Plymouth Marina advice please

[BlueChip]

We've been in the Solent for about 12 years and as we are winding down our work committments we wont be restricted to the weekend dash away.

We are thinking that Plymouth would be a good base and have narrowed down next years berth to probably either Mayflower Marina or Plymouth Yacht Haven. It doesnt look like we'll have any problems getting into either and as we are travelling 200 miles access to either seems equally convenient for us by car.

Can anyone comment on good or bad points on either marina we should consider to help us make a choice?

I haven't looked too closely at costs, I guess they will be similar but I understand that the Yacht Haven are offering berthholders who introduce a new customer a £250 credit and the new customer the same so if anyone here is a berth holder they could PM me, maybe Mayflower are doing the same?

 

[ancientsailor]

We berthed at Mayflower for some years until 2009 (when we sold that particular boat).

On balance, I think it can be recommended. If you become a shareholder there are (were?) discounts available

The downside:
- in the time we were there occupancy increased significantly - and the enterprise became much less family-like and much more commercial and anonymous. It was still possible to build up individual relationships
- parking was a problem at times (may have changed - haven't been back since)
- if the wind is in the west it can be subject to wave action (we had one visitor sea sick when berthed)
- in the winter wave action was so bad some pontoons were severely damaged
- tide runs through in odd directions, eddying at times. This means you can line up for a berth and suddenly find things change. Admiralty tide predictions have some schematics. Until you are used to it, we found it best to avoid mid-ebb on a spring tide
- some visitors to the flats don't understand sailing - I have seen a lighted cigarette discarded from an upstairs balcony - but few berths are that close to worry

Very close to the cruising grounds and accessible to the town. Glorious sunsets over Cornwall.

 

[oldvarnish]

Based on visits only, I would say:

QAB is a bleak place. It's more friendly on the moon.
Mayflower has a nice cross tide that keeps the gelcoat repairers in business.
Torpoint is so tight that anything over 25ft would need a bow thruster.
Never been to the yacht Haven.
People have said good things to me about Sutton Harbour.

 

[photodog]

PM Sent!

 

[redsnapper]

Mayflower

I keep my boat at Mayflower and would recommend it. The facilities have undergone a upgrade over the last couple of years, and the new bar / resturant is excellent. There is also a huge carpark. I'm down most weekends and have never been unable to find a space.

There's no denying the previous posters comments about tidal eddies in the marina, but they are not that bad, and as long as it isn't springs shouldn't present a problem. In the winter the berths at the front of the marina - i.e. those furthest out in the river, are cleared of boats so the waves shouldn't be too much of a problem.

They are also happy for you to have a contract for part of the year, and there are plently of boatyards in Plymouth if you wish to get lifted out.

Steve

 

[Sanderling_]

Vote for PYH

Spent some time in each of the major ones over the years:

Sutton Harbour

• sheltered
• noisy
• limited car parking

QAB

• swell
• manners

Mayflower

• waves
• tidal current (redsnapper - springs happen every fortnight)

PYH

• avoid the outer pontoon
• good parking
• refund of share of visitor berthing income if your berth sublet whilst away in summer
• we left a few years ago due to 'pips squeak' attitude with their 10% per annum charges but now returned following change of manager - and deals done on charges...

I would recommend PYH to you.

Tony

 

[SimbaDog]

Am in PYH & happy to recommend, nice friendly staff, well sheltered & pubs within walking distance

 

[jonjo]

The prevalence of car tyres used as mooring snubbers gives a good clue about what is wrong with Mayflower. QAB suffers likewise. Sutton often feels like a desolate marine multi story car park. PYH gets a bit bouncy or so I hear.

In fact it is quite perverse that one of England's premier natural harbours does not offer one marina free of significant detractions.

 

[jakeroyd]

Mayflower

We are in Mayflower , towards the 'wild' North end , towards the breakwater.
I would echo most of the comments made earlier.

Tide can be a problem , I have occasionally had to reverse down the aterways in order to have any steerage but with experience one leans to get in reasonably well. Mayflowers 'outer' berths have plenty of width perhaps because of this.

On site restaurant 'Jolly Jacks' is ok but a little expensive.

I think it's pretty friendly

Good laundrette

Good washrooms/showers.

Limited but reasonable onsite chandlery.

Excellent and quick access to the sea over the 'Bridge'

Can be very swelly in strong westerlies.

Marvellous views and sunsets.

Excellent ship spotting.

Costs about the same as PYH and QAB.

No experience of PYH but I would add.

Sutton Harbour has a god reputation but is very close to the Barbican and hence nosiy on a Fri/Sat night.

QAB , been there but don't like it much , the walkway across Sutton Harbours lock gates shuts at 21:00 making it a long walk back to QAB if you have been on the Barbican side.
( others please advise if this has changed ?)

 

[jonjo]

the walkway across Sutton Harbours lock gates shuts at 21:00 making it a long walk back to QAB if you have been on the Barbican side.

Cannot comment but your post reminded me that the Sutton lock can close for an hour+ during springs to keep the sea outside of the Barbican.

 

[mainmarine]

We've been in the Solent for about 12 years and as we are winding down our work committments we wont be restricted to the weekend dash away.

We are thinking that Plymouth would be a good base and have narrowed down next years berth to probably either Mayflower Marina or Plymouth Yacht Haven. It doesnt look like we'll have any problems getting into either and as we are travelling 200 miles access to either seems equally convenient for us by car.

Can anyone comment on good or bad points on either marina we should consider to help us make a choice?

I haven't looked too closely at costs, I guess they will be similar but I understand that the Yacht Haven are offering berthholders who introduce a new customer a £250 credit and the new customer the same so if anyone here is a berth holder they could PM me, maybe Mayflower are doing the same?

Stayed in PYH a couple of weeks ago, facilities are very good, "The Bori" at Turnchapel is within walking distance. what more could you ask for?