OVERPRICED, OVERNIGHT MOORING

[bob_tyler]

There seems to be a good case for a seperate forum to which forumites can post the latest amounts they have been charged visiting various marinas and ports.

This could expand into a very useful site on the internet for use as a live and constantly updated reference to minimise expenses when cruising. That is avoid the most expensive.

How about it, Kim? What about a simple form to complete and post so that, as far as possible, rates and details are comparable.

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[xcw]

I agree. We could also use it to comment on the facilities provided by the marine; I went to Bucklers Hard over the weekend, a wonderful location but the toilets were a discrace - how much does it cost to maintain facilities? The answer is not much, but there does have to be a will to do it.

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[webcraft]

I see a conflict with IPC advertisers . . .

- Nick


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[bob_tyler]

Sorry, can't see the reasoning behind that. If the entries on the forum are stating facts on rates and quality of facilities it would enable readers to avoid the sharks and patronise the attractive ports and marinas.

Can't see your point about advertisers and, from personal experience, I know that IPC wouldn't worry about that. Editorial freedom on their magazines is paramount

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[PaulR]

support this idea- be useful and provide direct upto date feedback- by way of example last weekend we stayed one night at lymington town quay (£12.50) - made very welcome by harbourmaster who commented on how pleased he was to see return of various of his regulars, showers and loos ok but not special albeit considerable improvement on a few years ago, one night at MDL ocean village, excellent facilities and harbour staff extremely welcoming (even offering to deliver gas refill to the boat) , cost c £28, final night first ever visit to Marchwood sailing club pontoon, members very welcoming, pontoon with deepwater and freshwater on tap - cost £5! including access to club wc's - unfortunately bar closed that evening, what was refreshing (after winter layup) was that every where we went we were made enthusiastically welcome - hope it lasts!

come on Kim let's have this new forum please

PS all charges based on our 34' length

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[webcraft]

Bob,

The word 'overpriced' in the subject of the original message is hardly consistent with 'stating facts' - it is an opinion, something members of these fora are not backward in coming forward with . . .

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea . . . what does Kim think?

Although local relevance to us is slight; three nights anchoring in Lochaline and Tobermory last weekend cost me nothing, which is a good deal any way you slice it.

- Nick



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[bob_tyler]

Nick,

I must agree that "overpriced" to one person is not necessarily so for another.

However, if you set yourself a limit for overnighting, knowing in advance what you may be charged could be very useful.

Bob

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[jorinda]

As I run the chandlery next door to the loo's at Bucklers Hard I feel oblidged to answer this one, even though we're not connected to the Beaulieu River Marina.
The toilets are cleaned by contract cleaners every morning and are regularly inspected throughout the day by the marina staff.
Unfortuneately not all those who use thes facilities leave them as they find them and on tuesday the marina staff had to resort to power washers to clean out some of the showers. Also did you tell the harbourmaster of your displeasure before leaving.

Regards Bob

<hr width=100% size=1>The Chandler at Bucklers Hard

 

[jorinda]

As I run the chandlery next door to the loo's at Bucklers Hard I feel oblidged to answer this one, even though we're not connected to the Beaulieu River Marina.
The toilets are cleaned by contract cleaners every morning and are regularly inspected throughout the day by the marina staff.
Unfortuneately not all those who use thes facilities leave them as they find them and on tuesday the marina staff had to resort to power washers to clean out some of the showers. Also did you tell the harbourmaster of your displeasure before leaving.

Regards Bob

<hr width=100% size=1>The Chandler at Bucklers Hard

 

[sailorman]

NO COST?.
WOT A SHORT MEMORY Y HAVE NICK!!.
just a short extract >

One bottle of Glenlivet - unopened

Lost overboard in Lochaline at co-ordinates 56 deg 33.189 min N / 005 deg 45.551 min.W

Depth approx. 3m at low water Springs. Bottle was clearly visible lying on the bottom when last seen, but no drysuit on board and water far too cold!!

If you retrieve it drop me a line to let me know how much you enjoyed it . . .

- Nick





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[xcw]

Please don't misunderstand me, I think very highly of the marina, the location is unbeatable, the staff friendly and helpful, however, the facilities were dirty. It was not just dirt built up over the weekend but a general build up of grime over a long period of time. The facilities are relatively modern but IMHO just not well maintained (I was not the only one to comment on this over the weekend). You only have to look at the facilities at Haslar to look to see what can be done - at Haslar the cleaning staff are fully committed to providing clean facilities for their customers - it's a shame so many other marinas fail in this area (perhaps it's something to do with using contract staff?). And yes, I did mention it to the marina staff.

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[webcraft]

Sailorman you cruel, heartless mariner . . .

All that extra money spent on counselling and I thought I'd got over it . . . .

OK, no more anchoring and dodgy dinghy trips for me, it;s got to be a nice solid pontoon with whisky netting . . . never mind the price . . .

Sob :-(


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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Rather than just have a negative spin on the proposed new forum, it could be more open and why stop at marina's, many people are charged for putting their own tackle down or even forced to raft on moorings and charged the same rate.

I would like to nominate Milford Haven as the worst marina on the Welsh coast so far, double charge for catamarans, when I have a similar beam to many modern power boats. Added to that, they always put cats on the worst pontoons furthest from facilities, yet charge us extra.

Most pleasant places I stayed this year, Wexford, Barmouth and Padstow. Barmouth and Padstow made especially welcome by harbour masters and staff, Wexford by the locals, see my website!

The forum could be split into areas too, which would give it some order, I find the fuel prices forum to messy to be of any use. I intend cruising around towards Newton Ferris this year stopping off in day sails, I would really appreciate a forum to help manage this trip.

If people could also take the time and list good close resturants, chandlery, sights etc. this could be an excellent resource for us all to use.

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[Barry777]

Even with slightly sub standard loo's on the Town Quay, £12.50 is a good price at today's rates. Berthon, just down the road is charging over £30 for a 36 foot boat(£32 I think)this season, plus £3.50 for electricity. I crossed Berthon of my "overnight" list last year as well as the Yacht Haven, which is equally as expensive. I haven't been to the Town Quay for a few years. Does it get full over the weekend?

Also where is Marchwood, that sounds worth a try. Are there any restrictions, draft etc.


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[roger]

There is a simple solution - just go to the Baltic! In Sweden and Norway you can anchor anywhere except a private jetty/marina for nothing. You have the right to go nearly everywhere. In conseqence marinas are cheap.

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[jorinda]

I did mention to the marina staff and they said that there had been complaints raised, also was mentioned that as at Haslar they used to have a couple of very good cleaners who have been replaced by contractors (our loss, someone else's gain).
Next time your at Bucklers Hard please drop in abd introduce yourselves.

Bob.


<hr width=100% size=1>The Chandler at Bucklers Hard

 

[PaulR]

town quay can certainly get very busy and harbour staff do control how many are in the raft - having said that generally sociable and good fun,

marchwood interesting- carry on up soton water past the liner terminal and on the left is the old power station which looks like it is being covered with a new rather dramatic roof, Marchwood pontoon is immediately past it to port and on outside of it deep water and berths alongside,

apparently pleasant walk to Eling Tide mill from there,

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[timevans2000]

I would agree with your view of Milford. I was also charged double rate. put on a distant pontoon with separate access and no security. Trying to negotiate with the marina staff was fruitless as they just kept repeating that it was their policy and that other marinas did the same.

I have only been charged more than the monohull rate in one other place, Kilmore Quay in Ireland. We dont make a habit of going to places that charge us extra, so if the intension of the marina is to make us go somewhere else, then they have succeeded.

I prefer not going in marinas at all if possible as I am not keen on the battery farming approach. Much prefer a sheltered anchorage

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[alahol2]

Bit late on here but for the Solent area try www.troppo.co.uk and look for 'The tightwad sailor'.
Any suggestions gratefully received.

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[snowleopard]

multihull surcharges

it seems fair to charge if you occupy two berths between finger pontoons but it's taking the p when you are lying alongside and taking no more space than a mono. when mylor charged me double for that, their excuse was that they couldn't raft another boat alongside but could if i had a mono.

here are some who have surcharged me

dover (outer basin only)
port edgar
mylor


any more for the blacklist?


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