bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Yeah this is one of the problems with Porthcawl, if you plan to go but have to wait for the gate in adverse weather there is no shelter and the approaches are really rough. It's a destination without much of a plan B
Watchet Marina Update...
- Thread starter tonybarebones
- Start date
Yeah this is one of the problems with Porthcawl, if you plan to go but have to wait for the gate in adverse weather there is no shelter and the approaches are really rough. It's a destination without much of a plan B
boatingdave
Well-Known Member
I have to agree - we have gone through the Nash passage in some pretty lively weather so you do need to get the timing right especially as you have to keep away from the submerged rocks on the way in and then hang a sharp turn to SB and head for the gate. There is a small shelter behind the break water but quite small so you have to keep the concentration up and be prepared to correct the position of the boat. Luckily we've never had to hang around outside for long. However when it is is bad keep well away - 100% agree.
Sneds
Well-Known Member
It was the little self drive motor boats in the fair at Portcawl back in the 70's that sparked my interest in all things floaty, anyone remember them or have a photo?
They were not the remote control ones but ones you actually sat in.
They were not the remote control ones but ones you actually sat in.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
How is Bristol Ian?
siencyn
Well-Known Member
I have just left Porthcawl as they have a stupid max 10mtr rule and I am buying a 36' ! Porthcawl could be a real Jewel in the Welsh marina/harbour scene but it's sadly another example of Labour controlled local authority whose arrogance far exceeds its capabilities! It's obvious to all with real knowledge or experience of boating issues, that a vital part of the expensive and badly thought through improvements would be a proper breakwater just outside the harbour to help residents as well as visitors to negotiate the entrance safely. Remember to steer clear, if the depth allows you, from the pier where rod fishermen will offer plenty of advice on keeping clear in no uncertain terms!
A vast amount of money, I understand mostly EU grants(another reason for Wales to vote remain?) has been spent on a clever gate and an extension to the harbour wall? Sadly, the new and excellent pontoons with full facilities can only house a modicum of 10 mtr boats and a total of some 74 vessels in total. There are no lift out facilities and if they are installed, which is unlikely, there will be no secure yard to store boats. The parking restrictions in summer will be excessive and not helpful to berth holders. The toilets and harbourmaster are housed in portacabins, although they are clean and quite acceptable. The small amount of berths makes this marina difficult if not impossible to break even so will be a drain on ratepayers for many years. This vast amount of our money has been spent to arrive at a costly and asinine white elephant, yet despite having a deficit of normal marina services the costs are on a par with Cardiff Bay Yacht Club with all that clubs many superior benefits! To the chargrin of the local ratepayer, to the north of the small outer harbour now constituting the 'marina' is the well known Salt Lake Car park. Leased by a local businessman I believe. This car park is the site of the original huge Porthcawl harbour. The walls of which still exist and can in some areas still be seen. ThIs huge harbour was filled in as recently as the late 1940's. A non access road now runs over the entrance to this harbour. With a reletivley small addition to the huge costs already committed, this huge, exiting harbour could have been dug out and reinstated, with possibly 2' 3 or 400 berths. Making a marina that would actually, like most of the others, make money! I despair but I am happier with the longer trip back to my friendly old club at Cardiff Yacht. May not be perfect but at least it's run by people who care and have a pretty good idea of what they are doing! Well! That's that off my chest! Other than that, when the weather permits, give Porthcawl a visit? Good resteruants and nice people! Lovely and helpful marina staff! Avoid the Elvis weekend unless a big fan!
A vast amount of money, I understand mostly EU grants(another reason for Wales to vote remain?) has been spent on a clever gate and an extension to the harbour wall? Sadly, the new and excellent pontoons with full facilities can only house a modicum of 10 mtr boats and a total of some 74 vessels in total. There are no lift out facilities and if they are installed, which is unlikely, there will be no secure yard to store boats. The parking restrictions in summer will be excessive and not helpful to berth holders. The toilets and harbourmaster are housed in portacabins, although they are clean and quite acceptable. The small amount of berths makes this marina difficult if not impossible to break even so will be a drain on ratepayers for many years. This vast amount of our money has been spent to arrive at a costly and asinine white elephant, yet despite having a deficit of normal marina services the costs are on a par with Cardiff Bay Yacht Club with all that clubs many superior benefits! To the chargrin of the local ratepayer, to the north of the small outer harbour now constituting the 'marina' is the well known Salt Lake Car park. Leased by a local businessman I believe. This car park is the site of the original huge Porthcawl harbour. The walls of which still exist and can in some areas still be seen. ThIs huge harbour was filled in as recently as the late 1940's. A non access road now runs over the entrance to this harbour. With a reletivley small addition to the huge costs already committed, this huge, exiting harbour could have been dug out and reinstated, with possibly 2' 3 or 400 berths. Making a marina that would actually, like most of the others, make money! I despair but I am happier with the longer trip back to my friendly old club at Cardiff Yacht. May not be perfect but at least it's run by people who care and have a pretty good idea of what they are doing! Well! That's that off my chest! Other than that, when the weather permits, give Porthcawl a visit? Good resteruants and nice people! Lovely and helpful marina staff! Avoid the Elvis weekend unless a big fan!
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bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
A relatively small addition to the costs? Having a hard time imagining that one.
siencyn
Well-Known Member
Well, my understanding the costs of the marina upgrade are £6million plus? The costs of digging out an already existing harbour and putting in facilities would be relatively small in comparison, would they not? What do you think or have you some unknown axe to grind? Also, I could have mentioned the desirability of the remaining land to developers? The sale of which could, possibly, cover much of the expansion costs. Forgive me but if you know more about the topic perhaps you can enlighten us?
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
I doubt that very much. A large part of the problem is where you are going to put the vast amount of contaminated fill you dig out, how you are going to appropriately transport it, and so on. What makes you think the cost of all that would be so small? I have no axes to grind and I'll thank you to leave the belligerence at the door.
siencyn
Well-Known Member
Belligerence? Really? If so, I apologise. I was just wondered what was driving you to identify that particular minor terminology? I was merely trying to point out that they have done half a job? My suggestion is that rather than spending a small fortune to leave a loss making facility to manage, it may have been better to have gone the extra mile and develop a worthwhile cost effective project. In an attempt to placate my perception of your touchiness and imho your pedantic criticism over my use of the word relative, I withdraw the offending ' relative'! If I just say additional investment, would that be OK?
chrishelen
N/A
I always thought Porthcawl marina was going to be a white elephant from the off. Looking at the plans when it was first proposes I thought it was only half a job and never going to be viable. Having been into the old harbour a few times to dry out I thought they also might have made use of the massive old harbour and done a proper job of it. They missed a trick here.
single
Well-Known Member
Looks like i'm heading to Watchet tonight if anyone wants any particular pictures or info?
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
boatingdave
Well-Known Member
Last time I went there I met up with a friend of mine from Portishead, (we moor in Penarth). They put us stern to stern on the hammerhead - I was poking out someway in to the main marina - turning around (so I could face out towards the gate) was an interesting experience. My boat is 45' and my mates is 38 (plus tenders). It was 'snug'
. Still enjoyed it though, it was somewhere different.
pondfish
Well-Known Member
News of their progress with the dredger and some photos would be good
single
Well-Known Member
I went but only stayed a few hours and had to depart at 0300 due to this weather front coming quicker than expected. Most expensive trip iv'e ever done and we got charged to be there for a few hours!!!!
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
Yes , really. Your view my or may not be correct but you dont come over well in your posts.
siencyn
Well-Known Member
hmmmm.. Gracious acceptance of apologies not your thing I see!
