Emsworth Yacht harbour - my first frownie face :/

[lustyd]

I've been at Emsworth for a couple of years and been pretty happy here. Every time someone on here mentions electric charges I've been able to say that while on board we get inclusive casual use (permanent hookups require a meter). Well today they have their first black mark. In updating one of the pontoons (admittedly not mine) they have added "smart meters" to the sockets so that all use has to be paid for via "smart" cards. Inclusive casual use is therefore gone, yet the announcement was worded as a positive change, just like the "energy saving, water efficient" stupid shower buttons and the lights that come on when you go in to the showers and are off for your exit since there is no button at the shower end.

The point of my rant? Just wanted to give them a bit of a public spanking for doing stupid things. They are still cheaper than other marinas but making bad decisions which may make the extra worthwhile. Before anyone says it, yes I did tell them this first. Their response was that we still get "free use of the services" but in future we will have to pay for that free use!

 

[prv]

I'll send my mate round, he cheerfully works on 240v (and higher) with the power on. Sure he could tap into the supply before the smart thingy and fit an unmetered Ceeform socket for you

Pete

 

[lustyd]

I'll send my mate round, he cheerfully works on 240v (and higher) with the power on. Sure he could tap into the supply before the smart thingy and fit an unmetered Ceeform socket for you

Pete

How hard could it be?

 

[BarryH]

I enquired about a berth at the end of last year. "Theres a waiting list" they said. Got a letter through a couple of weeks ago offering me a berth at 10 times what I pay for my mooring. The waiting list seems pretty short. No wonder compared to what I pay. Its a bit steep for a fairly restrictive marina in my thinking.
Any changes will be for the good of the owners and an increase in takings.
All things considered I'm more than happy to pay what I pay and sit on my mooring watching the seals in the evenings.

 

[derekgillard]

I enquired about a berth at the end of last year. "Theres a waiting list" they said. Got a letter through a couple of weeks ago offering me a berth at 10 times what I pay for my mooring. The waiting list seems pretty short. No wonder compared to what I pay. Its a bit steep for a fairly restrictive marina in my thinking.
Any changes will be for the good of the owners and an increase in takings.
All things considered I'm more than happy to pay what I pay and sit on my mooring watching the seals in the evenings.

Ok,

Where is your mooring? I'm I Portsmouth harbour and saw my first seal last season after 10 years,

Delbuoy

 

[lustyd]

Ah thanks Barry I hadn't realised they were full, in that case they can do what they like. It's not all that restrictive to be honest and even for my little boat it's £1000 cheaper than the other marinas.

 

[[70521]]

Your not the chap who had the "Star Letter" rant in the Spring 2013 RYA magazine are you? Have you asked them how much they are reducing their fees now they have saved so much cash with all this smart technology, I know I would be? Must be worth £150 a year.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Your not the chap who had the "Star Letter" rant in the Spring 2013 RYA magazine are you? Have you asked them how much they are reducing their fees now they have saved so much cash with all this smart technology, I know I would be? Must be worth £150 a year.

The purpose of a business is to generate a return for its owners. If they can find a way of saving money why on earth would they give it to a customer. The amount the customer pays is determined by demand. If there is a waiting list the price should go up till there isn't one.

 

[jimi]

The purpose of a business is to generate a return for its owners. If they can find a way of saving money why on earth would they give it to a customer. The amount the customer pays is determined by demand. If there is a waiting list the price should go up till there isn't one.

Would you follow the same line of argument if you required the services of a heart surgeon?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Would you follow the same line of argument if you required the services of a heart surgeon?

Have you ever been to America?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Would you follow the same line of argument if you required the services of a heart surgeon?

Yes, of course. If I was running a business providing heart surgery I would pay the surgeons as little as possible for the quality job needed and charge the customer as much as possible.

 

[Cardo]

I enquired about a berth at the end of last year. "Theres a waiting list" they said. Got a letter through a couple of weeks ago offering me a berth at 10 times what I pay for my mooring. The waiting list seems pretty short. No wonder compared to what I pay. Its a bit steep for a fairly restrictive marina in my thinking.
Any changes will be for the good of the owners and an increase in takings.
All things considered I'm more than happy to pay what I pay and sit on my mooring watching the seals in the evenings.

At least they got back to you. We visited them back in summer of 2011 when we were looking for our boat. We went to the office, which was locked even though it was opening hours. So we knocked and then the most miserable man came to the door, who clearly didn't want to let us in. He eventually let us in when we explained we were looking for a berth. He started off with "no berths available, there's a waiting list". Can we add our names to said list, we asked? "I suppose so". So he gives us a simple form and starts ushering us out. Hang on, can't we just fill it out here and leave it with you? Some more groans and he backs off.
Anyway, we filled out the form and pretty much got kicked out of there. Not been back and not heard from them, either. That's one place I never intend to provide my hard earned.

 

[BarryH]

At least they got back to you. We visited them back in summer of 2011 when we were looking for our boat. We went to the office, which was locked even though it was opening hours. So we knocked and then the most miserable man came to the door, who clearly didn't want to let us in. He eventually let us in when we explained we were looking for a berth. He started off with "no berths available, there's a waiting list". Can we add our names to said list, we asked? "I suppose so". So he gives us a simple form and starts ushering us out. Hang on, can't we just fill it out here and leave it with you? Some more groans and he backs off.
Anyway, we filled out the form and pretty much got kicked out of there. Not been back and not heard from them, either. That's one place I never intend to provide my hard earned.

Must have been the same chap that I met on my visit. Seemed very "non plused" about taking money from me. On the other hand I have heard good things about the place. I think the waiting list reply is a standard thing. Every marina in the area seems to have a waitng list, though it is a popular area.
I'm glad that I took info and advice from Vic. The boatyard I'm in is very me. No aires and graces and a very friendly bunch of people who are genuinly interested in whats going on. And the big plus is that its not geared to fleece you. The owner is more than helpful and will often do things just to help you out.
Take the end of last season. I needed the mast to come down. The owner has a derrick thing on wheels. Came along and took the mast down with me. Didn't charge. I had to more or less force some money onto them. Theres not many places in the area that would do that. Thats they joy of a little independant boat yard not owned by some holding company.
I have no qualms in paying my bills and paying them early. Little yards like this need to survive....

 

[Cardo]

Must have been the same chap that I met on my visit. Seemed very "non plused" about taking money from me. On the other hand I have heard good things about the place. I think the waiting list reply is a standard thing. Every marina in the area seems to have a waitng list, though it is a popular area.
I'm glad that I took info and advice from Vic. The boatyard I'm in is very me. No aires and graces and a very friendly bunch of people who are genuinly interested in whats going on. And the big plus is that its not geared to fleece you. The owner is more than helpful and will often do things just to help you out.
Take the end of last season. I needed the mast to come down. The owner has a derrick thing on wheels. Came along and took the mast down with me. Didn't charge. I had to more or less force some money onto them. Theres not many places in the area that would do that. Thats they joy of a little independant boat yard not owned by some holding company.
I have no qualms in paying my bills and paying them early. Little yards like this need to survive....

We ended up in Thornham, just across the way. For winter ashore it was fantastic. Relatively very cheap with amazingly friendly staff. Taking the mast down was £60 each way. Try finding that around the Hamble!
Sadly, it's a little far away for us and the tidal access for the pontoons is just too restrictive.

 

[tolhurstorganic]

I have kept Naida at EYH for the past year and have no moans about the service there, it is a sound yard trying to cover its costs. Electricity as a freebie for occassional use should be a privelidge not a right, I have never done more than charge my batteries for a few hours during the winter. Unfortunately there are those who take the piss, plugging in heaters and/or dehumidifiers at night when nobody around sometimes causing trips to go off as they have over laden the supply. Taking advantage is an undesirable element of human nature and this tends to spoil if for the majority of people who are more conservative in their demands.
I don't blame the yard for trying to cover their costs it should mean that they are able to operate a more cost effective business and hopefuly pass the savings down to the customers.

 

[BarryH]

We ended up in Thornham, just across the way. For winter ashore it was fantastic. Relatively very cheap with amazingly friendly staff. Taking the mast down was £60 each way. Try finding that around the Hamble!
Sadly, it's a little far away for us and the tidal access for the pontoons is just too restrictive.

I looked at Thornham too. I ended up next door. Agree the pontoons are restrictive regarding useage. Thats why I went for a swinging mooring. I can get to the boat roughly 3 hours either side of HW. As long as there water in the channel I can get on and off the mooring. Suits me down to the ground and allows me to have the boat at a cost I can afford.

 

[lustyd]

I have kept Naida at EYH for the past year and have no moans about the service there, it is a sound yard trying to cover its costs. Electricity as a freebie for occassional use should be a privelidge not a right, I have never done more than charge my batteries for a few hours during the winter. Unfortunately there are those who take the piss, plugging in heaters and/or dehumidifiers at night when nobody around sometimes causing trips to go off as they have over laden the supply. Taking advantage is an undesirable element of human nature and this tends to spoil if for the majority of people who are more conservative in their demands.
I don't blame the yard for trying to cover their costs it should mean that they are able to operate a more cost effective business and hopefuly pass the savings down to the customers.

It's always been the case that unnatended boats had to be metered. If they were going to pass on the savings then the fees wouldn't have risen!!