Where to keep boat for winter on S coast

[Bi111ion]

I have sailed my 39' fin keel ketch round from Grimsby to currently Teignmouth in Devon (largely single handed). I would like to start the next season from the S Coast, and was thinking of winter storage ashore (have own cradle). Thing is unlike Humber Cruising Association most yards dont let you stay in the boat, and as I live up north I we would want to stay on the boat to do jobs on her in the winter. Are there any yards that let you stay on the boat still? Should/could we find a budget pontoon berth for the winter? Anywhere between Devon and the Solent would do.

 

[Rappey]

The trick is not to mention extended stays on your boat whilst ashore, just stay and do your thing and probably no one will care.
I would have thought it unreasonable to not allow some overnighting while visiting and doing work on your boat as some live a long distance away.
A premium yard may not encourage it but a budget yard is likely to let you get on with it.
This is the first time I've ever heard of yards not allowing you to stay overnight. I'm solent based. It's a conversation I've never heard before even though I'm sometimes working in and around boatyards .
You bring up an interesting point though. I'm now curious what percentage of yards won't allow you to stay in your boat while ashore

 

[Bi111ion]

You bring up an interesting point though. I'm now curious what percentage of yards won't allow you to stay in your boat while ashore

Well for example Yarmouth IoW explicitly told me without asking. They said its insurance. I asked a boat owner at Buckler's Hard and they said "no way".

 

[MonniotC]

Admittedly a few years ago, but I used to get my boat craned out annually at Emsworth Marina for a week or so while I antifouled and did other jobs. I often stayed overnight as I live about 50 miles away, and had no problems.

 

[ashtead]

You might look at Island Harbour-always peaceful there and Richardson’s on site to do any heavy lifting etc. Close to Newport for supplies etc and car parking on site etc.

 

[Stemar]

You might look at Island Harbour-always peaceful there and Richardson’s on site to do any heavy lifting etc. Close to Newport for supplies etc and car parking on site etc.

Would there be enough water to get a 39' fin up there?

 

[Hermit]

I think you will struggle to find any yards that will let you stay on the boat ashore. Maybe a sheltered walk-ashore somewhere (where you can stay on board no problem) and then a lift for a short period to do the jobs that have to be done out of the water. Then you need a marina with lift facilites and plenty of capacity (Darthaven (Dartmouth), Mayflower (Plymouth), QAB (Plymouth) to give 3 Devon examples)

 

[ashtead]

Would there be enough water to get a 39' fin up there?

I guess that depends on draft and timing?but I would have thought sub 2m is ok surely? I think bigger yachts than39 have made it in at least. I doubt Newport quay would offer many attractions however .

 

[pyrojames]

I suppose there is nothing to stop you sleeping in your car then. Work on board all day tidy up in the evening, have a meal and then sleep in the car. The whole international cruising community sleep on board during refits, not sure that "insurance" is a calculated excuse.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

My local yard, Hall's, at Walton-on-the-Naze, allows people to live aboard while ashore. However, as others have said, I think it's an exception rather than the rule.

In many yards, you'd be locked in outside business hours.

I think it can be a bit like liveaboards - don't ask, don't tell.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Well, up the Lynher no one seemed to bother with us sleeping on our boat ashore, except during covid crisis when their stated priority was to protect live aboard tenants on the water.

All boat owners had gate dongles to enable us to come and go. Thats the kind of yard you need

Discretion is always prudent. Dont flaunt it and then council and others wont notice or mind.

 

[ashtead]

Leaving aside the question of a shore berth I wondered if the OP had considered a sublet of a berth in Port Solent ? Clearly handy shops (of a sort) parking for car , cinema and protected basin with generally no access issues . I know of boats from Haslar which have migrated to port Solent due to cheaper rates as a number of sublets available .

 

[Robih]

This kind of place I would suggest: Huggins Bros Marina Group

 

[owen]

Multihull Centre in Millbrook Plymouth is your place. They have a live aboard community as well as good yard facilities. They accomadste monohulls
tel Alex on 01752 823900

 

[jwfrary]

If your looking to stay in the water the river yealm harbour master offers a winter rate for their pontoons

 

[LadyInBed]

You could try Ridge Wharf, Wareham at the back of Poole harbour. They don't object to you staying onboard and working on the boat.
With your draft, you might have to arrange arrival/departure on spring tides, springs are 2mtrs.
Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre & Boat Yard. Boat Yards Poole Harbour

 

[Moodysailor]

We're on the Dart, all the main yards there (MDL, Darthaven & the soon to be ready Premier) explicitly state no overnight accommodation ashore. I worked in Premier Port Solent about 10 years ago and they didn't allow that then either (we did see a few people sleeping in cars, which was ignored as long as it was done discreetly).

The way I see it, Yards/Marinas are under increasing pressure from many sides (environmental, insurance & council) and will avoid themselves being dragged into a messy situation.

If you want to stay onboard whilst ashore, I definitely advise trying to find one of the smaller yards and maybe, as mentioned above - don't ask, don't tell, and be discreet ;-)

Dolphin boatyard on the Dart is a private one, but I have no idea of their policies, and the pontoon berths are tidal - i'm not sure of too many other yards/marinas there.

 

[doug748]

As mentioned, Huggins for sure who have floating berths, moorings and two yards. Also Voyager Yard in Millbrook which is fine for 6ft draught, perhaps a bit more.

This is worth a try, nice people: Plymouth Boatyard & Marina - Boat Storage & Facilities Though they are cutting down on storage space.

.

 

[Alfie168]

As long as you are discreet, staying on board in my yard is tolerated. It's not an enclosed yard either so there are no locks and gates. They also have a small shower/toilet block inside a secure area, but there is a pedestrian " squeeze through" access quite deliberately included at the gate to allow out of hours access to the main yard and toilet facilities. I confess it's a godsend at keeping general costs low to be able to stay aboard.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

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