Portsmouth marina options

[jonjo]

Re: Fixing Shamrock Quay = Fixing The NHS

> The bridge head gates will also be renewed.

Why can't MDL organise some routine maintenance? I assume the £5000 p/a customers at Shamrock Quay have been suffering gates that close with a shattering crash for the last year?

Later last season I moved onto a pontoon berth across the Itchen at a small private marina. Here for £130 per month I could walk with confidence on the pontoons and regular maintenance on the pneumatic damper on the pierhead gate meant it closed with a well engineered click.

MDL should focus on day to day proficiency and not big committee, big budget resolutions to "replace the gates" and "replace the pontoons". The Shamrock Quay gate saga mirrors the national approach to fixing the NHS, its no wonder the UK is turning into a 2nd World appendage to Europe!

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[jonjo]

Re: Royal Clarence Marina

I spent a pleasant year at Wicor Marina about 16 years ago, I notice a Mr Waddington still owns the place. I imagine keeping a boat there is a bit like turning the clock back 30 years and I mean that in a positive sense.

NOTE TO THE EDITORS:

How about a magazine series featuring traditional privately owned and operated UK boat yards?

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[EdEssery]

Re: Fixing Shamrock Quay = Fixing The NHS

I have been on the old C Pontoon at Shamrock Quay for the past two seasons and have never witnessed a "shattering crash" of a gate closing. The pontoons on A,B&C were originally due to be replaced over the winter of 2002/03 but this did not happen due to planning delays. Because they were due to go, I guess the investment in the old pontoons/gates was kept to a minimum in 2003. Despite this, individaul boards in the pontoons were fixed as they became a problem. Unlike the dust issue, banging gates have never been raised with the Berth Holder's Association. The general state of the old pontoons at Shamrock Quay was better than a number of marinas I have been to. I was in West Cowes on Saturday night and their pontoons were much more uneven.

In my experience MDL are very interested in berth holder's feedback on day by day operational issues and generally act on them very quickly.



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[Steve Clayton]

Re: Royal Clarence Marina

We've been in Royal Clarence since the summer of last year and can find no fault with the service and friendliness of all the staff.

Staff do security patrols 3 or 4 times a day. If there's bit of a blow on then your ropes will be adjusted as necessary. If there's a real blow on then Jane sends out an e-mail to all advising of the conditions encountered and the reassurance that your boat is OK.

The site also has the Sunshine Cafe - one of the best greasy spoons I've eaten in.

In my view the one word that springs to mind is "exceptional"

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[JamesS]

In ten years it never has been a problem.

When outbound, you will invariably be sailing west down the Solent. As the tide runs W 1hr before HW leaving your berth at HW -2 or 3hrs is about right.

The so called bar isn't a problem if you are sailing south or westwards, just keep S of Red marker where the dolphin used to be at the harbour entrance. If going east then a bit more care required, keep S of winner bouy.

Sure, in a S F6 you will get some rollers at the harbour entrance, as you would in any wind facing entrance but it tends to be short lived.

Cheers

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[milltech]

Well I agree they're not affected by tide as in depth of water, but C&N is definitely affected by the tidal stream running through the marina. In a less than handy boat it can be a nightmare.

Haslar gets better, as a generality, the smaller the boat is, as the the chances are that the berth will be further away from the wash of passing ferries. I was berthed there for a couple of seasons with a 50 foot MFV on H pontoon, and the ropes and fenders got worked well a lot of the time.

Best bits were: The staff, convenience for Portsmouth ferry & station, the unfashionable Gosport prices, & convenience for the solent.
Worst bits were: the 600 yards each way to the car park, (especially when the trolleys are in the wrong place), the heavy traffic between Gosport and Fareham.

(Actually I thought they could permit some enterprising kids to shove trolleys at the weekend, I think they'd do rather well, and pushing the empties back is a real chore when the pontoon locations are full, that becomes 1,800 yards before you can shove off - need a lie down and a rest).


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by milltech on 29/03/2004 10:49 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: I queued

No free flow at HW yesterday afternoon, Jimi. Geoff said it was because of neaps, the tide didn't reach the depth in the marina.

Sorry, should have mentioned - I went sailing yesterday! Along with another forumite who happened to be hanging around the marina, but I promised not to publish his name.

<hr width=100% size=1>I'm average size, Its just that everybody else is short.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Sorlright

I 'fessed up to madame.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Ruffles]

Have you got a price from Universal/Crableck? They seem to be significantly cheaper than other Hamble marinas - particulary if you don't mind a 10 metre row. Also, they are 5mins from the M27 which is a lot less than the the N side of the Hamble.

As for peace and quiet the most annoyance we get is from the owls in the wood next to us.

Rob.



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[Aeolus_IV]

Re: Royal Clarence Marina

Cannot comment on solent marinas, but Eastbourne is improving. Most waterside building nearly complete, just one area being started now. Having said this I haven't heard of any builder related problems for a while, so they seem to have learn't their lessons.

Regards, Jeff.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://users.swing.be/FDB/centurion/index2.html>Centurion 32 Web site</A>

 

[Stemar]

I've several mates in Haslar, and it's where I'd go if I could afford a marina. It's a friendly place with boats of all sizes and shapes. Security is good, and if the staff don't notice if your lines chafe, there are quite a few liveaboards who will, and do something about it, including one who does boat maintenance and will turn out at 9pm on a Saturday night and not charge the earth.

There are several restaurants and pubs within easy walking distance frm Wetherspoons (don't even try to get in on a Saturday night!) up.

Access to Portsmouth by ferry is quick and cheap - you land 50 yards from the station - but as previously mentioned, the road access from the M27 can be a bit grim, allow 1/2 hr between 5 and 7pm on a Friday evening.


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[chriscallender]

Have just moved to Deacons - so maybe I'm not ready to comment - but my feeling is that wash from passing motorboats is no real problem, or at least no worse than anywhere else. Its not as busy there as it would be nearer the entrance and like Andy says they are likely to slow down for the bridge.

So far I like it - but 24 hours is maybe a bit early to say.!

Chris

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[AIDY]

We had kept a boat a Deacons for about 7 years until january 2003, when we purchased a bigger boat. which could not be accomadated.

A few points about Deacons:-

1) The rope ferry between the two pontoons is a pain if you have a berth out in the middle of the river. quite often we got stuck on the boat and not able to get to the shore due to some one trapping the ferry on the other side, or the ferry breaking. Lots of people have fallen in due to overloading etc......

2) The local kids in the summer are a pain at high water they jump of the bridge into the water and swim on to the pontoons, and mess about with the boats.

3) Wash is not a problem if you are on a inner berth.

4) Both ends of the marina are prone to silting, if you leave your berth via the pontoons which the chain ferry links at low water springs you are bound to ground if your draught is more than 1.5m.

5) We had our boat broken into there on hard standing, winches, electronics etc... and halyards taken off the boat whilst in the water.

6) Ideal for spending money in Aladdins cave.

7) lots of recent development. new hoist, car park.

8) 2 mins from M27 junction 8

9) ideal fro charging your batterys going down the hamble !

apart from the moans we had a happy few years there, and still know people that keep there boats there

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Aidy </font color=blue>

 

[jonjo]

Re: Fixing Shamrock Quay = Fixing The NHS

> The pontoons on A,B&C were originally due to be replaced over the winter of
> 2002/03 but this did not happen due to planning delays.

You are paying premier division MLD prices at Shamrock Quay for what is a geographically compromised location. On top of this you should not have to offer apologies on behalf of MDL explaining their tangles with a planning office.

This berthholders association seems like a devious MDL ploy where they can share their marina management problems in the hope you will empathize and forget to behave as vigilant consumers demanding value for money.

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[mark_sabin]

Jon-jo, We've been in southsea for the last 2 years and have not had any problems with the entry. The Cill gate restrictions dont really have that much of an impact and do add a bit of a challenge in route planning to make sure you get back in time. Marina staff are very freindly and helpful. We have sailed through the last two winters and have only once noticed any significant chop as we round the corner into the marina channel but it was very managable. Entry and exit to langstone is no real problem though can be slow on exit. We just keep to the stbd side on exit to minimise the tide effect and are soon out in the solent. They have just opened Boneparts restaurant in the marina complex which serves excellent quality food with a good wine and beer menu. Its nice a quiet and reasonably well sheltered from the wind. Choice is yours...happy sailing.

Mark

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[mark_sabin]

Jon-jo, We've been in southsea for the last 2 years and have not had any problems with the entry. The Cill gate restrictions dont really have that much of an impact and do add a bit of a challenge in route planning to make sure you get back in time. Marina staff are very friendly and helpful. We have sailed through the last two winters and have only once noticed any significant chop as we round the corner into the marina channel but it was very managable. Entry and exit to langstone is no real problem though can be slow on exit. We just keep to the stbd side on exit to minimise the tide effect and are soon out in the solent. They have just opened Boneparts restaurant in the marina complex which serves excellent quality food with a good wine and beer menu. Its nice a quiet and reasonably well sheltered from the wind. Choice is yours...happy sailing.

Mark

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[mark_sabin]

Jon-jo, We've been in southsea for the last 2 years and have not had any problems with the entry. The Cill gate restrictions dont really have that much of an impact and do add a bit of a challenge in route planning to make sure you get back in time. Marina staff are very friendly and helpful. We have sailed through the last two winters and have only once noticed any significant chop as we round the corner into the marina channel but it was very managable. Entry and exit to langstone is no real problem though can be slow on exit. We just keep to the stbd side on exit to minimise the tide effect and are soon out in the solent. They have just opened Boneparts restaurant in the marina complex which serves excellent quality food with a good wine and beer menu. Its nice a quiet and reasonably well sheltered from the wind. Choice is yours...happy sailing.

Mark

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[nicho]

Johnathen,

We berth at Hythe, and really the lock is not a huge problem. It's true that the free flow periods are a bit restricted, and it's always a nice surprise to be told it's an unexpected freeflow when calling up to lock in/out. However, you soon learn to "manage" the lock situation, and I have personally never had to wait for more than about 30/40 minutes, and most of the time not at all. The worst time is a Sunday evening at low water springs, when everybody wants to come in at the same time, and the lock takes a long time to fill.

Hythe is a very lively and social marina (we've been there for 7 years). However, be warned there are some fairly scurrilous individuals there from this forum, including one whose roots lie North of the Border. I'll tell you no more!! You may have a problem getting in now for 2004, I think it's full, but a phone call to the manager Dave Wilson (who's also the coxwain on the Calshot RNLI lifeboat) would clarify the situation.

I've stayed at Camper Nicks, and the constant wash and prop noise from the passing ferries drove us out after 2 days!!

Good luck

Mike n

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[doris]

Gosport

One the big plus points for both C&N and Haslar is Gun Wharf. Probably one of the best entertainment spots in the Solent now and only a few minutes away on the ferry.
Having been in C&N for about 10 years I would point out that the problem of the wash from passing ferries etc is very dependant on where your berth is. We are well in and there is just enough movement to make it pleasant although I quite agree that on the outer berths the wash is nightmare especially when there is a fresh N Easter blowing. Hearing all these comments about R Clarence, I must go and have a look! When they finish I gather this will be like a mini Gun Wharf.

<hr width=100% size=1>Real men do it 2handed.

 

[EdEssery]

Shamrock Quay is not in need of fixing

Jonjo,

In your original post you sought advice on Solent berthing options - I mentioned one that you had appeared to miss off your list and which seemed to me to meet your criteria. I later provided some facts relating to how problems you had experienced at this marina were being addressed. I did all of this in a factual, objective manner. I offer no apologies for MDL - I merely state the facts as I understand them.

In your latest post in the thread I find myself under some sort of attack for daring to be an MDL customer. I know that being in an MDL/Premier/Dean&Redyhoff marina is to have a premium value berth and that I could probably cut my berthing costs by 50% or 75% by going on to a swinging half tide mooring. I choose not to do this. I prefer the convenience of a marina and am prepared to pay for this convenience even if means having an older, smaller boat than I could otherwise afford. We all make choices in life - I have made mine and am very happy with it. I am also very happy with the service MDL provide at Shamrock Quay and am happy to say so to anyone who asks for advice on berthing -- as you did.

By all means ignore my suggestion if you think it is not relevant to you but please have the good grace to accept that others can have a different view/perspective to you. Shamrock Quay works for me. I hope you find a berth that you are as happy with as I am with mine.

Have a good season in your new boat.

Ed

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