Haslar Marina - Your Thoughts Please

paultallett

paultallett

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We are currently berthed at Mercury on the Hamble. We've been there 7 years now and have really enjoyed it, but as the boys grow older, we're wondering if somewhere new to berth might be worth a try for a year or two.

As luck would have it, our berthing renewal invite has just arrived and our fee has increased by 25%! I've called the office to check this isn't a mistake, they think it may be and said they would get back to me... Several days have passed with no reply, so we're beginning to think that a change might be the right move anyway.

We've always enjoyed our visits to Portsmouth and Haslar, hence this is now becoming a serious consideration. The fact that the shops and rides are only a ferry trip away for the boys is a bonus, for me and my good lady, being nearer to our favourite spot of Bembridge is also appealing.

I know the drive to Gosport is a PITA, but other than that, what do people find as the positives and negatives of the Marina?

Your wisdom is muchly appreciated.


Paul
 
I was moored there a while back for a season and I found it quite lumpy with the wash from ferries. Especially noticeable at night when in bed. We were close to the hammerhead of H pontoon IIRC. Moorings closer to the shore would be far less affected I think. Lots to do roundabouts
 
We have been berthed there for three seasons now.

You have identified the drive through Fareham and Gosport as the main snag, the other is there is no hardstanding on site.

The further up the creek the better the shelter and you are nearer the car park for loading and unloading.
 
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Thanks both.

I had assumed to be looking for a berth further in. When we have stayed there in the past, we've been lucky enough to be allocated a berth near to the office, and found the marina much less 'rolly' than Gosport Marina.

How bad is the drive from the motorway to Gosport? Assuming we don't hit it at rush hour, how long does it take?

Thanks again.
 
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paultallett said:
Thanks both.

I had assumed to be looking for a berth further in. When we have stayed there in the passed, we've been lucky enough to be allocated a berth near to the office, and found the marina much less 'rolly' than Gosport Marina.

How bad is the drive from the motorway to Gosport? Assuming we don't hit it at rush hour, how long does it take?

Thanks again.
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I work a lot in that area , it’s a pain any Time of day Paul average is 30 mins from M27 to Haslar , you can get off at Junction 9 and take the scenic route via Fareham through the lanes along the coast road , brings you to Marina without going through Gosport town centre . Looking at all the house building going off in Bursledon that road will only get worse getting to Mercury and Hamble.
 
When Play d'eau was there for two or more years, it was excellent. From memory we were berthed on D pontoon, sheltered by the HH of B and a few boats to the east of us. Lovely staff, helpful management, deals available. No complaints.
 
Little Grebe said:
Around 15-20 mins depending on the time of day.

IIRC - There are incentives to if your are 'introduced' by somebody, happy to do so if you do decide to take up a berth there.
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Thanks Little Grebe, I'm sure you'd be very useful in introducing me to the marina should we decide to take a berth there. I'll be in touch :)
 
volvopaul said:
I work a lot in that area , it’s a pain any Time of day Paul average is 30 mins from M27 to Haslar , you can get off at Junction 9 and take the scenic route via Fareham through the lanes along the coast road , brings you to Marina without going through Gosport town centre . Looking at all the house building going off in Bursledon that road will only get worse getting to Mercury and Hamble.
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Thanks VP, I'd assumed to allow 20-30 minutes so your figures back that up. I think you're very right, the road from Hamble to the M27 is a nightmare at times, it'll only get worse! We love Hamble and may well return (assuming we leave).
 
Piers said:
When Play d'eau was there for two or more years, it was excellent. From memory we were berthed on D pontoon, sheltered by the HH of B and a few boats to the east of us. Lovely staff, helpful management, deals available. No complaints.
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Thanks Piers, that's very much appreciated. Reinforces what we'd found when we've visited in the past. They are offering a fair package with quite a few benefits, hence our serious consideration.
 
paultallett said:
Thanks Piers, that's very much appreciated. Reinforces what we'd found when we've visited in the past. They are offering a fair package with quite a few benefits, hence our serious consideration.
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At the time (2013), Rachael Foster was the Assistant Marina Manager, and Ben Lippiett was the Marina Manager. As I said, great people, great staff overall.
 
We spend winter in Weymouth and summer in Haslar. Marina very nice, staff helpful and pleasant, Lightship good, car park good, try and berth near office end if you do not like a bit of roll. They have just dredged D,E and F pontoon areas which may help with rolling. We were on E15 and had no roll problems but got moved to H8 during dredging and found roll more noticeable up there.
 
We have been at Haslar for over 10 years now having moved there from Wicor. While the drive is a nightmare particularly at commuter hours you do have to balance that against the time to travel down to Fareham and trip ashore by dinghy at Wicor plus tidal issues to access shore from berths.
Advantages of Haslar are more sheltered than other Gosport marinas but as said less further down pontoon and closer to A block although fairways can be slightly narrower but this might not be a concern depending on length. Other advantages are facilities on pontoon not ashore like some other Gosport marinas and access to Lightship for food. Ben remains manager but Rachael now at Deacons . A slight downside is free nights at their other marinas in group don't apply at weekends and that on Friday nights a trolley shortage can occur as they all end up on pontoon so a walk to recover. Prices should be better than Hamble and no curse of locks as found at Chi or port Solent . If at 10m level should be a choice of berths to view but more limited at 12m. Also convenience that can use sealift or Gosport boatyard will collect and lift out etc and return to your berth . No fuel but just nearby at next marina although unmanned service . Many happy liveaboards seem to remain for years and also provide a variety of boats services if needed.
 
We were at Haslar on H for 15months. We loved the staff and the marina but we sleep on board a lot and eventually moved because of the constant roll and squeaking ropes. If you can can get a mooring on E or below you should be okay though.
 
I kept two boats opposite in Blockhouse (HMS Dolphin) Dolphin Marina. Cracking berth, especially for the sailing boat but the drive into Gosport no matter what route was an eternal PITA.

I am astounded MDL are raising their rates 25% at Mercury. The marina has barely been 2/3 full for several years, but I reckon they are optimistic their planning application to fill the nearby caravan site with houses will mean they want to up the 'value' of the berths for the would be residents 'benefit'. I guess you are an early victim of their intentions.

As to whether they will get planning permission is doubtful. Presently they have been trying a soft soap routine on the local residents, but now Eastleigh has a "Local plan' in place they have two hopes - 'Bob' and 'No'. The formal planning application has yet to go in, and they have brought out some very big guns with marvellous words to try to get this through. That said Hamble residents made and repaired Spitfires and other renowned aircraft during the war and do not give in easily to bullying - on this one they are in for a definite fight. There are there boat yards on the river offering value and excellent facilities. I personally have never bored of the 30 minute cruise out from Foulkes, and this any day compared to the Gosport dockyard shuffle.
 
Thanks all for your helpful insights. Me and the family will pop over to Haslar for a better look around, and a few other marinas whilst we are at it.

Yes, our 2018 renewal price is 25.1% more than our 2017 price. As I say, it may be an honest mistake and have nothing to do with the planning currently in consideration, but until I hear from the marina otherwise, at the renewal price, we certainly won't be staying.
 
paultallett said:
We are currently berthed at Mercury on the Hamble. We've been there 7 years now and have really enjoyed it, but as the boys grow older, we're wondering if somewhere new to berth might be worth a try for a year or two.

As luck would have it, our berthing renewal invite has just arrived and our fee has increased by 25%! I've called the office to check this isn't a mistake, they think it may be and said they would get back to me... Several days have passed with no reply, so we're beginning to think that a change might be the right move anyway.

We've always enjoyed our visits to Portsmouth and Haslar, hence this is now becoming a serious consideration. The fact that the shops and rides are only a ferry trip away for the boys is a bonus, for me and my good lady, being nearer to our favourite spot of Bembridge is also appealing.

I know the drive to Gosport is a PITA, but other than that, what do people find as the positives and negatives of the Marina?

Your wisdom is muchly appreciated.


Paul
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The increase on berthing fees will no doubt be aimed at berth holders paying for the capital inject to the build project at Mercury .
Over the years I’ve watched many private yards be swallowed up by the likes of MDL and premier , all this will create is even bigger berthing fees to boaters , every year fees go up by more than the rate of inflation and certainly by the people’s income rates.
The Solent c an command what it likes to boaters, many will look at the one life live it scenario, to a degree I’m with that one.
I’ve been boatless now a season and a half and to be honest I’ve not missed it one bit , the main factor is the UK weather we just don’t seem to get a real good settled weather pattern any more .
Back to mercury ,it’s always been a hidden gem on the Hamble , it will be a real shame if they get planning on the car park for housing , I wonder where they will store the boats over the winter ? Swanwick Marina now suffers from lack of space due to the alterations in past years.
 
SORRY FOR THE THREAD DRIFT PAUL....................Hi VP..as you say Mercury IS a gem.. i have used it for over 10 yrs because its NOT all glitzz n glamour n high price wknd gaffs.....as you are aware of my type of boating i can tell you that if the plans "go ahead" there will be NO hardstanding NO trailer parking (no compound) so all that type of "stuff" will be shifted to HP at the river bottom...(gawd knows where the space is coming from)... i was also told that the slipway would only be used by "hand launch" trollies only !!..... (eg.. we dont want your sort here with TM...hohum) ........
 
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