What Marina?

[bellboy1964]

I have just opened my letter from the EA regarding my boat licence and within the paperwork I had a number of flyers from MDL, Tingdene marinas and Shepperton Marina promoting moorings. All of which look good in the ads but can anyone give me an idea which marina is best.

The reason I ask is because I am currently moored at the end of a family friends garden, but I need to move off in the new year and I am looking for a mooring in a marina.

I am not really bothered which part of the Thames I am based because I like to use my boat every weekend and travel past a number of marinas.

Any help you can give me will be very useful.

 

[miket]

Very similar.

Most people cjoose by location but if that doesn't matter too much to you and price is not a major factor I think they are all very similar.
Tend to be big car parks for boats with very similar facilities.
Harleyford must rate high on the scenic scale, but also quite pricey and not sure I could live with a lock in both directions so soon.
I think you just need to decide what your priorities are and rate the marinas accordingly.

 

[Ramage]

If you have to move early in the New Year, your choice may be dictated by the fact that some locks are currently closed for maintenance.

If you choose one of the MDL marinas (Bray, Penton Hook or Windsor) you can also use the other two. Also, as a berth holder you can buy fuel at cost.

Penton is huge, Bray very pretty on a nice stretch of the river, Windsor is the smallest of the three.

The Marina at Windsor racecourse is on the same stretch of river as Bray & Windsor marinas, but has a very long twisty narrow approach channel. I believe they are run by the same people that own Thames & Kennet Marina up at Reading.

You really should visit the marinas you are considering by car to check out the facilities and the feel of the place.

We chose Bray and are very pleased with our choice.

 

[No Regrets]

Can recommend Thames and Kennet, and Bray as Marinas.

Bray is better positioned, Penton Hook even more so for tidal trips!

 

[Jaysay]

You could consider Abingdon Marina, between Culham and Abingdon Locks if location doesn't bother you. It's a bit sleepy and doesn't have the full facilities of the others, but it does have good pontoon moorings, secure parking, shore power, water, Elsan and rubbish disposal and doesn't cost as much as the others! Good access from the A34 and in a scenic area. With some boats out of the water for the winter, you might be able to get in at this time of year. How you get there with the present lock maintenance programme is another matter. Google 'Abingdon Marina'.

 

[CJL]

I would suggest you consider Shepperton Marina.

I've used the hardstanding there for several years and they we helpful and appeared to be reasonable.

Lindon Lewis are based there and seem to be one of the better chandlers / yards on the Thames.

Chris

 

[boatone]

If you choose one of the MDL marinas (Bray, Penton Hook or Windsor) you can also use the other two. Also, as a berth holder you can buy fuel at cost.

The ability to swap locations between the 3 Thames MDL marinas is something I have come to appreciate quite a lot in the last couple of years. Also consider just how far you can cruise on an average weekend if you have to return to base in 24 to 48 hours or so. We spent 7 years based at Chertsey with Windsor or possibly Cookham if we pushed it the limit of our adventures. Our move upriver to Bray means Marlow, Henley, possibly even Sonning can be done in a two/three day weekend and if we want to head downriver we can leave the boat at Penton Hook for a week or two and get down to Teddington and Kingston for a change of scenery.

Truth be told, its not where you keep the boat so much as where you can get to from home base that really matters.

 

[ms1]

Recommend you also give due consideration to where you live. If its an absolute pavlova getting to your boat then it can be a big turn off. Also consider if you would like to be fairly close to salt water, in which case Shepperton might be attractive. As previously mentioned it has good facilities and excellent chandlery. Unlike some there is a decent distance between locks (Shepperton - Sunbury) and thus well placed for an evening ride.

 

[Elessar]

The ability to swap locations between the 3 Thames MDL marinas is something I have come to appreciate quite a lot in the last couple of years. Also consider just how far you can cruise on an average weekend if you have to return to base in 24 to 48 hours or so. We spent 7 years based at Chertsey with Windsor or possibly Cookham if we pushed it the limit of our adventures. Our move upriver to Bray means Marlow, Henley, possibly even Sonning can be done in a two/three day weekend and if we want to head downriver we can leave the boat at Penton Hook for a week or two and get down to Teddington and Kingston for a change of scenery.

Truth be told, its not where you keep the boat so much as where you can get to from home base that really matters.

This is true - you can also go down to Chatham or the south coast too. I used to do winter on the Thames with a south coast summer. You can have 30 off Thames visitor days or if you want to do longer MDL were happy for me to swap around and keep the annual rate, you just pay (or receive) the difference pro rata.

Shepperton and Harleyford used to have a reciprocal berthing deal too don't know if it still applies. Haven't brought the boat back for a couple of years now, the high cost of the licence with no part year available and the lock closures stopped making it worth it.

 

[TrueBlue]

Shepperton and Harleyford used to have a reciprocal berthing deal too don't know if it still applies. Haven't brought the boat back for a couple of years now, the high cost of the licence with no part year available and the lock closures stopped making it worth it.

The Shepperton / Harleyford deal still exists, but they don't trumpet it; possibly due to lack of space.

However, with new moorings just coming on line at Shepperton, there may be more flexibility.

 

[bellboy1964]

Hi All

Thank you very much for all your views and suggestions for marinas. I have had a good look at a number marinas and I have decided to move to Shepperton and their new basin. Although, I liked Bray - Shepperton Marina swung it with the complete package and helpful staff. Plus a healthy discount at the Holiday Inn hotel a just few steps away from the marina entrance. Discounts on food and beer with the added advantage of a big discount on Gym membership. I can sit in bar while the missus has a work out. LOL.

Thanks again

Bellboy1964