Well, that's that then

thejonesey said:
... And sailing boats! :eek:
Click to expand...

Are they the things with big sticks and equally big lumps of rags hanging off them? :)

I'm expecting the odd issue or two given what I've read on the Mobo and Scuttlebutt forums. In particular wash given the mini tsunami my Broom generates at cruising speed.
 
Wavey said:
Lynall - Our original thought was to move the boat to MDL Chatham for the summer and winter back at Penton where it would be close to home for any out of season work. The MDL mooring arrangements for more than 30 days (likely double mooring fees) and the somewhat limited cruising area compared to the Solent meant it didn't really work for us.
Click to expand...
Just realised you mentioned 30 days as being a constraint. That has all changed now and I believe any MDL berth holder can now move around marinas at will as a visitor. Would be worth checking out.
 
Wavey said:
Are they the things with big sticks and equally big lumps of rags hanging off them? :)

I'm expecting the odd issue or two given what I've read on the Mobo and Scuttlebutt forums. In particular wash given the mini tsunami my Broom generates at cruising speed.
Click to expand...

I have found that the really like it if you zoom up to them and then raise a glass as you speed by! :)
 
Where are you planning to go Wavey? If you haven't done so already, I would suggest you look at Eastlands or Chandlery Barge at Burseldon if the Hamble attracts you. Yes, you have to get under the bridge but that shouldn't be a problem for your boat and Thames bridge experience!
 
Tony (B1) is correct. From April the 1st Freedom Berthing allows annual customers to use ANY marina in the MDL network (over 70 of them!) regardless of their home marina location, which means Wavey can keep his berth at Penton Hook and cruise to the south coast via Chatham at no extra cost. There is no limit on the number of nights or the number of visits.
All the best
 
Doesn't that mean you will have to equalise the cost at all marinas?
Otherwise everyone will "moor" at the cheapest and then move to the expensive ones??
 
thejonesey said:
Where are you planning to go Wavey? If you haven't done so already, I would suggest you look at Eastlands or Chandlery Barge at Burseldon if the Hamble attracts you. Yes, you have to get under the bridge but that shouldn't be a problem for your boat and Thames bridge experience!
Click to expand...
Haven't been to Eastlands but did check out Foulkes. They're full and in any case SWMBO would like a few more creature comforts like nice toilets and showers etc. Me - I'll be happy with a local pub doing decent grub :)
 
apollo said:
Otherwise everyone will "moor" at the cheapest and then move to the expensive ones??
Click to expand...
You can see the potential problem can't you. To what extent that will be realised is anyone's guess. Ideally we want to base ourselves in one place. A nomadic existence is not really what we are looking for. Certainly worth further investigation to see if we can make it work though.
 
As someone who has just done the opposite ie moved from Poole (after 15 years) to the Thames this is really interesting.

We arrived at Wargrave in early December. My motivation was to be nearer the boat in the hope that we would get more use out of her and cost - mooring charges will be less than half that in Poole (not including the EA licence). I also felt it would be less stressful and weather dependent than being on the coast and could get more winter boating in (oh how we now laugh at that one).

My observations/expectations on the differences:

Pros

Cost - berthing costs significantly reduced
Accessibility - being closer means more use and the ability to do more minor jobs myself
Journey time to boat
More opportunity to meet other boaters - friendlier?
Not having to nail everything down every time we go out.
Lower fuel consumption
Fresh fish available at the drop of a rod

Cons

Restrictions on where to go - left or right
No opportunity to open up the throttles
Potential engine problems due to continually running at low speed
Locks - pain in the bum or an opportunity to meet nice people?
Sloooow


So what have I missed?
 
Blackfeather said:
As someone who has just done the opposite ie moved from Poole (after 15 years) to the Thames this is really interesting.

We arrived at Wargrave in early December. My motivation was to be nearer the boat in the hope that we would get more use out of her and cost - mooring charges will be less than half that in Poole (not including the EA licence). I also felt it would be less stressful and weather dependent than being on the coast and could get more winter boating in (oh how we now laugh at that one).

My observations/expectations on the differences:

Pros

Cost - berthing costs significantly reduced
Accessibility - being closer means more use and the ability to do more minor jobs myself
Journey time to boat
More opportunity to meet other boaters - friendlier?
Not having to nail everything down every time we go out.
Lower fuel consumption
Fresh fish available at the drop of a rod

Cons

Restrictions on where to go - left or right
No opportunity to open up the throttles
Potential engine problems due to continually running at low speed
Locks - pain in the bum or an opportunity to meet nice people?
Sloooow


So what have I missed?
Click to expand...

Pros:
Lots of different places to eat and drink at a range of prices
Locks are fun
Slow is good.
Beautiful scenery all the time (except in Reading!)

Cons:
The winter
 
Brayman is bang on!

While you worry there are 'No places to go' surely the same applies to the South Coast!? It's a long and expensive way to most other places, the weather can change your plans, or leave you stranded.

On the Thames, from Windsor, you can be on the coast within two days, or in deepest Oxford in two to three, if you don't mind a full days cruising, and there are loads of lovely places you can moor up, and have a wander, or meet friends.

You really need to be in a club, it all makes good sense, offers a wide range of other people, and many things to do.

I always looked at Coastal boating as being a little bit samey unless you want to buy a lot of Diesel!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

T
Notices to Mariners - Week 4
Replies
0
Views
140
tillergirl
T
S
Linssen Boats - good or bad?
2 3
Replies
49
Views
1K
michael_w
michael_w

Share this page

Top