Marina - Choices, lock or not to lock

[SteveE]

Re: Free flowing sewer or locked sewer

I cannot fault Port Solent Lock is bigger than any other I have been in around the Solent, staff are there to assit if required, it has pontoos that raise and lower in the lock so once moored you do not have to worry about ropes.. To me the marina has to be somewhere that has both access and more importantly somewhere you can enjoy yourself if it is blowing a F10 outside.

As for Lymington, I would rather wait an hour for a lock out, on my flybridge eating a bacon butty, or quaffing champange, than be stuck behind 5 caravans trying to get through the new forrest to the marina on a Friday night..

 

[[2574]]

Re: Marina - Choices, lock or not to lock

good job we're all different don'cha think? We like the fact that Royal Clarence isn't overrun with folk. Certainly if you need lot's of people and action around then Port Solent is more your kind of place. For that reason maybe Royal Clarence is not brilliant for children. But for folk's like us who enjoy quieter places we think it's excellent. If we ever feel the need for the "bright lights" it's only 2 mins to the Gosport ferry and then over to GunWharf.

Yes the building work can be nosiy; but generally this is weekdays only and everyone is aware of this when we sign up for the berth.

Access to the Solent is excellent (I couldn't bear the drag up to PS every weekend plus the aggro of the lock - folk's jumping the queue and getting all stressed - what's that all about?!) and there is non of the wash that is suffered in Gosport marina. The water is rarely disturbed at Royal Clarence.

So; if you need a razzatmatazzy image conscious place then Port Solent; if you want good access out to sea and no crowds then Royal Clarence. As ever, one pays your money and takes your choice..............................

 

[mjf]

Re: Marina - Choices, lock or not to lock

That was exactly the initial point here. Compromise!

I like where I am berthed because it seems to offer the best of all the bits I want. Its not 100% due to the lock issues, but the amenities and speed in which I can get to my boat far outweigh the disadvantage.

But do agree with you very good job we are all different.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Having visited Port Solent and Chichester many times and having to wait hours to lock in and out, it is the biggest PITA in the boating world. PS on a summer Sunday evening is a nightmare but no way would I want to arrange my life around freeflow either. What both these marinas need to do is invest in a second lock but I suppose they won't do that whilst there's plenty of peeps willing to pay through the nose to be there

 

[britemp]

I've been looking for a marina for my upcoming boat and having seen a few I have definitely crossed off any with a lock. The wait for the lock at Hythe I watched would drive me mad! I've settled on East Cowes Marina - not only has it not got a lock, but each small group of pontoons has it's own direct access to the river, so no waiting at all. It's also about half the price of many mainland marinas, but I guess that's not much use unless you live on the island or really like ferry rides on a Friday night! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mjf]

Re: Marina - Choices, lock or not to lock

Mike, you have it in one - build another lock. I reckoned that this would sort out the problems in one go.

Even on free flow you would have immediate access in & out. At really busy periods Sat morn , Sun eve you would have double capacity and revert to one for in one of out between times.

The control now is actually much better, name and number and instructions not to overtake the guy in front, same for leaving ''do not leave your berth until called'' etc. There was talk too of putting a RIB by the calling point to police the proceedures and new CCTV down the approach channel will help too.

It needs very rigid control IHMO rather like say ATC for aircraft movements.

 

[amf]

Re: Marina - Choices, lock or not to lock

I wonder why they don't allow permanent berth holders (or for that matter visitors) to book locks in advance. I know this might take a bit of organisation but it could work.

They know how long a lock cycle is at a given state of tide and they could therefore (more of less) publish a timetable.

They could then work it like ferry bookings. If you hit your lock at the right time then fine, if not you go on the reserve list for the next free space. If you turn up early you can go on the standby list.

Maybe just operate it at known busy times?

It's the fact that you have to be up the channel at or beyond the calling point for an hour or so dancing in the wind/tide that really annoys me - there must be a better way!