Living aboard in Plymouth

jellyellie

jellyellie

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645
www.jellyellie.com
Hi all

So I lived aboard in Gosport for two years, and will have lived aboard in Brighton for six months when my berthing here runs out at the end of March (initially paid for 3 months and renewed for another 3). I love the city and we've already made some really good liveaboard friends in the marina, but unless I have a sudden change of heart, I am not convinced by the marina at all. It really is a huge concrete jungle, and you can't even see the sea from the pontoons. And for all of Gosport's faults, I really miss living in a harbour and the associated views.

So, anyway - I've been looking at other options and like the idea of living aboard in Plymouth, for a number of reasons.

I've done some basic research on marinas/options around Plymouth, and will hire a car and go down there for a day to look around at them all. I really like the look of Sutton Harbour (I've been there before and loved it). What's their policy on liveaboards? What, in general, is the policy of liveaboards in the various marinas around Plymouth? Are there marinas which seem to be post popular with liveaboards?

I almost feel a bit silly for asking, because strictly there are no liveaboards in either of the marinas I have previously lived in, but nobody ever seems to mind as long as you are polite, friendly, chatty and keep your boat ship shape (of course!). But it's always good to know.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance

jelly
 
Hi Jelly

I can speak for Mayflower Marina, it's a friendly place, but has the same "official" rule about no live-aboards - but there are berthholders who live aboard for weeks and months. I guess it means "not all year round", and if you've only just arrived, I don't think you'd have a problem.

regards
Keith
 
Hi Jellyellie ,
Definitely liverboards in sutton marina (not many but they are there! ) fantastic marina clean and friendly Let me know when you arrive .
Cheers Gary
 
Plymouth Yacht Haven

There are liveaboards here. We are, I suppose, 50/50 liveaboards and we love it here. Yes, the usual no liveaboard 'official' rule apples, but as you say, provided you don't cause any trouble there shouldn't be an issue; after all liveaboard are 'free security staff' for the marina - actually you're paying the marina as well as being unofficial security staff!
 
One of the reasons I chose Brighton (it is a concrete jungle isn't it) is because it allowed liveaboards. Now if I wanted to move I'd just go wherever I wanted to go and keep my head down. Unless you're somehow a nuisance I'd be very surprised if anyone had an issue, if they did you could be creative with what you told them...
 
djbreeze said:
One of the reasons I chose Brighton (it is a concrete jungle isn't it) is because it allowed liveaboards. Now if I wanted to move I'd just go wherever I wanted to go and keep my head down. Unless you're somehow a nuisance I'd be very surprised if anyone had an issue, if they did you could be creative with what you told them...
Click to expand...

Yeah, agreed - hence my 'I feel silly for asking...' - it's not that I am worried about going somewhere liveaboards aren't allowed, 'cos they're not officially allowed here either, but it's nice to get the insider's view on new places. Good, non-nuisance liveaboards like us must be a godsend to most marinas' security and sense of community - conversely if I had to leave my boat in a marina and not live on her, I would specifically seek out a marina that had a thriving liveaboard community, just so I know she's got a good eye on her all the time I couldn't be there.
 
I'd choose Sutton, very protected, great facilities and right in the centre of the Barbican. Yacht Haven, facilities nowhere near as good, can be somewhat exposed in rough weather but better for access to fabulous countyside, especially Jennycliff, and some excellent pubs. And much easier parking. I'd drive to Yacht haven, take a look and then catch the ferry across to the Barbican to see Sutton. Then make your decision.
 
Hi guys, thanks for everyone's comments so far, including those I have received via pm.

longjohnsilver, that's exactly the kind of local knowledge I was after - thank you, that's invaluable. I will take your advice and go and have a look at those two in that order, and also have a peek at mayflower as well (sorry, my m key is broken so I have to copy and paste it, can't do a capital).
 
If you want to put up washing lines, grow vegetables and can happily sit in the mud (I mean the boat not you:)) try Boating World just over in Cornwall!
 
I like the idea of growing vegetables, and a washing line seems ludicrously far-fetched, but the mud would be a bit of a problem (fin keel) unfortunately. Thanks for the tip nonetheless.
 
jellyellie said:
I like the idea of growing vegetables, and a washing line seems ludicrously far-fetched, but the mud would be a bit of a problem (fin keel) unfortunately. Thanks for the tip nonetheless.
Click to expand...

how deep is your keel? A visit up to Treluggan is well worth-while: it is a really special place. There are some "serious" liveaboards there and the keel might just about dig a hole in the mud... eventually. But it is at the exact opposite extreme of Sutton - it is really an "away-from-it-all" place, complete with wildlife and idyllic views. And, of course, a completely protected hurricane hole
 
TiggerToo said:
how deep is your keel? A visit up to Treluggan is well worth-while: it is a really special place. There are some "serious" liveaboards there and the keel might just about dig a hole in the mud... eventually. But it is at the exact opposite extreme of Sutton - it is really an "away-from-it-all" place, complete with wildlife and idyllic views. And, of course, a completely protected hurricane hole
Click to expand...

Unfortunately with a fin keel actually getting on and off the mud could be a problem (I know, I've tried - accidentally :o) EDIT - just remembered there's also pontoon nearer the slipway but the mud may not be so soft there? , also its so away-from-it -all that I doubt if there's any mobile phone signal/mobile internet right down on the river.

http://www.boatingworldsw.co.uk/
 
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Hi Sandy, nice to hear from you.

Yeah, have considered all sorts really - London, Solent, Plymouth, Dartmouth, Falmouth... I don't know why but I like the idea of Plymouth. Will investigate Falmouth too. Are you there are the moment?
 
Ellie

The reason im not to fond of Plymouth is that it is a city and has a city atmosphere and culture. If you like crowds and that sort of thing then go for it. Personally I prefer the quieter more tranquil Falmouth. We're heading back down there in a few weeks. Probably anchor up the Fal or Truro.
Now in Gosport Premier. Left RCM before xmas because of constant problems with Clipper.
Once you have visited Plymouth/Falmouth etc etc would be interested to hear your comments.

BTW the marinas in Falmouth have no problems with Livaboards. We have stayed in all of them and always been most welcome. The only one I would avoid is the Yacht Haven.
Wont give reasons in open forum so PM me for more info.

Take care

Sandy
 
Our boat used to be at PYH. If we ever gave up the liveaboard life and returned to the U.K. Plymouth is probably where we would go. Varied restaurants and nightlife, wonderful countryside on your doorstep. All the facilities of a city but has the feel of a smaller place (for us).
We thoroughly enjoyed being at PYH, with 3 good pubs in walking distance and the coastal walks within a few yards of the Marina. However although with the ferry and bus service it does have easy access to the centre, if you wanted to be in the heart of the action it would have to be Sutton
 
For your purpose, Mayflower may not be the best bet. It is a bit out of town and the local shopping is not good and a fair walk away. It is not the best part of Plymouth.
Conditions on the outer berths can be robust, in certain conditions, and there is tide through the pontoons which has to be watched carefully.
 
Re: Mayflower Marina

Ellie

If you are thinking of moving in the near future, you should know that Mayflower Marina
are in the process of updating their pontoons. The main connecting pontoon is almost done
and the plan is to commence work on the berthing pontoons within a month or so. There will
be a certain amount of upheaval!

Further, I spoke with the MD there about the possibility of becoming a liveaboard there (having been a berth holder there for twenty years or more ) to be told in no uncertain terms that he didn't like them.

There have been liveaboards there recently, but only during the winter months when there are spare berths and the people concerned have definite plans to move on in the spring.

The marina Terms and Conditions prohibit liveaboard use without written permission which I assume from my experience would not be forthcoming.

The long term plan for the marina is to include more space for boats of 40ft and larger. In
other words, they want to move more towards the upper end of the market.

All of the above means that it is not the marina I moved to twenty years ago, so I am moving elsewhere in March.

In all other aspects, it is a good marina for leisure users who turn up, use their boat and push off again.

Andy
 
In the last marina we were in there were liveaboards and the way to dodge the 'no liveaboard' rule seemed to be having a land address so nothing came to the marina and the marina had somewhere landlocked to send bills to.
 
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