Rip Off Britain!

[Richard_Woods]

As PBO readers will know, we have been sheltering from the hurricanes in the Rio Dulce, Guatemala (thank goodness I didn’t go to Grenada which was Plan A!) on our 32ft catamaran Eclipse. In November we sail south again to Panama. Then it is up the west coast of Mexico and the USA to British Columbia.

So we have been buying the necessary charts and pilots. All the 99 charts necessary to sail from Panama to San Diego, S California cost GBP60. That would be, what, 4 UK charts? The corresponding pilot books cost about GBP15.

I was recently in San Francisco (a great place to sail by the way) and so checked up on marina prices as a 32 ft catamaran can be expensive to moor. The first marina I visited was new, with nice showers, internet access on each pontoon etc. The cost was GBP100 a month. I later found that was the typical price for much of the Bay area. But I did find a half tide berth in a somewhat run down marina for GBP70 a month, and it was only a half hour sail to the Golden Gate bridge.

So what’s going on, why is Britain so expensive? Fair enough, we are paying GBP100 a month for our berth here in Guatemala but labour rates are low (GBP10 a day for workers in the boat yard) and who cares about the environment! But that’s not the case in the USA now is it?

Best wishes


<hr width=100% size=1>Richard Woods of Woods Designs for quality sailing catamaran designs
www.sailingcatamarans.com

 

[Birdseye]

Supply and demand - we have 60m people in the area of a small US state. And ridiculous planning laws. So there simply arent enough marinas for prices to be driven down.

Dont think the tidal range helps either - many areas of the UK waters edge are drying, hence locks and walls, hence cost. If it costs multi millions to build a marina for 300 boats (as it has in some cases) the interest bill alone can be more than the US figures you mention.

However, the full state of our matrinas show that UK people can afford the relatively high cost so where is the problem?

And I'm not sure how representative your US figures are. Those I have seen for the East coast are at UK levels.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[greatspirit]

Solution...avoid marinas
I pay £15 a year for my swinging mooring in milford haven for my 32 foot cat. Although I did have to pay a one off £40 to the port authority originally (and I did have to lay and have to maintain the mooring)


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[tim3057]

So I guess Portsmouth harbour's a bit expensive then? Chichester any better?

<hr width=100% size=1>Wayfarer Woodie done, now I need a new fix..

 

[actionoptics]

I understand that the US Government decided that if the tax payer paid for the information to be gained , such as details to make a chart , then the charts are to be sold at cost. The UK Hydrographic Office makes a very big profit every year for the Treasury.

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[geoffatstanpit]

I have to pay £10 a foot + VAT to the Bournemouth and W Hants Water Board to have a mooring in Christchurch Harbour. I have to provide and maintain the tackle and as far as I can see they do absolutely nothing. What's it to do with them anyway? I'm not even allowed to fish or pee off it and have to keep indemnified the Company from and against all actions, claims and costs relating thereto which may arise from the exercise of the priveleges(?) hereby granted!

Geoff

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