Hayling island mooring

[jennifern1301]

Hi,
I have my 29' Fairline moored in Guernsey and I really want to bring her back to the UK. I was toying with putting her on the Thames, but someone suggested looking at Portsmouth area as the drive down is pretty good and it is much cheaper. I have looked at a few marina's but Hayling Yacht Club seems to be the best on price and location. I am a bit nervous about the tide situation though. I would like to use the boat quite a lot in the winter, and I have heard it can be difficult to get out of. The mooring ends up on mud when the tide is out - is this a problem? Also my boat does not have a Boat safety cert - do I need one in order to visit the UK for a year? Any of your advice is very gratefully received. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[malcolm2]

Have you looked at Northney marina. ? further up the " harbour channel". Easier access by road, and access at all states of the tide. Yes it can get exciting going over the bar, but only in bad wind over tide situations. If you are sensible you should have no probs. You do not need a boat safety cert unless you are venturing up the non tidal thames or similar inland waterways. But possibly 29' Fairline (presumably a Mirage) would not necessarily be at the top of my list as the most suitable boat for the area.

 

[Whitelighter]

Good luck getting HISC to even acknowledge you exist once they find out you have a motorboat.

Spakes marina have some sheltered swinging moorings which are cost effective.

 

[jennifern1301]

Have you looked at Northney marina. ? further up the " harbour channel". Easier access by road, and access at all states of the tide. Yes it can get exciting going over the bar, but only in bad wind over tide situations. If you are sensible you should have no probs. You do not need a boat safety cert unless you are venturing up the non tidal thames or similar inland waterways. But possibly 29' Fairline (presumably a Mirage) would not necessarily be at the top of my list as the most suitable boat for the area.

Hi Malcom, Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and being helpful. In what regard would you not think my boat suitable? She has been kept and used at sea for over 10 years now and has 2 3 litre Mercruiser engines. I am interested to know, as I have not made a final decision yet about bringing her back and where to moor her, so any practical help would be fantastic. Thanks, Jenny.

 

[[2068]]

I might be shot down in flames for this, but the natural habitat for a Fairline Mirage is inland or coastal cruising in moderate conditions. These boats are great on the Thames or the Broads, or for light coastal duties, hopping between ports.

I wouldn't describe it as an "offshore" cruiser, because of the big forward-facing windows.
Hayling Island to East Cowes, yes, on the right day.
Hayling Island to Guernsey in a Mirage??? I'm sure people will chip in that have done X-channel in an 16ft bowrider any minute now.

Anyway, it would be fine in the right conditions to use around Hayling Island.
But I would definitely have it "transported" here on the back of a ship or something much larger.

.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I might be shot down in flames for this, but the natural habitat for a Fairline Mirage is inland or coastal cruising in moderate conditions. These boats are great on the Thames or the Broads, or for light coastal duties, hopping between ports.

I wouldn't describe it as an "offshore" cruiser, because of the big forward-facing windows.
Hayling Island to East Cowes, yes, on the right day.
Hayling Island to Guernsey in a Mirage??? I'm sure people will chip in that have done X-channel in an 16ft bowrider any minute now.

Anyway, it would be fine in the right conditions to use around Hayling Island.
But I would definitely have it "transported" here on the back of a ship or something much larger.

.

Where does the OP state that it's a Fairline Mirage? Or is it just me not seeing it.

It was seeing a Fairline Mirage in Salcombe back in the early/mid 80s that ignited my boating passion, it looked so cool just pootling about on a warm sunny day. I can still picture it now. Happy days.

 

[henryf]

Fairline Targa 29 ?

Henry

 

[longjohnsilver]

That's what I assumed.

 

[[2068]]

Fairline Targa 29 ?

Henry

Well, yes, a T29 is going to be just peachy.
Just noticed that Storeboro 31 has big forward facing windows too, and that seems to manage just fine.
But I'm still not sure about taking a Mirage (if that's what it is) X-Channel. Transportation would be my preferred option.

 

[jennifern1301]

Well, yes, a T29 is going to be just peachy.
Just noticed that Storeboro 31 has big forward facing windows too, and that seems to manage just fine.
But I'm still not sure about taking a Mirage (if that's what it is) X-Channel. Transportation would be my preferred option.

She was one of the last Mirage's, and she lived on the Thames for about 10 years before she was kitted out for sea and has made the Channel crossing to France and the Channel Islands about 6 times in the past, although she has been exclusively in Guernsey for the past 10 years. I had her completely stripped and refitted last new and she looks better than when she was new inside! I also had the engines and sterndrives overhauled, so in theory she should be in better nick than when she came to Guernsey last time. Although not a looker from the outside, as she is quite dated now, she is part of the family. We just don't get to use her that much in Guernsey now, which is a shame. I spent one day on her last year. We are not experienced boat people in the sense that we like pootle and have sight of land, and I too would be scared to death of a channel crossing, so we will be having her skippered over. Does anyone know of any sensibly priced moorings on the south coast that are non tidal and don't end up with you in the mud?