Marina Shower/Toilet blocks - points out of 10

[jonnybuoy]

OK so we all like a nice shower and a decent lav to read read the paper in..a lot of variation in the quality around the Solent at least which is not necessarily reflected in the overnight prices. FWIW here's my mini-survey from the last two weekends:

The Benchmark: Has to be Berthon Lymington - modern, clean, superb showers (refurbed in 2009 I understand) - nothing to fault- this is a defo 10/10.

The Low End: Poole Harbour Salterns 4/10 and it's a 4 only because it's clean. Old showers (& only 2 of them), low water pressure and no privacy, more like a local football club changing room (call me old fashioned but with young kids on board I think you need better than this).

In between:

Yarmouth 8/10. Would have been 9/10 but object to paying extra for a shower (timed 6 minute) when you've already forked out best part of 50 quid for an overnight stay (44 ft). That said the dual shower facility was good for families. I really like the new layout with more walk-ashore berths and it always is a very friendly place.

Port Hamble: 7/10. Not bad and generally no queues (most peeps away on IOW I guess). I like this marina as it is very quiet (great night's sleep) and the local boozers are top. In fact points out of 10 for local pubs might be the subject of a completely different and far more interesting survey (The King and Queen I like a lot).

Cowes Yacht Haven: 5/10. Always queues for bogs and showers and generally smells a bit. Not entirely surprising given how many stag type parties there are. As a complete tangent it seems to be a bit anti-mobo. The only place we've been where SWMBO got into a bit of tangle with the ropes on a gusty arrival and the nearest yacht punters just watched and sniggered. (That is not an anti-yacht thing at all BTW, in my experience they are mostly very friendly and helpful)

Anybody disagree with my ratings?

Jon.

 

[z1ppy]

Disagree with rating or showers of port Hamble. ( everything else i agree with) recent experience of the showers have been poor. Dirty, smelly and low pressure!

East Cowes marina must be right up there at the top??

 

[oGaryo]

I can only comment on Berthon and Cowes Yacht Haven having not tried the others.. Berton, spot on a definite 10/10 for me... CYH, I'd lower teh rating to a 3 having stayed there in the winter.. if anything, that's when you need hot water and it was brrrrrrrrrrrrr and as you say, smelly. East Cowes on the other hand has to be up there in the 8 or 9 marks imo.. not quite Berthon but not far off.

 

[Vern]

I have spent 10 nights at Weymouth since March, very praiseworthy, I would venture.
My only other experiences are campsites, and Weymouth feels luxurious compared to any of them.
No waiting at Easter, and hot, powerful showers made the otherwise busy time, enjoyable.

 

[burgundyben]

In Cowes we stay at Shepheards Wharf, I'd say a point or two less than Yarmouth.

 

[crazy4557]

Port Solent has got to rate a 10/10. Refurbished fairly recently but in my experience have always been immaculately clean, no obnoxious smells and lots of hot water. Best I've experienced anywhere.

 

[Trundlebug]

No complaints at Farndon on the Trent, 10/10.
Power showers throughout, water always as hot as you like unless at the end of a busy bank hol (when nothing could keep up!), rarely any queues, and always spotlessly clean. Roomy, individual cubicles with hooks etc. too, and the general toilet areas are always nice and warm in all weathers - an important detail.

Last time I was in Poole we checked out Salterns out of interest, just to see what you get for their proud boast of "the most expensive marina in the country", and frankly I thought they were just taking the p***.

 

[PhilipF]

OK so we all like a nice shower and a decent lav to read read the paper in..a lot of variation in the quality around the Solent at least which is not necessarily reflected in the overnight prices.

Jon.

Agree about Yarmouth - great facilities.
Further West: Cobbs Quay, our home port excellent, likewise Brixham, just visited, so know how good it is.

QAB at Plymouth, well behind, only two two cubicles in Gents for example. But, they do intend to vastly improve at the end of this season, and knowing MDL, I'm sure they will.

Further west again, Falmouth Town Quay, were we are berthed up at the present minute, is not really very good at all. Again, only two cubicles in the Gents, and both very tiny - hardly enough room to pull ones trousers up!!
Still, the place is really handy for the town, so if one can find room to berth OK. But Premier up stream might be better, and not a great deal dearer.

 

[Firefly625]

Mercury's facilities very good, been at Sheppards Wharf this weekend and OK, Yarmouth's I think are c88p due to charge made for shower on a stupidly short timer....ggrrhh! Berthons very good, but waterless urinals...... they stink!

 

[[2068]]

I would agree with the score for Berthon - marinas that manage a bit of style in their facilities are the way forward, imho. Almost everywhere else scores either "Basic" or "Arrgggh" by comparison.

Providing facilities on a par with a youth correction centre doesn't cut the mustard any more.

 

[hlb]

Cant understand folk still going to outside toilets, we have one at home, on the boat. It's sort of civilised with soft carpets and clothes all ready on the bed, not draped through other folks wet stuff.

Cant think I've ever been to a loo on shore, less caught short. Dunno why anyone would want to go there.
Would you go to a hotel, that did not have en suite.

 

[Vern]

Cant understand folk still going to outside toilets, we have one at home, on the boat. It's sort of civilised with soft carpets and clothes all ready on the bed, not draped through other folks wet stuff.

Cant think I've ever been to a loo on shore, less caught short. Dunno why anyone would want to go there.
Would you go to a hotel, that did not have en suite.

Well for starters, one is not supposed to foul the Marina water and another, the showers are separate and in their own bathroom, I would be surprised if your on-board is comparable.
Mind you, there are some jolly big boats at Weymouth!

 

[davedpc]

Must be warm,dry and have plenty of hooks to hang your clothes on. Shelves at the wash basins are a must for your shaving gear etc.and a mop and bucket in the shower room helps to keep your feet dry.

 

[LittleShip]

Not about the Solent showers ect but........

I have just left my boat up at Stranraer Scotland and they have portacabins for showers ect.

They are the cleanest showers/loos I have ever seen and are so good they have a visitors book, I kid you not ! The Harbour master there could and should give lessons on how to treat customers and run a marina.

Tom

PS. Now watch what happens when I go back after leaving LS there for 10 days

 

[DAKA]

OK so we all like a nice shower and a decent lav to read read the paper in..a lot of variation in the quality around the Solent at least which is not necessarily reflected in the overnight prices. FWIW here's my mini-survey from the last two weekends:

The Benchmark: Has to be Berthon Lymington - modern, clean, superb showers (refurbed in 2009 I understand) - nothing to fault- this is a defo 10/10.



Anybody disagree with my ratings?

Jon.

Berthon look very nice.
edited

I made a mistake thinking the glass doors were see through but now accept they are not.

 

[Elessar]

Cant understand folk still going to outside toilets, we have one at home, on the boat. It's sort of civilised with soft carpets and clothes all ready on the bed, not draped through other folks wet stuff.

Cant think I've ever been to a loo on shore, less caught short. Dunno why anyone would want to go there.
Would you go to a hotel, that did not have en suite.

+1 never use them.

 

[Elessar]

Well for starters, one is not supposed to foul the Marina water and another, the showers are separate and in their own bathroom, I would be surprised if your on-board is comparable.
Mind you, there are some jolly big boats at Weymouth!

I have a holding tank and separate shower and loo both en suite to our cabin.
And it's not a big boat!

 

[DAKA]

Chichester Marina deserves mention here and I could do with a local to post photos please................

The toilets/wash rooms close top the bar/boat sales are second to none 4* luxury and I expect the wives of prospective berth holders are shown around.
(are they unisex or did I get the wrong ones)

Anyway back to the block closest to us ?F? pontoon I think ..........

There is an arrow for Ladies and an arrow for GENTS, following the arrow you find an open urinal with semi brick enclosure, got to be the worst one outside of France

Another mission impossible photo challenge

 

[KevB]

Without question the new showers at Chichester Marina are way above anything else in the solent and I've probably been to all of them.

Second but still way ahead of the rest is Port Solent..

 

[DOK]

Agree about he Chichester shower/toilet facilities. But - why not provide paper towels or a hand dryer in the cubicle? It's OK if you've gone for a shower and have your towel with you but if you've just nipped in for a pee, once you wash your hands you have to go out of the cubicle to find the paper towels