finding a birth

[mttcarv]

hi to everyone this is my fist post on this forum.myself andmy family have decided to buy a part completed liveaboard.can anyone advise on finding a birth preferbly south devon dorset area would be most appreciated.we are a family of two adults and three children so some local faccilities will be needed.as of yet we have looked at a few boats ranging from 45 to 68 ft mfv' to give you an idea of what we are looking for.on each occation weve been strongly advised to find a berth in advance but unfortunetly were unable to give us any pointers.i
we look forward to reading your replies and im sure i will have many more questions to ask in the coming months.
thanks
matthew

 

[robind]

We dont know just how live aboard your part completed vessel is or what size, so that information would assist with any reply you might recieve. Initially I would ring the marinas in the area where you want to settle, along with the river athorities and town councils but dont give your boat name or details other than footage, and if necessary get my name down on a list for the future. if you need a yard berth (on the hard) to finish the boat off for any reason the same applies. Initially I would pull into the marina of choice and "extended cruise" for a while to get my bearings. Boatyards and Marina mostly don`t like "permanent" residents, not so bad in the winter though (but some don`t mind and are council approved ie have planning permission).
Rob

 

[snowleopard]

The advice would be very different for a 45' yacht and a 68' mfv. The former would be welcome in marinas at a price, the latter wouldn't. There are quite a few small tidal yards around that would suit a mfv, for example there are two resident at the Multihull Centre in Millbrook where I moor my boat.

Your best bet is to tour the creeks in the area and ask around.

Incidentally marinas don't like a lot of things that go with normal liveaboard life like bikes on the pontoon, washing on the guardrails, visiting kids playing etc.

 

[Trevethan]

The first rule if don't tell tehm you ant to live aboard -- you'll never get anything anywhere.

Suggest you try Exeter Canal basin (Exeter city council) There are a number of very unofficial liveaboards there, and boats range from sailing dinghies to big MFV

Rates are pretty good -- about £70 as month for 44 foots.

Problems include parking can be tough, and there aren't many power stanchios so you tend to have to share and work out how much each of you uses -- also you can't pull in too much power or the breakers trip.

If you want to go for weekend trip[s forget it -- getting in and out is a nightmare -- you need to book way in advance, tidal acces at the estuary is limited and well its not very easy.

but for somehwere where you are working on a boat or living aboard its perfect.

Make sure you have a proper address for them to send teh bill to etc..

 

[sailorman]

sounds u really need a Hospital 4 a Birth /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[summerwind]

Have a look in the river Dart. There are a number of berths above Noss suitable for MFVs that appear to be empty at the moment. There are a number of MFVs being converted to live-aboards moored in the area at the moment.

Suggest you give the harbour master a call. As mentioned above, not a good idea that you tell them you are going to live aboard.

All the facilities you need in either Torbay or Dartmouth.

 

[mttcarv]

thanks for all your replies its been most helpfull.we have not bought a vessel yet so that is all the info i can give.we are following the advise we were given and trying to find a suitible berth first.
thanks again
matthew