Neptune Marina Ipswich

[Strake]

Well, back after a few years break and looking at buying 32ft'ish something...probably Bavaria 32 Sport. However, we will be mooring at a new marina and the closest will be Neptune at Ipswich.
I'd therefore be grateful for any input on either the Bavaria or Neptune.
Many thanks in advance.

Hmm, when I was here last, I was Strake. Now I appear to be someone else. I guess things have changed a bit in three years...

Two days later, as if by magic, I am now Strake again.

 

[Whitelighter]

Hi Strake,

I remeber you form a few years back, most bods have had a name change due to the new software.

Cant comment on the marina Im afraid, but I can give you some info regarding the Bavaria 32 sport. They are good boats, and are basically a continuation of one of there earlier models, the 300 Sport.

As with all Bavarias of this era (2003-2006) you get a fair chunk of boat for your money. The 33 offered an unusual layout with a small saloon sofa opposite the galley and the a seperate, curtained off forward double berth and a very nice mid cabin. If you consider the 300 as the same model, this was in production for 6 years without any major changes and was one of BMBs most sucessful models. Only replaced in 2007 with the 30 sport and the 33 sport (the 33 offering the elusive forward cabin for that big boat feel).

Joinery is pretty standard fair, but should be good on these boats. Bavaria have been cost cutting recently, so later boats may suffer a bit from rough edges but the 32 Sport is usually a safe bet and actually has wood inside rather then the wood look plastic you get all over the later boat. The finish is compleneted by wood floors with over carpets on most models and its a nice place to spend a weekend.

Cockpit wise, Bavaria have always been pretty good and the 32 is no exception. You have a good crew seat opposite the main single helm, with the bonus of a dining area for 6 aft which converts cleverly into a sunpad big enough for two adults or three kids. I actually prefer the cockpit on the earlier 300 as it has a movable backrest to the crew seat which makes the eating area bigger, but they both work well. The helm on the 32 is much improved over the 300 however with a decent dedicated space for a good sized plotter just in front of the throttles and in a place where it cant be meddled with by crew. It is in the vertical rather than the horizontal plain (designed for the RL type plotter rather than the C or E series) so if a C series will fit, I suspect it will only be the earlier non-widescreen C70. Switch gear is neat, the dash is well laid out and everything feels well finished.

Engine options were 2 x VP KAD32 on earlier pre 05 boats, with later boats getting 2 x VP D3s in either 160Hp or 190Hp form. For comparison, the earlier 300 was also available with the KAD32 but also the beefier (if a bit less refined) Mecruiser 4.2 220Hp lumps with BIII drives. You could also have a pair of 4.3 VP Petrols and for a time there was the option of a single 350Hp D6 but I have never actually seen one.

Performace wise the Bavarias always go well. I had a 330 SPort and it was magic on the water. The 32 has a very similar hull profile and while I have never driven one in anger, looking at the weights and profile I expect it to perform in the same way. you dont get an clever steps like you do in say, Sealines S29 but I have found the hulls to be fairly fuel efficient (D3s will be better than KADs here) and solid even in lumpy conditions.

Build quality is very good. OK, a Fairline it isnt, but 32s were solidly put together with solid GRP below the water line and a thick GRP hull with lightweight foam core to the topsides and decks, making them light and strong. Certainly internal bulheads and major joinery were soild wood in the 300, and as far as I am aware this was continued into the 32 production.

The cover system works well, with the forward facing arch meaning its easy to just run with the front screens in to give some protection on cold/wet days, with the rest of the covers going up easily. They havent been clever like Sealine with good stowage systems however, so its stuff it in a bag and strap it to the arch time when the sun comes out to play.

All in all I think they are a good boat. The unusual layout inside is great for families as, unlike many of its rivals, four berths are permanently available without having to desconstruct the saloon every night. The only slight downside is the saloon has a fixed table and short setee so doest really offer a 5th berth and certainly there is no 6th.

I hope all that helps. I havent had the opportunity to be a Bavaria bore in ages...

Jez

 

[Strake]

Many thanks Jez, that really is a good and comprehensive review which helps considerably. I've identified 3 Bavaria's to look at once the weather makes "leisure travel" possible again so I'll update then.

 

[pennycar9]

Neptune and the Haven Marina are in the same wet dock at Ipswich. Haven, I think is a little more secure as Neptune is next to a university campus and the hoorays somtimes like to use boats as target practice for their empty beer bottles. They cant throw as far as Haven!

I've stayed at both, Haven gets my vote, facilities are better too.

 

[Strake]

Sound advice pennycar9, thanks.

I'll see what sort of response I get from the harbourmaster when I mention it

I've not really spent much time looking at either marina there yet but I do like the idea of stepping off the boat and having the restaurants, supermarkets, shops and citycentre close by. The other side of that convenience is of course, possible noise disturbance and so any info from "locals" as to best berthing area and so on will be gratefully received.

 

[D3B]

When i sneaked in to Haven nearly 2 years ago I told them I had been offered a berth at Neptune and was considering that......Funny a berth became available immediately

 

[Jonrob]

Neptune Marina

Only stayed in Haven twice, but both occasions have been ok! Our main problem with Haven was that we have two dogs on board, and there are NO areas to walk that are dog friendly, so our options are mainly Woolverstone or Shotley out on the river. Haven did appear to be reasonably secure to leave the boat, but I do not know about a permenant mooring. Hope this helps.

 

[ian38_39]

Stayed at Neptune for a few days last year, the marina staff were great but my vote would still go to Haven as there is a bit of seperation from the quay side. We were there on a Thursday and Friday and didn't notice any real noise nuisance from the dockside bars and restruants, the major source of noise were the consant sirens that seemed to wail directly behind the dock buildings, then again it is a town centre.

Ian