richardbrennan
Well-Known Member
Anybody have experience of being berthed in Royal Clarence Marina?
If so, what are the pros and cons?
If so, what are the pros and cons?
Royal Clarence Marina
- Thread starter richardbrennan
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maby
Well-Known Member
It's over a year since I was last there, so things may have changed a bit... Pontoons were not bad, and it is a bit more sheltered than Gosport Marina next door - which gets very lumpy. Downside was a lack of facilities on site. There was space for multiple shops or bars, but not a lot of takers.
jonic
Well-Known Member
I have sold a number of boats from there over the years and always found it to be a good marina with helpful staff. A bit quiet perhaps, but I suspect that may be why some like it anyway.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
It's over 50 years since I was there, so things may have changed a bit!
It was then called the Royal Clarence Yard, and I was mainly berthing open wooden 32' Cutters and 27' Montagu Whalers under oars.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Hee hee. Used to get the PAS boat from there when living in Gosport to go and do various stuff either in the Dockyard or at Whaley. They had engines though......It's over 50 years since I was there, so things may have changed a bit!
It was then called the Royal Clarence Yard, and I was mainly berthing open wooden 32' Cutters and 27' Montagu Whalers under oars.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
They had engines though......
Pah! Who needs engines when you've got a pulling skipper's ticket?
Pete7
Well-Known Member
I would certainly asked about car parking because they are quite hot of dishing out tickets around the area. Nice a sheltered though, we are next door. Probably a 15 minute walk to the nearest chandlers. Doesn't seem to have the problems of boats aground at LW springs that Premier have.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
You may need to explain that to younger people........Pah! Who needs engines when you've got a pulling skipper's ticket?
laika
Well-Known Member
I was in clarence for the best part of 4 years but moved to Brighton 5 years ago so much of my information is out of date. I've also spent a bit of time in Premier but have little experience with Haslar other than the odd night on other people's boats. The staff at Clarence were lovely but the marina manager retired shortly after I left. The facilities were basic and a hike but I gather have now been tarted up and moved closer. Staffing is not 24 hours but that didn't matter to me. Pontoons etc. were well maintained. I had no complaints. Food/drink options used to be dire but those will have changed: get local knowledge of what is there now. The Clarence, which Cunliffe lauded in my copy of his pilot book, is a bit of a dive and didn't used to serve food. The Clipper crews used to be a nightmare but they've moved to Premier now.
It's a longer hike to the ferry than haslar or premier. Obviously also a longer hike to chandlers. For provisioning it's probably no further to morrisons than premier. I never really noticed the extra distance to the harbour entrance than from premier: my crew is not the fastest at stowing/deploying lines and fenders so the extra time was welcomed.
As Maby said in post #2, sheltered by rat island and noticeably less rolly than Premier.
We used to be on a month-by-month contract so didn't try out the transeurope marinas thingy but judge for yourself whether the premier 42 nights at other Premier locations is better or worse than discounted stays at other trans europe locations.
In short, I would definitely be happy to berth in Clarence again if we moved back to Gosport.
It's a longer hike to the ferry than haslar or premier. Obviously also a longer hike to chandlers. For provisioning it's probably no further to morrisons than premier. I never really noticed the extra distance to the harbour entrance than from premier: my crew is not the fastest at stowing/deploying lines and fenders so the extra time was welcomed.
As Maby said in post #2, sheltered by rat island and noticeably less rolly than Premier.
We used to be on a month-by-month contract so didn't try out the transeurope marinas thingy but judge for yourself whether the premier 42 nights at other Premier locations is better or worse than discounted stays at other trans europe locations.
In short, I would definitely be happy to berth in Clarence again if we moved back to Gosport.
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Daedelus
Well-Known Member
Used to be rolly in Premier (many years ago and might be in the bit nearest Endeavour Quay) but down my end it's quite peaceful and no current to mess you about.
scrambledegg
Well-Known Member
I am berthed there and really like it.
Positives:
* my berth is deep (always > 4m), I think all are
* the washroom/toilet facilities have had a major upgrade a year or two ago and they are sumptuous
* it's really well sheltered and I've never experienced swell to speak of or stream
* it has two restaurants right on the key-side, within 100 metres
* it's right next to the former naval accommodation, bakehouse etc, I like the traditional architecture
downsides (slight):
* car park is about 200m away
* no on-site chandlery, there's one about 1/2 mile away
* no on-site boat storage on the hard, though other facilities pretty close.
Positives:
* my berth is deep (always > 4m), I think all are
* the washroom/toilet facilities have had a major upgrade a year or two ago and they are sumptuous
* it's really well sheltered and I've never experienced swell to speak of or stream
* it has two restaurants right on the key-side, within 100 metres
* it's right next to the former naval accommodation, bakehouse etc, I like the traditional architecture
downsides (slight):
* car park is about 200m away
* no on-site chandlery, there's one about 1/2 mile away
* no on-site boat storage on the hard, though other facilities pretty close.
richardbrennan
Well-Known Member
Thank you all for the info.
I am very familiar with the area and the other two marinas, but the info from scrambledegg is most useful.
I am very familiar with the area and the other two marinas, but the info from scrambledegg is most useful.
bdh198
Well-Known Member
We were there for 4 years until 2018. At the time it was slightly cheaper than a berth in neighbouring Haslar or Gosport.
Big positive was being so close to the Solent. Just 15-20 minutes from berth to Inner Swashway (unless you had properly mis-timed the tide!). The marina is sheltered and even in a big blow berthing was never a problem with the shelter provided by the buildings. The staff on site were always very friendly and we never had any issues with access etc. You also get parking permits and the marina has guest permits they can give you if friends or family join you in more than one car. Just make sure you properly display your ticket... the parking operator keeps a tight eye out for cars without a permit!
The downsides for us was the distance from the car park to the marina entrance (but I suspect that is probably also an issue with other marinas). However, at that time we were there it was possible to temporarily park closer to quickly drop things off. Another downside was the drive into Gosport area from the M27. On a bad day the A32 could be really slow. However, that is compromise for having a berth close to the Solent in that part of the south coast.
One issue we had the whole time we were there was the feeling the area was all set for commercial activity to take off, but it never quite did. There are a lot of empty business premises which if a chandlers and small supermarket opened up in would make the marina a lot more attractive as a base for a yacht. However, having said that there are two chandlers within 3 minutes drive and lots of supermarkets.
Overall our experience was extremely positive and that far outweighed the minor negatives. If we hadn’t move to a new area we would certainly still be there.
Big positive was being so close to the Solent. Just 15-20 minutes from berth to Inner Swashway (unless you had properly mis-timed the tide!). The marina is sheltered and even in a big blow berthing was never a problem with the shelter provided by the buildings. The staff on site were always very friendly and we never had any issues with access etc. You also get parking permits and the marina has guest permits they can give you if friends or family join you in more than one car. Just make sure you properly display your ticket... the parking operator keeps a tight eye out for cars without a permit!
The downsides for us was the distance from the car park to the marina entrance (but I suspect that is probably also an issue with other marinas). However, at that time we were there it was possible to temporarily park closer to quickly drop things off. Another downside was the drive into Gosport area from the M27. On a bad day the A32 could be really slow. However, that is compromise for having a berth close to the Solent in that part of the south coast.
One issue we had the whole time we were there was the feeling the area was all set for commercial activity to take off, but it never quite did. There are a lot of empty business premises which if a chandlers and small supermarket opened up in would make the marina a lot more attractive as a base for a yacht. However, having said that there are two chandlers within 3 minutes drive and lots of supermarkets.
Overall our experience was extremely positive and that far outweighed the minor negatives. If we hadn’t move to a new area we would certainly still be there.
Habebty
Well-Known Member
If I was going to keep a boat in Gosport, it’s where I would go. Stopped there last summer. Great bogs and showers, on site pub did good food. Yes a longer walk to the ferry but nicer ambience than the other marinas.
I sailed Bosuns out of the old Clarence Yard in the 70s with the Sea Scouts and school! So was bit of a nostalgia trip for me.
I sailed Bosuns out of the old Clarence Yard in the 70s with the Sea Scouts and school! So was bit of a nostalgia trip for me.
stuartwineberg
Well-Known Member
+1 on the positives. We are there. Great facilities, brand new all porcelenosa directly opposite the bridgehead. Artys is a decent bistro opposite. Victuallers in the old bakery was rubbish but has new owners and we await a verdict on them. Staff are excellent, pontoon walkways wide and stable. Sheltered from tide, a bit rolly on the lower letter pontoons, exposed to the wind funnelling up the harbour. Good hard standing at Gosport boatyard next door. Free mid season lift and scrub at birdham if
you can get through the lock. For the Solent very reasonable rates. transeurope benefits If you pay for full year up front
you can get through the lock. For the Solent very reasonable rates. transeurope benefits If you pay for full year up front
bdh198
Well-Known Member
In related news, I’ve just seen that neighbouring Priddy’s Hard is being redeveloped which could have a positive affect for the empty business premises at Royal Clarence.
Priddy’s Hard – Developing Gosport
Priddy’s Hard – Developing Gosport
ashtead
Well-Known Member
Did you move from Haslar Stuart? How does cost of Royal Clarence compare?
stuartwineberg
Well-Known Member
We were at ocean village for a while until the delusions of super yacht/5 star hotel set in. We have been at Haslar a few years ago and liked it a lot especially the access to Haslar creek for sail setting/fender wrangling and the staff. I believe Clarence is less expensive than Haslar. We certainly haven’t been able to get anywhere near Clarence prices at any mainstream marina. One advantage is that they don’t do price per metre jumps at certain boat lengths. Shamrock is the least expensive mdl and very good but all dearer than Portsmouth harbour as far as I can tell. Clarence is a small marina and fills up quickly. Haven’t had 2020 rates from them yet.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
Many thanks - I did ask for a quote from premier last year but seemed pricier and less attractive.OV is good but too far in and out for us and I have heard a fair degree of partying noise there on occasion.
Blue Sunray
Well-Known Member
They seem to have got the hotel noise at OV under control, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a permanent berth due to the threat of further development on shore and its poor facilities. Good for a visit or short break in a city sort of way.
