which marina ???

[TSB240]

Hull to Conway about 3 hours

You then have access to Ireland Scotland IOM or around Anglesey

Another half hour your at or near Caernarfon o PortDinorwic

Another Hour your at Pwllheli or Porthmadog

Don't rule out the Irish Sea.

The Lleyn and Angelsey has its own micro climate

 

[Andy Bav]

We left Torquay last week and are now in the Med but our decision was principally weather driven... And the fact that we drive past the m23 on a Friday night on our way down. Driving not an issue for me as we leave latish Friday and around 7-8 ish on a Sunday

When we were there Dartmouth and up to Totnes and a pasty run to Brixham were our favourites as well as anchoring in Ansty Cove and off Blackpool Sands. Channel Islands are also less than 4 hours away. As others have said dockmasters at Torquay are top blokes.

Our only reason for leaving was having to go to boat to fight mould on the covers and weather wasn't guaranteed. That said we are now enjoying our second day of rain in Spain!!!

Personally I feel that if you are looking at south Devon, you would struggle to beat Torquay or Brixham.

 

[jon and michie]

Again thank you for your advice - as dj43 mentioned what type of boating would I be doing - my intention would be to drive down on a Thursday and spend a long weekend on it say till either Sunday night or Monday morning providing I don't have to rush back home for anything this would be longer which because of my job shouldn't be a problem as I am generally on a 2weeks on and 2weeks off rota and when the weather dictates its going to be good then the boat is going of the marina for a bit sailing and probably anchoring up in a cove and relaxing or as my skills build up maybe go on to the channel islands or france for the weekend(but only when I get more confident.

thanks again
Jon

 

[Nick_H]

We are now at Portishead, 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on the Brizzle traffic. We would rather be on the south coast on the Solent, but cannot face the A34 on a Friday.

Rafiki, it's really not that bad. We did that run most weekends for 3 years, and as long as you leave midlands after 7 pm on Fri, and likewise leave it as late as poss on Sunday eve, we rarely hit any jams. I also do the run from lymington to brum and back most weeks, and the A34 is usually fine, though there's some slow traffic on the short section of the M3 around rush hours.

Southampton marinas are the closest, and less that 2 hours from brum, though we chose lymington to save the run down southampton water in the boat each time, and because its a lovely town. There are back ways in and out of lymington to avoid the traffic once you leave the m27.

 

[paultallett]

How about Brixham Marina? MDL so you can take advantage of the freedom berthing (or whatever they call it). Some lovely anchorages around that neck of the woods not to mention Dartmouth and Salcombe within easy reach. Never been a berth holder there but have visited a few times and we love it. Roughly 3 1/2 hrs from The Solent and roughly 2 1/2 hrs from Falmouth (obviously depending on speed and conditions). From there, you can go east or west without too much of a trek along some stunning coastline.
We're in the Solent which we love simply because there are so many places to simply 'hop' to for the day or longer...whatever takes your fancy.
What sort of berthing budget do you have?
L

Is it really only 3.5 hours solent to Brixham Lisa? I've never actually studied it as I know the good lady wouldn't fancy the trip. But you've got me thinking now. I could move the boat before the summer hols, then we could go down for a week or so. Then I move the boat back......... Interesting

 

[dj43]

Is it really only 3.5 hours solent to Brixham


Approx 76 nm needles to Brixham

 

[simonjames]

We kept our boat in Plymouth for 12 years and lived near Sheffield approx 290 miles away. Used the boat loads got used to the 4-5 hour drive, even went down for quite a few Friday to Sunday weekends. Sailing in the West Country is stunning, and if timed properly the journey can be reasonably hassle free. Have now moved boat to Barcelona for weather reasons, and fancying a change. Can get to Marina in Spain in approx 4 hours door to door. But it certainly isn't cheap all year round, at least when in Plymouth we knew the average cost in fuel ( and the fact that it didn't nearly double in school holidays).
Really enjoyed the West Country and would highly recommend it.

 

[rafiki_]

R

Rafiki, it's really not that bad. We did that run most weekends for 3 years, and as long as you leave midlands after 7 pm on Fri, and likewise leave it as late as poss on Sunday eve, we rarely hit any jams. I also do the run from lymington to brum and back most weeks, and the A34 is usually fine, though there's some slow traffic on the short section of the M3 around rush hours.

Southampton marinas are the closest, and less that 2 hours from brum, though we chose lymington to save the run down southampton water in the boat each time, and because its a lovely town. There are back ways in and out of lymington to avoid the traffic once you leave the m27.

Thanks Nick, well worth considering. Quite enjoying the Brizzle Channel atm, but we will consider a move next year.

 

[lisilou]

Is it really only 3.5 hours solent to Brixham Lisa? I've never actually studied it as I know the good lady wouldn't fancy the trip. But you've got me thinking now. I could move the boat before the summer hols, then we could go down for a week or so. Then I move the boat back......... Interesting

If you get the wind and tide with you and not hugging the coastline Paul, yes. We did it the other week in just a little more than that. Catch it on a bright, sunny day and it's a lovely trip.
L

 

[Steruth1]

I travelled from the south Midlands to Portsmouth most Friday's , and either leave at 3 or 7pm to miss the traffic.

Solent is great, but does anyone know of any good places in Majorca / Minorca as I fancy some warm seas for a change?

 

[Hurricane]

I travelled from the south Midlands to Portsmouth most Friday's , and either leave at 3 or 7pm to miss the traffic.

Solent is great, but does anyone know of any good places in Majorca / Minorca as I fancy some warm seas for a change?

The islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) can be expensive especially in the summer months.
Have a look at Sant Carles - an MDL marina on mainland Spain - only 100 miles from the islands - easier to drive to from the UK - using your own car.
Great Brit community in a small (very) Spanish resort.
Lots of benefits - caters for all kinds of boating - from adventurous cruising to simply lazing round in the huge lagoon (7 miles long - 1.5 miles wide and 6m deep) just outside the marina.
Adventurous cruising could be to the Balearic Islands (the Baldricks!!) - arguably some of the best cruising in the world.
This year, several boats from Sant Carles have spent the summer months in Sardinia - even further away.
But most berth holders are happy to just "chill out" in the sun within the marina resort itself.
UK style floating pontoons and its own swimming pool - worth the extra travelling to get better weather than the UK.
We move there 8 years ago from boating in the Solent/English Channel - best thing we ever did.
For more information, sign up for free to the dedicated Sant Carles Marina berth holders forum at www.scmchat.com (run by and for the berth holders themselves).

 

[Steruth1]

Morning Hurricane

That sounds just the job, i have small kids so don't need the risk so the lagoon and swimming would suit us perfectly.

i will have a look on the site now and may look to move early next year.

 

[Steruth1]

Hi Hurricane

where do you fly to Barcelona or Valencia, and how long is the drive/ taxi?

thanks

 

[Hurricane]

Hi Hurricane

where do you fly to Barcelona or Valencia, and how long is the drive/ taxi?

thanks

During the winter months, we use Barcelona (from Bristol Airport) - about a 2 hour drive from Barcelona to the marina.
Loads of flights to Barcelona from the UK

During the summer months and all year form some UK Airports, there is a more local airport to the marina - Reus which is about 55 minutes drive to the marina.
Ryanair (and still do to a lesser extent) used to fly in there but they are switching to an even closer new airport at Castellion.
Castellion is about 40 to 45 mins drive from the marina although we don't yet know what the availability of hire cars will be in the new airport.
Castellion is very new and nobody from Sant Carles has tried it out yet.
I believe that Ryanair will still fly from Stanstead to Reus though (all year - I think) - lots of hire car options in Reus (or Barcelona).

If you don't want to hire a car and have time, there are public transport options - buses and trains etc.

Taxis are also an option - if arranged locally, they can be as little as 80/90 euros one way from Reus to the marina.
Care hire is more cost effective - off season car hire can be very cheap.

Lagoon
Our favourite anchorage is just 1.5 miles out of the marina.
A more popular one is much the same distance - right beside a restaurant on stilts.
Last year, a champagne and oyster/mussel bar also opened in the lagoon - even closer to the marina - a dinghy ride away.

There are a couple of disadvantages that people find with the marina.
It is a very fertile area so very aggressive marine growth to the bottom of the boats - the marina do give us a free lift and scrub each year though.
The marina has its own boatyard and they allow you to work on your own boat.
Some months, the mosquitoes can be a bit annoying but the local town council sprays the area regularly.

Any more info that you would like - just ask.

Oh yes - and its is one of the cheapest places to keep a boat.
We have been keeping our 20m Princess there for 8 years for less than half of the cost of our old 15m Sealine in the Hamble.

 

[admillington]

Thank you for the comments so far very much apprieciated - I have considered the med but don't think I would get there often enough to benefit from the boat - as for the drive down south I don't think it would really bother me as I work an average of 6 months in the year so I am not too restricted to get back home in a rush.
I was thinking more of south coast where generally the weather is better than up north in summer months and as my boating skills/experiences increases maybe sail over to France on the odd weekend etc
I haven't got a boat yet as I am still looking for one but I am trying to do as much research as possible.

thanks again
Jon

A number of boat owners on our pontoon in Lymington travel for that amount of time to get to their boats - they stay down for longer rather than just the weekend - if you have the work - life balance sorted I don't see a problem. The Solent is a great place to have a boat and you have so many options.

 

[Wavey]

Thanks for the info Hurricane.

Just checking the monthly rate at Sant Carles (which I note is based on square metres), even then I would save enough to buy about ten round trip flight tickets each year if I paid normal fares (which I don't ). Not surprise you moved.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks for the info Hurricane.

Just checking the monthly rate at Sant Carles (which I note is based on square metres), even then I would save enough to buy about ten round trip flight tickets each year if I paid normal fares (which I don't ). Not surprise you moved.

These two video clips are the best way to show Sant Carles quickly.

The first is the MDL promotional video.



And this is a view of the marina taken from a quadcopter.
Shows the lagoon in the background.



Just thought you might find them interesting.

 

[Wavey]

Just thought you might find them interesting.

Very.

Stop now please

(and give me a chance to email the link to SWMBO )

 

[DazzyWoo]

I'm in Torquay, and I love it. Being in the marina means can drive down at a time when I can avoid the traffic - and the staff are fab.

Brixham is lovely to visit for a day or two, but there is a little bit more on offer in Torquay, (I say that as a person whose dad is from Brixham) & parking is not a problem in Torquay - which it can be in Brixham @ high season.

Torquay has some lowlights, eg avoid the Young Farmer Convention (once every two years) - but there are some good places (eg The Elephant restaurant, Ephesus Turkish restaurant, on The Rocks, to name some personal faves)

Darthaven in kings weir (opposite bank to dartmouth) is great location - but q.pricey & there is a waiting list. There is a marina in Darmouth,but it's mega bucks. But maybe you can afford it

Was chatting to someone from Dartmouth who has their boat in Plymouth, and loves it. great base for reaching Falmouth & beyond.

Personally - I think Torquay is ace

DW

 

[Steruth1]

When will the road into torquay be complete, last time I went it took 45 mins from the roundabout to the Center, I agree torquay is nice and can be pretty sheltered.