Where?

[Boatman]

I have to stay in the UK for quite a while and was wondering where would be a good marina to liveaboard.

I want somewhere cheap with a reasonable sized town (Ie Facilities) not too far away. Where liveaboards are not objected to and the marina has the basic amenities such as showers and wcs. If the town has a washing machines the marina doesn't need them etc. A good pub would also be a must.

I don't mind whether it's north south east or west

Look forward to hearing any suggestions

 

[sarabande]

MDL have them all over the place. Good security, and safety, but expensive. A number of "perm residents" in most places.

You might be able to pickup some winter rates, though.

I like the one at Chertsey.

 

[roly_voya]

As you go further north or west it gets cheaper and less crowded. There are not many marinas on the E coast so that would suggest west coast. Wales is good although Conway/carnarvon sounds like its difficult to get a berth. If you realy can be anywhere in UK then Ireland and Scotland are both cheaper and exellent sailing but you need a good heater for Scotland!!

 

[Abigail]

Hi - we spent a year in Brighton and 2 years in Ipswich, both of which are currently ok with liveaboards.

Brighton - expensive (tho less so than much of the Channel), v good facilities, access to London etc. Sailing dull unless you race. Vulnerability to storms and wind from Channel.

Ipswich - cheaper (though I'm sure you can do better in Wales and Scotland) - 3 marinas within 10 minutes walk of town centre and good pubs of various pubs. Haven and Debbages allow liveaboards. Neptune and Foxes (slightly further out of town but easy cycle ride) blind eye so long as you have another postal address. Good sailing and can stay in rivers if haven't stowed properly/rough at sea. Good connections. Town not very exciting.

Also on the east coast (that I know), marinas at Maylandsea (lots of mobos), Burnham (expensive), also further up Crouch but tidelocked, Bradwell (isolated and car reliant but great pub), Maldon (mdberths), Tollesbury (as Bradwell), Brightlingsea (slightly bigger, pubs, remote), Walton & Frinton YC (bit remote, tidelocked but cheap); Titchmarsh (bigger, still remote), Shotley (bit marina, has a bath!, remote); Levington (good marina and faciltiies, needs car); Woolverstone (as Levington and Shotley), Woodbridge (nice town, ok marina though loos v basic last time we were there, tide locked); pontoons at Southwold (difficult to get permanent berth, lovely spot, needs car, lots of pubs); Lowestoft has 3 marinas at least 1 of which welcomes liveaboards (Lowestoft not exciting but a town with pubs and railways etc).

That's as far as I go, but it's quite a lot of choice in that area. We did like the ability to have some easy sailing without too much ocean-ready stowage, and liveaboardssail much more there than out of Brighton.

Good luck

 

[Csail]

Swansea or Bristol?

 

[FAITIRA]

Quit a few possiblities in the North Irish Sea, Maryport, Whitehaven, Fleetwood, Glasson, probably the cheapest options on the West. Obviously not the UK, but Waterford is cheap with good flights to UK from Waterford and bus/ferrys from Rosslare.

 

[jimbaerselman]

[ QUOTE ]
I have to stay in the UK for quite a while

[/ QUOTE ] Tax reasons? Tough luck, that's expensive, lots of good options above. Pity you can't use Ireland or France.

Access to work? Family? Whatever? Hmmmm. France may come into the picture. Less than half the price for UK berthing. Is Calais accessible enough? Park the car in UK . . .

 

[Cspirit]

Try Newcastle. St Peters Marina. Close to the city centre by cheap regular bus, good showers/facilities. Very reasonable charges and they have space. Bit cold though....

 

[Capn Pugwash]

Hartlepool - cold and wet but the friendliest and nicest people on planet Earth!

Failing that Southern Ireland - after a few pints of the black stuff - who cares about washing machines!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[FAITIRA]

Dead right about both options /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[LittleShip]

I have to second Glasson........ for price and value.

Good rates and lots of livaboards, good staff (so far) and a great little pub in the village.

www.bwml.co.uk/marina.php?marina_id=62&view=1

Down side is its not the easiest of fairways to get in but shouldnt give too many sleepless nights!

Tom

 

[[3889]]

Fiddlers Ferry , Warrington. £276 <u>per annum</u> plus electricity for an 8m boat.