ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
Had an interesting chat with the new manager and thought you may be interested. Don't take everything I say as gospel, because I'm only repeating what he told me conversationally.
In brief - the marina has not been profitable for a while and the only way to make it pay is to keep it full (obviously). that's why they are only really interested in annual berth contracts. the place is currently full and there is a long waiting list for annual berths. Therefore, the days of phoning ahead and booking a few weeks in advance for a short visit are over. The best hope of securing a short visit is to call ahead with a few days notice on the chance of a berth-holder being away and their berth being sublet.
He did say it is always worth calling or emailing an enquiry - especially for club visitors who are happy to raft up in the west basin. He is friendly, helpful and very professional and seemingly wants to help people out where he can.
He told me that berth holders will have to be prepared to be jiggled about when they have other big events - such as the Classics Regatta or when the Clippers muster.
On the positive side for those who do get in or have berths - there are lots of improvements being made: new pontoons, better security, fab facilities (ace showers and toilets) and a totally excellent mobile pump out facility. He's also clamping down on those who never move their boats and have apparently been emptying holding tanks directly into the dock. Apparently, for the first time in a long time, there are actually fish in the water.
In brief - the marina has not been profitable for a while and the only way to make it pay is to keep it full (obviously). that's why they are only really interested in annual berth contracts. the place is currently full and there is a long waiting list for annual berths. Therefore, the days of phoning ahead and booking a few weeks in advance for a short visit are over. The best hope of securing a short visit is to call ahead with a few days notice on the chance of a berth-holder being away and their berth being sublet.
He did say it is always worth calling or emailing an enquiry - especially for club visitors who are happy to raft up in the west basin. He is friendly, helpful and very professional and seemingly wants to help people out where he can.
He told me that berth holders will have to be prepared to be jiggled about when they have other big events - such as the Classics Regatta or when the Clippers muster.
On the positive side for those who do get in or have berths - there are lots of improvements being made: new pontoons, better security, fab facilities (ace showers and toilets) and a totally excellent mobile pump out facility. He's also clamping down on those who never move their boats and have apparently been emptying holding tanks directly into the dock. Apparently, for the first time in a long time, there are actually fish in the water.
