Eastlands Marina, River Hamble

[RIN]

We should be moving there in April, any forumites there? - a few questions
How sheltered is it? What is the fouling like?, Do anodes (VP290DP) last a whole season?, does the tide cause a problem with the alongside berthing, Where are the best watering holes?, How long to get to the Solent plus any other useful info as we are not local
Cheers
Richard

 

[Firefly625]

We should be moving there in April, any forumites there? - a few questions
How sheltered is it? What is the fouling like?, Do anodes (VP290DP) last a whole season?, does the tide cause a problem with the alongside berthing, Where are the best watering holes?, How long to get to the Solent plus any other useful info as we are not local
Cheers
Richard

Moving to the Hamble.... welcome to the UK's centre for boating...great choice ( )

We are at Mercury, so not that far away, you are around... 20 minutes to the end of the river (cardinal buoy).... tides can run quite strong... just chose your time to berth, avoid flood especially springs.... lots of watering holes around.. fouling at mercury... not that bad, should imagine would be the same at Eastlands.. take care in the Hamble Scramble and watch out for suicidal dingy sailors..

 

[volvopaul]

We should be moving there in April, any forumites there? - a few questions
How sheltered is it? What is the fouling like?, Do anodes (VP290DP) last a whole season?, does the tide cause a problem with the alongside berthing, Where are the best watering holes?, How long to get to the Solent plus any other useful info as we are not local
Cheers
Richard

Pm sent, im there but leaving at the end of the month for reasons I dont want to make public.

 

[volvopaul]

Its a long walk to the pubs and its the only way by road or dinghy, your anodes last 6 months if your lucky.

6 months is about as long as my patience lasted as well.

 

[stelican]

We should be moving there in April, any forumites there? - a few questions
How sheltered is it? What is the fouling like?, Do anodes (VP290DP) last a whole season?, does the tide cause a problem with the alongside berthing, Where are the best watering holes?, How long to get to the Solent plus any other useful info as we are not local
Cheers
Richard

Hi
I have been there 5 years no complaints, very sheltered. fouling no different than else where on Hamble, berthing easier than finger pontoons, good security deterents, allow 25 minutes to get into Southampton Water less if you take advantage of the tides, 290 dp drive ali props no problems with anodes you can always double up if need be, Nearest pubs 10 minutes or less in dinghy, very pleasant surrroundings of The Upper Hamble like wise the people,Best value on river would reccommend to all non flybridge owners or yachts!Privately owned by charming couple nothing too much trouble

 

[poltergeist]

Hi
Privately owned by charming couple nothing too much trouble

Hmmmm - I must look the word charming back up in the dictionary!

 

[SpottyDog5]

I'm joining the "under the bridge" gang in April too, @ RK Marine, Volvopaul will be just across the way, so perhaps a forum beer fest is on the cards ?

 

[EugeneR]

Nice friendly place...

We've been at Eastlands for a year now and are happy there.

With a single engine, I find it easier and quicker to berth at Eastlands than finger berths elsewhere - even with a good wind or tide going. There is a friendly atmosphere with free events such as the annual hogroast, as well as a BBQ/picnic area.

The view up the river is relaxing and we often go there with the kids and/or dinghy simply to enjoy the environment e.g. see the wildlife (ducks, swans, deer, etc - especially little ones around springtime!), swim or catch some fish.

Location is just above the M27 - I expected to be sensitive at first but with the hatches closed I never even registered the noise. It is much better than being next to the railway line.

It does get shallow at times, but never had any issues - just don't take any shortcuts!

I am not aware of security being an issue, however I am surprised that one can get to the boats without a key card or access code. There is CCTV and the like and a gate that closes at certain times.

The facilities are limited e.g. one shower on the men's side; however, since there aren't that many boats, we have never found this to be an issue.

Cost is competitive for what you are getting. During the season, you can have your boat lifted and pressure washed for something like £50 - and their pressure washer is more powerful than those used by some bigger marinas and they do a great job in using it, so no need to scrub barnicles any more

The Jolly Sailor is around 15 minutes away, by dinghy.

Hope that helps!

 

[stelican]

Hmmmm - I must look the word charming back up in the dictionary!

Hmmmmmm and some would describe your sealine as a cracking boat!

 

[poltergeist]

Hmmmmmm and some would describe your sealine as a cracking boat!

You've gone more than a little off topic, but hey, thanks for the compliment!

Be sure to give me a wave as you go past ........

 

[RogerRat]

I knew Foulkes was up there and wondered about others. Can someone tell me how many marinas are there beyond the bridge?

I would have thought it's quite a nice area, although limited for flybridge boats. Still, tide rips around the bend at Swanwick in springs.

 

[Whitelighter]

Its just Eastlands after Foulkes Roger.

Its quite a nice place, and once you get up there the tide is less of a problem unless right on the top of the ebb or flood.

Cheap too....

 

[calamitys38]

Eastlands

We have berthed our boat there the whole time we've had her. Therefore, my only "experience" of other berths/marinas are the ones we have visited on our various cruises.

So...to berth a 38 ft boat on the Hamble would cost at Mercury, Premier, Universal etc., around £8K per year and yes you get some "free" nights thrown in if you go to an associate marina in some other part of the country as well as fuel at supposed cost.

To berth a 38ft boat at Eastlands costs you approx £4K per year. No free nights at other associated marinas, but hey...a £4k saving buys a lot of stays (and fuel)!!!!

Security. The gate to the complex closes and is on a keypad for access out of hours. There is CCTV but whether and how much it is monitored I don't know. Otherwise, I would suggest that security is the same as most other marinas - i.e. if an approach is made by water, you would have instant access to all boats and most likely no-one would notice.

The other boat owners. All at Eastlands have seemed to me over the last couple of years to be an incredibly friendly bunch. This is aided by the annual Hog Roast held in the picnic area (free of charge to berth holders) which has helped generate a community spirit.

The marina owners have held their prices for the last three years running. They will also do anode changes and the summer lift and scrub deals mentioned earlier. Anodes will last approx 6 months which I think is pretty much the same as anywhere else on the Hamble and fouling is similar. Berthing is easier as you always berth into tide due to the layout of the marina with no cross tide finger berthing problems to worry about.

Bridges. Depends entirely on your air draft. I can't get under at High Tide (my air draft is approx 4m) so I have to do a quick tide calculation. I need a Height of tide of 3.5m or less to be "safe" under all the bridges.

Distance to sea. Approx 20-30 mins depending on tide. Advantages of which, nice long time low speed cruise up the Hamble to let the engines slowly warm up (cool down if returning) and if a problem develops en-route - plenty of bolt holes to get it fixed!!! It's also a very pleasant run.

In sum. I like the place. Owners can seem a bit "funny" at times, by which I mean they are quiet, not particularly gregarious, but otherwise i have had no problems with them or the Marna. Anyway, overriding any of that, the 4K saving per year on the other Marinas on the Hamble has got to be the biggest plus.

Hope above helps.

 

[RIN]

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to getting there and saying hello. We have an air draft of 3,2m so i guess we will be ok up to 4.3m - We'll have to buy a reeds almanac now!

 

[Moody]

The cost saving against other Hamble marinas cannot be ignored, but I left after less than a year, and am now happy to pay twice the price at Swanwick.

My big problem was that many RIB and sportsboat owners seem to see the M27 bridge as the end of the speed limit, and we regularly experienced these type of boats planing past us within feet of our moored boat. This spoiled for us what was potentially a great place, and the owners seemed either unwilling or unable to influence the Harbour Master to police this better, hence we voted with our props.

Neil