Free and long-term anchorages?

[Boreades]

Recently the family & I spent a few days at anchor in Dandy Hole. Amazingly the children didn't complain about the solitude, or having to paddle in a kayak up to St.Germans for fresh supplies. (Yes, I know the novelty would wear off)

I noticed a few boats tucked away in creeks around there that looked like live-aboards. It got me wondering - how many people live like that, and escape expensive marina mooring fees? Do people have a mailing address somewhere ashore?

With the annual increase in marina fees, and the dwindling value of our savings, it has some appeal. Winter-time would have its challenges of course.

 

[simon barefoot]

Yes there probably are some. Near me there are v cheap 'beach' berths that people do live on, but bloody hell, it's hard work

 

[Wansworth]

I shouls imagine most harbours will charge harbour dues.We paid 60 quid for a years licence for a 27 footer in Chichester harbour,as long as we anchoured there where no other costs.Probably a decent dinghy and the occassional weekend tied up in amarina to get stores and water aboard.

 

[AndrewB]

Just been talking to a l/b couple who are planning on anchoring up Stangate Creek for the winter. God knows what that would be like, but free, yes.

 

[nortada]

Just been talking to a l/b couple who are planning on anchoring up Stangate Creek for the winter. God knows what that would be like, but free, yes.

Over wintering on board anywhere in the UK is an acquired taste but at anchor

Done it & bear the scars

Now in The Algarve - that's different

 

[Gerry]

We returned from 10 years cruising just a month ago and have been in shock ever since! £15 a night to anchor(!) in Falmouth, £21 for a shared(!) mooring buoy in Fowey...

Now in Plymouth we are paying £90 a week for a mooring. Once that's done it's back to looking for the free spots for us. Not sure how long we will cope with the UK weather but may decide to move in to a marina for the winter. Top on the list of priorities is installing a solid fuel stove on the boat to cope with the cold.

We like living at anchor but really object to paying vast sums for no services whatsoever. Is it the same all around the UK or just down here in the West Country?

 

[Tranona]

We like living at anchor but really object to paying vast sums for no services whatsoever. Is it the same all around the UK or just down here in the West Country?

Most harbour authorities have the right to levy charges for anchoring, but not all do. For obvious reasons the highest charges are in the most popular places and are made to control the number of boats using the harbour as well as raise revenue for the running of the harbour. Although you might not think you are getting anything for your fees, the reality is that most harbours like the ones you mention need constant maintenance such as dredging, laying of navigation marks, provision of shoreside facilities etc and it is a statutory requirement of the harbour authorities to undertake this work. Whether it is an economically efficient way of carry out this work for the benefit of users may be open to argument, the principle is sound.

If you want "free" anchorages then move to another part of the country, particularly Scotland where there are far fewer boats competing for space and far less cost involved in maintaining anchorages. In order to encourage people to go there, many authorities have a policy of funding harbours out of general taxation, rather than levying charges directly on users.

 

[rivonia]

The west coast of Scotland is great. Free Achorages and MANY free bouys to hook up to.

We did enjoy it whilst there and the natives are VERY friendly and helpful.

Peter

 

[Wansworth]

We returned from 10 years cruising just a month ago and have been in shock ever since! £15 a night to anchor(!) in Falmouth, £21 for a shared(!) mooring buoy in Fowey...

Now in Plymouth we are paying £90 a week for a mooring. Once that's done it's back to looking for the free spots for us. Not sure how long we will cope with the UK weather but may decide to move in to a marina for the winter. Top on the list of priorities is installing a solid fuel stove on the boat to cope with the cold.

We like living at anchor but really object to paying vast sums for no services whatsoever. Is it the same all around the UK or just down here in the West Country?

Chichester harbour...I paid for I year harbour dues for a 27 footer 60 quid.....this gives you free anchouring anywhere in the harbour.This combined with occassional visits to a marian a would be something I would consider.

 

[Boreades]

Hi Gerry

Where are you in Plymouth? Have you looked at Calstock and places like that?

We paid £16 per night in Fowey, that was up above the car ferry. Hardly any further from Town Quay than were most visitors moor, and definitely fewer boats trying to moor up next to us. But maybe that was because of the state of our boat, with children on deck and laundry all the way along the side.

 

[Oscarpop]

Just been talking to a l/b couple who are planning on anchoring up Stangate Creek for the winter. God knows what that would be like, but free, yes.

Bloody Hell!

I love stangate creek, but to be there in the dead of Winter would be depressing, not to mention freezing.

 

[Vaila1]

Please Please do not all come up to live onboard on the west coast of scotland. Especially on an anchor, or a 'free' buoy. It will no longer be tranquil or quiet if everyone gets to find out how lovely it can be.

Mind you if you had seen the number of yachts blown onto shore in the december and january gales it would send a cautionary note to anyone contemplating anchoring or using unmaintained buoys.

Andy

 

[jakeroyd]

Please correct me if I am wrong , someone.
I have always assumed anchoring in Plymouth Harbour was free.
Certainly in the Dandy Hole and the other anchorages leading up to it.
Cawsands Bay , Jennycliff bay and Barn Pool ?

Not all are suitable for long term though ?

 

[Capt Popeye]

If considering overwintering in the river Medway lower reaches i'd ask if Halstow Creek and Jetty is still available ? its an easy walk into the villiage and local stores etc and a post office etc, also right next to a Church, if needed!

 

[Boreades]

Please correct me if I am wrong , someone.
I have always assumed anchoring in Plymouth Harbour was free.
Certainly in the Dandy Hole and the other anchorages leading up to it.
Cawsands Bay , Jennycliff bay and Barn Pool ?

Not all are suitable for long term though ?

That's my understanding as well. Not sure how long one might stay in each place before QHM/ModPlod pays a courtesy visit and asks for harbour dues?

I have to confess, bit confused what exactly the harbour dues are, seeing as the marinas say prices include harbour dues, but don't itemise them.

Barn Pool RYA Guide

 

[Tranona]

According to the Cattewater Harbour website, harbour dues are £45 pa for a mooring. Would think this is the amount included in marina berth charges as well. No mention of any charges for visitors and anchoring, although suspect the owners of chargeable visitors berths and buoys will pay annual dues and include that in their daily charges.

 

[Digger F]

Please Please do not all come up to live onboard on the west coast of scotland. Especially on an anchor, or a 'free' buoy. It will no longer be tranquil or quiet if everyone gets to find out how lovely it can be.

Mind you if you had seen the number of yachts blown onto shore in the december and january gales it would send a cautionary note to anyone contemplating anchoring or using unmaintained buoys.

Andy

Quite agree it is very pleasant on the west coast but if more yachts use it perhaps the Fish Farms will have to cut back on taking over every sea loch
especially if they have to fit mooring lights to their cages.

 

[ukmctc]

Hey, there are lots of free places and a few people who use these places in winter, you can and it is "the real" liveaboard lifestyle, boats have diesel heaters these days so cold isn't an issue. If you don't work, or need showers (requires water) or other things classed as normal requirements........then you go for it, live the dream.

 

[cliff]

The west coast of Scotland is great. Free Achorages and MANY free bouys to hook up to.

We did enjoy it whilst there and the natives are VERY friendly and helpful.

Peter

You have got to be kidding - terrible place with mooring "police" (thugs) in RIBS chasing you for money even for dropping your hook. Midges that can carry off lambs (young children are not safe either - need to be kept on a leash) and eat holes in your sails in the blink of an eye, hundreds of uncharted rocks just below the surface, foul anchorages good for trapping your anchor, very little fuel available normally and even less for the "tourists" from the south. Fresh water is a major problem. distinctly unfriendly natives, extortonate prices for basic food supplies (if available), deep fried Mars Bars, continual rain and drizzle and when it is not raining it is blowing a hoolie - english boats, along with their crews, disappear on a regular basis - sort of like the Bermuda triangle but over the West Coast of Scotland, Whirlpools and overfalls and "sea dragons" - Naw, terrible place - better stay down south -

 

[supersparks]

West coast of Scotland

The previous comment about the west coast is a load of c..p.

I live in the Western isles and his comments are completely wrong.
If you use charts you can avoid rocks (like any experienced seaman will do. The only comment I will agree with is about the midges, however this summer and last have been almost midge free on the Uists. Try it up here it's brilliant and the natives are most freindly and helpful if you get into trouble.