D and G
Well-Known Member
Just found a new mooring at Cardiff but before we sign up can anyone who knows both Marinas tell me is Cardiff or Penarth the better Marina.
Penarth or Cardiff Marina
- Thread starter D and G
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bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
not kept a boat in the bay in 6 years but I was happy in Penarth. I figured the marina was more secure (locked entrance), had better on-site facilities (engineers, haul out, boat yard, pubs/restaurants). Back in the day Cardiff did not have electric on all its pontoons. That I guess has changed and other things may have evened up (the marine engineering business in Penarth has been through a few hands since Gareth Wigmore and Mike Wright ran a reliable and experienced firm). So, nowadays, I don’t know. Stuart Jones I think is still the marina manager at Penarth and an excellent guy to do business with.
What I would do - from personal experience - is question keeping a boat of any size and ambition in Cardiff at all. Unless you want to caravan or day sail from your home port it is far better to suck up the 2 hour drive to Milford Haven. Mind you, marinas there claim to have long waiting lists post-covid which begs the question whether the same applies to marinas in Cardiff Bay- that might affect your choice too.
What I would do - from personal experience - is question keeping a boat of any size and ambition in Cardiff at all. Unless you want to caravan or day sail from your home port it is far better to suck up the 2 hour drive to Milford Haven. Mind you, marinas there claim to have long waiting lists post-covid which begs the question whether the same applies to marinas in Cardiff Bay- that might affect your choice too.
donm
Well-Known Member
Try a post on the Bristol Channel to get an up to date picture as Cardiff Marine has had a few problems and you’re more likely to get a picture based on current experience
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Marine Group? But a very valid point.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Cardiff Marina or the Marine group is currently in administration. They have had a few problems over the last few years but are hopeful of a buyer soon. At the moment there are limited facilities available.
Penarth Marina is a good place to stay, secure and well run. But they are pretty full at the moment I have been informed. Also they are rushed off their feet in the yard.
I would also question why anyone would keep a boat this end of the Bristol channel. The further west the better sailing.
Penarth Marina is a good place to stay, secure and well run. But they are pretty full at the moment I have been informed. Also they are rushed off their feet in the yard.
I would also question why anyone would keep a boat this end of the Bristol channel. The further west the better sailing.
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
I would go for Penarth marina at present, the Marine Group that run Cardiff, Watchet, Burry Port and Aberystwyth are having a few problems.
38Mess makes some valid observations.
38Mess makes some valid observations.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
The only reasons I’d consider coming back to Cardiff would be if I wanted to refit (and do it myself) or had the time to move the boat seasonally (both because I live locally). There are no cruising reasons to be back at that end of the BC. We gave it six years and, whilst there are some good memories, it was either incredibly challenging (if you went out) or frustrating (if you didn’t). If I could still access the standard of marine services that were there a decade ago (Wigmore Wright, Andy Freemantle) that would be something but I think engineers in Milford are as good as what’s available in Cardiff. Jury’s out on the rigging side (Ratseys are good but Andy Freemantle was an excellent rigger- not sure where he is now)
Bristolfashion
Well-Known Member
We've just arrived at Cardiff Marina - and also popped along to have a look at Penarth. I'd say that you would be happy in either. A few observations,
Cardiff Marina is very friendly/helpful & well managed. The facilities are good. You have train / Tesco's nearby.
I think that Cardiff Marina is a bit cheaper and you have the choice of below or above the lifting pedestrian footbridge - bit cheaper above.
Probably better eateries in Penarth - but not much further from Cardiff Marina.
Handy trains at both locations.
We did try Penarth first & they were completely full - there is some space at Cardiff.
They can lift directly at Cardiff Marina for antifoul & other shorter jobs - to go in the yard, the mast has to come down.
Cardiff Marina is very friendly/helpful & well managed. The facilities are good. You have train / Tesco's nearby.
I think that Cardiff Marina is a bit cheaper and you have the choice of below or above the lifting pedestrian footbridge - bit cheaper above.
Probably better eateries in Penarth - but not much further from Cardiff Marina.
Handy trains at both locations.
We did try Penarth first & they were completely full - there is some space at Cardiff.
They can lift directly at Cardiff Marina for antifoul & other shorter jobs - to go in the yard, the mast has to come down.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Andy Freemantle is working out of penarth marina I believe. He just rigged a friend's boat and made an excellent job as usual.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Good to hear. He is excellent.
Bristolfashion
Well-Known Member
Just to say that, on the ground, the problems of the Marine Group don't seem to be in evidence.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
The mast thing is an unfortunate restriction. Used to sit on props with the mast up happily in Penarth boatyard. In Milford they’ll allow the mast up but I have to rent a cradle from them and wait for it too.
Bristolfashion
Well-Known Member
Local chat is that the yard at Penarth is very full / busy, but worth checking for the current situation.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
At Cardiff marina if you get lifted out in the yard you are not allowed to work on your boat. Something to do with the administration H+S
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Crikey there’s not much point then
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the Administrators are doing a better job than the Marine Group.
Visiting no problem but I would be cautious about entering any long term berthing until things become clearer.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Yes I know a few people with berths there. They are not happy because they are paying full price and there are no facilities, not even fuel....but they will get there, at least the staff are getting paid now
Dellquay13
Well-Known Member
If there is a long wait for a cradle, how about East Llanion yard? Vance always seems to find space for another boat, and 3 years ago it was considerably cheaper than MM. He can lift masts too, unlike MM. I will probably move my old motorboat up there this winter until I decide to sell it.
Edit: I forgot you will get the 10weeks in the yard included in the marina contract, and it’s too far for the 2 Daves from WJM to travel to work on a boat
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D and G
Well-Known Member
18 month waiting list for Milford and Neyland, on both waiting lists but she is getting hauled onto the hard at Chatham so need to secure a mooring closer to home so thought Cardiff would be good until we can get to Milford or Neyland.
D and G
Well-Known Member
Thats worrying as need to A/F and oil change both Sterndrives, may have to suck up the drive to Chatham and do it there, thanks for the warning
