Portishead, Penarth or ???

[tonyone01]

On our look see visit last weekend we noticed that Cardiff Marina had controlled access to the car park and every pontoon had CCTV. Spoke to one of the berth holders. About the " missing trailer" and he said there had been no breach in security and the trailer didn't show on any of the cameras ??? CBYC had controlled access to the car park and a security guard to control pedestrian access. All felt very secure to me but as I say really was a snap shot in time.

 

[wakeup]

On our look see visit last weekend we noticed that Cardiff Marina had controlled access to the car park and every pontoon had CCTV. Spoke to one of the berth holders. About the " missing trailer" and he said there had been no breach in security and the trailer didn't show on any of the cameras ??? CBYC had controlled access to the car park and a security guard to control pedestrian access. All felt very secure to me but as I say really was a snap shot in time.

I agree with P41 re staff at PM.

I think the fact that the trailer was stolen and the excuse was that it wasn't covered by the cameras kind of proves my point. Also I hear the thefts from boats on the Ely are more likely a result of waterside access as anyone with a dinghy can get there.

 

[trapezeartist]

Yes but not at any state of the tide and there are more pubs in cardiff!

I should have realised you would rate a destination by the number of pubs within staggering distance of the pontoon.

The tide window is always there at Portishead, regardless of whether it's a start-point or destination.

 

[Morpheous]

I try to avoid staggering on pontoons, its dangerous. I have developed a rolling techique that's much safer.

The tide window with Portishead as a base is extended if you have a destination that you can get to at lower states of the tide (or just stay out of course). My point is Portishead currently is a better base than destination. Mind you when they finish it it will be better, but still not offer as much as Cardiff bay obviously - Cardiff is bigger!

 

[Mymobo]

Well I can give you my views having berthed in Cardiff and Portishead.

We did the rounds in Cardiff and decided on CBYC based on cost and balance of the facilities offered by the club. We stayed for three seasons and found it to be cost effective with for lifts and yard fees. We berthed on the most expensive pontoons as we wanted power. As we run a petrol boat we jerry canned the fuel down with no problem.

We then decided that we wanted to be closer to home and other boating friends we had made so moved to Portishead. We live between Gloucester and Ross on Wye.

We are now in our second season at Portishead and have no plans to move. Portishead Marina always feels like a great place to be and SWMBO has even got her boating legs back. People are always friendly and the 24hr manned marina has paid dividends, so this is why you pay a bit more. In terms of fuel I used the pump on the water as it saves a load of back pain.

Portishead offers a great base to cruise the Bristol Channel and we have been to more places then we ever did when we where based in Cardiff. When based in Cardiff we just to Mermaid or run round to Cold Knap Bay.

Good luck with your choice. The trip down from Tewkesbury is excellent.