watchet marina

[damo]

£1.65 per metre, £16.50 minimum which equates to a 10.0m boat.

The locking fee is also £16.50, so eg if you were staying over low water, on the way to Sharpness or Bristol, then a 20m canal boat would still pay only £16.50 if they came in last lock and left first lock (although we don't generally charge a lock fee if you come in for fuel)

 

[zlod]

My understanding of the Watchet sill is that it opens and closes automatically based on the actual height of the tide (rather than the predicted height): so the marina staff are not intervening in the sill (so I think there are some limits on the correlation that can be expected between sill opening and marina staff presence). I was quite surprised the first time that I went to Watchet in that I had radioed them (and was the only one out in the Bristol Channel by the look of it) and when I got to the inner harbour, the light was red. What I realised later was that the stop / go light for entering the inner harbour is essentially an alternating RG light and isn't controlled based on traffic.

My view is that Watchet is a great place to go to. I wish there were more places like Watchet marina in the Bristol Channel. It seems from Allan's post like Watchet marina's prices are comparable to other prices in the UK (which was my experience) and there are some cheaper marinas in the Bristol Channel. I'm not that fussed about the quality of the toilet blocks and showers as that's not the reason I go sailing.

I think one of the problems is that Watchet is being compared with some much bigger marinas with more income and that doesn't seem to be an apples to apples comparison.

 

[Allan]

It seems the present marina owners are starting to agree with us, as they have reduced the prices. A small improvement to the showers and less problems with the keys etc. and we will all be a little happier. As I have said before, I like Watchet (the town) very much, although I have only been for one night this year. Maybe if the marina were to arrange a "come and see us for free weekend" loads of us would rush back?
Allan

 

[Zephyr362]

I'm off to Watchet tomorow, hopefully we'll get back on the boat. I've been there many times and had good service, prices a bit high and have mentioned this to them.
As mentioned above they did say that this was due to the high costs, glad to see that they've dropped it as I'd hate to lose the marina as they are making an effort and value it's settings.
Portishead may be nice but it doesn't have a steam train or the Star!

 

[Elza_Skip]

We also like Watchet and have generally had good expereiences there. There have sometimes been a few minutes delay getting in contact with the office on VHF, but have always got through oafter a few minutes.

I do agree the prices are high in comparison to other places but not so much as to put us off going for a few days.

Overall a positive experience and I would recommend others to go there even if the facilities are a little basic

 

[timmtay]

I am the owner of Watchet Marina. Please be assured that the whole team at Watchet take great interest in the views of our customers and visitors and this forum is a great way of telling us. I would like to thank you all for taking the time to comment. Unless we hear feedback we cant improve our services and facilities and of course, it also nice to hear the good points as we do try hard !!

I would like to set the record straight on a number of posts.
We did reduce our prices this year. They are now £2.07 per metre per night. Allan - if you had come to Watchet recently in a 10m boat, you would have been charged £20.70 for a 10m boat (not the £25.40 you quoted)

We are trying to improve our manning levels around the tides - and have instigated a new shift system to cover weekend late evening gate openings. The gates are fully automatic, as are the traffic lights. Visitors may enter or leave the marina on a green light without requesting permission.

We do ask that visitors call us on Channel 80 as they approach Watchet so that we can plan berths. If no response is received (and as I said we are tying to improve this) please take an available berth. There is always a dock master on call so if you visit on an overnight tide and need access to showers and WC's please call the number posted on the marina gate.

To clarify last weekends bank holiday Sunday that Acerra commented on, the manager was on duty in the evening and certainly assited a number of boats in when the gate opened. I personally had a VHF on all evening and heard no repeated unanswered calls on the VHF. Acerra - if you could identify your boat to me (privately if necessary) I would like to investigate please.

I look forward to hearing more feedback and as I said before, we are making changes and hope to make Watchet even better.

Tim

Watchet Marina website

 

[chrishelen]

Good on you,Tim.

 

[graham]

Nice one Tim Hope to be visiting Mayday weekend ,weather permitting.

 

[Who]

Well done Tim

Good to see Marina's taking a positive interest.

We will look forward to visiting you soon (At least when the new boat arrives)

 

[Sneds]

Here here

Well done for replying on here. Good to see a response to some of the criticisms. Maybe see you next bank holiday.

Are you the same Tim as the broker?

 

[donm]

Nice one Tim - probably be over again early May.

 

[wotayottie]

[ QUOTE ]
Portishead, 10M min?

We pay £16.50..........is that the minimum?

I understand its £25 per night in Watchet and that does put me off visiting.

Whats the score at Mermaid Quay at the moment?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dont know about Mermaid quay but just paid £31 for overnighters (10m nominal) at both Pwllheli (great facilities) and Aberystwyth - and thats in the back of beyond!

 

[Sneds]

£31 per night? Not cheap!