On board in yard

[oldharry]

I would think the governing factor is yard security. If the yard is locked and has security arrangements or alarms, they clearly do not expect owners to stay around after closing time. An open yard on the other hand might even welcome having the odd owner overnight as be a deterrent presence. Sadly more and more yards find they have to secure their premises nowadays.

 

[colhel]

For me staying on board in a boatyard to carry out work in Winter doesn't appeal to me (but then again it depends what needs doing). If I wasn't within reasonable driving distance, I think I'd achieve far more if I stayed in b&b or something. Trying to work around the boat whilst maintaining a living space makes any job harder.
Just my opinion, but boatyards on a Winters night are rather grim.

 

[WoodyP]

My old yard was locked out of hours, but boaters given a key. The one I am in now only has pedestrian access after hours, but doesn't allow cars to be left on site as they restrict boat movement.

 

[doug748]

Im buying a boat base on the River Dart in Devon which needs some work. Im hoping to haul out locally and would like to spend the odd night on board to save a long drrive to and fro. I dont want to ask the yards directly as I tink Ill getvan anser I dont want. Does anyone know of a yard locally which will turn a blind eye to an ocassional overnight stay?

I think you had a couple of tips worth looking at. Not a bad idea to chat with some folk actually working on boats in your chosen yard.
If you do ask the question of the yard, (in order not to get jobsworthed later on) then it is vital to do it before you commit to bring the boat in, as you settle financial things in the office - this often concentrates minds.

There are a number of places in the Plymouth area where you would be ok but no doubt too far on a new, untried boat needing work.

 

[capnsensible]

Waking up in the middle of the night needing a pee brings certain challenges......

 

[mjcoon]

Waking up in the middle of the night needing a pee brings certain challenges......

Like "where did I leave the bucket"?

 

[capnsensible]

Like "where did I leave the bucket"?

And where and when do I empty the bucket......

And climbing down a ladder with a well used bucket.

 

[scottie]

We had a stark reminder of the reality of being in Northern Ireland about 20 years ago when we had a major leak and ended up in Bangor marina living on the boat
We we’re returning from the local late at night and had to climb over the outer fence in the spotlight when the local seriously well armed police patrol made its check despite the scent of brown trousers we were not detected

 

[Chiara’s slave]

A large holding tank is an asset.

 

[mjcoon]

We had a stark reminder of the reality of being in Northern Ireland about 20 years ago when we had a major leak and ended up in Bangor marina living on the boat
We we’re returning from the local late at night and had to climb over the outer fence in the spotlight when the local seriously well armed police patrol made its check despite the scent of brown trousers we were not detected

That reminds me of a non-boaty incident years ago. I had missed the last train scheduled to stop at my town. The ticket inspector noted that fact when I had got the next non-stopping one. He later came back to my seat and explained that the train would stop just for me but it was up to me to climb over the fence (he told me where) since the station would be locked. I nearly came to grief when my foot stuck on the railing but I made it OK. There might have been questions asked if I had got into real trouble...

 

[Lightwave395]

Slight thread drift across the channel, in France it's commonplace to stay on your boat when it's out of the water. There's a Norwegian guy in the yard at Roscoff who has lived on his boat for at least a year.
While my boat was out of the water in Arzal I stayed onboard for 2 weeks, my marina 'card' opened the sliding gate to get in or out at night with the car and there was a French family two boats along who lived on board, the side decks and foredeck on their Beneteau were covered in window boxes and Gro-bags...

 

[V1701]

Used to have a boat in Greece & would stay aboard in the yard for 2 or 3 weeks each winter, as did many others, Portapotti for a loo. In a small yard in Wales I once slept on board while boat (Bowman 26) was hanging from crane in slings (with permission)! Generally I've found outside the UK tends to be more flexible/reasonable but I reckon you'd probably be ok most places as long as you keep your head down, clear up your mess, etc. That said having to skulk around isn't very desirable over any length of time either is it...

 

[Dellquay13]

My old yard was locked out of hours, but boaters given a key. The one I am in now only has pedestrian access after hours, but doesn't allow cars to be left on site as they restrict boat movement.

East Llanion?
Vance let me stay aboard for a week in a covid lockdown as long as I was discrete or wore a hiviz vest stencilled Marine Services when visible from the road

 

[Dellquay13]

A large holding tank is an asset.

I had one of those but nowadays it always seems to need emptying before dawn since I hit 50

 

[lotsaknots]

Thanks for aall the advise. Sounds like the best plan is to not ask and kepp my head down. Anybod know anything about Blackness? It would be the most convenient.

 

[C08]

They didn’t when we were in there a few years ago. They do shut the gates at close of play though so if you needed the car after that time you would have to move it beforehand.

When I asked for a winter stay quote in October they were totally clear that staying on boats overnight is not allowed.

 

[C08]

East Llanion?
Vance let me stay aboard for a week in a covid lockdown as long as I was discrete or wore a hiviz vest stencilled Marine Services when visible from the road

Yes a good guy Vance.

 

[Nosher]

Trouble is, if a boatyard “officially” allows you to stay on board then there’s a risk of a community of liveaboards developing, on those somewhat dishevelled boats that come ashore, and on which every bit of “work” that is done usually results in them being less likely to ever be seaworthy again. If I had a boatyard I don’t think I’d want to encourage that, particularly as HSE are showing increasing interest in yard activity and practices.
I know that’s a shame and there are some great old school yards, particular in Cornwall e.g Gweek and Penryn which have historically been full of interesting people on interesting boats. But if the yard’s not really set up for it with proper 24hr security, lighting etc, few operators are likely to want people skulking about in the dark, falling off ladders and using their gas stoves.

 

[WoodyP]

East Llanion?
Vance let me stay aboard for a week in a covid lockdown as long as I was discrete or wore a hiviz vest stencilled Marine Services when visible from the road

Just paid my fees. I don't know Vance very well but he recognised my voice on the phone and said the name of my boat straight off. He's obviously a good judge of character ?

 

[Stemar]

Waking up in the middle of the night needing a pee brings certain challenges......

We had two buckets with lids for times on the Hard. One stayed in the heads with a dose of floral disinfectant, the other outside, with a pipe from the galley sink outlet.