SYH - Meet the professionals

[Lucky Duck]

From the Suffolk Yacht Harbour website (http://www.syharbour.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=276&Itemid=1)

managing director Jonathan Dyke, who will be on hand to discuss any aspect of the harbour and its facilities.

Maybe this is an opportunity to discuss have far up the waiting list the last thirteen years has got me?

 

[Leighb]

Talking to Gus at King's just now, I gathered that they have around 30 empty berths at SYH this year.

I have heard elsewhere that being on the waiting list gets you nowhere, you have to keep going down there and nagging.

 

[Koeketiene]

Maybe this is an opportunity to discuss have far up the waiting list the last thirteen years has got me?

The waiting list is for people who wait and wait and wait

 

[Habebty]

Talking to Gus at King's just now, I gathered that they have around 30 empty berths at SYH this year.

I have heard elsewhere that being on the waiting list gets you nowhere, you have to keep going down there and nagging.

Always fancied SYH, but until they get rid of those stupid hoops on the pontoon fingers I might not be tempted. (those hoops are **** for single handers but any tips welcome)Also require a marina bar/yacht club not full of ********s. At least a bar where I could (if I wanted) have a beer before I shower, wearing stinky deckshoes and antifoul encrusted T shirt, pick my nose, fart, and wear a hat. (yes I know SYH don't run it but just thought I'd add it to the overall perception of the place))

The scary lady in the marina shop/chandlery (whom I'm sure is actually a very nice person) could do with a little more "customer perception"

To be honest, the only thing going for SYH is the location, as to me, the place seems a little cliquey. (present company excepted Jomo et al) oh yes, and I like the scrubbing grid there!

 

[Koeketiene]

Also require a marina bar/yacht club not full of ********s. At least a bar where I could (if I wanted) have a beer before I shower, wearing stinky deckshoes and antifoul encrusted T shirt, pick my nose, fart, and wear a hat.

One day in April, after a 14 hour bumpy Channel X-ing number 1 child and I hurried in at 20H55 to order a hot meal (kitchen closed at 21H00).
We were refused service because of our attire.

Haven't been back since - not even when we kept the boat there.

 

[nigelm]

I'm afraid I have to echo the setiments here , some friends and I were sitting at a table in the bar area eating our dinners when we were approached by a gentleman who said he was the harbour master and told we couldn't drink our Beers from the bottles ! And had to use glasses , now surly if this was a house rule then the barmaid should of poured our beers into glasses inthe first place ! I know it seems petty but this and the general attitude of staff really put us off the place .

Ipswich is now the marina of choice , more entertainment anyway .....

 

[davidwf]

Been on waiting list around 12 years, used to go in several times over the winter after they issued the renewal notices. However always felt unwelcome so gave up a couple of years ago as I cannot be bothered to grovell for the privilage to pay money to them.

In terms of location I always felt it was quite exposed to the prevailing winds, been in a few times with a friend who berths there and in a strong breeze it was quite tricky to berth.

 

[Koeketiene]

In terms of location I always felt it was quite exposed to the prevailing winds, been in a few times with a friend who berths there and in a strong breeze it was quite tricky to berth.

Agree - we overwintered there twice.
If it was a particularly breezy day we used to time our arrival/departure to coincide with LW to have a least a bit of shelter.

 

[Crowblack]

SYH is the only place in many years on the water where I've been turned away.

Usually with just an 8 metre boat a harbour will find somewhere to tuck us in.

My experience was several years ago now but it sounds as though still relevant.

I'd left the Blackwater in the early hours and got off SYH and called them up for a berth, the response was "I've just come on I'll have a look - but quick as flash came back the second response - - "we are full" I just got the impression I'd caught whoever it was at an unfortunate moment and it was easier to say no.

Back down the Orwell I went to Shotley where the reception couldn't have been more different - even an understanding that I might want to get my head down so come on in.

The guy on the lock said "was that you calling up SYH" "yep" I said - "have you heard that before" he said nothing, the wry smile on his face said it all.

 

[Leighb]

Even if they do admit they have a berth you may find yourself directed to an occupied one.

It was quite a breezy day with the wind blowing straight down the lane, fortunately there was one more empty berth 2 slots from the end. The guy in the office was quite unrepentant when I pointed out his error.

It was one of those occasions when we were glad we always put warps and fenders on BOTH sides.

 

[Captain Haddock]

I'm afraid I have to echo the setiments here , some friends and I were sitting at a table in the bar area eating our dinners when we were approached by a gentleman who said he was the harbour master and told we couldn't drink our Beers from the bottles ! And had to use glasses , .....

Wow, just wow...I honestly didn't think people were that petty in this day and age.

 

[Marmalade]

We avoid SYH because of a previous poor experience. Many years ago, but sad to conclude nothing's changed based on the comments here. Having said that, I know there are many happy SYH berth holders. People seem polarised about the place - it seems to be love it, or hate it...

 

[Tradewinds]

We avoid SYH because of a previous poor experience. Many years ago, but sad to conclude nothing's changed based on the comments here. Having said that, I know there are many happy SYH berth holders. People seem polarised about the place - it seems to be love it, or hate it...

Yup, I'm happy to be counted as one of the many happy ones. Nothing but a good experience to date (5 years plus).

 

[Lucky Duck]

Yup, I'm happy to be counted as one of the many happy ones. Nothing but a good experience to date (5 years plus).

I usually keep the boat on the hardstanding at SYH over the winter months and I the work of the boatyard has always been top notch.

Out of interest though, how long did you wait before being offered a berth?

 

[Tradewinds]

A little less than the 3 years quoted

But I had been on the hard a few years previous for quite a time & they had done some work as well . . . and I'm a nice bloke . . . and I've got a nice looking yacht that looks good in one of their berths . . .
and . . .

 

[LONG_KEELER]

About 18 years ago I made my first visit in a 20' boat. I got a damn good telling off for knocking and walking in to a door marked Harbourmaster.

Apparently I should have gone to the chandlery first. I was then given a berth that was impossible to get into.

I had a swinging mooring there for a few years but the slip was impossible to use because it was too slippery. Keeping a tender behind the pontoons was quite nice but it was full of boats that were never used, half sunk or abandoned. Often you could not find a spot. No one seemed bothered about changing things. I felt it was time to move on.

To be honest, even if I owned the place, it would probably be the same. It is in such a good spot that market forces do not apply so it is what it is.

I notice that very few swinging moorings on the Levington side have been sold this year.

They have spent lots of money recently on the facilities and the centre for disabled sailors is great so they probably mean well. I suppose a place is what we make it, and perhaps it is just too big to be homely.

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Oh dear.

Difficult to mount a defence, and in some instances SYH don't really merit one. But that's no reason why the criticism should be entirely one-sided.

SYH's location, all tide access, and facilities make it a sought after location and consequently the SYH management and staff become complacent, in some instances downright arrogant. However, there are a few notable exceptions where staff are really knowledgeable and helpful. So it's not all bad.

From what see and hear, I would much rather be a berthholder than a visitor. I've often thought as I trundled down to my berth that I don't know how I would find it or got into it if I were arriving as a visitor.

The silly hoop things on the pontoon are built into the pontoons and as I understand it was the cheap and easy solution to putting down a load of pontoons in the early years of the harbour. The good news is that they are slowly replacing the hoops with cleats - but don't hold your breath I don't expect to be still alive by the time they get around to my pontoon.

The Lightship has had many different managers and staff since I've been at SYH and some of them have been truly dreadful, but the current management and staff are both friendly and helpful. I've been served a hot meal at 2200 hrs before now. Never felt I had to 'dress up' to be served or mind my manners.

SYH is proud of it's 'business partners'. That's the other businesses on the site, to you and me. Some of these are terrific, some are awful. Always hear good reports of Big Nige, generally hear good reports of Parker & Kaye & Mr Stainless. The chandlery is generally well-stocked and the staff are, shall we say, variable.

There are friendlier places to keep you boat. That's without question. But with 550 berths it's not likely to be a particularly chummy place. If you were looking for chummy you'd most definitely go somewhere else. But for drive straight down the A14, walk onto boat and leave whenever you want to, it has no serious rivals.

 

[FullCircle]

Nice balance Bernie

 

[Tradewinds]

A very fair assessment - I'd go along with that.

 

[sailorman]

Oh dear.

Difficult to mount a defence, and in some instances SYH don't really merit one. But that's no reason why the criticism should be entirely one-sided.

SYH's location, all tide access, and facilities make it a sought after location and consequently the SYH management and staff become complacent, in some instances downright arrogant. However, there are a few notable exceptions where staff are really knowledgeable and helpful. So it's not all bad.

From what see and hear, I would much rather be a berthholder than a visitor. I've often thought as I trundled down to my berth that I don't know how I would find it or got into it if I were arriving as a visitor.

The silly hoop things on the pontoon are built into the pontoons and as I understand it was the cheap and easy solution to putting down a load of pontoons in the early years of the harbour. The good news is that they are slowly replacing the hoops with cleats - but don't hold your breath I don't expect to be still alive by the time they get around to my pontoon.

The Lightship has had many different managers and staff since I've been at SYH and some of them have been truly dreadful, but the current management and staff are both friendly and helpful. I've been served a hot meal at 2200 hrs before now. Never felt I had to 'dress up' to be served or mind my manners.

SYH is proud of it's 'business partners'. That's the other businesses on the site, to you and me. Some of these are terrific, some are awful. Always hear good reports of Big Nige, generally hear good reports of Parker & Kaye & Mr Stainless. The chandlery is generally well-stocked and the staff are, shall we say, variable.

There are friendlier places to keep you boat. That's without question. But with 550 berths it's not likely to be a particularly chummy place. If you were looking for chummy you'd most definitely go somewhere else. But for drive straight down the A14, walk onto boat and leave whenever you want to, it has no serious rivals.

[it has no serious rivals. ]

i would beg to differ.
we have superp staff who at least listen & try to sort thing abiet slowly in some cases ( new shower block & laundry promised 6 yrs ago with disabled facilities, maybe nxt season a Malcolm ).
we have a very good club open to all visitors with inexpensive food steak n chips £6.50).
we are further from the sea than SYH but in the winter that is no bad thing as the shelter is much better & the staff check the boats regularly.
last saturday night we had an amasing time with a local band in the club all at a cost of passing a pint mug around.
well done all at Foxs staff & berth holders