MBM

[StewartC]

Afternoon all,

I'd like your input for August's Pontoon Talk in MBM. In our current issue, we take a look at marinas in the Netherlands, and discover that as well as being generally cheaper than marinas in the UK, they're also well-run, friendly, packed with facilities and offer access to some great cruising grounds.

Which brings me onto my question: Given the above, and the recession, are UK marinas doing enough to attract and retain boaters?

So if you think your marina is pulling its weight in these trying times, or is simply not doing enough, we'd like to hear from you.

You can email me on stewart_campbell@ipcmedia.com, or post below. We'd also like a photo and details of your boat (make, model).

Thanks,

Stewart

 

[Nautorius]

I know it is not in the UK but at La Duquesa on the CDS in Spain they are doing a dry rack deal whereby they reduced the cost of the dry racking but charge individually to put the boat in and out. In this way it is easier to control costs and the more you use the boat the more you pay. I would have to use her 30 times to equal the total cost of dry racking her at Hamble Point!

This is allowing those owners with money worries to get cheap storage without decommisioning the boat. Mind you they may soon have a hefty Tax bill and fine on the way.....

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Chris_d]

Just need to cut their charges by about 50%, its only somewhere to park afterall. The impression I get is that Dutch marinas exist to provide a service, whereas UK marinas are only there to make a profit.

 

[[2068]]

Although MDL haven't reduced the annual berthing fee, they have cut the cost of fuel a bit, boatyard services are cheaper, more visitor nights, and most noticeably, the staff seem to be going the extra mile (offering to help with lines, being generally more helpful etc.).

Is it enough? The next step would be to reduce the annual berthing fee, which they'd rather hack limbs off before implementing.

dv.

 

[peterandjeanette]

Do any marinas in the UK offer dedicated visitors' berths as in Europe?

I know they utilise vacant resident's berths and say they use this to offset annual charges. (MDL do 30 "free" nights at other MDL marinas and I believe Yacht Haven offer residents 50% of visitors charges.)

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

[ QUOTE ]
Do any marinas in the UK offer dedicated visitors' berths as in Europe?

[/ QUOTE ]

There are dedicated visitor berths at Brighton marina.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[rafiki_]

Tewkesbury Marina has "held" their charges to last year's level. This does not "feel" like a fantastic concession, but the Marina appears to be quite busy. Facilities are good, and shower block clean. Diesel appears to be a sensible price.

Overall 7/10

 

[Lawsy]

Agree totally. A marina is somewhere to park a boat - no more, no less. So they sometimes have costs such as dredging, but that, to my mind is no different to the NCP in Manchester having to occasionally re-tarmac or roadsweep the parking area.

 

[volvopaul]

Haslar marina in Gosport have a dedicated visitor berth just inside to the right behind mary mouse lightship.

Yarmouth IOW has visitors berths you can only book via internet.

Lymington has visitors berths on port side just after the wavescreen next to the yachthaven, call the harbourmaster to prebook.

 

[Firefly625]

I would like to see the shower / toilet blocks refurbished at Hythe... a bit tired IMHO and although always kept very clean they are not upto the standard you now see everywhere else...so therefore expect!

But I really do see a benefit in the 30 nights free at other MDL Marina's and unlimited free lunchtime stopovers!

 

[blueglass]

the MDL exchange deal is good but when I was with them I found the major drawback was that most of the marinas were in good locations as a place to keep and maintain boats but not particularly interesting cruising destinations. also in the solent, they are all clustered together in groups so the deal doesnt give you much scope for cruising. better than a poke in the eye with the proverbial stick though.

 

[Firefly625]

our boating at the moment consists of cruising the Solent, size of boat dictates that so it works for us, but can see that it wouldn't be of much benefit for others..

 

[zingaro]

In the 3 years that I kept my boat at Largs yacht Haven,never once did i gain any money with the 50% visitors fee paid to the berth holder,a gimmick and a waste of time if you ask me. I always informed them in the summer holidays when I would be away from my berth, sometimes for up to 3 weeks and I never received a dime,same goes for a couple of my mates who where away from there berths at the same time, I wrote a letter to the MD pointing out what benefits MDL and Premier where offering as incentives for there berth holders. needless to say yacht havens were having none of it so this year I moved the boat else where. A lot cheaper as well I might add.

 

[Elessar]

I agree with other comments made about MDL - they are adding value this year rather than cutting prices. It's exactly what I would do if I was responsible for their policy.

I have made good use of the reciprical arrangements in the past having stayed at Bray, Windsor, Penton Hook, Chatham, Sparkes, Northney, Hamble point, Port Hamble, Murcury, Hythe and Torquay. I'll have visited Brixham and Plymouth within the next couple of weeks so with the exception of the Spanish one I think that's a full house. The increase to 30 days adds flexibility, as you can deliver your boat and leave it in advance of a holiday without worrying about running out of days. The holidays themselves probably won't be in MDL but if I have to pay when I'm actually on the boat that's fine, 30 odd pounds a night to leave it somewhere is always unwelcome.

I also received a cheque as partial refund for boatyard fees incurred this calendar and last financial year, to bring the discount up to the 50% level. A welcome surprise.

With one isolated exception at Hamble point a while back, I have always found the MDL staff very helpful indeed, not just this year.

But are they doing enough? I would not go back to a buoy unless I'm broke. When I was on a buoy in Chichester harbour I had the boat hit twice, and keeping the boat clean is very difficult. Marinas are very convenient places to keep a boat even if you don't use marinas when you're using your boat. I'd go to a buoy before giving up the boat without question however. It would take a saving of about 20% for me to considerer moving to a marina without the perks and a similarly convenient location.

 

[oldgit]

"whereas UK marinas are only there to make a profit"
.... and appear to be somewhat better at it,than most banks,building societies,car makers,steel and agriculture,not forgetting certain airlines.

 

[StewartC]

Thanks to all those who responded. I've sent a couple of you PMs asking for more info.