MRC
Well-Known Member
Ocean Village is a great choice. Will be even better in a few years when the new marina, spa and new flats and shops are all finished. Been a long time coming but maybe light at the end of that tunnel.
Moving home to a marina
- Thread starter oGaryo
- Start date
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
that's a good point I factored in when looking at the available berths but they were all taken for the same reason.. will be keeping an eye out for one becoming available as the season progresses
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
I've heard they are building new toilet and shower facilities on the marina office side but wasn't aware of the other facilities.. thanks for sharing, sounds very promising
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
thanks JB... will have a look at that but may also have a chat with Calshot to see what the possibilities there are for bringing the boat out the wet stuff for maintenance too... or, just bite the bullet and pay the lift out fees if it becomes a hassle (main reason for moving tbh)
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
SpottyDog5
Well-Known Member
Nice wide slip, very easy to lanch/recover here
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
Roy, do you know if they have wash off facilities there? i.e. a tap. I've a petrol power washer and can put that to good use if they have if that's all I need to do on that particilar day.
For more extensive work, application of antifoul paint etc, I think it's a case of Shamrock Quay or Calshot.. is the slip by the Itchen bridge close to Shamrock Quay as that'd be ideal if they allow me to tug her round to there from the slip to carry out maintenance works (will speak with MDL on that one).
another one to add to the list.. apply a new coat of antifoul to her bum before we move the boat... currently has Hemple Hard Racing applied but that a couple of seasons old so presume it needs a fresh coat applied even though the boat's out the water most of the time...
any particular paint that I should go for for use in the Itchen? more hard racing or something better?
thanks again for the continued advice
colingr
Well-Known Member
No washing facilities at the slip unfortunately. There is a nice toilet, changing block there but it's always closed because of vandalism 
As you are MDL you might be able to do a deal with Saxon Wharf for a lift and clean. (My home port), They are very good and have lots of water points available onshore and on the pontoons.
Just out of interest what swayed you with pontoon life rather than dry stack?
As you are MDL you might be able to do a deal with Saxon Wharf for a lift and clean. (My home port), They are very good and have lots of water points available onshore and on the pontoons.
Just out of interest what swayed you with pontoon life rather than dry stack?
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
No washing facilities at the slip unfortunately. There is a nice toilet, changing block there but it's always closed because of vandalism
As you are MDL you might be able to do a deal with Saxon Wharf for a lift and clean. (My home port), They are very good and have lots of water points available onshore and on the pontoons.
Just out of interest what swayed you with pontoon life rather than dry stack?
swmbo likes the idea of turning up and being able to chit chat with the other boaty folk even if we don't use the boat... trailer sail and dry stack doesn't offer that.... dent in the wallet yes but happier swmbo for sure and to be honest, I'm also in the frame of mind that at least we've given it a go.. will be 50 year after next so time's running out to do that sort of thing from the perspective of earning potential and disposable cash. if it turns out to be too expensive we can always rethink the following season.
you wouldn't know if the slipway's still servicable and Saxon Wharf would you... would be perfect if it is.
see you about hopefully come April
colingr
Well-Known Member
Last time I looked at it there was a rusty old barge blocking it. I think they are keeping it out of action as that increases the work for their crane and forklift.
I don't know what they would charge for a forklift lift as compared with using the big crane.
Best thing would be to call Jonathan at Saxon and see what he can do.
I know what you mean about the pontoon way of life. We've pondered that ourselves and do occasionally use our free MDL days / visiting hours just sitting on the boat up the Hamble with a bottle of wine and a picnic.
Sure we'll see you about in the spring.
I don't know what they would charge for a forklift lift as compared with using the big crane.
Best thing would be to call Jonathan at Saxon and see what he can do.
I know what you mean about the pontoon way of life. We've pondered that ourselves and do occasionally use our free MDL days / visiting hours just sitting on the boat up the Hamble with a bottle of wine and a picnic.
Sure we'll see you about in the spring.
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
swmbo likes the idea of turning up and being able to chit chat with the other boaty folk even if we don't use the boat... trailer sail and dry stack doesn't offer that.... dent in the wallet yes but happier swmbo for sure and to be honest, I'm also in the frame of mind that at least we've given it a go.. will be 50 year after next so time's running out to do that sort of thing from the perspective of earning potential and disposable cash. if it turns out to be too expensive we can always rethink the following season.
you wouldn't know if the slipway's still servicable and Saxon Wharf would you... would be perfect if it is.
see you about hopefully come April
Gary, great decision IMHO, you won't look back, you might wish it was cheaper, but I doubt you will go back to trailer boating.
I had just considered this year moving from Mercury to somewhere cheaper... but SWMBO has said its false economy as she wouldn't want to go down to the boat as much. Popped in to Mercury last Saturday and just driving in the car park made me smile, really love the place (I practically grew up there) and can't wait for March & the new season.
the thing to do now Gary is to really make the most of the MDL Freedom berthing. Nice overnighting in any of the Hamble marinas, Sparks is nice and then a bit further afield in Poole there is Cobbs quay etc. Also if you can make the dash across Lyme Bay then as well as Brixham, MDL have just bought Torquay marina.. and when the new East Cowes marina is built that too is going to be an MDL site so fee berthing on the IOW...
if you come down to Mercury I will be only to pleased to buy you & Debs a pint.
Happy days
edited bit;
Gary, I see you taking about boat yard maintenance stuff, hamble Point boat yard is run by MDL so you get 50% off all boat yard services, so lifting, jetting off and re-launch and don't pay any additional for being there for a few months & electrics on hand. So at the end of the season you just need to motor round from Ocean Village and get SWMBO to meet you there in the car.
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n.herring
Well-Known Member
Hi Firefly, bit off topic but I thought Sutton Harbour had got the new East Cowes marina, assuming it happens. Nothing had started in November and money must be in short supply. It would be great if it was MDL save me a fortune.
Re Torquay, I should think MDL would be suprised they have just bought it, we stayed there using free nights (or I think it was half price in those days) 20 years ago.
Neil
Re Torquay, I should think MDL would be suprised they have just bought it, we stayed there using free nights (or I think it was half price in those days) 20 years ago.
Neil
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
I doubt that the marina would allow you to supply your own meter lead (apart perhaps as a secondary check on their meter). We know to our cost just how far out some can be.....
Some marinas do not have metering on the pontoon, and expect owners to provide their own meter if they wish to use the facility.
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
Neil, do you know, it was just yesterday at LIBS that a very knowledgeable chap informed me that Torquay marina had just been taken over by MDL... at the time the info went into brain and was just accepted. However since you mentioned it I just realised that we stayed there about 12 years ago... when it was MDL...
...and the last plans I saw of the outer marina development had a side script stating MDL as being preferred operators for marina... but indeed just did a little interweb rummaging and all states Sutton Harbour... Oh well, I guess just wishful thinking!
I think I will go to bed before I make up any more stories...
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Gary,
For what it is worth, my thoughts:
Get to know your neighbours, especially those who spend a lot of time at the marina. They can be helpful on watching out for your boat when you are away.
Rafiki is only plugged into shore power only when there is the risk of frost. If I get the chance I'll pop the fridge on the day before we are due on board. This is where friendly neighbours can be very useful if you are a long way from the boat.
As a result, my anodes last really well, without a galvanic isolator.
Again, be friendly with marina staff, they will pay your boat more attention as a result.
For what it is worth, my thoughts:
Get to know your neighbours, especially those who spend a lot of time at the marina. They can be helpful on watching out for your boat when you are away.
Rafiki is only plugged into shore power only when there is the risk of frost. If I get the chance I'll pop the fridge on the day before we are due on board. This is where friendly neighbours can be very useful if you are a long way from the boat.
As a result, my anodes last really well, without a galvanic isolator.
Again, be friendly with marina staff, they will pay your boat more attention as a result.
z1ppy
Well-Known Member
Sounds like your pretty much set then Gary!
What everyone seems to have missed here is get online and download all the discount vouchers for Banana Wharf and Pitcher and Piano so you can spend plenty of time in there looking out over all the lovely boats too!
I would say this obviously but be nice to marina staff. You would not believe how rude some people can be!!
What everyone seems to have missed here is get online and download all the discount vouchers for Banana Wharf and Pitcher and Piano so you can spend plenty of time in there looking out over all the lovely boats too!
I would say this obviously but be nice to marina staff. You would not believe how rude some people can be!!
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Torbay council are I believe looking to develop the inner harbour in Torquay by adding pontoons to increase capacity. There was talk about this being done via a long lease to MDL - the proceeds of which would then fund other regeneration of the area. It may be that this has been agreed and is what was being referred to? I can see it being of limited value myself as the cill and footbridge would limit access - high tide +/- 1 to 2 hours?
I'm interested in how you get on Gary - kind of ruled out a marina berth myself on the basis of cost, but I can see the many benefits. Once finished, the Arrowbolt will be quite a bit more of a handfull to launch/recover and to get in/out of our drive, but I still think that's what I'll probably do. Perhaps the odd week on a vistor berth might persude me otherwise...
Please keep us informed on how it goes anyway - good or bad!
lisilou
Well-Known Member
Gary, I'm sure you won't regret your decision. We love marina life and from my point of view, as I won't take the boat out on my own and the fact that Chris travels abroad a lot, there's nothing I love more than being able to go down to the boat on my own to just spend the weekend on the boat in the marina. Always stuff going on and from a womans perspective, I feel safe doing that. There's not many places I would feel safe enough to stay on my own but the marina is one of them. Just a complete chill away from it all...perfect!
Lisa
Lisa
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
I met the most wonderful lady when down there the other day Howard, impossible to be anything other than nice when in such company
Have also met a couple of the lads too both of which were immensely helpful and honest in their advice... really looking forward to the move as a result.vouchers added to the list of must haves
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
thanks matey.. all good advice.. I was thinking of setting up a remote camera to keep an eye on the boat but in hindsight it's too much effort as it'll run off 240v and need a wireless lan connectin 24 x 7... better as you say to have friend swho watch out for each other.. the berth we've chosen is opposite the restaurants and close to the marina office so that'll help