Hoo marina

[Spuddy]

Hoo has the occasional visitor from the forum.
Latest news is that nearly a certainty that it will be sold to the owner of Port Werburgh next door - that's the houseboat swamp with the lightships, trawlers, tugs and lighters visible from the river.
Sale been delayed a bit apparently but likely to go through in next week or so. Reassurances by both sides that changes are unlikely and Hoo will continue as a leisure marina. Speculation is widespread though that some time it will turn residential. But short to medium term it's still a good stopover if you like soft mud and a good and cheap caff.

 

[Cantata]

Thanks for this. Any more info you come up with would be interesting.

 

[LenT]

Does anyone know if this will how any impact on Hoo Yacht Club?

 

[jerrytug]

Yes it will,how could it not? Do you live under the bridge by the way?

 

[Spuddy]

Hoo Ness Yacht Club will now be sandwiched in between. There have been some "discussions" in the past about rights of way etc but I don't know the details. As far as I know there shouldn't be any effect on HNYC - it owns the land on which the slip stands and has access to the Orinoco via the channel between Port Werburgh and then marina. I'm just a member though and not on any committee.
There's likely to be big changes in the marina staff. Two of them are finishing at the end of the week and the rest don't know what's in store short term.

 

[Cantata]

We understood that occasional visitors would not be welcomed any more - in fact, no visitors allowed. Interested to know if this is incorrect.

 

[Cobra]

Has anyone any idea if this will affect the Hoo Freezer? Quite a few years since I last did this event, but it was always a very popular dinghy winter bash.

 

[Cantata]

Cancelled. Plenty of mentions on the internet if you google - here for instance.

 

[Cobra]

Cancelled. Plenty of mentions on the internet if you google - here for instance.

Thanks for that...sad, but I suppose quite understandable bearing in mind the recent change of ownership.

 

[aquaholic]

Just to reassure any visitors to Hoo Ness Yacht Club, our moorings on the river are unaffected as is access to the water by dinghy. The only restriction is that members who are not berthed in Hoo Marina would only have access to 'Heather' (trot boat) between 8am and 6pm (Marina opening times). The galley and the bar are also unaffected

 

[Cantata]

Good hear, thanks. HNYC is one cracking club.

 

[Spuddy]

Forgot to ask about visitors but apart from 8am to 6pm the access gates are locked against vehicles and pedestrians. Marina customers can buy a key for £50 for getting cars in and out. So this seems a bit more discouraging to visitors when compared to the gate code system at other places.
One possibility is to row round to the club slipway when visiting the clubhouse; check on opening times though.

 

[Spuddy]

Next snippet is that I was talking to Chrissie (the peripatetic engineer) and she'll be putting her liveaboard barge on the scrubbing dock permanently. So that means a lift out by crane is the only other option. Unless punters join the club which has its own scrubbing dock just nearing completion of major rebuild.

 

[Spuddy]

Oh yes, and intention is for new owners to block public vehicle access at all times except through gates using key or code lock. Dunno when this will happen. Many other marinas do this, of course, but Lorna's cafe, which took quite a bit of white van man trade will be hit.
More rumour based, but visiting yachts may not be encouraged; if this turns out to be the case then club rallies would be hit along with the accompanying dinners for visitors at the club.