Shamrock Quay

[jforgan]

Having almost chosen a boat, now comes the much more difficult task of finding a berth.

I visisted Shamrock Quay in Southampton today and the people seemed very pleasant and the facilties good. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about the marina or the location

Many thanks

John

 

[Solitaire]

I operated a sea school from there. Nice bunch of guys. The pub is not bad and the Yellow Wellie does a mean breakfast and bacon sarnie. There also some good services plus a Chandler

Drawbacks? Not a lot really. Good access from the major road routes. Good diesel price at Itchen Marine, but closet petrol is Hythe Marina which is a through the lock

I'm presuming that as you've posted on the Mobo forum you are looking at a motorboat. Remember that the 6 knot limit runs down to Weston Shelf and that it will take you a good 1/2 hour to get to the end of the limit.

 

[jforgan]

Thanks for that. Useful advice!

By coincidence, my wife and I are doing the Helmsman's Course with Mendez Marine next weekend. That wouldn't be you by any chance?

Regards

John

 

[Solitaire]

It would! :grin. I'm not actually your instructor, but I think we have spoken! I'm running VHF courses next weekend - but you are in good hands.

 

[Hurricane]

We think that Shamrock Quay is a bit commercial.
Why not try something up the Hamble.
I dont think it is much more expensive.
Mercury, for instance, has open views and less smoke.
More of a holiday atmosphere IMHO off course.

 

[powerskipper]

shamrock, does have a lot of tidal flow though the marina, this can be a pain . until you have mastered it and may limit you chose of entry and exit times[avoiding mid flow like]

 

[danielbroad]

We used to be at Shamrock, it was quite a bit cheaper than any Hamble option we looked at.

Solitaires comments spot on. We liked it and would have stayed, but once we got a longer boat it was to expensive for us.

We still visit the Yellow Welly occasionally...

 

[miket]

Like the others, all favourable.
Yes, the location is a bit more commercial, but I think nicely so. As for the Hamble? I would take SQ every time, if only to avoid the weekend scramble down and back up the Hamble. The undoing of any therapeutic relaxation you might have gained over the weekend.
Powerskipper is right about the current being reasonably strong on occasions, but we never had a problem over 3 years there.
The best place to eat, within the marina, and it is very good, is TAP's. Proprietor Alfred, is Austrian, and he and his son run a super restaurant. No relation, just very satified customer of both SQ and TAP's.