Marina Recommendations

[RDL]

Thanks for all the comments re: S34 or S37. I,ve made the decision to hang on until the right S37 presents itself, hopefully not too long. So don’t forget, if anyone sees one come on the market, let me know. I,ve also taken on board the engines to go for ie, kad43’s or 44’s.

Now then, onto Marina recommendation. I live in the Midlands and would like the boat on the solent, one, for good weather and two, because it’s the closest coast in terms of travel time for me. I can get to Southampton, door to door in 2 ½ hours. Portsmouth and Poole would put another 40mins onto the journey. So Southampton is the favourite at the moment.

I need a Marina with facilities that are child friendly, and where there may be other boating families. Would the forum members who berth at Southampton comment. In particular Hythe, Shamrock Key and Ocean village, as the berth charges per M for these Marinas are priced lower than those on the Hamble. Or any others you may suggest.

Cheers,

Rob


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[jfm]

I wd think Oc Village or Hythe, not Shamrock Quay which is a bit which is a bit industrial. I think Oc Village has the most kids entertainment (incl cinema) in the hinterland. But away from the land, else lager louts drop fag ends/vomit in your boat, etc

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[tcm]

Re: swanwick

I agree ocean vilage of those choices BUT sealine sales head office is in swanwick so i wd buy from there and base the boat there for total top quality service and freebie advice from passing experty sealine bods, at least for the g'tee period. Also, you mite get a fab deal on boat+yr 1 mooring cos they get a decent deal on the moorings, i bet.

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[jfm]

Re: swanwick

good point, in which case the marina could be either the swanwick one right outside sealine's door, or Moody's literally across the road. I think, my recollection of the geography there is patchy. There's also Universal marina 1/10mile up river, but this is not recommended and the access road is horridly potholey etc

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[DavidJ]

Suffolk??

You might also consider the Suffolk coast. I used to keep mine, before going to the Med, at Suffolk Yacht Harbour. We live in Brum and its a 160 mile blast down the A14 which takes about 2.5 hrs maybe a little more. There are several marinas around there on the Orwell and its a lot quieter than the south. Maybe there are some forum members in that area with more up to date knowledge.
David

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[terryw]

Re: Availability?

I think you might find there are few marinas in the Solent with space available for a 37 footer. It might be a good idea to phone around, or visit over the weekend, to see who has space. You might find that you have little choice, and therefore will not have to worry about where to go.
Just as a reminder, of the 3 you mentioned Hythe is the only one with a lock.

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[jimi]

Hythe

I berth at Hythe and its excellent, if a a bit quiet. But you can give the children a freer reign there than at Ocean Village. If you do want the entertainment you can use the free short term berthing (4 hours) at Ocean Village (5 mins from Hythe) as they are both MDL. Locking out and in is rarely a problem except at very busy times, usually its straight out and in . The most I've ever had to wait is 30mins. Occasionally a LWS i've been unable to get in but I draw 1.7m. Manoeuvring can be tight but on the plus side there's really no current to worry about and its very sheltered so the windage rarely is a major problem.

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[Skyva_2]

Agree with everything thats said about Hythe, plus car parking is better than Ocean Village for your visitors. Also security is excellent, and its close to shopping in the village.

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[ccscott49]

Re: Hythe

.......but are there any berths available, without buying a house that is?

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[burgundyben]

Shamrock not much to do there for the kids but good marina with all trade support you need in good chandlery and marine engineers and some nice bars/boutique type shops for your swmbo

Ocean village parking is a problem as there is none...

Hythe is a right drag round Southampton, probly take longer than say Porto Solente.

Porto Solente (port solent of course) is about 25 mins further than southampton, lots to do but lock in and out and long drag down pompey harbour (gives chance to do washing up and prepare for sea.

Moody's at Swannick is very nice, nice bar, dead easy appraoch from M27.

Universal is crap to get to and a bit boat yard ish.

Deacons good but boat yard ish too, not posh swanky type marina, but good access to Jolly Sailor pub and Ferry Rest't quite good.

Mercury Marina easy access from M27 as with all HAmble, Mercury nicest for families I wud suggest, nice bar eaty type place, nice creek round the back for kids to play in dinghy.

Port Hamble - not much for the kids but good middle village location.

Hample point - lots of trade, best access to open solent, eating place ok.

Sealine sales office is sort of mini marina but bugger all there to do cept spinnaker pub (grotty) but with kids play area.

suggest you come down for a weekend and have a look round.


<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.

 

[terryw]

Re: Hythe

I was not casting doubt over the suitability of Hythe, just pointing out that it had a lock purely for information.
I am at OV and am reasonably sure there is no space for a 37 footer at the moment. However things are always different at the end of March when fees become due, at which time it is first come first serve after the due date.

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[gtmoore]

Re: Hythe

There are a few berths available there at the moment according to the lock keeper but not sure if they're big enough

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[miket]

We have used Shamrock Quay for 4 or 5 years and it's excellent.
As at Easter this year they even had some vacant space.

My youngster is now 22 so can't really comment for kids. Are any marinas good for kids?
Chichester probably kid friendly, but who wants to wait for hours before you can get in or out?

Anyway, if you use the boat instead of sitting on it you can cruise somewhere that the kids will enjoy.

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[Mrtallsheep]

Just bought an F43 and put her Shamrock Quay. I'm new to boating and thought this is as good a place to start as any. Very helpful staff and reasonable rates. A point worth noting is the marina is almost definately going to have a complete refurb (pontoons etc) this winter, showers etc are all newish and clean. I also live in the midlands (Northampton) and it takes me 1hr45-2hrs. I too have a young family and it strikes me as a reasonable place to get to the shops etc as well as a short hop in the rib to the Cinema at Ocean Village (plenty to do in poor weather). Also, being in the Solent there appears to be plenty of short trips available without the kids or wife moaning about distances etc

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[markc]

I am at Ocean Village and used to be at Hythe. Both offer different benefits. Hythe is a more sheltered environment and may be better for kids to play when in the marina (I don't have kids , so don't take my word for it!). However, the lock can be restrictive both leaving and arriving. I have had 1.5 hr waits in high season getting out.

Ocean Village has a cinema on site plus Tesco and some restaurants including a pizza place. It is a short bus ride to the large shopping places and stuff in Southampton. The marina is very sheltered and 24hr boat access and no lock.

The staff are very good at both places.

Bear in mind that which ever one you choose, being all MDL you can transfer from one marina to another with no transfer charges providing they have space....flip a coin, go to that one and move if you don't like it!

M

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.geocities.com/jinto100/Jintopics.html

 

[SteveE]

We are new to boating and have a F33 at Port Solent, the benefits we looked at for PS are, very good security (swipe card to get on pontoons) lots of restaurants, 11 in all I believe now (new Chinese just opened 2 weeks ago) cinema within 5 mins walking, David Lloyd Leisure (3 mins walk) with swimming pool if the weather turns and you need to do something with the kids, a Tesco Extra 5 mins drive (or more importantly you pass it driving into PS.

The down side is the lock, but it does give you time to prepare for the high seas while travelling at 6 knots for 25 mins.... The benefit we now see of the lock, is a number of the 10 year olds love blasting around in their ribs and they cannot leave the marina?

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[nicho]

Re: Hythe

I'm pretty sure they would get you in - speak to David Wilson, the Manager

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