Falmouth Marinas - Revisiting

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Chuteman

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Touched on this topic in a routing thread (Scotland to Falmouth) but wanted to see if there was any recent info or changes.
I've heard various reports - some not so good = exposed berths at one place
so I wanted to get other experiences & recommendations.

Looking for a safe, secure, protected (from conditions - mostly surges)
reasonably priced (OK that was too much to ask for :p) - for crew arrivals,
some local travel, etc.
Plan to arrange while I'm here in Milford Haven.....but will be heading out in the
am, weather permitting - sun out now......yeah

Thanks in advance
 
We have usually gone for Pendennis, which has good security, walking distance to the railway station, bang on the Maritime Museum, and now has Tesco and booze shops as well. However this year they warned of pontoon changes and reduced capacity, so we tried Mylor instead. Here the staff were outstandingly helpful and the new Mylor Yacht Club is a really cool place to sit and drink and look at the view. Shelter is fine except in an Easterly, when you would want to be sure of an inside berth. The brand new showers are a disaster, until they can persuade water to flow uphill....No decent foodshops in walking range either.
 
I would go for Pendennis or Premier. Have enjoyed extended stays in both. Pendennis would be my first choice.
Mylor is nice but to far out of the way for what you want. As for the Yachthaven............. I wouldn't touch it with a long boat hook. Its Council run & the people, as you would expect, still live in the dark ages.
 
Pendennis - near the town, poor parking

Visitors pontoons - near the town, poor parking

Both the above are close to the touristy high street shops, bars and restaurants, a Tesco Metro, and a few other small shops.

Premier Marinas - up the river a bit, very sheltered, fuel, water, loads of parking, close to two big-ish supermarkets you can walk to (Sainsbury's & Lidl). I'd choose this one for provisioning. You can jump on the bus into town or get a taxi. And there is an old style chandlers at the back of the car park in a ships container.

There is an anchorage close in to the town, and also one just off Trefusis Point.

I've PM'ed you.

There are visitor moorings close to the town.

It isn't busy at the moment.
 
Your last coment "it isn't buisy at the moment" Don't know why you think it's not buisy. It is Falmouth week and there is some 10 days of filming just started.(world war Z)
 
cowpat said:
Your last coment "it isn't buisy at the moment" Don't know why you think it's not buisy. It is Falmouth week and there is some 10 days of filming just started.(world war Z)
Click to expand...

Probably 'cos I just popped my head up the hatch, had a look around the harbour, and realised it isn't busy despite all of that.

Hold on, I'll just check again......no, definatley seen it a hell of a lot busier.

;)
 
reddragon2 said:
Pendennis - near the town, poor parking

Premier Marinas - up the river a bit, very sheltered, fuel, water, loads of parking, close to two big-ish supermarkets you can walk to (Sainsbury's & Lidl). I'd choose this one for provisioning. You can jump on the bus into town or get a taxi. And there is an old style chandlers at the back of the car park in a ships container.
Click to expand...

I was in their a few weeks ago... and they don't have much visitor space at the moment as they are dredging and extending the marina.... all the permanent berth holders are in the visitors spots.
 
I've just had a week in the inner harbour at Pendennis. V satisfied. If it's protection you want, it can't get better than this.
The Premier is a long walk from any decent shops.
 
The anchorage off Bosuns locker is so easy and convenient, and def quieter than Pendennis or the council visitor pontoon, and you won't be rafted up but may have to clear off for an hour if theres a shipovement involving tugs. All 3 options are within 200 m of each other.
I had a week in Premier which was sheltered, and although they had said they would need all berths while dredging, made a point of nor asking visitors to leave until weather came really nice again, two thumbs up and lots of serious cruising boats to look at, Penryn a short walk for off-the-track pubs eg Seven Stars.
I have also used Falmouth Premier one April when the wind just screamed, the only berth I would have wanted in sush circumstances but this was pre Pendennis.
 
Woww - Great Stuff

Thanks everyone for the quick, specific and up to date responses.

I went back to the cruisers who had a boat damaged & they said
" It's perfectly fine except on the outside of the big L-shaped pontoon in a strong north-easterly wind. That's not common but it would be unwise to leave a boat on the outside. Inside the pontoons is safe"

So I'll take all the replies - read thru carefully tomorrow after some sleep & getting to Padstow.......then make some calls & see what I come up with
based on my needs......

Much appreciated......and I'll report back on the outcome.
 
I am surprised at the lack of enthusiasm for the yachthaven....

Outside can be rolly but inside is fine... and its the place for action... facilites are very good and convenient, and its very close to everything...

For the Craich its well worth the effort. Its my second choice after Mylor...
 
Made it to Falmouth

Arrived around 1300 yesterday after overnight from missing the Padstow gate
longer story........anyway, very tired but nap + sleep has helped.

I'm at Mylor because others mentioned did not have space, openings, offered only moorings (YachtHaven), rafting (YachtHaven) or wanted me to call back
later (Falmouth Premier).........staff here are very helpful & now I understand
about the showers comment by innesker....:) but they do have style - just missing a curtain or the other half of glass partition

So headed down to see, check availability & get quotes at Pendennis & YachtHaven + Premier if I do not run out of energy.

Will update as I go along...........Thanks again:cool:
 
The Report Back

Took the water taxi down to Falmouth & walked thru the pretty crowded streets to the three marinas & stopped by Harbour Master office to make sure I knew where I was going .....and they shared better map & some guidance.

Falmouth Premier Marina - as rd shared, they are closed to visitors due to dredging project - but for others interested keep checking because your situation might be different & things certainly change

Pendennis - does not accept "unattended" vessels & I might need that option

Vistors YachtHaven - will accept unattended BUT I did not get a sense of security (from elements) or definitive availability. Plus after 2 weeks on a mooring the price doubles because they want turnover to accommodate new
arrivals.

Mylor has availability & options (slip, pontoon or mooring) plus the staff has impressed me from the first call vs mixed review on the others

So I'm going to consider my slim options & make a decision shortly while exploring a little more. Will also make sure I did not miss anything.

BTW = Being close to Falmouth town is not important to me......
 
Sandyman said:
As for the Yachthaven............. I wouldn't touch it with a long boat hook. Its Council run & the people, as you would expect, still live in the dark ages.
Click to expand...

Very definitely not my experience. Been there several times and attendants have always been really pleasant and well mannered, they do enjoy their jobs, and with such a nice place to work, plus good quality customers, one can very easily see the reason why!

Why should you consider any job the "Council" does is awful?
 
I would agree with Chuteman's assessment of Mylor; I cut my head badly there the other day (my own fault) and the Mylor staff were very attentive, driving me and SWMBO to the local hospital, waiting while i was patched up, driving us back.

We have also been towed in by them in some nasty weather, when the engine failed.

The only problem with Mylor is the lack of choice for eating, although Castaways do excellent food.

We like the Yacht Haven for its bustle, and the sociability of the wide variety of folk there, from world girdlers to locals like us. We have been there in F8s, and while the outside of the pontoons can be bouncy, the inside berths are fine.

We'll be there on Saturday night, we're the ones with the ukeleles.....(sorry in advance!)
 
PhilipF said:
Very definitely not my experience. Been there several times and attendants have always been really pleasant and well mannered, they do enjoy their jobs, and with such a nice place to work, plus good quality customers, one can very easily see the reason why!

Why should you consider any job the "Council" does is awful?
Click to expand...

probably he is just trying to scare people off a great place to keep competition at bay :)
 
we are in visitors yacht haven now.
Could someone put me out of my confusion. Is pendennis the bit in front of the maritime museum or the bit inside through the lock gates ?
Also can you moor to the pontoon actually atached to the museum ?
Tia
 
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