Mooring for 53' dutch barge

[aljotock]

Hi all
We've no experience in this but are just in the throws of buying a 53' dutch barge.
We live in north devon (Barnstaple) so don't believe there is any way to get the barge moored here as its such a til estuary. It's currently on a brokerage mooring in Upton-on Severn which will be an annual cost of £4976 pa once sold.
Any advise on mooring, where, when, how long, alternative costs and where to moor closer to north devon would be gratefully received! I'm sure I'm over thinking it but it seems hugely expensive at the moment. We'd be happy mooring on canal/river banks with the appropriate CRT license etc.
Thanks
Alan

 

[[70521]]

Hello Alan and welcome to the forum. £4976 PA for a mooring, gosh!

You may wish to explore the area on the Taw behind Chivenor, there were several boats there last time I visited north Devon. It might be worth asking North Devon Yacht Club at Instow as I am sure there will be people there with detailed local knowledge

It might be worth considering moving the boat to the south Devon coast as, personally I feel, there is more scope for voyages. There was a barge about that size at Topsham a few years back.

 

[sarabande]

Welcome Aljotk.


there are mor esecret moorings along the N Devon Coast than you may think.

There used to a good community in Combwich, near Bridgwater.

There's Watchet Marine

Porlock

Ilfracombe (though prob not over winter)

Fremington, Barnstaple (little corners here and there), plus a number over at Chivenor as Sandy indicates)

Bideford has spaces for boats much larger (e.g. Katherine And May)

Watermouth.


Best of luck finding a safe haven over winter.

 

[pvb]

Any advise on mooring, where, when, how long, alternative costs and where to moor closer to north devon would be gratefully received! I'm sure I'm over thinking it but it seems hugely expensive at the moment. We'd be happy mooring on canal/river banks with the appropriate CRT license etc.

A permanent mooring on the canal system is hugely expensive! If you don't have one, you'll have to keep moving the boat every few days. £4-5K a year would seem to be the going rate for a leisure mooring (ie non-residential). If you want to live on the barge, it will be much more difficult to find a residential mooring. There's lots of information, and a mooring search facility, at :: Waterside Moorings

You'd be well advised to sort out a mooring before you commit to buying the barge.

 

[aljotock]

Good advise, many thanks??

 

[aljotock]

Welcome Aljotk.


there are mor esecret moorings along the N Devon Coast than you may think.

There used to a good community in Combwich, near Bridgwater.

There's Watchet Marine

Porlock

Ilfracombe (though prob not over winter)

Fremington, Barnstaple (little corners here and there), plus a number over at Chivenor as Sandy indicates)

Bideford has spaces for boats much larger (e.g. Katherine And May)

Watermouth.


Best of luck finding a safe haven over winter.

Thank you, happily we've got the luxury of time currently to explore these alternatives.??

 

[new2boating2020]

Hi Alan,

read your comment and i have been looking at similar mooring places along the river Taw. Did you have any luck in to finding out any info?

 

[aljotock]

Hi guys
Like many people have said, there are places around north devon. If you are mooring on the bank, you obviously don't get electric or water. I spoke to the chap who's barge is moored off Chivenor and has been there some time. The problem is getting off the boat and ashore as with most estuaries there problem is the mud! Without a walk way you'll need a dingy or tender to make it realistic.
Quite a few big barges moored along side Bank End car park in Bideford, including a floating restaurant - but the wall they are all on is pretty much taken up.
What's the ruling on going two abreast on a mooring?
There are spaces but with smaller GRP yachts against the wall, these are on flat mud when the tide is out, whereas other places the mud slopes hugely to the water.
I'm taking my barge from Upton on Severn to Stourport Yacht club for the winter. The people there have been very friendly and helpful and there's access to a wet/dry dock which I can use to get her surveyed and re-paint the bottom.

The search continues!

??

 

[pvb]

I'm taking my barge from Upton on Severn to Stourport Yacht club for the winter. The people there have been very friendly and helpful and there's access to a wet/dry dock which I can use to get her surveyed and re-paint the bottom.

You bought it without a survey?