Mooring - Northern Ireland

[Colin_747]

I am hoping to buy my first yacht next year but I am having trouble trying to find a mooring that isn't costing £2,000 - £3,000/year. I am considering using a swinging mooring to try and keep the costs down but I am having trouble finding out how to find any information on where has moorings available and their respective prices. I have found a few places with unserviced pontoons but they all seem to have massive waiting lists.

Would anyone have any advise on how best to get this information? Is it a case of calling into harbours/sailing clubs and speaking directly with them or what would be the best way to approach this? (if anyone has any recommendations of cheaper pontoon moorings that would be appreciated also!)

 

[ylop]

it’s an unfortunate fact that finding somewhere safe for your future purchase is expensive. You’ve probably realised that marinas charge based on length (beware the overhangs!), but sometimes have certain magic sizes that they can squeeze in somewhere - might be depth restricted, or have an arbitrary “day boats only” rule. So worth bearing in mind when shopping for boats. Swing moorings are usually a fixed fee regardless of length, or perhaps in a few categories of size/weight. Drying moorings are considerable cheaper but nowhere near as useful/flexible. For swing moorings consider where you will launch/store dinghy, park car etc. how easy to get water, fuel etc. many swing moorings will be April-October only. Where will the boat go in winter. Winter storage can be more expensive than summer mooring!

Marinas, with nice facilities are inevitably more expensive than boatyards. Sailing clubs can be cheaper than boatyards but may come with expectations of joining in collective work/duties. Mooring associations - groups of people with their own moorings, are often the next step down in facilities, some will have rules about keeping moorings for locals which may or may not help you.

Most have some sort of email address but there’s some value to be had in hitting the phones.

 

[Colin_747]

Thanks, it sounds like a swinging mooring might not be that much better value once all is taken into account!

Though I find it slightly strange that marina's seems to make facilities such as showers and laundry as a big plus, while I can understand that for those visiting I'm not sure how this offers any value to those using it as "home" marina given I have those at home? Though maybe this is just my ignorance showing?

How many months a year would you typically have a boat on the hard? I've come across varying accounts of one month, to some people hauling out over winter.

 

[ylop]

Thanks, it sounds like a swinging mooring might not be that much better value once all is taken into account!

Well it will usually be lower cost. Value is a subjective thing.

Though I find it slightly strange that marina's seems to make facilities such as showers and laundry as a big plus, while I can understand that for those visiting I'm not sure how this offers any value to those using it as "home" marina given I have those at home?

No it’s a fair point. Lots of boats rarely leave the marina so there probably are people who find those things useful. As a base you want things like cameras, security gates, ability to get in/out the marina 24/7, staff who will fix lines in a storm etc. water is probably a given. Fuel: diesel is expected but not absolutely universal, petrol uncommon, gas often but may not be the size you use, a chandlery is useful, a cafe is nice. Sewage pump out rare - so think carefully if you don’t have a holding tank of go to sea regularly - you’ll be going to marina building at 3am in the rain!

How many months a year would you typically have a boat on the hard? I've come across varying accounts of one month, to some people hauling out over winter.

In the Clyde (which is presumably similar to NI) - I would say it is “normal” to have on the hard from 1 Oct to 1 Apr. That’s what insurers expect in most swing moorings, and many marinas offer as winter/summer mix. Some marina users DO keep their boats in the water all year round - perhaps with a few weeks out to scrub off, change anodes etc. I know one school teacher who only puts the boat in after the exams are over and lifts out when the schools go back (but spends the entire school holidays at anchor on west coast - paying virtually nothing!)

Cost of storage on the hard vary depending on cradle hire or own (and summer storage for that or disable and take home) or if bilge keels etc, mast up/down, etc etc.

 

[Colin_747]

Many thanks for all your help! With regards to locating a swinging mooring, hardstanding, and pump out, would this normally be accessed through clubs? I have been having a hard time finding any of these services online.

 

[Boathook]

Though I find it slightly strange that marina's seems to make facilities such as showers and laundry as a big plus, while I can understand that for those visiting I'm not sure how this offers any value to those using it as "home" marina given I have those at home? Though maybe this is just my ignorance showing?

My home marina has showers and I use them as home is a 2 hour drive, so I rarely drive down for just a day, even in winter.

 

[ylop]

I don't know the NI scene at all. Over the water we have Marinas, Boatyards and Clubs, as well as Mooring Associations (some clubs are also mooring associations). Some clubs will be sailing only, some will take all types. I wouldn't be surprised if there's no pump out anywhere in NI or perhaps somewhere like Strangford Lough. Don't get too hung up on that - but you will need a plan for "waste" disposal depending on how/where you actually use the boat, its "waste" arrangements etc.

But if £2-3K sounds expensive for a years storage, either consider different boats that you can store differently or look at what the Clyde or South Coast charge to make yourself feel better. Depending on th size of boat, with the right club and the limitation that might impose (e.g. boat coming in/out on a specific date) it IS possible to do it for <£2K.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Around my way, most moorings are run either by the local boatyards or by the sailing club. Certainly, ringing them will give you information about local mooring providers - even if they don't provide them, they'll know who does! And even if they aren't the providers, boatyards are often the maintainers as they have relevant equipment like workboats.

Things to consider concerning moorings are:

• Can you park anywhere suitable?
• Is there a slip or dinghy park?
• Is there somewhere you can go to get fuel and/or water (e.g. a local marina)
• Are there any tidal limitations?
• What if I arrive and the weather is such that a dinghy trip to the boat isn't safe? Very serious issue when I looked into it - my boat was an 8 hour drive away!

I don't use a mooring, but have looked into it - the savings can be quite substantial. The first two and the last were what stopped me and decide that the money spent on marina fees was a good investment.

Most insurers will not allow a boat to be on a mooring between 1 October and 31 March, so you also have to figure in the cost of hard standing in the winter. Your mooring fees will only cover half the year.

 

[Concerto]

Buy a copy of a almanac, last years would be fine. My preference is the Cruising Association, but Reeds is my second choice. This will list all places you can get moorings and marinas. Then it will be a question of phoning or emailing those places that interest you. My advice would be to join a yacht club as then you will find plenty of people who are knowledgeable and happy to help or advise on boat maintenance or boat handling. Just check they have free moorings.

 

[dunedin]

Buy a copy of an almanac, last years would be fine. My preference is the Cruising Association, but Reeds is my second choice. This will list all places you can get moorings and marinas. Then it will be a question of phoning or emailing those places that interest you. My advice would be to join a yacht club as then you will find plenty of people who are knowledgeable and happy to help or advise on boat maintenance or boat handling. Just check they have free moorings.

Unfortunately neither the CA Almanac nor Reeds will have much detail, and certainly not of private moorings available - only the main marinas etc.
Not sure whereabouts in NI the OP is hoping to base the boat, but I would definitely suggest going and speaking to people at the sailing clubs. Pretty sure there are plenty of private moorings, probably club managed, in both Belfast and Strangford Lough.

 

[Concerto]

Unfortunately neither the CA Almanac nor Reeds will have much detail, and certainly not of private moorings available - only the main marinas etc.
Not sure whereabouts in NI the OP is hoping to base the boat, but I would definitely suggest going and speaking to people at the sailing clubs. Pretty sure there are plenty of private moorings, probably club managed, in both Belfast and Strangford Lough.

Just checked Strangford Lough and the CA almanac lists Ringhaddy Cruising Club, Kircubbin Sailing Club, and Down Cruising Club. I can also recommend Quoile Yacht Club as I have visited it by water. Lovely location and friendly club. Quoile Yacht Club – Yacht Club in Strangford Lough

The almanac would still be an excellent place to start and then visiting the area chosen to talk to locals about moorings will certainly turn up all the places not listed.

 

[jbweston]

If you can spare the time, try to visit as many likely places as possible during a weekend and chat to boat owners in person. Most of us will willingly spare a few minutes to make suggestions and give local information.

 

[Colin_747]

Thanks for the advise everyone, I've contacted as many places I can could that list contact details and it seems most have zero availability or require multiple members to second you joining the club. I'm going take a drive out to a few places today to ask in person today, I didn't expect this part of boat ownership to be the hardest to sort!

 

[Stooriefit]

Welcome to the forum Colin. I'm based on the west coast of Scotland but have travelled over to Ireland many times. I'd suggest that you get hold of a copy of Norman Kean's Sailing Directions for North and East Coasts of Ireland which is a great book with lots of 'local' info. I know there are moorings in Portrush harbour but that might not be close to you. As well as the coast you might want to think about the various facilities on the River Bann (eg Seatons which I think has moorings as well). I appreciate that these suggestions are in the north and might not be that convenient for you. Good luck!

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for the advise everyone, I've contacted as many places I can could that list contact details and it seems most have zero availability or require multiple members to second you joining the club. I'm going take a drive out to a few places today to ask in person today, I didn't expect this part of boat ownership to be the hardest to sort!

Always has been as moorings are almost always in short supply particularly in popular places. One of the boat buying mantras is first find your mooring then look for a boat to suit. Clubs are probably the best way in and if you are a beginner makes sense to join for all the other benefits of being with like minded people. Most clubs are flexible on entry requirements as most are keen to attract active new members. If you are not a "club" person then for moorings you are at the mercy of either commercial operators of statutory bodies like councils, harbour authorities and utilities.

 

[dunedin]

Thanks for the advise everyone, I've contacted as many places I can could that list contact details and it seems most have zero availability or require multiple members to second you joining the club. I'm going take a drive out to a few places today to ask in person today, I didn't expect this part of boat ownership to be the hardest to sort!

Requiring a proposer and seconder to join a sailing, or indeed any, club is quite normal. But if as you say you go to visit (perhaps at a weekend) and have a friendly chat and discuss your boat it should not be difficult to get people to sign your membership form (providing met the “friendly” bit, and are willing to do a bit to support the club, and not treat as a commercial marina).

 

[ridgy]

Some clubs say they want a proposer and seconder but don't really. Send them and application form and some money and you're in. Drop them an email and see, or visit in person.

 

[Red Panda]

I am hoping to buy my first yacht next year but I am having trouble trying to find a mooring that isn't costing £2,000 - £3,000/year. I am considering using a swinging mooring to try and keep the costs down but I am having trouble finding out how to find any information on where has moorings available and their respective prices. I have found a few places with unserviced pontoons but they all seem to have massive waiting lists.

Would anyone have any advise on how best to get this information? Is it a case of calling into harbours/sailing clubs and speaking directly with them or what would be the best way to approach this? (if anyone has any recommendations of cheaper pontoon moorings that would be appreciated also!)

Whereabouts in NI are you looking?
In my experience, the council-run marinas have long waiting lists but cheaper prices. A lot will depend on the length (and draught)of your boat, some of the marinas tend to have space available for boats under 30', in berths that the big vessels can't access.

Get your name on the waiting list for all the marinas in areas you're interested in. Check in with them regularly - my name mysteriously vanished off the waiting list at one council-run marina.

If you find a boat before they have availability, you'll always find space somewhere like Bangor - which is actually not that expensive, especially taking in to account the facilities and convenience.

 

[dgadee]

I used Copeland Marina in Donaghadee. 3rd world yachting unless it has gone upmarket since I left. Otherwise you can lay a mooring in Strangford - there is at least one company who will tell you what you can do and where.

I used Groomsport before I left, too. I had a drying berth but most are not drying and up to 26 foot. Cockle Island Boat Club would be your contact

Go and talk to people.

I found NI reasonably cheap. Depends on your boat, of course.

There is also fresh water in Lough Neagh.

 

[dgadee]

Ps: you can buy a boat and hope they let you keep the mooring. Not unusual in NI.