Magic_Sailor
Well-Known Member
I've just been reading an article by Andrew Simpson in PBO. In it he mentions to opposing experiences of marina staff. With the good one he mention the name Mayflower Marina and congratulates them. With the bad one he didn't mention the name. I wish he had as I'm sure we'd all like to know.
I wonder why he didn't. There is nothing implied by that comment. I suspect just the normal "British" good manners.
Anyway, having been away in France for a little while now I thought I'd make a few observations.
The French marinas were just about all very good. Good, sometimes excellent facilities. Friendly staff and reasonable prices - average about £11 for a 27' boat per night including free electricity. Most made a charge for the showers of about £1; so for the two of us (wishing to maintain a reasonable atmosphere below deck!) the price was about £13 a night. On top of this, the staff often volunteer a discount - the best was if you stay for 3 nights you only pay for 2.
You can imagine the shock however when we returned to Haslar Marina in Gosport.
Before I go on, I should say that generally we both praise Haslar over and above others in the Solent. The staff have always been friendly and the shower facilities in the lightship are superb.
However, the berth was £18 which was bad enough but electricity was a further £3/night. £3!!!!! So, £21 in all. I've not needed electricity until now so it was quite a shock (get it!)
Anyway, I expressed my shock to the man on duty in the marina office.
"£3 per night, how can your management possibly justify that?"
"Well, thats what boats use Sir"
"There is no way on earth that I can consume that amount of electricity"
"You'd be surprised Sir, some of these big boats do" (Gulping as he realised what he'd said).
"Oh, so I'm paying for the big boats am I?"
"Err no.....er um those bollards are always taking a clonking on the visitors pontoon"
"Herumph!".
I looked at the electricity bolloards. They all looked pretty old to me.
The next day we went down to Chich Marina. They were offering a much better deal. Midweek 25% discount (£12 for us) and free electricity for the first 2 nights. Showers free and excellent. Well done Chich!
For what it's worth.
Magic
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>
I wonder why he didn't. There is nothing implied by that comment. I suspect just the normal "British" good manners.
Anyway, having been away in France for a little while now I thought I'd make a few observations.
The French marinas were just about all very good. Good, sometimes excellent facilities. Friendly staff and reasonable prices - average about £11 for a 27' boat per night including free electricity. Most made a charge for the showers of about £1; so for the two of us (wishing to maintain a reasonable atmosphere below deck!) the price was about £13 a night. On top of this, the staff often volunteer a discount - the best was if you stay for 3 nights you only pay for 2.
You can imagine the shock however when we returned to Haslar Marina in Gosport.
Before I go on, I should say that generally we both praise Haslar over and above others in the Solent. The staff have always been friendly and the shower facilities in the lightship are superb.
However, the berth was £18 which was bad enough but electricity was a further £3/night. £3!!!!! So, £21 in all. I've not needed electricity until now so it was quite a shock (get it!)
Anyway, I expressed my shock to the man on duty in the marina office.
"£3 per night, how can your management possibly justify that?"
"Well, thats what boats use Sir"
"There is no way on earth that I can consume that amount of electricity"
"You'd be surprised Sir, some of these big boats do" (Gulping as he realised what he'd said).
"Oh, so I'm paying for the big boats am I?"
"Err no.....er um those bollards are always taking a clonking on the visitors pontoon"
"Herumph!".
I looked at the electricity bolloards. They all looked pretty old to me.
The next day we went down to Chich Marina. They were offering a much better deal. Midweek 25% discount (£12 for us) and free electricity for the first 2 nights. Showers free and excellent. Well done Chich!
For what it's worth.
Magic
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>
