Need advice on South/South-West UK annual moorings

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wolfzimmer

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Hi everyone

I need some advice on annual moorings. After many years I have come back to sailing relatively recently and with a lot of enthusiasm. I am looking into buying a boat within the next six to 18 months (sail cruiser, old of course, 29-35 ft, fin or long keel). I cannot really look at boats until I have resolved the question of where to keep her. There is no way that I can afford the steep marina fees and it seems that I might not live long enough to move to the top of the waiting list for council run moorings.

I have trailed through the Internet and the guides and also this forum, where I found some useful information but most threads were not that recent. My head is spinning, I am going round in circles and at the moment I cannot see how I can make my boat dream happen.

Walk-ashore pontoon would be nice but probably totally unrealistic, perhaps midstream pontoon or I might have to settle for a swinging mooring. I accept that I might have tidal constraints but I probably need deep water mooring.

The areas that would be suitable for me are
- the Bristol Channel (anywhere between Bristol and River Parrett, and between Bristol and Cardiff, perhaps as far as Barry).
- the South Coast (anywhere between Exmouth and Selsey)

Any help, hints, information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Wolf
 
Hi,check out Barry Yacht Club web site, we have berths which dry to soft mud,work shop,boat hoist ,winter compound storage.super club house and a very active social side. Come down and meet us.
 
Welcome to the forum

That is a huge area and there are low cost moorings available just about everywhere. You need to home in on a more restricted area and do some research on the ground. Chichester Harbour, Portsmouth Harbour, some parts of Southampton Water and Poole all have either swinging moorings or pontoons and provide the best access to good day sailing and cruising. Commercial boatyards, harbour authorities and clubs are the usual bodies to speak to. Long term sensible to join a club, and that might be a good way to start.
 
It appears that bilge keel will enable you to keep your costs down.

When I was looking I could have had a half tide swinging mooring on the Hamble for £600 a year. Instead ended up with fin and marina costs- didn't take my own advice!
 
There are a couple of moorings for a 25ft and a 32 ft available now on the Hamble; pricing I do not know but a call to 02380 453542 Clive Fish, may be worth a call.
No connection.


ianat182
 
You're right, it's a good idea to plan where to moor before selecting the boat which best suits the area. There are advantages to a swinging mooring or trot, although access requires a dinghy it does offer improved privacy and generally more peace and quiet. Disadvantages generally involve carting gear to and from the boat and worrying how she's doing in bad weather.

I used to sail from the Southampton Sailing Club moorings near the docks in Southampton - officially half-tide, but some of the deeper moorings accomodate fin keelers which dig their own downstream pool to sit in at low tide. Unfortunately, when I fell for my own boat it didn't occur to me that the encapsulated fin keel wouldn't like being abraded in the sand and mud, so I had to move. A bolt-on, iron keel would be fine, though the atifouling does get abraded off it.

Rob.
 
I think you are looking at too many options for the best advise.

Firstly decide Bristol Channel or South coast. If South Coast then decide east or west of Weymouth.

This will narrow your options and give us a better chance of giving the relevant advise.
 
Have a look at the Rhymney river club, very friendly and affordable - especially if you bring your own gaffer tape, blue string and bodginess.

Mainly small power boats but a few yachts too.
 
A bit outside your quoted S. Coast range but I can recommend Torpoint Yacht Harbour moorings on the Cornish side of the River Tamar (adjacent to chain ferry). Cost for a 30 footer last year was £995 including use of regular water taxi from the Yacht Harbour (0900 until 2100). Run by Huggins Brothers who also run Carbiele Wharf yard nearby which is also good value for haul outs.
 
Thank you all for your replies. Plenty to think about. I will take the one bit of advice first to narrow down my search area. Will probably then post again because it seems that there are many more options than I am able to find through an Internet search.

Thanks again
Wolf
 
Check out Marchwood Yacht Club - Friendly, reasonable fees and sheltered deep water swinging moorings. Mooring waiting list dependent on boat size, some trot moorings currently available for boats around 25', temporary moorings for anything much bigger until a permanent one is available. We're in Southampton, on the river Test, opposite the container port, and welcome new members with practical skills who are prepared to 'muck in' and help the club to flourish. If you're afraid of getting your hands dirty from time to time, we're not the club for you! http://www.marchwoodyc.org.uk/mycpublic/
 
Wicormarine in Portsmouth: mid river pontoons, some swinging moorings, plenty of half tide moorings, if you are coming from "out of area", only minutes from the M27 junction. cheaper than a marina, more than a DIY club but you don`t have to DIY! Worth a look if you want the solent area and pretty sure there is space.
 
Hi Rolf, I am a big fan of Chichester Harbour. It is a great cruising ground with beautiful anchorages and places to visit even if you dont leave the harbour. It is tidally constrained as it has a sand bar at the entrance. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and we have moored there very happily for years now. We enjoy being about to sail over to Bembridge (only a short trip) or down in to the Solent where there are a great many places to visit within a weekends sailing for the average boat. Cross channel is possibly too. Only 12 hours to Cherbourg or St Vaast and a bit longer to either the Channel Islands or Honfleur for example. Marina's are expensive, swinging moorings are less. Try also Portsmouth (Wicor Marine or Gosport Boatyard) or if you want a pontoon but tidal look at Portsmouth Marine Engineering in Fareham as we moored a boat there for a few years and it was ok. I have a swininging mooring in Chichester which I rent out at £1200 per year. Deep water, good for up to 11m LOA and 1.7m draft is always afloat. Currently empty but probably let in the next week or so. Bear me in mind when you have your new boat. All the best
 
wolfzimmer said:
Hi everyone

I need some advice on annual moorings. After many years I have come back to sailing relatively recently and with a lot of enthusiasm. I am looking into buying a boat within the next six to 18 months (sail cruiser, old of course, 29-35 ft, fin or long keel). I cannot really look at boats until I have resolved the question of where to keep her. There is no way that I can afford the steep marina fees and it seems that I might not live long enough to move to the top of the waiting list for council run moorings.

I have trailed through the Internet and the guides and also this forum, where I found some useful information but most threads were not that recent. My head is spinning, I am going round in circles and at the moment I cannot see how I can make my boat dream happen.

Walk-ashore pontoon would be nice but probably totally unrealistic, perhaps midstream pontoon or I might have to settle for a swinging mooring. I accept that I might have tidal constraints but I probably need deep water mooring.

The areas that would be suitable for me are
- the Bristol Channel (anywhere between Bristol and River Parrett, and between Bristol and Cardiff, perhaps as far as Barry).
- the South Coast (anywhere between Exmouth and Selsey)

Any help, hints, information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Wolf
Click to expand...

Hi Wolf
Look at the website for 'Fareham Town Marina' operated by Fairweather Marine. Walk ashore pontoons, Water & Electricity on pontoons. Car park right by marina & good pub 25 metres away from car park. It is a 1/2 tide marina. Hope this helps.
 
Hi, I am looking at buying my first boat but before committing I would like to find a suitable mooring. I have read the above posts and I am wondering does anyone have any suitable options anywhere from Bristol down the channel. Possibly Down to Exeter. I am looking at boats approx 25ft.

Any help and advice would be good.

Also I have been told by various people about the additional costs to boating. Does anyone have any suitable information or advice that they would be so kind to share around this area. Looking at insurance, license etc and also the best place to explore these.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Allyn
 
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