Solent marinas -- price trends

[Dockhead]

I have just decided to keep my boat in the Solent next year, instead of moving her to the Med in March. So the usual question arises -- where to keep her?

I am planning to sail as much as I can over the winter, but will be in the U.S. for a couple of months so will haul her for for probably December -- February and launch her in March.

She is now in Swanwick Marina on the Hamble, a nice place. Very convenient access by road (it's right on the A27) or train, and decent facilities. But I would consider other marinas.

The marina managers are offering me half price for two winters, if I will pay the full price for the summer. Is this a deal? Or are there better deals out there? Sublets? Any advice? I am new to the area so quite uninformed. The total damage comes to approximately 11k for 18 months for a 54 foot sailboat. Hardstanding is included but I have to pay the fairly outrageous marina prices for hauling and launching. It's a lot of money of course, but what do you guys think?

 

[Dockhead]

I hope I haven't raised a taboo subject. If so, my apologies.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Not a taboo subject, it just comes up quite often.

11k for 18mths, for a 54 footer, seems reasonable by Solent standards. its an average of 7k per annum, and you wouldnt get that for a 12month let on its own.

 

[flaming]

I have just decided to keep my boat in the Solent next year, instead of moving her to the Med in March. So the usual question arises -- where to keep her?

I am planning to sail as much as I can over the winter, but will be in the U.S. for a couple of months so will haul her for for probably December -- February and launch her in March.

She is now in Swanwick Marina on the Hamble, a nice place. Very convenient access by road (it's right on the A27) or train, and decent facilities. But I would consider other marinas.

The marina managers are offering me half price for two winters, if I will pay the full price for the summer. Is this a deal? Or are there better deals out there? Sublets? Any advice? I am new to the area so quite uninformed. The total damage comes to approximately 11k for 18 months for a 54 foot sailboat. Hardstanding is included but I have to pay the fairly outrageous marina prices for hauling and launching. It's a lot of money of course, but what do you guys think?

I don't know the specifics, but there must be a reason that a large number of boats have made the move from Swanwick to Universal.

 

[Dockhead]

I don't know the specifics, but there must be a reason that a large number of boats have made the move from Swanwick to Universal.

Very interesting. Must be some serious discounting going on at Universal. I'll call them. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Facilities ashore at Universal were pretty dire last year.

 

[flaming]

Facilities ashore at Universal were pretty dire last year.

Which facilities are you referring to?

Slightly confused as there's nothing at universal I would call "dire".

 

[Dockhead]

We tend to use laundry and bathing facilities on board, so shore facilities are not that important to us. Decent security, decent parking, decent access to the pontoon, are the important things.

We tend to dinghy across to the Jolly Sailor when we don't feel like eating or drinking on board, and never use the (very rudimentary) restaurant at Swanwick.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Flaming - showers, loos. Chips-with-everything caff. No chandlery.

OTOH, very good yard services, good pontoon security.

 

[flaming]

Flaming - showers, loos. Chips-with-everything caff. No chandlery.

OTOH, very good yard services, good pontoon security.

Caff is pretty decent now, they even do kippers for breakfast! Showers and Loos are ok, if not overly plentiful.
Agree the lack of a chandlery is annoying.