guernsey marina depths

[Kerenza]

evening,
quick question, hope some local knowledge can help.
All my on line research suggests the visitors marina in St. Peter port has a max guaranteed depth of 1.8m. With a draft of 2.5m is this
a: true
b: If so will we get a deeper berth elsewhere next June?
Thanks
K

 

[dslittle]

evening,
quick question, hope some local knowledge can help.
All my on line research suggests the visitors marina in St. Peter port has a max guaranteed depth of 1.8m. With a draft of 2.5m is this
a: true
b: If so will we get a deeper berth elsewhere next June?
Thanks
K

We did go into Victoria Marina for a while a few years ago. Then, they said 2m and we draw 2.1m. Knowing that, we were ‘allowed‘ to go onto the first hammerhead to starboard. After the tide went out, we settled into the mud until it came back - nothing too serious but I believe that was their deepest berth then...
I doubt VERY much that it’s deeper now so, at 2.5m you are definitely going to be on the outside pontoons (still walk ashore but no water/electricity).
Hope this helps.

 

[Skysail]

I can confirm that first hammerhead to stbd is deepest. I drew 2m, the boat inside us drew 2.5m, we were both in the mud.
were

 

[Sandy]

Contact the marina for the definitive answer.

 

[dunedin]

Contact the marina for the definitive answer.

Maybe, or maybe not. When we were last in Victoria Marina, albeit 5 years ago, we were assured our berth had over 2m at low tide. We went for a walk and arrived back to find the boat propped up on the keel, in about 1.5m, and the rudder only barely missed being damaged by a concrete block not warned about. We were moved to the hammerhead after complaining. Lovely place but not ideal harbour.

 

[Daydream believer]

I draw 1.8-1.85 & sometimes just touch on the rocks on the inner harbour on the pontoons to the right . The 2 rows nearest the high street. Depends how far into the pontoon one goes. There are some concrete blocks which one has to watch out for the first time the level drops to the cill but the water is clear enough to check & one can push the boat over a bit to miss if needed. Then ask to move on the next tide.
HM claims 2M but that is a bit optimistic

 

[Boathook]

We did go into Victoria Marina for a while a few years ago. Then, they said 2m and we draw 2.1m. Knowing that, we were ‘allowed‘ to go onto the first hammerhead to starboard. After the tide went out, we settled into the mud until it came back - nothing too serious but I believe that was their deepest berth then...
I doubt VERY much that it’s deeper now so, at 2.5m you are definitely going to be on the outside pontoons (still walk ashore but no water/electricity).
Hope this helps.

They certainly have water on the outside pontoons unless removed since July.

 

[Robin]

With 2.1m draft the harbour masters would only put us on the hammerhead of the first pontoon to starboard on entering, even once rafting us alongside another boat. Deeper draught boats than us either stayed outside on the pontoons but even then only at the ends farthest away from the marina gates towards the ferry berths, OR were sent to the newer non-visitor marina next door to the north side.

That apart, no way would I go inside with 2.5 m draught as it would be way too restrictive for timing a departure to take the tide going north, going south would still have to 'go outside' and wait on the waiting pontoon for a timely departure with the tide. There might even be a risk of being 'neaped and stuck inside for days with not enough tide rise to exit across the cill.

We mostly chose to stay on the outside pontoons or even to anchor in Havelet Bay unless especially wanting to get to the bright lights

BTW the bottom has but a thin layer of silt over solid rock so no chance of a keel sinking in as the tide drops.

 

[Kerenza]

Thanks all, useful knowledge. Was hoping to stay a week so need shelter if weather changes.

 

[Daydream believer]

I was under the impression that the pontoons in the main harbour were removed in the winter. Is electric or water available on the outside? But I never stay outside, so am not sure & could be wrong ( as usual)

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Beaucette Marina is very deep when you get over the bar.

 

[Mudisox]

Or alternatively ask to go into QE 2 marina for your stay.

 

[Daydream believer]

Beaucette Marina is very deep when you get over the bar.

I cycle round the islands most years I go there & I have to say that Beaucette does look a rather miserable place to stay in such a lovely island

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I cycle round the islands most years I go there & I have to say that Beaucette does look a rather miserable place to stay in such a lovely island

But it has the depth the OP requires, beggars can't be choosers and one marina and pontoon is much like another, I never noticed a particularly scenic one in Guernsey and there is always the bus into St Peter Port or used to be.

 

[doug748]

Thanks all, useful knowledge. Was hoping to stay a week so need shelter if weather changes.

It's a grand place in most summer weather. However if a gale should arrive from the East I would not hang about in Victoria Marina. I don't know how easy it is to get a berth in QE2 (as suggested by Mudisox) and I have never used it personally but it looks a better bet. SPP can be like a washing machine with a real chance of alongside damage.

.

 

[dunedin]

It's a grand place in most summer weather. However if a gale should arrive from the East I would not hang about in Victoria Marina. I don't know how easy it is to get a berth in QE2 (as suggested by Mudisox) and I have never used it personally but it looks a better bet. SPP can be like a washing machine with a real chance of alongside damage..

I would second the point about being very cautious about strong winds, let alone a gale, from the NE in Victoria Marina. After being aground, we got severely pasted with waves rafted on the hammerhead in just a F6 gusting F7 - very nasty. That’s why we moved to QE2

 

[Sandy]

Maybe, or maybe not. When we were last in Victoria Marina, albeit 5 years ago, we were assured our berth had over 2m at low tide. We went for a walk and arrived back to find the boat propped up on the keel, in about 1.5m, and the rudder only barely missed being damaged by a concrete block not warned about. We were moved to the hammerhead after complaining. Lovely place but not ideal harbour.

An ideal point for asking for a substantial discount, 'When did you last say you were dredged?'

 

[alexincornwall]

We returned to Victoria marina this summer and if memory serves correct, I think you'd struggle with a 2.5M draft. Our friends draw 2M and nudged the bottom a few times. The outside pontoons would be able to accommodate but they don't offer shore power and would be more susceptible to a nasty easterly. Last summer they were mainly being used as Covid quarantine pontoons but hopefully that will change next year. In some respects, I actually prefer the outside as you don't feel quite as jammed in. Pic shows us biding our quarantine time on the outside pontoons waiting for PCR test results...

 

[John_Silver]

I was under the impression that the pontoons in the main harbour were removed in the winter. Is electric or water available on the outside? But I never stay outside, so am not sure & could be wrong ( as usual)

Water but not power available. And, of course, 'walk ashore,' these days.

 

[johnalison]

I cycle round the islands most years I go there & I have to say that Beaucette does look a rather miserable place to stay in such a lovely island

It's a bit remote but quite pleasant in itself, although my memory is of an efficient rather than a warm welcome. As so often, it depends who else is there.