Ocean Village v Port Hamble

oGaryo

oGaryo

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Both great locations for different reasons, OV for proximity to shops, restaurants and Soton water (5 mins to get on the plane) and PH for the Hamble river and great pubs. That said, after a month here in PH I am finding the marina itself to be a little unfriendly, not due to the staff but more so it's frequented by sea school yacht's in the main and you don't tend to get the banter we enjoy in OV from fellow berth holders. Can't wait to get back to OV at the end of the month to reunite with friendly folk who take the time to say hello rather than have their head down and noses in the air.
 
Nice to hear Gary. Sure Mrs z1ppy will be pleased also!

We had a couple of boats at port hamble when we lived in hamble mostly so we could walk home but always found mercury a nicer place to be if staying on the boat.
 
z1ppy said:
Nice to hear Gary. Sure Mrs z1ppy will be pleased also!

We had a couple of boats at port hamble when we lived in hamble mostly so we could walk home but always found mercury a nicer place to be if staying on the boat.
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A massive bonus too for us buddy, Gwen and indeed all the OV staff go beyond the call of duty to look after their customers. I've not seen enough of the staff on the pontoons here at PH to draw a comparison but they have been courteous and helpful when I've been to the office. I hear I missed out on free Pims and strawberries being taken around to the berths on Friday in OV to help bring in the bank holiday, says it all about OV, brilliant touch to an already great marina
 
We have decided on Mercury, friendly staff and berth holders .

I find Mercury is a more grounded marina where PH seems to be occupied by "London Money" saying that the staff have always been very helpful
 
Interesting Gary. As you might recall, we had a couple of weeks at The Cabin. Not the best facilities, but a very friendly place.
Down in Wurzle land, folk at Portishead are really nice and friendly, all look out for each other's boats etc. facilities are great, local shops and eateries. However it is surrounded by high rise apartments, and there are a lot of people about making quite a hubbub during the evenings. We have just spent the weekend at Penarth. Lovely quiet marina. There are apartments, but low rise, very peaceful, trees and greenery etc. Would love to be based there, but not sensible at the moment.
 
Being a "visitor" from Penton Hook Marina on the Thames this year we've spent time at several MDL marinas as part of the Freedom Berthing deal but also to decide where we want to base ourselves next year as we're not planning to go back.

We haven't stayed at OV yet but visited it by road earlier in the year when we were deciding where to start our season in the Solent. It did strike us as a bit of a building site in places, plus the fact the land-based office was closed with no contact number on the door, and despite our best efforts we couldn't attract the attention of the guys in the floating office and gave up.

Port Hamble and Hamble Point (where we are now) are nice but because of where they are they tend to be very busy places with loads of visitors as Gary points out. They do seem to lack any sort of community spirit, and for us peace and quiet is an important box to tick.

Mercury ticked loads of boxes and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there even though the bar/restaurant turned away business on a Saturday night as they had a wedding in.

We've decided on Shamrock Quay although it's fair to say it's more somewhere to base the boat rather than spend a weekend away (although the Quay Fifteen restaurant is excellent). Staff really couldn't be more helpful and the new facilities are great. Best value for money in our opinion.
 
I know what your saying Gary.

We love our stays at OV for all the reasons you state. I really do think being berth holder with MDL gives us so much choice and freedom. We love being based at Mercury but equally love using the other MDL marinas, they each have their our charms.

On the other hand we popped down to Lymington yesterday for lunch. Asked Berthon form a lunch time stay, was allocated A1 berth right on the gantry and without a cleat to tie up to. No stress as we was only staying for lunch and a quick walk in to town. But the £15.33 charge I did feel a little steep, when CYH is about £8. Not moaning and we had a superb day out, just made me realise just how good our own marina is :)
 
We used to stay in Port Hamble when the grandchildren lived in the village, it was only 5 minutes away from the house. Always found that no one would make eye contact there let alone speak. Even Banana Wharf said they wanted a credit card up front if you ate on the terrace, because they were getting too many people leaving without paying. We tend to use Hamble Point now, find it much friendlier and enjoy either the Ketch Rigger (and the bill at the end of the evening) or a stroll into the village across the common.
 
Interesting observations Gary, and I would say the comment about the London money in occupation with the seaschools at both PH and HP is accruate.

We often eat at the Waters Edge at Mercury and know quite a few berthers there, plus some of the staff. Of course it does tend to attract the rain certain weekends !

I guess Steve's engine wouldn't start this morning !!!
 
superheat6k said:
Interesting observations Gary, and I would say the comment about the London money in occupation with the seaschools at both PH and HP is accruate.

We often eat at the Waters Edge at Mercury and know quite a few berthers there, plus some of the staff. Of course it does tend to attract the rain certain weekends !

I guess Steve's engine wouldn't start this morning !!!
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me ?? ...meee ?? who?? ME??.........naaa not me....... ..............(I plead the Fifth Amendment) !!!!!!!!!!
 
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