Where to Leave a 54' SY in the Solent Area for a Month?

Dockhead

Dockhead

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I was based in the Solent, at least in the winters, for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. I've berthed at Swanwick Marina, mid-river moorings in the Hamble, and at Cowes Yacht Haven. I haven't been back in the Solent since 2019 because of the pandemic travel restrictions, but I'm on my way back now due to relocating to the Med. I'd like to spend a month or two in my old cruising grounds before heading across Biscay.

I am staggered at the price increases for berthing. What is worse is that there don't seem to be any monthly rates for visitors -- only by the night, with 7 nights for 6 in some places.

I'm on the list for a sublet mooring in the Hamble, but I'm guessing my chances are not that great. What other options are there? The Hamble Jetty is £3/m per day with no power, but I bet I won't find a space there either. Mid-river visitor moorings are £2.50/m per day. Shepherd's Wharf in Cowes is £3.94. Almost everything else is near £5. For two months that adds up to a pretty sum.

Anyone have any tips?
 
Boathook said:
Up near the folly inn on mid river moorings or maybe Yarmouth above the bridge if you don't mind restrictions ?
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Thanks! I'll try those. I wouldn't mind the restrictions because I won't be on the boat for a good part of this time.

I've also sent in an application for a sublet mooring in Lymington Harbour. Dan Bran would be great! But I suppose my chances aren't that great. We'll see.
 
wonkywinch said:
MDL Mercury Yacht Harbour have vacant berths. The manager, Dom, is so amenable that he might even negotiate a rate for you.

Mercury Yacht Harbour - Boat Marina in Southampton - MDL
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I called them but Dom was off. They are asking £136/m which is £2 230/month, quite a lot of dosh.

MDM are offering a 30% discount on monthly berths at Shamrock Quay, which makes £1191, much more like it. That's if you take a minimum of two months.

Hamble don't have any sublets so far.

Hmm.
 
Chiara’s slave said:
Yarmouth aren’t cheaper above the bridge, but at least they will do you a monthly rate. We are there, it’s lovely when you can make it to the boat. The restrictions aren’t onerous.
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I love Yarmouth but it's not an awfully good place to work on the boat, compared to Cowes, Hamble, or Soton, where there are chandleries and services.
 
Here is a bit of lateral thinking, which might upset the Schengan rules on yacht stay in the EU
Sorry if it is a silly idea
If you are not going to be on the boat could you consider Cherbourg with its 25% discount for RYA members
Just a ferry trip 2 ways.
 
Daydream believer said:
Here is a bit of lateral thinking, which might upset the Schengan rules on yacht stay in the EU
Sorry if it is a silly idea
If you are not going to be on the boat could you consider Cherbourg with its 25% discount for RYA members
Just a ferry trip 2 ways.
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Or indeed almost anywhere other than the Solent area. Can always visit for a day or two for old times sake while keeping the boat somewhere cheaper.
 
Daydream believer said:
Here is a bit of lateral thinking, which might upset the Schengan rules on yacht stay in the EU
Sorry if it is a silly idea
If you are not going to be on the boat could you consider Cherbourg with its 25% discount for RYA members
Just a ferry trip 2 ways.
Click to expand...
There are no Schengen rules applicable to yachts; those only affect people. There's no problem keeping the yacht there.

Interesting idea; I'll look into it.

Edit: It's €1756 a month, so even with the discount not really cheaper than Shamrock Quay.
 
Dockhead said:
There are no Schengen rules applicable to yachts; those only affect people. There's no problem keeping the yacht there.

Interesting idea; I'll look into it.

Edit: It's €1756 a month, so even with the discount not really cheaper than Shamrock Quay.
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Where did you get that rate from?
I have this
berthing
3 months for 2785 euros seems OK to me but if you need to negotiate less period that may change the figures
One does have to take current exchange rate in to account which you should get 1.10 easily thus reducing it to £2531(or £844 per month) in proper money
 
Last edited:
Dockhead said:
I called them but Dom was off. They are asking £136/m which is £2 230/month, quite a lot of dosh.

MDM are offering a 30% discount on monthly berths at Shamrock Quay, which makes £1191, much more like it. That's if you take a minimum of two months.

Hamble don't have any sublets so far.

Hmm.
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As mentioned, you'll need to speak to the head honcho, the other staff can only read off the price list.
 
Could you get into island harbour and store at Richardsons or are u keen to be afloat ? Only place not mentioned so far is Wicor Marine up towards Fareham if the length isn’t too much
 
Daydream believer said:
Where did you get that rate from?
I have this
berthing
3 months for 2785 euros seems OK to me but if you need to negotiate less period that may change the figures
One does have to take current exchange rate in to account which you should get 1.10 easily thus reducing it to £2531(or £844 per month) in proper money
Click to expand...
Thanks; that's useful.
 
So in case it's interesting to anyone, here's where I landed.

I tried several times to reach Dom at Mercury on the Hamble but without result, and he never called me back. But I think that even if he were willing to give the 30% discount MDL were offering at Shamrock Quay it would still be pretty dear.

Waiting list for sublet mooring on the Hamble was fruitless. I did have luck with this many years ago but I guess it's all different now. The word "zilch" was used by the Hamble harbourmaster in my conversation about my chances.

No space in Lymington.

So I ended up in Shamrock Quay for about £1200 a month. Very nice people there, and there are pluses -- a Force 4 right on the property. All kinds of machine shops and services in proximity, as this is the industrial part of Southampton. Plenty of hardstanding and giant 50 tonne crane should I decide to come out of the water. For perspective -- two months of berthing at Shamrock Quays will cost the same as a year of berthing in my previous home port in Denmark.

Downside -- it's the industrial part of Southampton and quite far from groceries or city life. Or the train station. I experimented today with a bicycle (a VOI by the minute rental) but never again -- there are no bike paths or even bike lanes in Soton and you're taking your life in your hands. I'm going to have to rent a car.

Some variants not suggest by anyone: Ocean Quay, just downstream from Shamrock Quay. Half the price of Shamrock Quay. They tried hard to find a place for me, and they had the depth, but no spot wide enough. Very friendly people there.

There are moorings in the Itchen but they look abandoned and I bet there are security issues.

I will move to Cowes as soon as they will give winter rates.
 
I appreciate you’re sorted, but Town Quay in Southampton is perfect for groceries and city life…. I’ve stumbled back from Pop World a few times…

It does however lack any shore side services, but that’s reflected in the price. For 16m you’d be looking at £79 per meter, per month.
 
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