym Yacht Haven) they will lift and scrub for 12 -- 14 per metre. But in Lymington fully booked until late May

Still looking . . .

 

[MonniotC]

In Shoreham there's the Sussex Yacht Club boatyard. I don't know how heavy your boat is, but in addition to scrubbing piles, we have a 25 ton Wise lifter/transporter, and the west slip has a tracked bogey & hauling equipment which can haul up to 38 tons.

In the harbour proper, the Shoreham Port Authority has a small dry-dock.
The following is from the club website, where you can find a list of charges, which sound a lot less than you've been talking about. The bar's good too!

SYC has one of the few proper boatyards on this part of the coast and is reached up the River Adur and Shoreham Port Eastern arm with good access over high water. Although income from our yard helps support our sailing and other activities at SYC, you'll find our rates are competitive, especially for members who enjoy special discounts.

There is a large private slipway used to launch and recover yachts and dinghies with recovery assisted by a large powered capstan winch. The main slipway also has sturdy scrubbing posts which are free to use for members.

Importantly SYC has invested in a modern and efficient WISE 25 tonne boat hoist complete with a crane to handle engine and mast lifts. This hoist looks after most of the boat movements.

The separate western slip has a tracked cradle that can handle craft up to 38 tonnes for both economical short and long stays.

If you have a craft even larger than 38 tonnes we have a craneage area where a suitable lift can be brought in - please talk to us about your requirements.

Run by a full time senior bosun and bosun, the SYC yard can be busy and boat movements should be booked in plenty of time. Priority is given to members, but we take pride in being supportive of the local fishing fleet and other commercial craft and also welcoming boat sail and power craft from all along the south coast.

The yard itself is substantial and we work to accomodate both short term lift and scrub movements plus longer term layups and projects that can take many years to complete.

If you are interested in our yard service then please contact the SYC office.