Poor old Watchet again

[PCUK]

I must admit that I think visitors prices are too high. Much better to fill the berths with attractive pricing than have people put off by the prices. I've said this to management in the past and I am a staunch supporter of Watchet and can't wait to get back next year when the latest boat is ready - mud or no mud!

 

[Allan]

I wish the company that owns the marina all the best but won't be paying their extortionate rates until they deliver on their promises.

I think that's a bit strong - especially given the heavily discounted prices the BCYA boats paid at the weekend!

If they were sat there not dredging then fair enough, but clearly that's not the case. It's got to be paid for somehow.

As I said, now an effort is being made, I wish them all the best and I will return when it is done.
Watchet charges more than anywhere in the Bristol channel, except Minehead, for, at best, average facilities. Due to the BCYA discount I consider the £11/night I paid to be about right.
I should add that the best thing about Watchet is the town itself, which is delightful.
Allan

 

[Anwen]

I went to the rally too, and was a bit alarmed the first time I dried out on the mud, but the boat refloated OK on the next tide. However, in the hope that I might entice SWMBO to drive down and spend the night, I berthed stern to, and the boat ended up very bow down when the gate had closed. This left the stern mooring lines extremely tight as the boat tried to slide down the hill! I don't know that it would have made much difference if I was bow in, as the other boats all seemed to suffer the same way, but I think it would have been nicer to walk uphill to the forward cabin!

When it came to leaving on Sunday, I managed to get out of the berth using a lot of throttle and ploughing a furrow with my keel and rudder. Being dead on neaps didn't help - it would have been much easier at HW springs, and I did worry on Saturday that I might end up neaped in the marina.

For me the biggest negative was not drying out level, but otherwise, it was a good weekend with some good organisation, reasonable prices and good company. I like Watchet and would definitely go again, although I might wait until they are further on with the dredging.

 

[graham]

I enjoyed the rally. Thanks to BCYA commitee for organizing it.

The silting is obviously a big problem but with the new dredger up and running should soon be under control again.

I think on a normal day any visitors would be put on deeper berths but with the rally there just wasnt room for everyone. I think the staff did a good job. Most boats were met by staff to take your lines and they generally did the best they they could with limited options.

Drying out is not an issue for me but not getting out until nearly HW is as with only a small engine its a long way back against the tide. As it was with the neap tide and a decent breeze for the first couple of hours it wasnt a problem.

Going over on Saturday was great, loads of wind and a broad reach

 

[ribdriver]

As I said, now an effort is being made, I wish them all the best and I will return when it is done.
Watchet charges more than anywhere in the Bristol channel, except Minehead, for, at best, average facilities. Due to the BCYA discount I consider the £11/night I paid to be about right.
I should add that the best thing about Watchet is the town itself, which is delightful.
Allan

Ehhh? Cardiff Marina charge £2 per metre without electricity, Penarth is £2.25 (minimum of £20) with electricity extra and Portishead is exactly the same. Watchet is £2.23 including electricity.

Anyway, without wanting to get into an argument about pricing or whether we want electricity or not etc, we are all in agreement that it is good that they are trying to deal with the problem. 54 boats from the BCYA and a few independants. Oh, and sunshine. All in all a good weekend

 

[Anwen]

Banjo?

So there I was in Watchet, wandering around looking for a boat named Banjo to find Graham, but no sign. Had completely forgotten that the boat was now blue and called Varadero. Sorry I missed you Graham!

 

[graham]

So there I was in Watchet, wandering around looking for a boat named Banjo to find Graham, but no sign. Had completely forgotten that the boat was now blue and called Varadero. Sorry I missed you Graham!

no worries Jon. Boat is "Banjo" again as I cant spell "Varadero"