Port Hamble bombshell.

henryf

henryf

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£65 for a berth that was 10 feet too short.

Ask for an alternative but nothing available. Told it was a 40 foot berth (50 foot boat) and that other 50 footers used them (so shut up and get on with it).

Finger widened as it joined the main pontoon, designed to berth bows in. Of course not possible when finger is so short. Muddled by stern in but bow line not very successful even using next doors cleat.

Said not ideal in the morning when settling up, "oh well".

Wish I'd gone to pay the previous evening so I knew the cost and could have moved out of principle.

Lesson learned - will only make the mistake once.

Posting so others can learn from my error.

Henry :(
 
henryf said:
£65 for a berth that was 10 feet too short.

Ask for an alternative but nothing available. Told it was a 40 foot berth (50 foot boat) and that other 50 footers used them (so shut up and get on with it).

Finger widened as it joined the main pontoon, designed to berth bows in. Of course not possible when finger is so short. Muddled by stern in but bow line not very successful even using next doors cleat.

Said not ideal in the morning when settling up, "oh well".

Wish I'd gone to pay the previous evening so I knew the cost and could have moved out of principle.

Lesson learned - will only make the mistake once.

Posting so others can learn from my error.

Henry :(
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Swanwick next time then Henry.
Great facilities, amazing berth holders :) and only a short walk to the Ferry Restaurant.
 
Henry

try Puerto Solento then, when I was berthed there I was tied onto a 8m bit of wood and bow stuck out into fairway.

issue is/was designed for 8/10m boats when built, Tried a hammerhead before I moved and that was even worse wuth bow abd stern sticking out.
 
mjf said:
Henry

try Puerto Solento then, when I was berthed there I was tied onto a 8m bit of wood and bow stuck out into fairway.

issue is/was designed for 8/10m boats when built, Tried a hammerhead before I moved and that was even worse wuth bow abd stern sticking out.
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Henry,

Not acceptable, they should give a discount for not putting you on a berth that you can comfortably fit in.... but seems common practise.

Know the problem well at PS, here's a picture of Tulana on the berth we inherited at Port Solent, still got it for a few more months......been empty since March, financially I'm nuts not keeping the boat there.... 10 minutes closer to home as well. In reality a spring board for a berth, and the pontoon being 2m too short was not acceptable.

IMG_3614.JPG
 
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It just makes me realise why we so rarely use marinas when out an about. I was staggered when I found out how much Port Hamble charge. If you squeeze me onto a 40 ft berth charge me as a 40 foot boat particularly at those prices.

Cowes Yacht Haven seem to have given up at the weekend now which is a shame. They get a couple of regattas in from Sunsail etc fill what's easy then turn people away. I remember when there was a bloke in a little boat organising berths to make best use of space.

We were turned away on Saturday when I could see a load of options including the outer pontoon between a couple of large sailing yachts. The last few times I've managed to get in we were given berths that were already occupied so found somewhere suitable gone to the office and been told if you're in you're in. It's a free for all.

H.
 
I really dislike getting one of those pontoons which are much shorter than the boat - as in Firefly's picture. Apart from the real possibility of stepping straight into the briny, the blessed things always wobble around so that you feel about as safe as on a high wire in a circus.
 
You need to get out more. Or is that in. Come off it, you go to one of the most expensive marinas in the Uk, not unusually get a slightly small finger, and moan about the cost?
Blimey, it will be boat show parking and food prices next...;)
 
benjenbav said:
the blessed things always wobble around so that you feel about as safe as on a high wire in a circus.
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Thats why I always used to get the SWMBO to jump off with the lines first before I stepped off the boat on to one of those
 
henryf said:
It just makes me realise why we so rarely use marinas when out an about. I was staggered when I found out how much Port Hamble charge. If you squeeze me onto a 40 ft berth charge me as a 40 foot boat particularly at those prices.

Cowes Yacht Haven seem to have given up at the weekend now which is a shame. They get a couple of regattas in from Sunsail etc fill what's easy then turn people away. I remember when there was a bloke in a little boat organising berths to make best use of space.

We were turned away on Saturday when I could see a load of options including the outer pontoon between a couple of large sailing yachts. The last few times I've managed to get in we were given berths that were already occupied so found somewhere suitable gone to the office and been told if you're in you're in. It's a free for all.

H.
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I recently tried to get a space at CYH with a 20 footer and was told no more room. The first time I've ever been turned away in a boat that size. Normally there is always somewhere to squeeze in (and there was indeed space visible to us), but as you say, they can't be bothered any more.
 
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rb_stretch said:
I recently tried to get a space at CYH with a 20 footer and was told no more room. The first time I've ever been turned away in a boat that size. Normally there is always somewhere to squeeze in (and there was indeed space visible to us), but as you say, they can't be bothered any more.
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The shame of it is I think Cowes Yacht Haven are one of the good guys in terms of pricing, I just think they've taken their eye off the ball with staff / space management.

It just never occurred to me that Port Hamble was so expensive. The undersized mooring added insult to injury.

The reason for fingers wider at the pontoon end (which discourage stern to mooring) is obviously to save money on Piling. As has been mentioned they are lethal due to the twisting as you walk near the unsupported end.

Ah well, as I said initially, lesson learned.

H.
 
At Cowes Yacht Haven I think you are already on a backfoot once you declare you are a mobo. And if you're in a RIB you may as well be work of the devil - last friday we were told "no space" for a lunchtime short stay "..because of the ragatta" Erm I think they were all out and about that time of day. Next time I'm gonna say I'm a sailing boat :-)

Jon
 
Keep away from Sutton Harbour in Plymouth if you thought PH was expensive, their recent 80% plus price hike means you'll be paying about £90 for a night there!
 
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