Kemps Quay

[SteveSarabande]

With the new berthing year approaching I am looking for somewhere new. Currently in Cardiff so most of the solent is way too expensive. Looking through the latest PBO, Kemps Quay seems affordable.

Any advice/warnings?

 

[PotatoNavigator]

I've heard it's not the best place to keep your boat - cheap for a reason.

The pontoons aren't lit and are not as well patrolled by staff as much as you would like. Also heard of things going missing.

I'm over the water so can't speak from experience, maybe someone with a boat at Kemps Quay can add something?

 

[ronmarson]

Phone them on 02380632323.
Very friendly people.
I overwintered there a couple of years ago and they could not have been more helpful.
Capt. RoN

 

[PotatoNavigator]

Haha, well that's the full spectrum of advice covered!

 

[dom]

Any advice/warnings?

if prv doesn't pop up drop him a pm.

 

[smert]

They are very friendly, although Alan (the 'Harbourmaster') ca be quite gruff at first, although I have seen him smile a couple of times!

Obviously it depends on your draft, but access HW+/-3.5hr is optimistic for us (1.4m). The non-tidal berths are either mid-river, or taken.

I haven't heard of anything being taken from boats, but we have only been there a year and a bit. There are quite a few liveaboards about.

 

[SteveSarabande]

I am living at the budget end of sailing, so not expecting 5star facilities. Sabre 27 with 1.45 fin keel, but I was told the mud is soft

 

[Aeolus]

If you fancy a deep water swinging mooring, there were some available in Chichester Harbour - even cheaper than Kemps Quay and much prettier. Contact the Conservancy office.

 

[PotatoNavigator]

I haven't heard of anything being taken from boats, but we have only been there a year and a bit.

All of what I've heard is all second hand, so might just be some inter-marina rivalry. That said, some of the points about poor lighting and attendance I heard before I'd chosen a berth, can't remember all what was said exactly but it was enough to put me off, it was a few years ago so maybe things have changed.

 

[prv]

We keep Ariam there, and are very happy with the place. The only thing I can think to complain about is the depth - they may once have had the claimed 50 all-tide berths, but the area is subject to silting and the Environment Agency won't give permission to dredge for fairly spurious tree-huggery reasons. We are in the deepest berth in the place, with 1.9m draught, and I work on needing 1.8m over datum to be sure of getting in and out. All-tide only at dead neaps, otherwise there's a small blackout period to work around most days. Apart from access, the drying out is nothing to worry about, it's very soft mud which solidifies around you, not a bottom that you land on. We have a modernish AWB shape with a narrow fin and moderate bulb, and it doesn't bother us.

There were reports of some outboards etc being stolen shortly before we moved in, about six years ago. The thieves arrived by boat from the river, which could happen anywhere really. I haven't heard of anything similar since. There are a number of liveaboards dotted around, and once when I forgot the combination and climbed around the gate onto the pontoon, I was spotted and challenged by two of them. Can't say I've noticed a serious lack of lighting, and in previous years I've often been there after dark in winter when doing refit work.

Not sure what the mention of "attendance" is about. It's true that nobody "patrols" - but would you expect that in a marina? I dunno, we've never been based at a posh one . There are generally other owners around, plus the yard guy who brushes and occasionally pressure-washes the pontoons to keep the duck-shit etc at bay. They grit them in winter too, so it's certainly not the case that the on-water arrangements are somehow ignored or abandoned.

Ah - one other negative springs to mind - they don't have mains power throughout. Didn't think of it because we do at our berth, but most don't. I think it's basically just at berths that have at some point had a liveaboard who arranged for it, so pot luck whether you get it or not. Also generally no power in the yard, everyone uses generators. Doesn't bother me.

Sarah runs the office, Alan runs the yard. If you want deferential customer service from a smooth young thing in an MDL polo shirt, you won't like Al and he probably won't like you. If you're a down-to-earth hands-on sort of person who does his own boat-work, I'm sure you'll get on fine. He's helped me out a few times, whether by rumbling over in the forklift when he saw me struggling with a heavy rudder, or by letting me unofficially tuck a mate's broken-down trailer away in a corner of the yard for a few days till we got it roadworthy again.

A Sabre 27 from "the budget end of sailing" sounds like a very typical Kemp's Quay boat. I'm sure you'll fit right in :encouragement:

Pete

 

[SteveSarabande]

Thanks for all the replies. It is good to get some first hand experience before coming down for a look around.

Someone had told me about limited electric points. Not a big problem, just need to work out an alternative.

 

[GEB]

I am in the yard next door - Quayside Marina. I have been there for many years. It's slightly cheaper and has power to every pontoon berth.

Depth is an issue (the window can be around two hours) but I used to have a Sabre 27 there and provided you can plan your trips around the tide its not a big issue. I currently have a deeper draft boat so it is more of a problem now.

That said there are many other issues that might put you off. The yard is opposite a large steel scrap yard and dirt from there is a common problem. There have been many changes recently and most are not to the better. There are no showers.

The power problem at Kemps is unlikely to be solved as there is a lack of capacity on the local network.

I would definitely consider a move to Kemps if things in Quayside change.

 

[SteveSarabande]

I went down for a look on Saturday and reserved a spot. Am going to sail around there later this week.

The place looks great, I am used to planning around tidal constraints. Loking forward to some sailing in a differant area, going to find it busy compared to Cardiff.

Next step is sorting out some alternative energy sources.

 

[Sailorsam101]

I'm in Kemps at the mo and have no issues. The previous posts are very accurate about life there. it is cheap and very basic but you can go just across the rive and get the same for double your money if you wish.

There are now decent showers there by the way.

Also I've been there for 6 months now and not got any dust from the scrap yard. What i do find a pain is the ribs following the rowers up and down at 10kts making one hell of a wake...!!!

I am on the deep water pontoon for the winter and back out to Chessel bay for he summer..this is a long pontoon you get to by dingy just downstream of kemps.

Overall i'm happy with the place for the price. But if you get a berth do take advice as some can be hard if wind and tide are not right.

Chessel bay is deep and i can get to it from both ends.

Let us know if you get a berth there.

 

[PhillM]

We popped in when looking around. SWIMBO thourght that Al in his smoke filled shed, watching an old Western, was exact,y the sort of harbour master you'd want to meet. Friendly in his own way!

We have been at both Premier and MDL. So Kemps is a little different. But not in a bad way. We did look at a whole host of others, which were unsuitable and nearly as expensive. Expect we would be happy at Kemps, but another change in circumstances, so we are staying in Ocean Village for the year.