Best UK Marinas for 60ft-70ft Motor Yacht
Discussion
Hi guys, interested in what experiences others have had.
I've always loved boats and have been slowly introducing the family via day charters on holidays in the Med over the last few years. I'm now at the stage of seriously thinking about buying a c.60ft+ boat.
My reason for wanting a boat, is to get a few weekend trips away, on something big enough to stay aboard comfortably. Smaller boats don't appeal to me, nor do sail boats. I appreciate most may think that it's not a proper boat with a sail, but each to their own. I just want a pure pleasure boat for days out when the weather is good.
Current thinking is that we might be best to keep her in the UK for a year or two first, to see how it goes, as this will give us the most chance to use it and get used to boat handling etc. We would take the courses etc and hire/employ a full time skipper to look after the boat and get her ready for the weekend trips, so we could try to use it as much as possible.
After that, we may look to move the boat down to the Med permanently, or during summer season.
I'd be looking to buy a used boat of around 2006-2009, then if it's something we all really enjoy, upgrade to a newer boat, or have one built.
I don't rush into things and like to do my homework .... So I recently dragged my wife and daughter along for a whistlestop tour (by car) along the south coast from Poole to Portsmouth to check out the marinas and see what they were like.
We visited Poole Quay, Cobbs, Salterns, Ocean Village, Hamble, Swanwick, Port Solent.
I was quite surprised that the only one that appeared to have local restaurants and bars/shops surrounding the marina (like they do in the Med) was Port Solent.
I believe that the Solent is one of the best UK boating areas, with access to Cowes and many other areas, but as we live 1 mile from the very centre of England, it's a 3hr trip to Portsmouth, 3-4hrs to Poole/Sanbanks.
Just wondering if there are any other marinas that people would recommend we look at ??
Also curious to hear about anyone else's experiences & stories of getting into boating.
Thanks
I've always loved boats and have been slowly introducing the family via day charters on holidays in the Med over the last few years. I'm now at the stage of seriously thinking about buying a c.60ft+ boat.
My reason for wanting a boat, is to get a few weekend trips away, on something big enough to stay aboard comfortably. Smaller boats don't appeal to me, nor do sail boats. I appreciate most may think that it's not a proper boat with a sail, but each to their own. I just want a pure pleasure boat for days out when the weather is good.
Current thinking is that we might be best to keep her in the UK for a year or two first, to see how it goes, as this will give us the most chance to use it and get used to boat handling etc. We would take the courses etc and hire/employ a full time skipper to look after the boat and get her ready for the weekend trips, so we could try to use it as much as possible.
After that, we may look to move the boat down to the Med permanently, or during summer season.
I'd be looking to buy a used boat of around 2006-2009, then if it's something we all really enjoy, upgrade to a newer boat, or have one built.
I don't rush into things and like to do my homework .... So I recently dragged my wife and daughter along for a whistlestop tour (by car) along the south coast from Poole to Portsmouth to check out the marinas and see what they were like.
We visited Poole Quay, Cobbs, Salterns, Ocean Village, Hamble, Swanwick, Port Solent.
I was quite surprised that the only one that appeared to have local restaurants and bars/shops surrounding the marina (like they do in the Med) was Port Solent.
I believe that the Solent is one of the best UK boating areas, with access to Cowes and many other areas, but as we live 1 mile from the very centre of England, it's a 3hr trip to Portsmouth, 3-4hrs to Poole/Sanbanks.
Just wondering if there are any other marinas that people would recommend we look at ??
Also curious to hear about anyone else's experiences & stories of getting into boating.
Thanks
S1M VP said:
TheRainMaker said:
The only problem with Port Solent is its location, it can take ages getting in and out.
If its busy I seem to remember it could take up to an hour and a half from the entrance of Portsmouth to your berth.
By car entering the site, or by water entering the marina?If its busy I seem to remember it could take up to an hour and a half from the entrance of Portsmouth to your berth.
S1M VP said:
fatboy69 said:
Have you considered Dartmouth, Brixham or Torquay?
I know sod all about boats however I spend a lot of time in the area & all of the above have excellent facilities.
Haven't seen any of these ... Are there decent sized boats there?I know sod all about boats however I spend a lot of time in the area & all of the above have excellent facilities.
Over the years, as more people have got into boat ownership, the riverside has been developed into a small but well looked after marina with reasonable facilities.
As for decent sized boats - well. Every year Dartmouth hosts a regatta which always has a Royal Navy warship, a frigate or a destroyer, as a 'gate guard' for the duration of the regatta.
The warship is able to turn round in the river!!
Also the harbour receives regular visits from large cruise liners as well as many super yachts all of which anchor in the middle of the river.
Torquay has a superb purpose built marina with some large cruisers always moored in the marina.nthe marina is well served with full facilities as well as the numerous waterside pubs, restaurants & watering holes.
Brixham is much newer & again it is working harbour with the superb marina having been developed over the last 10/15 years.
I know that if ever I was able to afford a boat or yacht it would be moored, permantly, in either Dartmouth or Brixham.
As I say I know nothing about boats however I spend enough time in the area to know what the facilities are like.
I'd suggest sticking with the Solent or Devon.
To get the family engaged I'd suggest somewhere where there isn't a lock you need to get in and out of - Port Solent can be very frustrating trying to get out on a Saturday morning and then back in on Sunday afternoon.
60-70' is pretty big for a lot of UK Marinas.
Salterns is very "compact" - maneuvering there might be stressful.
Port Solent Lock.
Brighton - Nowhere to go within 50 miles.
Berthon would be ideal - but the extra travel time across the New Forest might be a factor.
Swanwick Marina - close to the M27, space for larger boats. Sunseeker / Princess / Fairline dealers on site.
To get the family engaged I'd suggest somewhere where there isn't a lock you need to get in and out of - Port Solent can be very frustrating trying to get out on a Saturday morning and then back in on Sunday afternoon.
60-70' is pretty big for a lot of UK Marinas.
Salterns is very "compact" - maneuvering there might be stressful.
Port Solent Lock.
Brighton - Nowhere to go within 50 miles.
Berthon would be ideal - but the extra travel time across the New Forest might be a factor.
Swanwick Marina - close to the M27, space for larger boats. Sunseeker / Princess / Fairline dealers on site.
I used to keep my old tub in Port Solent. It is true, the run up to the lock does take time, and the rag and stick brigade seem to have no idea of queueing protocols.
On a bank holiday Monday, make sure the fridge is stocked on return as it will take a while to lock in, but normally locking in has minimal delay as it is really only the keen owner smaller stuff that goes out unless the British weather is exceptional - I now live here with a view of the marina and the gin palaces don't seem to get used at all, the rest of 50 foot plus very rarely. I never had to wait longer than the second lock turnover, but with 60+ foot and associated beam, it will be a different proposition to squeeze you in up the middle
Sure, facilities in terms of restaurants are good with a big Tesco a mile away by car or less by foot (over the lock not via the road), but the pain up and down the reach meant that I moved mine to Gosport after 4 years, which had dire facilities by comparison, but is 5 minutes from the Solent after untying the ropes, and is fully accessible at all times.
It really depends what you want. A 45 minute 6-10 knot chug to the harbour entrance can be nice at the end of the day and coming back with such a wide choice of eateries (and a Friday Saturday disco plus odeon cinema on site) is a bonus.
On a bank holiday Monday, make sure the fridge is stocked on return as it will take a while to lock in, but normally locking in has minimal delay as it is really only the keen owner smaller stuff that goes out unless the British weather is exceptional - I now live here with a view of the marina and the gin palaces don't seem to get used at all, the rest of 50 foot plus very rarely. I never had to wait longer than the second lock turnover, but with 60+ foot and associated beam, it will be a different proposition to squeeze you in up the middle
Sure, facilities in terms of restaurants are good with a big Tesco a mile away by car or less by foot (over the lock not via the road), but the pain up and down the reach meant that I moved mine to Gosport after 4 years, which had dire facilities by comparison, but is 5 minutes from the Solent after untying the ropes, and is fully accessible at all times.
It really depends what you want. A 45 minute 6-10 knot chug to the harbour entrance can be nice at the end of the day and coming back with such a wide choice of eateries (and a Friday Saturday disco plus odeon cinema on site) is a bonus.
We kept a 40ft yacht at Hamble Pt for 8 years, OVM 4 years and Port Solent 5 years.
As has been said Port Solent lock is a faff and busy in high season. I expect you would need to be on the end of one of the hammerhead pontoons with 60-70ft. Same goes for Hamble Pt.
OVM has a few long berths just as you come in.
What cruising speed will the MV be? I know Brighton is isolated but wouldn't you be able to get to the Solent pretty quickly at full chat?
I used to love Lyminton good marina and local yard. Decentish club bar and the Indian in town is the nuts.
I am sure you have done the numbers but a "few weekends a year" will be a huge investment.
Having just sold the family boat I don't miss it at the moment, when the family are old enough to to express and interest it will be charter all the way.
Lovely dilemma to have!
As has been said Port Solent lock is a faff and busy in high season. I expect you would need to be on the end of one of the hammerhead pontoons with 60-70ft. Same goes for Hamble Pt.
OVM has a few long berths just as you come in.
What cruising speed will the MV be? I know Brighton is isolated but wouldn't you be able to get to the Solent pretty quickly at full chat?
I used to love Lyminton good marina and local yard. Decentish club bar and the Indian in town is the nuts.
I am sure you have done the numbers but a "few weekends a year" will be a huge investment.
Having just sold the family boat I don't miss it at the moment, when the family are old enough to to express and interest it will be charter all the way.
Lovely dilemma to have!
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