jimmiboy
New member
I’m currently looking for my first “proper” boat and berth. I’m not on a limitless budget so was wondering if anyone can advise on the cheaper marinas. Or are all prices very similar?
I also loved being in Chichester but you forget (a) having to wait to lock in and out and (b) the lack of water meaning it was impossible to leave the berth at all around neaps sometimesI was in Chichester for some time, I loved it. It's cheaper, about 70% of the Hamble prices, but the downside is 75 minutes to the sea and in a yacht, half a day to get to Cowes.
I was about half way down D with 1.8 m draft. I remember trying to set out one friday of a BH weekend and getting 2 feet before getting stuck. The marina confirmed no chance of more water until off neaps but didn't think they had any responsibility.Yes, both true. Never got stuck on the berth (we were on G with 1,7m draft) but we'd plan the weekends around the rising tides. Came back in once a bit early and got stuck in the channel for 40 minutes, bit embarrassing.
It's quite instructive to look at the exposed mud in the channel at low water springs, it helped me have some idea of how to manoeuvre to avoid the worst of it...Quite some time ago we went hard aground on a lump of shingle just outside the lock and spent several hours there waiting for the tide to turn. We subsequently learnt this could be avoided by keeping nearer the waiting pontoon at the 'knuckle'
Fortunately this allowed a helpful individual from the yacht club armed with a boat hook to clear the plastic bag which was wrapped around the prop and we did receive offers of somebody collecting a take away on our behalf.