UK Marina recommendations for spending the winter

[svRaison d Etre]

We would appreciate some suggestions for a berth this winter. The quotes we have received so far do not seem exorbitant. When we checked the average winter temperature for the Bristol Channel and the Solent there isn't much difference (colder than Curacao for sure). Below is the text we sent to marinas.

"We are an American couple on a 42 foot (12.8m) monohull looking for a winter berth for this year. We plan to leave the boat several times for extended periods and will need a secure marina with the possibility of boat caretaking. While in the marina we will need to have some canvas work done and will do regular maintenance on the boat.

We are presently in Ireland, having just arrived from Curacao via Bermuda and the Azores. Here is a list of our criteria in choosing a marina:

Secure
Conveniently located (public transportation, pubs, grocery stores, chandelry, canvas shop)
Modern facilities (including showers, launderettes)
Pontoons with electricity and water
An ice-free harbor
Cost"

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank you

Serge and Kathy

[Stingo]

Gosport has several marinas which tick all your requirements. It's a short ferry ride across the harbour entrance to Portsmouth where there is a train station at the ferry terminal, where you can get a train to Gatwick Airport or London.

[svRaison d Etre]

Originally Posted by Stingo

Gosport has several marinas which tick all your requirements.

Thank you. We looked at Gosport and they seem to be open to the sea with the possibility of rolling. We are now considering Port Solent Marina. Its locked and seems good on paper. Do you or anyone have any experience staying here at this marina?

[Matt Johnson]

We stayed at Sutton Harbor in Plymouth for the winter and loved the marina and surrounding location - even during lockdown for Covid.

It's behind its own lock, so calm and protected while the outer harbor is getting hammered.

You're in the heart of the tourist area, so plenty of bars and restaurants.

The restrooms and showers were the best I've seen while cruising.

[Flobble]

Both Gosport and Haslar are very well protected, being inside of the Portsmouth Harbour entrance. And the harbour entrance faces into the Solent, so there's very little incoming ocean-scale swell.

[Capt Ahab]

Originally Posted by svRaison d Etre

We would appreciate some suggestions for a berth this winter. The quotes we have received so far do not seem exorbitant. When we checked the average winter temperature for the Bristol Channel and the Solent there isn't much difference (colder than Curacao for sure). Below is the text we sent to marinas.

"We are an American couple on a 42 foot (12.8m) monohull looking for a winter berth for this year. We plan to leave the boat several times for extended periods and will need a secure marina with the possibility of boat caretaking. While in the marina we will need to have some canvas work done and will do regular maintenance on the boat.

We are presently in Ireland, having just arrived from Curacao via Bermuda and the Azores. Here is a list of our criteria in choosing a marina:

Secure
Conveniently located (public transportation, pubs, grocery stores, chandelry, canvas shop)
Modern facilities (including showers, launderettes)
Pontoons with electricity and water
An ice-free harbor
Cost"

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank you

Serge and Kathy

A very pretty marina is Bucklers Hard near Beaulieu in the New Forest National Park. There is a railway station at Beaulieu Road a few miles away which will take you to London but you will need a taxi to get to Beaulieu Road from Bucklers Hard. Beaulieu is a lovely village, and Bucklers Hard is where many of Nelson's warships were built.

Lymington is also a bustling town and there are two good marinas there, Yacht Haven and Berthon, Berthon being closer to the town itself. There is a train station in Lymington which will get you to London, and Lymington is a bustling and attractive Georgian town.

Poole Harbour may also be worth a look. Very pretty and in my opinion looks like the Greek Islands on a warm sunny day in summer when the tide is in.

And as Stingo says, Gosport should be sheltered as it is in the greater Portsmouth Harbour area and does not connect directly to the sea. And it is in the lee of the the Isle of Wight.

Good luck, and welcome to England!

[svRaison d Etre]

Thank you to everyone who replied with suggestions of marinas. We are a bit late getting back to you all as my last post was lost in transmission.

[dlj]

May I ask why winter over in England rather than Ireland?

dj

[dlj]

Asking because I may be there to winter over also.

dj

[Boatfreak]

Raison d'etre

Everywhere in the uk will be ice free.The last time the sea froze was around 1966 I think. There are countless places, Brighton used to be good for liveaboards, lively, nearby large supermarket, good transport links to London. For a quieter more rural locatipn with lovely walks and trad english pubs try Chichester, Birdham or Northney.

Port Solent is good on most counts and has an excellant chandlery and access to marine engineers,canvas work, huge supermarket, gyms, sport shops, cinema, restaurants, fast food outlets etc. Its a bit souless however

[svRaison d Etre]

We chose England over Ireland because it is closer to the continent and we plan to visit Europe this Fall and Winter. We chose Port Solent because of the proximity of Tesco and that many bike paths and trails. It is also a locked marina.

[dlj]

Originally Posted by svRaison d Etre

We chose England over Ireland because it is closer to the continent and we plan to visit Europe this Fall and Winter. We chose Port Solent because of the proximity of Tesco and that many bike paths and trails. It is also a locked marina.

Thank you.

Hope you enjoy it there.

dj