Premier acquires Boatfolk

[Fire99]

Morning folks,

This may be of interest to some but just got confirmation this morning that Premier Marinas have acquired Boatfolk.

Interesting times, particularly for Boatfolk customers.

 

[volvopaul]

Morning folks,

This may be of interest to some but just got confirmation this morning that Premier Marinas have acquired Boatfolk.

Interesting times, particularly for Boatfolk customers.

Just read it on Facebook pages , yes for sure there will no doubt be a hike in fees for boatfolk berth holders to bring inline with the rest , I think from memory it was 10% when they acquired Trafalgar wharf drystack .
They will have the monopoly very soon on the Hamble , it’s all very commercial now the personal touch went a long time ago . I heard Boatfolk were in deep financial trouble so it’s possible this buy out was born from that .
No doubt there will be more input on this , I’m glad I am near retirement as working at Haslar under boatfolk has always been a pleasant experience unlike other sites .

 

[Fire99]

Interesting Paul. I'm a current Boatfolk customer and it will be interesting on many counts. I know Boatfolk ran under a Private Equity scheme and the investment company were pulling out, which appears fairly normal practice after a few years with these schemes, and they were operating under significant operational losses.
I'd expect Boatfolk fees to move inline with Premier as you say..


On a slightly different note, it's interesting (to me) that from what I see, all Premier marinas are on the south coast of England where Boatfolk have marinas in other areas. I can see, along with south coast marinas, the value of say Conwy to Premier as it's rather smart but I do wonder with say Rhu in Scotland, which is pretty basic and Bangor in NI where I am, which is council owned but Boatfolk managed. Using Bangor as a case in point, with its ownership situation and geographical location, it seems a bit of a jarring fit to the Premier gang..

I'd be interested if anyone sees a different angle...

(PS. - This is not to run down either Boatfolk or Premier, just an interesting development)

 

[colhel]

If there is a hike in fees for Boatfolk berth holders, I can see a knock on effect for every marina. From what I can see all commercial marinas are pretty much the same price wise.

 

[Seastoke]

If there is a hike in fees for Boatfolk berth holders, I can see a knock on effect for every marina. From what I can see all commercial marinas are pretty much the same price wise.

Boat folk do the boat sales in Conwy and I believe elsewhere , do Premier sell boats.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

No, they don't have a brokerage division. Lots of brokers as tenants though.

 

[Never Grumble]

I'd expect Boatfolk fees to move inline with Premier as you say..

What is the difference?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

A close comparison could perhaps be made by comparing the rates at Gosport and Haslar Marinas, which are immediately adjacent to one another, Gosport being operated by Premier, and Haslar being operated by Boatfolk. Using my own boat as an example, 14.8m LOA, the annual berthing fee at Premier Gosport is £11662, whilst at Haslar Marina, the current Boatfolk price would be £10967, so slightly cheaper, an annual difference of £695.

This would represent a price rise of about 6% for Haslar Marina berth holders,

 

[Never Grumble]

A close comparison could perhaps be made by comparing the rates at Gosport and Haslar Marinas, which are immediately adjacent to one another, Gosport being operated by Premier, and Haslar being operated by Boatfolk. Using my own boat as an example, 14.8m LOA, the annual berthing fee at Premier Gosport is £11662, whilst at Haslar Marina, the current Boatfolk price would be £10967, so slightly cheaper, an annual difference of £695.

This would represent a price rise of about 6% for Haslar Marina berth holders,

I expect the gap will close (or disappear) unless facilities are significantly different.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Well, I picked those two because they’re very close both geographically and operationally.

Deacons vs Swanwick I’d expect to be a much bigger difference.

 

[wonkywinch]

I had two quotes a year ago from Boatfolk at Deacons for a lift, clean, relaunch and a lift, clean, hold and relaunch. They put both the quotes together on the same sheet and it looks like an invoice for both services added together.

Every time I stay at a Boatfolk marina, I get asked by the staff when I intend paying the outstanding large invoice. I have a bit of paper that says "quotation", their system shows "invoice". I'm careful not to let them have my credit card details else I'll get charged for something I haven't had.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I had two quotes a year ago from Boatfolk at Deacons for a lift, clean, relaunch and a lift, clean, hold and relaunch. They put both the quotes together on the same sheet and it looks like an invoice for both services added together.

Every time I stay at a Boatfolk marina, I get asked by the staff when I intend paying the outstanding large invoice. I have a bit of paper that says "quotation", their system shows "invoice".

...

In your shoes I'd want to make 100% sure this was sorted out. Failure to do so may end up with a CCJ and a visit from the bailiffs.

 

[volvopaul]

I had two quotes a year ago from Boatfolk at Deacons for a lift, clean, relaunch and a lift, clean, hold and relaunch. They put both the quotes together on the same sheet and it looks like an invoice for both services added together.

Every time I stay at a Boatfolk marina, I get asked by the staff when I intend paying the outstanding large invoice. I have a bit of paper that says "quotation", their system shows "invoice". I'm careful not to let them have my credit card details else I'll get charged for something I haven't had.

If you had had the work done there would be a log sheet with the boat name and customer details for that particular day , ask them for the log sheet , time of lift , photos of it blocked off etc . They won’t be able to prove it , case closed.

 

[Mark-1]

A close comparison could perhaps be made by comparing the rates at Gosport and Haslar Marinas, which are immediately adjacent to one another, Gosport being operated by Premier, and Haslar being operated by Boatfolk. Using my own boat as an example, 14.8m LOA, the annual berthing fee at Premier Gosport is £11662, whilst at Haslar Marina, the current Boatfolk price would be £10967, so slightly cheaper, an annual difference of £695.

This would represent a price rise of about 6% for Haslar Marina berth holders,

There must be a difference beyond the operating company. If Boatfolk thought they could get away with 6% more at Hasler I'm sure they'd take it, clearly they can't.

I can't work out what the difference would be, though. Visiting from the water they seem the same, and I much prefer Hasler because I like the light ship. (Rightly or wrongly.)

 

[wonkywinch]

In your shoes I'd want to make 100% sure this was sorted out. Failure to do so may end up with a CCJ and a visit from the bailiffs.

Whilst I agree with the possible outcome, a CCJ can't be issued without a court hearing which can't be issued without a summons which can't be issued without a final notice etc. A CCJ can't be issued unless I defaulted on a court order to pay.

I've never had any other demand to pay and certainly never availed myself of the service quoted for but will give them a call to get this taken off their system.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Ok, maybe I over simplified, but the point stands. If a system in that company think you owe them money, one day the follow-up will start

 

[wonkywinch]

Ok, maybe I over simplified, but the point stands. If a system in that company think you owe them money, one day the follow-up will start

Spoke to them. No misunderstandings, just over zealous marina staff (maybe they already had some training from Premier?). They've taken it off the system to avoid confusion. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Spoke to them. No misunderstandings, just over zealous marina staff (maybe they already had some training from Premier?). They've taken it off the system to avoid confusion. Thanks for the tip.

Great, thanks for the update

 

[ylop]

There must be a difference beyond the operating company. If Boatfolk thought they could get away with 6% more at Hasler I'm sure they'd take it, clearly they can't.

I can't work out what the difference would be, though. Visiting from the water they seem the same, and I much prefer Hasler because I like the light ship. (Rightly or wrongly.)

Presumbaly P management at least believes there is some differentiator to justify the extra, and BF think there is a benefit to being slightly cheaper (like higher occupancy, or less demanding customers). Of course, one of the differentiators could be things like the P customer benefit that lets you use other P marinas - if BF customers get those 'perks' they can probably expect price increases for such "free" luxuries.

I found comparing marina prices for long term berthing was actually quite difficult. e.g. some will charge for a cradle by the week, some charge a token amount for storing your own craddle in the summer - others quite a bit more.

 

[wonkywinch]

There must be a difference beyond the operating company. If Boatfolk thought they could get away with 6% more at Hasler I'm sure they'd take it, clearly they can't.

I can't work out what the difference would be, though. Visiting from the water they seem the same, and I much prefer Hasler because I like the light ship. (Rightly or wrongly.)

We went a few weeks back. Excellent experience, the marina, the facilities and the Lightship.

Thread 'Haslar Lightship'

25 Aug 2025

We stayed at Haslar and ate here last Friday. Although there was a period when Boatfolk tried to posh it up and charge high prices, it's now back under old management by the lady who also runs The Creek.

Food was great from a "normal" menu. Prices reasonable and the service fantastic. I'm a fussy git but would highly recommend again.

The Lightship Haslar Marina – A unique dining experience aboard an iconic landmark in the Solent.

• wonkywinch
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Pub, Bar and Restaurant Recommendations

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