Moorings on the South Coast

[martinwoolwich]

My boat is currently moored on the River Thames and we've only been boating for one full season.

For some reason that none of us can understand, we've decided as a family that we'd like to try a year on the coast now.

Our available choices are:- Brighton, Northney, Ocean Village, Hythe.

Three kids, 11, 11, 13, so it's important that they're needs are taken into account too.

Our travel time to Brighton is the longest at approx. 80 minutes. Others about the hour mark.

Honourable panel views for a newbie please.

ps visiting all of them over this weekend.

 

[tcm]

Re: Ocean village!

as it has shops nearby for buying sweets and going to the pictures. But port solent better for this and easier access from london. Not brighton, as it's miles from the action in town. oh, and it's quite way to another nice place to go by boat.

scores

Brighton: 4.0
Hythe: 4.3
Ocean Village: 5.3
Northney: 4.4
Anywhere in the med: minimum score 62

 

[BarryD]

Brighton - PaulineB and "Tommy" nuff said. Seemed very nice when we went through it last year.

Northeny seemed a bit of a wasteland with high metal fences, access at all states no pub close and the shop is a bit poor. We tried to get in there (pals berth there)and found it expensive and a big waiting list. Big plans to extend the facilities so it might be worth getting in before it becomes really popular - or you might find that you are funding the expansion.

Don't know the others.

We're in Chichester - even at low tide there seems to be sufficient water to make the run down the harbour. Reasonable pub / resturant / games on site. Small playground - and I'm sure KevB can add lots to do for short people.

Trouble you might find are the waiting lists for berths on the South coast are a bit long, and boats over about 10.5m are really scrabbling for places. I guess you've spoken to the marinas allready and checked berth availabilty?

Barry D

"No, No, no - come off the plane before entering the lock..."<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by BarryD on Fri Feb 22 13:46:24 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Falcon71]

For the children, port solent every time, cinema, grass, sweets, expensive toy shop, excellent access from motorway, down side you have to lock in/out and 1/2 hr trip to get to portsmouth harbour, but usually spent clearing up breakfast, sorting out drinks for journey etc, or on way back in clearing up and packing up. But I'm guess ing you've looked and it's full.

 

[toobaz]

With the children your needs would be catered for around the Southampton area. Ocean Village, used to be a good marina to visit, I wouldn't suggest a long term berth with them as the facilities are so limited. Shamrock, where I used to berth is a working dockyard, however it is close to the town and out of all the marinas in that area, it is the chepest for something like a 33' vessel, you'd be looking at £4000 to £4500 per ann. Were as if you went down the Hamble you would be looking at considerable increase. Hythe is a good marina, but the other side of the river to southampton. Chichester is another good marina.
I think we would all agreed that it's personal choice and scout out the areas for yourself.

Barry

 

[JeremyF]

If you get frightened off by the prices, try Gosport Boat Yard, in Portsmouth harbour minutes from the harbour entrance. Deep-water swinging moorings with a regular water taxi service for 1/3 the price of a marina. Was asking to them today, and they have spaces for 33' yacht, so you should be OK with a powerboat.

Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[KevB]

If you want lots of non boaty things to do and don't mind being in a built up area then I'd have to say Port Solent.
If on the other hand you prefer the countryside, wide open spaces, no traffic noise and a really friendly marina it has to be Chichester.

Chichester has the best views by far, surrounded by country side and has first class facilities although depending on your boat size there may be a very long waiting list.

If your looking at marina's over the weekend pop into Chichester on your way through to Brighton and I'll buy you a beer.

 

[jfm]

Hythe also has lock access, and traffic busy on the road from the Totton roundabout.

You didn't say where you lived. Could try Lymington, no restaurants like Oc village but plenty pubs/shops. There is marina availability there, at a price. Very good for cruising as close to Cherbourg/Poole etc, you dont have to trudge down Soton water, which is pretty boring after the third time imho

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Brighton - nowhere to go except left or right
Northeney - bleak and horrendous proletariat traffic jams on/off Hayling Island in summer
Hythe - waste your day waiting to lock in/out (and that goes for Chichester/Port Solent as well)
Ocean Village - all tides access plus kiddie things and eating places. Thats the one IMHO

 

[Guest]

Re: Brighton Marina

Probaly cheapest berthing on south coast Princess 35 £2451 pa inc vat. Okay not many local places of interest water wise, but marina has lots to offer . 6 cinemas a dozen pubs / restaurants , casino, bowlplex free parking 24hour ASDA so no over inflated convenience store. several shops inc. chandlers City centre £5 in cab or £1 on bus.
There are boating beaches for the kids no hazardous rocks , the pier , need i go on.
Boating wise you can get to Eastbourne 1hour Littlehampton 1 hour Solent 2/3hours for a day trip.If you are adventureous France 65 miles Fecamp Dieppe Honfleur etc.
With premier you can stay 12nights free at other marina Ie Port Solent. Also you can gain access 24 hours , so saving at least an hour on locked marinas.

 

[LadyInBed]

What a nightmare . . .

Thank Neptune for the West Country. Places to go, things to see, deep water and no locks to do it in.

 

[piratequeen]

Re: What a nightmare . . .

Even better than that - the Channel Islands, none of the "shall we go left or right today dear?" that you get on the South coast. OK so there's lots of hard rocks, huge tidal differences, screaming currents, and Guernsey people, but it still takes some beating IMHO

 

[hlb]

Re: What a nightmare . . .

But you cant beat Plymouth. You cans stay where you are and amble about a bit, or go up river, or just across to Cawsands or mooch around a bit further and go to river Yelm or finish up at Fowey. All without realising you'd set off. Falmouth is only round the corner and Helston and megavisy and charlestown. What the hell am I telling you all this for. Stick to the Solent.

Haydn

 

[BarryH]

Re: Swing it.

We looked at all those, ended up getting a EA mooring down in wareham for £375 fpr 12 months. We've got 2 short people and they have fun in the dinghy and taking me to the pub!! Nice to have the facilities of a marina, but i found the prices inflated, captive audience and all that. Solents not as bad as some say. Takes about an hour from poole,