Moving to bristol?

thejonesey

thejonesey

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Hi,
I am considering a job offer back in Bristol. We own a 30 foot Merry Fisher type cruiser. Could anyone suggest a good place (marina) to keep it and what would be a typical day trip or overnighter? We have two little ones so trips have to be 2 hours max but we are happy to go away for days at a time?
Any advice MUCH appreciated!
Rob
 
You have two marina choices in the Bristol area - Bristol itself and Portishead. To my mind, Bristol is more of a destination being a distance up river and Portishead is a better place to keep a boat.

From Portishead you can happily toddle off to Cardiff or Newport or Barry or just mooch around the Severn Estuary.
 
Would go for Portishead, Tidal access is about 3.5 hrs either side of HW, whereas Bristol is only 3hrs before HW. Then you have at least 2 bridge swings to wait for (depending on air draft). However, it is cheaper in Bristol and you have access to the inland waterways.

Regards Mark
 
Portishead gets my vote, Access in and out of Bristol is more limited. Cardiff is a great place to visit, we also do Chepstow and Watchet regularly too
 
Thanks very much for the suggestions. Having been used to the relative protection of Poole Harbour I would have to get used to the excitement of the Severn Tides but I guess, like everything else, it is just a case of research and passage planning!
Now I have to see if I can get the job!
 
thejonesey said:
Thanks very much for the suggestions. Having been used to the relative protection of Poole Harbour I would have to get used to the excitement of the Severn Tides but I guess, like everything else, it is just a case of research and passage planning!
Now I have to see if I can get the job!
Click to expand...

Not a problem you get used to it quickly. There are a number of forum members at Portishead already. Very friendly bunch. Good luck with the job.
 
We are in Bristol, the lack of tidal window can be a bit of a pain but you just learn to work around it ie an overnite at Portishead.
Bristol mooring is 1/2 the price of Portishead and you can still take your boat out for a run around the docks if the tide is out or the weather a bit crumby.
I understand there are 34 people on the waiting list for a Bristol Harbour mooring. One way around the waiting list is to buy a boat with a mooring. There are a lot of scruffy boats in the harbour and I think people are keeping them to sell (with the mooring) at inflated prices to people who just want the mooring. Not a practice I agree with but the Harbour Authority don't seem to mind?
You will also need a boat safety certificate to moor in Bristol. Needs re-newing every 4 years. Again, I wonder how some of the wrecks in the harbour get a certificate?
Good luck with the job.
 
thejonesey said:
Thanks very much for the suggestions. Having been used to the relative protection of Poole Harbour I would have to get used to the excitement of the Severn Tides but I guess, like everything else, it is just a case of research and passage planning!
Now I have to see if I can get the job!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't rule out Cardiff Bay - less than an hours drive from Bristol if you time it right (I commute it everyday!).
 
Portishead every time.

Plenty of people to ask about the tides.

You soon get used to it

Destinations:
Bristol
Sharpness
Cardiff
Swansea
Watchet

All great if you prefer pontoon and can't dry out. Also a good social crowd if you like cruising in company.
 
A couple of dodgy Sealine flybridge owners in Portishead :-)

But have to agree, much nicer than Bristol.

But a fair bit more expensive £225 per meter (I think?) compared to £120

I'm saving up! ;-)
 
thejonesey said:
Hi,
I am considering a job offer back in Bristol. We own a 30 foot Merry Fisher type cruiser. Could anyone suggest a good place (marina) to keep it and what would be a typical day trip or overnighter? We have two little ones so trips have to be 2 hours max but we are happy to go away for days at a time?
Any advice MUCH appreciated!
Rob
Click to expand...

You could also join the Portishead Cruising Club, we are a friendly bunch there..;)
 
The only problem I can see with keeping your boat in Cardiff is you can't then do a trip to Cardiff! There is much more going on there than Portishead so it is a great place to go.
 
Wow -what a great response from everyone! Unfortunately the job did not work out ;-( but I am sure there will be others. We are coming up to Bristol before Christmas to check our place (currently rented) and will check out Portishead Marina. Thanks again to everyone.
 
thejonesey said:
Wow -what a great response from everyone! Unfortunately the job did not work out ;-( but I am sure there will be others. We are coming up to Bristol before Christmas to check our place (currently rented) and will check out Portishead Marina. Thanks again to everyone.
Click to expand...
I suggest, if you are in Bristol, you also have a quick look at Cardiff. It may change your plans.
Allan
PS, where have seen your signature before? Is it Curtis Salgardo?
 
Allan
The signature is a mismatch of an Elvis lyric "a little less conversation a little less action.." I am president of a sports/drinking club called the Las Vegas Institute of Sport (LVIS) and this is out strap line! It's based in Bristol so you may have seen cyclists in our distinctive purple and gold tops!

Cheers
 
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