Is it just me or are mooring charges in Solent area overly expensive?

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Seahope

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Having done some phoning around I have found that the most expensive annual berth for around a 10m boat is £4,700 a year and cheapest pontoon berth around £3,000. As someone new to boating my perspective of berthing charges is akin to car parking charges and although I can afford to pay I kind of resent having to spend so much hard earned money on keeping a boat tied up somewhere.

I would be surprised if I am completely alone in my view and individually it seems we have no real power and have to pay what is charged. I wonder if anyone knows why some sort of boat owners collective was not formed in the early days of private boating to provide more affordable berthing?

It seems that there are now two primary business owning a large number of marinas on the south coast and therefore consumer choice seems very limited. Given that we are in a depression I am surprised that more sensible berthing costs do not seem available.
 
That might have been the case previously.

But now it's more a case of "demand that might be there in a couple of years". There are plenty of empty spaces in our marina, but they are still charging full whack. No increase from last year, but still full price, plus some additional benefits tacked on.

dv.
 
Supply and demand was the case and probably still is in the medium to long term.
Personally, I have never considered that having high demand justifies profiteering but then I guess that is what market forces are all about.
 
£4700 was the most expensive? You arent phoning about enough! :)
Simply a case of people wanting to keep their boats in a very popular part of the coast.

As for berthing costs,the money that has been borrowed to fund the marina development the wage bill for staff and fixed costs for rates etc still all have to be paid.
 
You are looking at one of the most expensive strips of coast in Europe and if you have an option of £3000 on a marina pontoon I would grab it.

There are cheaper places, but you tend to get what you pay for. If the marina is in a nice place, with good cruising area at hand, good facilities, good road access - then dig deep into your wallet. Unless of course you want to look outside the UK - have you thought of that?
or on the inland waterways? here or abroad.
 
Yes it is expensive beacause of the location, the place most people want to boat!

There are cheaper alternatives like Dry Racking. This means the boat is stacked on racks out of the water when not being used. Then you turn up, they drop it in and off you go. Slightly cheaper than a berth as well but no fouling issues. I was at Hamble Point with an Aquador 23HT and loved it. Although only about £400 cheaper than a Berth you still got the use of full facilities and 15 nights berthing at their Marinas.

Just a thought

Paul
 
Nautorius said:
Yes it is expensive beacause of the location, the place most people want to boat!

There are cheaper alternatives like Dry Racking. This means the boat is stacked on racks out of the water when not being used. Then you turn up, they drop it in and off you go. Slightly cheaper than a berth as well but no fouling issues. I was at Hamble Point with an Aquador 23HT and loved it. Although only about £400 cheaper than a Berth you still got the use of full facilities and 15 nights berthing at their Marinas.

Just a thought

Paul
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I think the OP has a 32 footer - I don't think dry stacking is an option
 
Welcome to the real world of south coast boating.

I see your east Hampshire, I would say that probably the cheapest secure pontoon marina with toilets and showers that are ok, and good parking is where I am.

Eastlands Yard, upper Hamble river 4 mins drive off Junction 8 m27 or 10 mins max from junc 9.

Currently £76.75 per metre plus vat,thats per quarter, you pay quarterly with 1 quarters notice if you want to leave, spaces available.

All depends on what boat you have, flybridge round 4m high you cannot get under Bursledon bridge at hw, I can get under about 2 hours either side.

Google for web site.
 
Ho, ho, ho. You'll soon get used to the idea that everything to do with boating is more expensive than it should be from mooring charges to fuel, chandlery, engine spares, labour charges etc. It's because they know we're all rich. After all we must be if we own a boat. Yeah right
 
blueglass said:
I think the OP has a 32 footer - I don't think dry stacking is an option
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Also the dry stack places are not so quite for visitors. I visited Hamble Point in the summer and thought it was a nice marina. But it was kind of annoying having the forklift truck and pressurewasher operating on a Sunday evening, when you expect to be able to sit out and enjoy a quiet glass of wine at the end of the day.
 
Deleted User said:
Ho, ho, ho. You'll soon get used to the idea that everything to do with boating is more expensive than it should be from mooring charges to fuel, chandlery, engine spares, labour charges etc. It's because they know we're all rich. After all we must be if we own a boat. Yeah right
Click to expand...

If we were, we are not now, cause we have a boat, present company accepted....
 
I was told its the best day in your life buying a boat and the second best day when you sale it. now you have money again !!!!!!
 
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