Where is best (and available) to be based for a day/weekend sailor

Youngsailorboy said:
Thanks everyone for the comments and the wise advice (been away so slow replying). Think I am definitely look ing at Suffolk as I think it is an easier journey and I am often the Ipswich end of the A14 for work so might be able to hop off at the end of the day. Whilst I have considered swinging moorings for a number of reasons I want to be in a marina. Agree with posters that say Foxes is too far up river and MDL not much better (and wow the price!) which effectively leaves me Shotley and SYH i think.
Both are pretty much the same travel time (SYH probably marginally closer), Shotley has places and I am waiting to here back from SYH but they think they should be able to fit a 20 footer in.
Shotley is better located in terms of going out to sea or up the Stour by a couple of miles but unless I am missing something (and maybe I am with add ons I haven't spotted in terms of price) is about 20% more expensive than SYH.
So provided both have spaces a close run thing, so I am going to pop along to both and have a wander and chat to people there and decide based on feel of the places.......if all else fails I will toss a coin!!
Thanks everyone will let you know what I decide, see you out there!
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SYH is £350.70/m inc VAT. Shotley is £345/m inc VAT. So 1.6 % cheaper at Shotley. SYH online berthing table is ex VAT. Shotley will charge to nearest 1/2 m, don't know about SYH
 
Youngsailorboy said:
Shotley is better located in terms of going out to sea or up the Stour by a couple of miles but unless I am missing something (and maybe I am with add ons I haven't spotted in terms of price) is about 20% more expensive than SYH.
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Shotley and SYH are the same price (give or take a couple of pence) - the 20% difference is the VAT. SYH prices on their website are ex VAT.

Having said that and having berthed at both, I would go for SYH every time for two reasons:
1. At SYH there is no lock.
2. The road connection to SYH is far better (faster!).
In summer, you don't want to be stuck behind a tractor on the B1456. It may be only about 9-10 miles from The Strand to Shotley but it can easily take up to half an hour. Add to that that time it takes to lock out and you've already lost the time supposedly gained by being nearer to the sea.

Just my £0.02
 
There's little to choose between SYH and Shotley. Certainly the road to Shotley can be tedious at times, but it's still quicker than sailing down the river. Shotley's lock can be tedious too, sometimes, especially when there are visiting boats unsure of what to do. On the other hand, Shotley's lock and the 24/7 manning give an added degree of security. Also, as Shotley has a virtually constant water level, steep gangways are never a problem. Shotley's pontoons are better too, although those at SYH are being progressively improved. Friends tell me that the toilet/shower facilities at SYH are now rather tired, whereas Shotley's are fairly good. We've been berth-holders in both, and marginally prefer Shotley, perhaps because there's always lots to see out in the harbour.
 
I have my invoice for SYH in front of me. SYH charge to the nearest half metre at £295.00 per metre plus VAT less 5% discount if you pay by 31st march. For me this is £336.30 per metre.This obviously includes hard standing if you want it in the winter and storage of cradles etc. You pay for lifts in and out,
 
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