Tight5
New Member
Does anyone have any comments or views about Mayflower Marina in Plymouth please? I am looking for a berth in the area and have no previous of this particular marina. I would appreciate your comments.
Mayflower marina Plymouth
- Thread starter Tight5
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longjohnsilver
Well-Known Member
We looked at it last year and decided it was a bit out on a limb, too far away from any pubs/cafes or shops. Also from our end of town (Exeter) it involves going through Plymouth to reach it. And I'm told that it does have quite a bit of tide flowing through it. However it seems a friendly place, convenient for going upriver and out into the Sound.
We decided that Yacht Haven or Sutton suited us better. Now in Yacht haven and like it there. But there are others on here who will be equally pleased with Mayflower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.......
We decided that Yacht Haven or Sutton suited us better. Now in Yacht haven and like it there. But there are others on here who will be equally pleased with Mayflower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.......
Carolwildbird
Well-Known Member
Very friendly and helpful staff on the whole. Good loos/showers. small chandlery..but helpful. Restaurant- not that good or busy (better at QAB or now, with new facilties, PYH)
There is extensive building work planned for next year (new restaurant etc block) so it may be less pleasant whilst things happen.
Sailing- obviously good position for access to Tamar and out to sea. Can be tricky to manoeuvre in the marina in spring tides and wind- as LJS says, lots of tide running through it and strange unpredictable back eddies. Make sure you ask carefully about berth possibilities as some areas are much worse than others, so I'm told- but usually the berthing people are fairly good at making sure you are given something suitable to your boat.
its a bit out of town- but depends on what you want to do.
There is extensive building work planned for next year (new restaurant etc block) so it may be less pleasant whilst things happen.
Sailing- obviously good position for access to Tamar and out to sea. Can be tricky to manoeuvre in the marina in spring tides and wind- as LJS says, lots of tide running through it and strange unpredictable back eddies. Make sure you ask carefully about berth possibilities as some areas are much worse than others, so I'm told- but usually the berthing people are fairly good at making sure you are given something suitable to your boat.
its a bit out of town- but depends on what you want to do.
Tight5
New Member
Thanks for your views. I will certainly ask them about berth location!
Tight5
New Member
Thanks for that. All good information.
snooks
Well-Known Member
I went in there earlier this year (for pleasure not for work).
It's very exposed from a blow west, espesh at high tide when there a long fetch for the sea to kick up, and any of the grey funnel lines that come in/go out cause a rockin and a rollin'. Most berths have tyres to tie up to as snubbers.
By the time you get to the inner berths it calms down, though if the wind is in the west (again) manoeuvring can be a bit tight, but the longer fingers to help.
On the furthest berths it's a bit of a walk to the amenities, and the town is a cab ride away unless you like the thought of walking through Union Street.
Facitities are good, chandlery has most things and there's a riggers there. Pontoon quality isn't the greatest, but they do their job
It's a good starting off point, straight over the bridge and you're out to sea in not time, also handy when it's been blowing, sail to the lee, drop the sails, fenders out and you're in
Access by car is reasonable, and if you're coming down the A38 (Devon Expressway) is a pretty good road
However the best thing I've found about the marina is the staff, they are kind, friendly and courteous and nothing seems too much trouble.
It's very exposed from a blow west, espesh at high tide when there a long fetch for the sea to kick up, and any of the grey funnel lines that come in/go out cause a rockin and a rollin'. Most berths have tyres to tie up to as snubbers.
By the time you get to the inner berths it calms down, though if the wind is in the west (again) manoeuvring can be a bit tight, but the longer fingers to help.
On the furthest berths it's a bit of a walk to the amenities, and the town is a cab ride away unless you like the thought of walking through Union Street.
Facitities are good, chandlery has most things and there's a riggers there. Pontoon quality isn't the greatest, but they do their job
It's a good starting off point, straight over the bridge and you're out to sea in not time, also handy when it's been blowing, sail to the lee, drop the sails, fenders out and you're in
Access by car is reasonable, and if you're coming down the A38 (Devon Expressway) is a pretty good road
However the best thing I've found about the marina is the staff, they are kind, friendly and courteous and nothing seems too much trouble.
Tight5
New Member
Thanks Graham.
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
Here's an earlier, not very complimentary thread
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?Number=1966115
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?Number=1966115
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Last time I stayed there (2001) there was a free bus service to Sainsbury's. Is it still operating?
Piers
Well-Known Member
The only negative that I'm aware of (apart from the Spring Tide issue above) is that a strong westerly can shake the Tamar up which hits into the marina. In all other winds, it's great.
Tight5
New Member
Blimey. Now I am really confused! Thanks anyway.
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
I think that if you can buy a couple of shares in the marina, its a better bet, but if not then I think PYH is the best bet.... more sheltered, better facilities ashore, easy access via the ferry to town...... easy access to great walks.....
timtap
Well-Known Member
Plymouth Yacht Haven is definately the best bet.
good facilities , good small boatbuilding and servicing businesses within the Aircraft hangers ,plenty of parking ,cafe, a few pubs nearby, sheltered mooring ( mayflower gets quite a rip tide on the outer moorings) good ferry sevice to the Barbican Plymouth.
good facilities , good small boatbuilding and servicing businesses within the Aircraft hangers ,plenty of parking ,cafe, a few pubs nearby, sheltered mooring ( mayflower gets quite a rip tide on the outer moorings) good ferry sevice to the Barbican Plymouth.
Parsonsheath
Well-Known Member
Your byline worries me, are you saying that they dissemble the rest?
Cerddinen
Well-Known Member
I can confirm the comment that Mayflower can be open to poor weather. During the storm in early March one boat was sunk and a large section of pontoon broke up. It must be added that they repaired it quickly and were relaxed about allowing access even the morning after the damage. I can also confirm that the staff are very helpful. I took over ownership of a boat that was berthed there, and was allowed a week or so of free berthing before having to move the boat. If the weather had been bad I am sure they would not have minded me staying longer.
SimbaDog
Well-Known Member
I looked at all the Plymouth options last year & eneded up at PYH, think it was a good choice as nice pubs within easy walk, very good shelter & nice & quiet.
Mayflower seemed a bit exposed & some berths had a fair old tide ripping through at times.
Mayflower seemed a bit exposed & some berths had a fair old tide ripping through at times.
jakeroyd
Well-Known Member
I am based at Mayflower and would agree with all of the opinions expressed. Yes tide is an issue , yes it's a bit out of town. The facilities are generally good, the restaurant has improved a lot this year I think.
Possibly nobody has yet mentioned price. I think it is relatively good value for money (as much as any marina can be!) we looked at QAB and found it very expensive compared with Mayflower. I am towards the north end of the marina and certainly suffer some entertaining tides when berthing and try to avoid mid springs if I can , the compensation is a lovely outlook towards the Cornwall side of the river
Possibly nobody has yet mentioned price. I think it is relatively good value for money (as much as any marina can be!) we looked at QAB and found it very expensive compared with Mayflower. I am towards the north end of the marina and certainly suffer some entertaining tides when berthing and try to avoid mid springs if I can , the compensation is a lovely outlook towards the Cornwall side of the river
Tight5
New Member
Thanks jakeroyd.
I visited all the central Plymouth marinas this year and would not return to the Mayflower unless I needed to visit the UK Sparcraft agent again who is just a 5 minute walk away.
There is a strong list a negatives against choosing the Mayflower:
Even boats on the inner berths rig their mooring lines via full sized road tyres, this is unusual and a strong hint about awful weather conditions in the marina at times.
The pontoon condition is abysmal for any marina claiming to be a full service establishment with premier prices. They all seem to be sinking and some have a serious list.
There is little incentive to go for a evening stroll in the semi industrial hinterland nearby.
Midweek the Princess yard construction shed creates noise and in a easterly wind your nose will pick up on the smell of curing GRP resins.
There is a lot of pontoon activity from Princess yard workers but contrary to the other thread I thought they we well behaved and trying to intrude as little as possible.
The onsite bar and restaurant has misconceived designer intentions given the location. The location requires a low key friendly establishment like the one onsite at the Lymington Yacht Haven.
The renovation of the waterside flats generated noise while I was there and they might have another year of work left at a credit crunch pace.
The travel hoist adds to the noise in the sheltered part of the marina.
The UK equivalent of the Sargasso Sea had become established when I visited. There were massive rafts of flotsam comprised largely of man made refuse drifting around the marina. Any decent marina would detail the office junior to do a daily rake out.
There must be some positives…
Oh yes midweek in October the staff were happy to help a singlehander in and out his berth.
Why would anyone even think about berthing there on an annual basis? I can only assume the place is full of Plymouth locals who use their debenture share to obtain cut price annual berthing and who are prepared to view their berth as the marine equivalent of a lockup garage located inside a sink estate.
There is a strong list a negatives against choosing the Mayflower:
Even boats on the inner berths rig their mooring lines via full sized road tyres, this is unusual and a strong hint about awful weather conditions in the marina at times.
The pontoon condition is abysmal for any marina claiming to be a full service establishment with premier prices. They all seem to be sinking and some have a serious list.
There is little incentive to go for a evening stroll in the semi industrial hinterland nearby.
Midweek the Princess yard construction shed creates noise and in a easterly wind your nose will pick up on the smell of curing GRP resins.
There is a lot of pontoon activity from Princess yard workers but contrary to the other thread I thought they we well behaved and trying to intrude as little as possible.
The onsite bar and restaurant has misconceived designer intentions given the location. The location requires a low key friendly establishment like the one onsite at the Lymington Yacht Haven.
The renovation of the waterside flats generated noise while I was there and they might have another year of work left at a credit crunch pace.
The travel hoist adds to the noise in the sheltered part of the marina.
The UK equivalent of the Sargasso Sea had become established when I visited. There were massive rafts of flotsam comprised largely of man made refuse drifting around the marina. Any decent marina would detail the office junior to do a daily rake out.
There must be some positives…
Oh yes midweek in October the staff were happy to help a singlehander in and out his berth.
Why would anyone even think about berthing there on an annual basis? I can only assume the place is full of Plymouth locals who use their debenture share to obtain cut price annual berthing and who are prepared to view their berth as the marine equivalent of a lockup garage located inside a sink estate.
Carolwildbird
Well-Known Member
I'm berthed there too- (and I'm not a Plymouth local) -hence my comments above..
Why I chose it.. simple - they had a berth and they were flexible on periods of berthing. I wasn't sure last year (when I was looking for berths) whether I was staying in the Uk- the Mayflower have flexible berthing periods - 4 months, 6 months etc.
PYH, when I asked, had a year or nothing ( or rather full visitors rates- even in winter!).. and the staff at the time did not seem very helpful cf the Mayflower....
I find it quite pleasant here...(where I'm sitting at the moment!).
I do agree about the floating debris though.. guess its the penalty of being in the main flow of the Tamar.
Why I chose it.. simple - they had a berth and they were flexible on periods of berthing. I wasn't sure last year (when I was looking for berths) whether I was staying in the Uk- the Mayflower have flexible berthing periods - 4 months, 6 months etc.
PYH, when I asked, had a year or nothing ( or rather full visitors rates- even in winter!).. and the staff at the time did not seem very helpful cf the Mayflower....
I find it quite pleasant here...(where I'm sitting at the moment!).
I do agree about the floating debris though.. guess its the penalty of being in the main flow of the Tamar.
