Which marina would you choose?

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kcrane

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I know some people don't like marinas. We do and we even like having cafes and restaurants nearby, so long as our berth isn't next to them.

So far we've used Haslar. We like the easy parking, quick access to Solent, no locks or restricted access, easy to pop over to Gunwharf and a hammerhead for easy berthing. Downside was the drag down to Gosport once you get off the M27.

Now we are moving to power we plan to spend more time away from home berth, so MDL & Premier's fuel at cost and free visitor nights are tempting, but only if they have a home marina that works for us.

So a quick question - if you are in a marina around the south coast, which one, why did you choose it and how easy is it to get to on busy summer weekends?
 
don't forget free sea start with premier this year /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif might need it with a mobo /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Heck, hope not, isn't the little tender thing hanging on the back so you tow yourself home? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'm with MDL at Poole.

I drive 2 hours to get to the coast and never have any problems with traffic - I leave early. Coming from your location you'd probably find it even easier.

MDL staff have been exceptionally helpful during first season with them, and loads of other good benefits and discounts - esp fuel at cost.

Marina is relatively quiet considering its size and the number of boats. Good active berth-holder's association, and the only downside is having to organise getting in and out at specific times around bridge lifts at Poole Town Quay. During the summer they happen with increased frequency so its never really been a problem - certainly honed the boat-handling skills when I've made the mistake of coming back at a "busy" time.
 
Me too, at Cobbs Quay. Great place, but when they start the new bridge this later year, and complete in a couple of years, maybe, it will become an impossible location.
 
Been at Northney in Chichester, but in the end, got fed up with the slow speed crawl out of the harbour each time
Now we are Hythe;the lock is a pain maybe 2-4 times over the year, but at least is full throttle once you are outside. Advantage being lock bound is its very quiet, and sheltered.
MDL Poole is a nice spot, but its a damn long way to the sea.
 
I think the best areas are Hamble and Lymington, as both are lovely places to be based. Hamble a bit quicker from M3/M27 junction, but Lymington closer to open water. Both have no lock, all tides access, and nice pubs and restaurants. However, the prices suggest most people agree with me.
 
We're at Northney in Chichester Hbr. As gjgm said it's a bit of a haul to the entrance, but it's a lovely spot and a lovely run down a fairly quiet part of the harbour to the entrance. It's a small marina and there's not a lot there, but we like that and also the all tide access. (though it's a bit tight at MLWS). Easy road access - 5 mins from the A27. The MDL crew there are great. It's considerably cheaper than the Hamble or Lymington marinas, though more than Premier's Chichester marina, but that has just one lock for 1100 boats which may or may not be a problem depending on when you do your boating.
 
London. Traffic is pretty ok.. certainly no problems after the motorway.
Plenty of free parking at the marina.
The lock is OK. Everyone bu**ers it up from time to time.On sunny bank holiday, expect a long queue, but generally it is ok. You can usually fiddle about with fenders etc while waiting your turn.
 
Premier at Brighton to Apr-08: Shore facilities were good but found local cruising a bit dull except for trips to IOW. Staff were OK.

MDL Torquay Apr-08 to Sep-08: Excellent staff, I loved cruising areas with several trips up the dart.

And depending how South you want to go: MDL Sant Carles Spain Sep-08 to Present: Trip to Majorca in October was great fun and really like this new location. Staff are excellent /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Quote:
MDL Poole is a nice spot, but its a damn long way to the sea.

I agree but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Often the sea state and conditions are too poor to consider leaving the harbour anyway, so then you have the whole of Poole Harbour as your playground and there's a lot to do and places to go even if you can't get out to open water.
 
I would have thought the new marina at Weymouth would be closer to you or the Marinas around Torquay and Dartmouth.

Im at Shamrock quay which is Industrial but the Cheapest Solent area MDL Marina, the saving over the Hamble marinas buys you a lot of nights in other marinas and goes towards fuel, you also get 30 free nights in other MDL marinas and fuel at cost, plus half price lifts etc.

However that didnt draw me for this year so ive gone to Eastlands yard at the very top of the hamble, I know before anyone comments there are 3 bridges to negotiate and you wont get under the M27 bridge at high water springs with the average flybridge boat, but that may happen about 3 times in the summer season where you may have to wait a while, over the renewal quote at Shamrock ive saved over 2k, again that goes towards fuel and moorings at other marinas.

Of my free nights last year I used 4 and that was it, you can only visit the Hamble so many times in 1 season, shame MDL dont buy some more like in Lymington or the IOW.

Im sure someone will be along in a minute to tell me about the bridges and poor facilities up there but believe me ive just spent 2 days working at Eastlands and found Tim the owner very nice, the toilet blocks nice and clean, the pontoons are in very good order, unlike some ive seen on the upper Hamble.

View his website, nice photos and prices for lift out, I compared MDL half price lift out, wash and back in and its still cheaper at Eastlands standard tarriff than MDL 50% berth holders offers.
 
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