Universal Marina

[P4Paul]

Having moved away from Universal two years ago as the prices kept rising with no discernable additional benefits we ended up via Gosport at Swanwick.

We are now considering next year’s berthing options and looking on the Universal Marina website the prices now appear to be considerably lower than Swanwick.

We like both marinas for different reasons although for some inexplicable reason the lane to Universal absolutely gets on my goat.

Anyone at Universal care to comment on what the marina is now like, we are fully aware that Nellies opening times are hit and miss so are more interested in how you are finding the car parking, trolleys, showers/toilets, staff, etc.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[DAKA]

nellies gone seriously downhill.

next to no stock
filthy glasses, mine looked like it had been dug up from a bog, when I returned it I was given a clean glass with a grunt.
They are not busy but dont find time to clean.

You already know how windy and exposed the long walk down the pontoon is.

Access road little more than a farm track except there appears to have been an attempt to add sleeping policemen .

 

[wongaero]

It's peaceful though, especially if you're at one of the far ends - not much braying, which is nice.
The Marina staff always seem friendly and helpful, car parking's plentiful, trolley availability's often ok as long as you have a pound ready. What else, er, showers, toilets etc, not bad really, West Cowes still wins in that regard though.
Could do with a proper chandlery to save trips up and down the lane, though there is a good place to buy anodes which comes in handy once a year.

 

[mjf]

Yes its cheaper than Swanwick with elect and wifi included.

Oddly enough the lane also gets my goat too. the speed bumps are a PITA and last time I went down to get my anodes there at closing time I was nearly wiped out by the staff leaving in haste for their w/e.........

Sorry to hear about Nellies - have to say I enjoyed a beer and ice cream in the garden in the spring and it was delightful then.

 

[P4Paul]

You already know how windy and exposed the long walk down the pontoon is.

I remember it well.





Now that you have reminded me.

 

[P4Paul]

It's peaceful though, ...............

Could do with a proper chandlery to save trips up and down the lane, though there is a good place to buy anodes which comes in handy once a year.

I guess that the location is one of its benefits and one of the downsides. We were on D pontoon for three/four years, absolutely stunning views and so peaceful, right up to the point that the Rona trust boats come back!

Now I remember one of the reasons why we moved; the Rona Trust boats.

I will never forget the day that I was woken up at 6:15 in the morning by the Donald Searle first mate talking on his phone while leaning against our guard rails. When I got up and challenged him (using celtic words as expected from a sleep deprived Cornishman), his explaination was, he didn't want to wake his crew.



Swanwick is starting to look like the likely outcome. Just need to arm-wrestle a deal out of them.

 

[Cardo]

We mostly enjoy Universal. Staff seem good and helpful, our pontoon (C) is generally quiet with friendly neighbours, parking is no issue, and showers have been good and clean (aside from the first time we used them, where we must've used them just after a stampede of hairy apes!).

I spoke with the Universal guys at SIBS and expressed my concerns about Nellies. They stated they were well aware of the issues and had something in the pipeline, though they couldn't divulge what that was.

 

[pmjt]

We've been at Universal since the beginning of the season and love it. Yes there are more facilities at Mercury, Port Hamble, Hamble Point or Swanick but Universal has a tranquility that none of the others do.

You only use the lane once a day so who cares if you have to pull over?? It's much easier pilotage than going to any of the Hamble marinas!!!

We've found the staff to be very helpful no matter how daft our requests and the whole experience so much more enjoyable than when at Mercury ten or so years ago.

We're on L pontoon and have met many charming people who've helped us , often stopped to share a cuppa - and always stopped to pass the time of day.

Nellies is a huge disappointment - but up the road Chives for a sandwich, Place on the Green for chips or Kams Palace for a chinky takeaway are better than any marina eatery and Warsash Saling Club five minutes away has the best beer on the river anyway

To my mind Universal is the last non commercial spot on the river these days - we're not moving anywhere else soon.

Just my happeneth