Everybody loves watchet

[PCUK]

. . . and if not love, I don't know anyone who dislikes it! Even with the problem mud it is still a popular destination. Now here's a question, how many boat owners would seriously consider moving their permanent berth to Watchet if the annual fees were cut by 30%? It would probably be mainly from the Bristol area marinas and the reason for the question is that if the marina could be filled with permanent berth holders then the financial constraints on clearing the mud once and for all would surely be removed. I know it is easy for me to suggest to management to seriously reduce the meagre profit margin but it needs an initiative like this to finally kick start the marina berthing numbers.
I have no connection with Watchet Marina other than being a happy past berth holder who is hoping to return next year with my latest creation.:encouragement:

 

[Snoopy463]

I like visiting Watchet. Living in Monmouthshire it would be a bit of a traipse to keep the boat there, but I do enjoy my visits despite the trials and tribulations of the access, especially when coming direct from Newport. It is sad to see the place over half empty, especially as the town and marina staff are so welcoming. Perhaps a different way of running the marina at reduced cost would be to get rid of the lifting cill and use the place as a tidal marina as happens on the east coast. You have full 24 hour access to the boats but the difference being, they sit in mud (as they do now) when the tide is out. The idea of impounding silt ridden seawater that is allowed to drop its sediment when the gate is up seems to be a basic design fault, especially when this is exacerbated by the removal of the original stream that would have had a scouring action when the gate was dropped. So there you go; scrap the gate, throw away the expensive dredger, reduce the running costs, drop the subs a bit, try to get the stream back and accept that you sit on lovely soft mud. May not get the approval of big mobos, but everyone else will be happy.

 

[Kerenza]

What a brilliant idea. Barry old harbour both sides of the channel.
Just look at the drying height of the outer harbour at Watchet.