Mooring fees

[tjanna]

Hi all,

At the beginning of the year I was looking for new moorings for my Hurley 20, which at the time was based in Poole harbour. I signed up with a marina in the Portsmouth area. Family owned, with good reviews and facilities. I opted for a complete package in the form of a tidal swinging mooring, collection from my mooring, scrub off, haul out, block off, winter storage and then re-launch the following year. This marina was offering its services via an advert placed on the Hurley Ass Web Site.

Since signing up and paying my dues I have suffered a personal injury in the form of a snapped shoulder tendon. This has now been operated on but leaves me out of action for at least 4 months before I can return to work for light duties only. To cut a long story short I am physically unable to get my Hurley to its moorings, so consequently I won't be able to use any of my complete package this year.

I contacted the marina and asked if they could try re-let my mooring to try and recoup some money towards next years fees and explained my situation. To my surprise I was told that they would have to fill all theirs spaces before even contemplating this. So basically no!

To rub salt in the wounds the owner contacted me last week asking if I was bringing the boat onto the mooring, again I explained my situation and asked whether it was possible if I could sub let my mooring myself, and if there was any chance of off-setting any fees towards next year as I wouldn't be using any of the haul out, scrub off, winter storage or facilities. Guess what? I will pass this on to my assistant who will explain the costing process. So sounds like No again!

Is it unreasonable to expect a little help, circumstances beyond my control? To not even allow me to try and sub let it myself.

Do I have any recourse or do I just give up and look for another marina for 2014, because I certainly wont be giving them any more of my money.

Sorry if it's a bit rambled, any views?

Thanks Gareth

 

[FullCircle]

Sorry to hear of your health problems, but the marina owners are basically correct. They can't predict you not using the facility that they based their business operating expenses and pricing structure that you agreed to pay for, and that's too bad for you. Sadly, I paid a whole years marina fees, insurance etc last year, and I was working abroad, so only used the boat one weekend in the whole season. In addition, I had a £500 mooring in another river altogether, but could not move to that either.

Life is like that sometimes, and I think you should reflect on whether they have actually given you bad service, especially as it seems they have been well recommended. You may be able to talk to them to negotiate a deal for next year, but not if you set fire to the bridges this year. If the place you chose was right for you this year, it is likely going to be the same next.

Sorry it's a bit negative for you, but that is the way I see it.

Is there no way you can get the boat there, be taken out with friends or crew?

 

[jac]

Agree that you're being unfair to them. You have agreed with them that they will provide a service (I.e. space) which they have done. It is your choice not to use it. You could pay someone to take the boat there and use the service but appreciate that it may not make sense. That is your choice. Your could ask a friend to move it but may not want to burden your friend. that is your choice. Definitely not your choice to croc yourself but the reaction to that is I'm afraid.

Is there no way that you can get her there for the winter part of the deal? It's a day from Poole to Pompey.

 

[Zagato]

Unforeseen circumstances/problems happen in life.... let them get back to you first before judging them, bottom line is they are running a business.

(by the way a friend did the same with his shoulder this year falling off his kids scooter, he couldn't drive or do anything, self employed musician/gardener so no income for nearly 6 months until they got him in for an op, that's something to cry about as he is always skint anyway, puts second hand tyres on his motor from scrap yards etc not sure how he survived without income for the period. They stapled/riveted the tendon back on and it's back to normal after 3-4 months )

 

[tjanna]

Thanks for the responses so far. I am self employed too and totally understand the business angle. Times are tough! and my business has suffered massively because of my injury. No Insurance I have lost the majority of my regular work through this.

I suppose its the old scenario of expecting others to treat you the way you would treat them. Making the correct noises would have gone along way and I wouldn't have felt so disgruntled.

Please don't get me wrong I'm not asking for money!!

As it stands there is no way the boat can be moved, one its not sea worthy and I was half way through a refit when it all went bad.

For me to state in my first post that "I certainly wont be giving them any more of my money" was more like me venting my frustration and truth be known I don't know how I'm going to be able to afford next years mooring.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Why would it be such a hard ship for a marina to at less let the guy try and relet his mooring , it not as if the guy is trying to pull a fast one , at less they could had told the op that they would try and find someone to take it over , yes the marina are in business to make money but a bit of compassion would hurt them . What happen to customer relationship , it seen to me it a case of we got your money tough luck .
If it a good marina then they wouldn't have a problem getting someone to take it over .


I agree I wouldn't be given them any more on my money .

www.dufour385.webs.com

 

[Tranona]

If it a good marina then they wouldn't have a problem getting someone to take it over .


www.dufour385.webs.com

In earlier times when there was a shortage of berths and long waiting lists that argument might have worked. However, that is not the case now. Loads of unlet berths and moorings.

So, any refund would be a goodwill gesture. Goodwill probably in short supply in these tough times.

 

[Zagato]

I am self employed too and totally understand the business angle. Times are tough! and my business has suffered massively because of my injury. No Insurance I have lost the majority of my regular work through this.

Sorry to hear it, a scenario I think we all fear the most. Hopefully you can get your regular work back again and the marina can help you out...