Premier acquires Boatfolk

[Never Grumble]

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

Boatfolks corporate colour was green will they have to repaint the lightship?

 

[stelican]

Economy measure just the other side red.

 

[ashtead]

Be interested to see impact we have been with Ben at Haslar many years and like the staff at operational level and will be sad if any fallout when Prem role in - many at Haslar might be tempted by Clarence marina and the Victory lift set up -what’s bad for Haslar might be good for one Clarence . Otherwise choice is limited unless you are prepared for Wicor or small enough for Hardway or Fareham. We will pay up for next year only marginally less at 12.8 m circa £9k than mention above if you pay this month and see what happens in 2026 re takeover and the rates in 2027. I guess this might be last year of free SIBs tickets for Haslar owners. Will also be interesting to see how the relationship between Maria as the returned lightship/creek operators and the premier venture capital plays out longer term. I suspect the boatfolk portfolio has some jewels of sites and some dogs of marina that premier will offload pdq.

 

[rafiki_]

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.)

I chose Haslar over Gosport mainly due to the outlook. At Gosport your view is dominated by the RN fuelling pier. Not pretty! Berthing costs for my 42’ mobo were very similar.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

The Haslar / Gosport proximity looks to me like a saving ready to be made - merge the two marines, single management, single reception team, single boatyard. etc. As it is, Gosport is kinda paired up with Port Solent.

 

[ontheplane]

I would think another major benefit to Premier is when they have a virtual monopoly - thats when the real price rises will hit.

If they own every south coast marina bar say 2 then they can pretty much hike prices to whatever they want. The 2 or whatever that aren't owned by them will fill pretty much straight away - and then they can charge everyone whatever they like.

People have to keep their boats somewhere - what they going to do? if your only choice is a Premier then you have to pay up.

 

[Fire99]

It's really interesting to hear people's perspectives. Under Boatfolk here in Northern Ireland, it's been a very different experience from what appears to be the experiences at many of the South Coast marinas. Amenities here have really been on a downward trajectory since Boatfolk's inception but much of that may be more to do with the relationship with the local council and that all other facilities including the boatyard next door are separate companies. It's boat moorings only here.
Here, there is an ongoing tender process going on which seems to have gone from contracts spanning 50yrs, to 20-25, to about 3.. Now Premier are onboard, I do wonder if say NI will be retained as for the very limited revenue it generates, I can't see it fitting with Premier's ethos..
I must add that's merely a hunch and not based on any particular economic insight.

 

[Boat2016]

I would think another major benefit to Premier is when they have a virtual monopoly - thats when the real price rises will hit.

If they own every south coast marina bar say 2 then they can pretty much hike prices to whatever they want. The 2 or whatever that aren't owned by them will fill pretty much straight away - and then they can charge everyone whatever they like.

People have to keep their boats somewhere - what they going to do? if your only choice is a Premier then you have to pay up.

People will just give up boating, it’s that simple, price it out of their reach and off they go, I have a few friends done that already after the covid prices kicked in, not everyone has an endless surplus of money to keep giving away. When there’s a lot of empty berths things will change.

 

[thejonesey]

We have been at Premier Universal since June and have had excellent service throughout. Similar experience at Prem Gosport, BoatFolk Haslar and Deacons. Hopefully this merger will see a positive outcome. If it saved BoatFolk then that is good news indeed.

 

[xcw]

I had a great day at the Boat show yesterday. Yes it is noticeably smaller this year and I guess will be even smaller next year as (I assume) BoatFolk and Premier consolidate their stands. Here's the issue; I first went into the BoatFolk hospitality where there was a great lively atmosphere, customers consuming the beer, wine & coffee provided. I then went to the Premier hospitality which was pretty empty and dull; they were only serving coffee and soft drinks, no alcohol . I just hope Premier up their game for next year and learn from BoatFolk on this very important aspect of the customer experience

 

[wonkywinch]

.. alcohol ... this very important aspect of the customer experience

MDL Bertholders get 4 free drinks at the HarBar using their bertholder username (XX1234) as the code.

Also intend to try one of Sunsail's rum punches and join Happy Hour on the CA stand at 4.30pm.

Bus there/Uber home in readiness.

 

[Paul1962]

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 .

Hi Paul - Boatfolk are not cheap by any stretch - £2.5K for a 5 metre 6 month summer berth!

 

[rafiki_]

Hi Paul - Boatfolk are not cheap by any stretch - £2.5K for a 5 metre 6 month summer berth!

Where is this? I’m paying £9,250 per year for a 13m boat. Do you get caviar, red carpet, full wash down and a daily massage?

 

[Seastoke]

Surely the CMA should be looking at this deal.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Where is this? I’m paying £9,250 per year for a 13m boat. Do you get caviar, red carpet, full wash down and a daily massage?

That’s book price pretty much. A tad cheaper than Swanwick

 

[AllanG]

Surely the CMA should be looking at this deal.

Why??

 

[Boat2016]

Where is this? I’m paying £9,250 per year for a 13m boat. Do you get caviar, red carpet, full wash down and a daily massage?

You get a much better rate for an annual contract, monthly rate is an expensive way of storing a boat.

If you leave mid contract it’s usually calculated at the monthly rate for the time you have had.

 

[Seastoke]

Why??

Are they not creating a monopoly .

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hardly, with MDL and Yacht Havens already there and dozens of independents.

 

[rafiki_]

You get a much better rate for an annual contract, monthly rate is an expensive way of storing a boat.

If you leave mid contract it’s usually calculated at the monthly rate for the time you have had.

I’m quoting my annual contract