Marinas: best or worst you have been to???

One of the friendliest marinas (Yacht clubs) I have visited was the Royal Cork at Crosshaven, a delight to visit. More locally, it has many drawbacks, but Bembridge always has a friendly welcome from the helpfull staff, for me that more than makes up for the questionable facilities.

I have to join others in the condemnation of Cowes yacht Haven, its the pits and should always be avoided unless you are forced to join one of those corporate team building events. You will know if you are, the boat will have Sun Sail on the side.
 
johnalison said:
The trouble is; some of the problem marinas are in places we love or need to visit.
Long walk to facilities - Dieppe
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shows this is an interesting question that will never reach consensus.

the first 3 I thought of were my wife's top 1 and bottom 2 too.

We love Dieppe. Easy entry, sheltered, no significant current through the berths to spoil your day as you moor and when you get there a nice French meal and a belly full of wine is only 7 steps from the top of the ramp. We tend not to use marina facilities so don't care if they are a long walk.

Low on our list:
Dart marina. 50 flippin quid. Very tight berths, difficult wind eddies and full tide whipping through makes berthing extremely challenging at times, even with my 2 engines and the flexibility for manoeuvre that offers. Supposedly luxurious facilities (which we had to try after paying 50 flippin quid) complete with baths a letdown and poorly executed.

Deauville. Poorly dredged entrance so poor and unpredictable access. Impersonal, and too far from the (lovely) town and so close to the gorgeous honfleur that there is no point going there.
 
Beaucette Marina, Guernsey

Mr.Completely said:
2 of my very favourite would be beaucette in Guernsey and Bonifacio, Corcica.

Both incredibly stunning.
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Beaucette is a strange place, a hidden crater, like something out of a James Bond film. You almost expect it to be full of mini-submarines. I've only been there once but the staff and other boat owners were very welcoming, despite us being in a small sailing boat amongst the millionaire's big motor yachts. I remember having an interesting chat with a man with an eye-patch stroking a white cat; he told me all about his ambitions for world-domination.
 
Ramsgate? Pilot boats that make you rock and roll. Miles of derelict concrete. Run down town centre. Pubs full of drunken yobs of both sexes who are ejected screaming at two o'clock in the morning. Apart from that ...
 
Borkum used to have pretty shabby pontoons. Rumour was that they were there second hand from the Eastern block when the wall fell, but do not know if there is any truth in it. Long trip into town on the bus, but at least there was a bus.

You could say that Bradwell has many of the features mentioned in this thread - grubby pontoons (not so much now); lack of shops nearby. However for Bradwell it is character, and still on the upper end of the list.

The nicest however I think are on the continent where there is no tidal range. Places like Edam where you lie allongside. So pretty. Anywhere in Denmark gets my vote as you are bound to get some gorgeous Danish pastry from a local bakery.
 
Although I beleive it may have changed a little recently, Birdham Pool in Chichester Hbr is one of my favourites.
Limited access aside, it's a real oasis given it's location on (or just outside) the Solent.
 
Agree about Borkum - rusty, jagged bits of angle iron on the corners of the pontoons. However, the restarant just overlooking it has super food, and the showers are excellent, and it's easy to get into, and it's usually half empty, unlike many along that coast/line of islands!

Also agreed - the danish ones were lovely - very cheap, good facilities, friendly, helpful. I think Tuno and Langoer on Samso were our favourite, in the summer we had a few years ago based in Ego (just north of Aarhus), which was also a lovely marina. I haven't found any to rival those in the UK!
 
Rather than use the 'marina' in Borkum, you can go on a bit further into the main harbour, where there are four enormous pontoons which are ex-Geman Navy. Rather high, but quite comfortable. The harbour is not so good in SW gales, though.

The trouble with Danish marinas is that they are all 'box' moorings, which is not so good if you are singlehanded.
 
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Thanks all for your replies. It's always rather subjective as we all see things differently, but it interests me how others view different places.

Maybe it will help some with future cruising.

Cheers!!
 
Most of the above has been written based on last years experience and last years exchange rates. Wonder how the view of continental marinas will change now the exchange is more realistic
 
huzar30 said:
The trouble with Danish marinas is that they are all 'box' moorings, which is not so good if you are singlehanded.
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I spent several months single handed in Denmark and found that after the first week (full of embarrassment) that once the appropriate technique was mastered it wasn't a problem.

It was all about getting a loop over the post (or both if quick) on the way in (after having chosen the smallest box that will take you - preferably with boats either side). If you get this far without mishap, a line off the bow to the cleat, and then everything else can be sorted out afterwards in a controlled way without damage.

Many boxes have lines either side, and in which case you can stop half way in the berth; pick up the windward fore/aft line; put a bow line round it, and bingo you are sorted. I tend to go in with a bit of way, then put her in tickover reverse, and she stops before she hits the pontoon. By then I have stopped putting lines over/round things and can get back to the helm.
 
Doghousekeeper said:
I think I may have mentioned this before (once or twice) but Port Dinorwic is the absolute pits. OK potential, but spoiled by a bunch of a*s*holes with no idea of customer service
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Now come on, dont hold back....tell us what you really think of the place.
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This may not be everybody's choice but Victoria Dock (Canarfon) has very friendly staff who always welcome you on the pontoon if needed, shops, theatre and restaurants are all nearby, the town however has it's highs and lows but still worth a visit. The staff get 10 out of 10 from me! Oh and don't forget the Oldest Yacht club in the World ??

Tom
 
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I would agree with everything said about Portavadie.
First class!

The staff at Clyde Marina deserve a mention as well for great friendly service.
 
Mrs Sea Mist II said:
We were made welcome at Ramsgate. I really enjoyed our stay there. What are your complaints?
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The main thing that makes Ramsgate a PITA is nobody taking responsbility for berth allocations meaning that it a case of motoring inbetween the pontoons in the hope of finding a suitable berth. Nor do they keep a record of when permenant berth holders will be away so that there berths could be used by visitors.

It is not helped by berths being way too narrow in the main visitors area meaning that there a lot of 'almost' spaces that may or may well not be wide enough to fit. On a very busy weekend fending off boats who were never going to fit in the gap next to mine was an almost full time occupation.

Could do with a dredging as well.

That said I do find the environment far preferrable to Dover Marina.
 
Must come to the defence of Dover Marina, been there for 6 months, good clean facilities, very helpful and courteous staff. One of it's joys is that it is a gateway port so lots of interesting boats and people passing through.

Dover town is a bit of a dump, but a few jewels to be found

My least favourite to visit is Dieppe.
 
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Vara said:
Must come to the defence of Dover Marina, been there for 6 months, good clean facilities, very helpful and courteous staff. One of it's joys is that it is a gateway port so lots of interesting boats and people passing through.

Dover town is a bit of a dump, but a few jewels to be found
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Is the fisherman's chandlery still there? I've still got the anchor and chain I bought to replace the one we left off Dungeness. That was in 1987 so I think one or two things might have changed.
 
Elessar said:
Deauville. Poorly dredged entrance so poor and unpredictable access. Impersonal, and too far from the (lovely) town and so close to the gorgeous honfleur that there is no point going there.
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So I take it you won't be visiting Dives/Cabourg then? (twinned with Salcombe by the way)

Quite a nice spot, and makes Eastbourne look pathetic.

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North Shields.

Assaulted by vicious terns, (admittedly hard hats are provided by the marina) no bar, no shop and advised that natives are not friendly told to only go outside by Taxi. Only one WC cubicle in the mens.

Town Quay Newcastle near bridges is vastly better and half the price

The marina in Sunderland is a true treasure, highly recommended.
 
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