Here’s the latest marina living and harbourside news in the UK – including berthing packages, living trends and mooring news.
A home on the harbour
Hamilton Quay development in Eastbourne’s North Marina
Fancy living the marina lifestyle in East Sussex? Forming part of the exclusive gated Hamilton Quay development in Eastbourne’s North Marina, this magnificent waterfront townhouse offers impressive accommodation set over five floors. With four bedrooms (three en-suite) and two reception rooms, including a double-aspect living room with full-width balcony, soak up glorious views of the boats coming and going, while the waterside shops and restaurants are close by. It’s not far from Eastbourne’s beaches either. The town continues to grow in popularity with buyers seeking a coastal move (£890,000, town-property.com).
All change at Bembridge
Bembridge Harbour on the Isle of Wight has announced two new appointments
Busy Bembridge Harbour on the Isle of Wight has announced two new appointments, with Alan Mackay taking over as harbour master after the retirement of Gordon Wight, and senior berthing master Jack Miskin stepping up to deputy harbour master. Business has grown steadily over the last decade, and this lively island is a great destination for visitors (bembridgeharbour.co.uk).
Buster debut
The new Buster Magnum Cabin
Making its UK debut at the Southampton International Boat Show in September was the new Buster Magnum Cabin. A stylish, comfortable and easy-to-handle boat with a walk-in cabin, it’s ideal for those wishing to extend their boating season. Powered by either a hydraulically controlled Yamaha 225hp or 300hp outboard or the latest Yamaha 300hp V6 outboard featuring Digital Electronic Control, this 7.5m aluminium boat offers impressive power and a max speed of 45 knots. With capacity for six, it’s perfect for adventures (yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/marine/#/).
Doing its bit to fly the flag for Devon
Devon Yealm Harbour Master
Sail La Manche is an online resource launched by British Marine South West, encouraging sailing visitors from France to check out the delights of the Devon coastline. This detail-packed website is specifically aimed at French sailors travelling to the region by boat and lists the practical facilities for boat owners available at key locations, as well as great things to do around each area from local foodie highlights to events and regattas, and offering virtual tours to help people plan. British Marine South West successfully bid for funding for Sail La Manche from the Coastal Communities Fund, and aims to bring together various marine and tourism sectors around the county and act for an ambassador for Devon in France. However, if you’re a sailor heading to Devon from elsewhere in the UK, there will be plenty of information you’ll find useful there too (saillamanche.co.uk).
Out of county membership
St Ives
It’s well known that St Ives is a great place to go on holiday, with its picturesque fishing harbour, maze of narrow cobbled streets and independent shops and galleries, and – of course – its beautiful beaches. But what about as a great place to go sailing? St Ives Sailing Club (SISC) now offers a special out-of-county membership for just a £25 annual subscription, and you don’t need to have your own boat – you can hire one from the club. A small friendly club that’s been running for 50 years, you’ll find it just behind the Sloop Inn on the harbour front. SISC holds a regatta once a year too, which visiting boats are welcome to enter. Visit stivessailingclub.com for more information or find SISC on Facebook.
Safety without an upgrade
Ocean SOLAS Throw Over Liferaft New Style Canister
Extending its range of lifesaving equipment for the commercial marine sector, Ocean Safety’s new cylindrical GRP container complements its Ocean SOLAS Throw-Over Liferaft. It has been designed to fit into the existing cradles and mountings onboard many commercial vessels. Ferries, crew transfer vessels, tugs and superyachts now have the option to be equipped with the Ocean SOLAS Throw-Over Liferafts without needing to upgrade their onboard stowage. The liferaft’s large water ballast pockets offer maximum stability and resistance in extreme conditions, protecting occupants from strong winds and rough seas (oceansafety.com).
Pick a Pier Website
Easy booking is always a bonus, so check out online booking service Pick A Pier, where you can explore hundreds of marinas, including in the UK and Ireland, and reserve a berth in minutes. You can pay securely, chat with marina staff, and modify your booking up to the morning of the day of your arrival. Pick A Pier champions ocean sustainability and wants to maximise space in existing marinas – so it works for marina owners and boaters alike. Maybe head to Bangor in Co Down or book into Mylor in Cornwall? See where the mood takes you! (pickapier.com).
New role at Falmouth
Molly Manvell – photo credit Tom Vaughan
Holly Manvell, the Cornwall-based yachtswoman who founded the global not-for-profit organisations Clean Sailors and Cleaner Marinas in the last two years, has been appointed as Falmouth Harbour’s first head of commercial operations. She will be concentrating on growing Falmouth Harbour for the long term – working with CEO Miles Carden to generate new business streams and improving the customer experience and the range of services this Cornish harbour offers (falmouthharbour.co.uk).
Swanwick for sales
Swanick
Looking to buy a yacht? This summer saw the formal opening of The Saltings, Swanwick Marina’s new Sales Pavilion. The commercial building at the Hampshire marina provides 14 units, fitted with solar panels to enhance its environmental credentials, and making it the primary destination for motor yacht sales in the UK, according to Premier Marinas’ chief executive Pete Bradshaw. Businesses moving into the new building include Ancasta International Boat Sales, Clipper Marine, Fleming Yachts, MiCats, Nautor’s Swan, Nordhavn, Pearl Yachts, Princess Yachts, Sanlorenzo Yachts and Sunseeker International.
Safety at sea
First Aid at Sea
Here’s a must-have – an updated 8th edition of First Aid at Sea was published this summer. An essential guide for seafarers, the waterproof ring-bound pages, colour-coded sections and clear illustrations make it easy to use in any medical emergency that might crop up while you’re out on the water. This latest edition features a new section on diving accidents, and also information relating to Covid-19. Priced at £12.99 as a book to take on board, there’s also an ebook version.
Under new management
Kerrera Marina
Across from Oban on Scotland’s west coast lies the Isle of Kerrera. Last September, local couple Tim and Gill Vollum became full-time managers of its marina. They have changed the name from Oban Marina to Kerrera Marina to avoid confusion with the short-stay marina in Oban, as well as to celebrate their island home. The pair, along with their small team of dedicated staff, have plans to develop the marina further to cater for families visiting in yachts, including the inviting new Waypoint restaurant and bar, full customer facilities and now, with the addition of a road linking the north of the island to the Cal Mac ferry, there are greater connections to the mainland and general exploration of the island is easier. See kerreramarina.com for details on berthing fees and boatyard services.
Power from the people
MDL Fitness, at Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth
Gaze out on the marina as you work out, and be one of the first to convert human energy into electricity. The doors are now open 24/7 to MDL Marinas’ gym, MDL Fitness, at Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth. With SportsArt ECO-POWR™, MDL Fitness transforms a gym into a power plant that offsets electrical usage. All the usual kit you’d expect is here – treadmills, bikes, free weights, fixed resistance machines, etc – but the difference is they are combined with energy-generating technology. There are a range of memberships available, and the good news is boat owners and visitors to the marina can use the gym too. There is a one-day access pass which is valid for use multiple times in one single day (midnight to midnight). To find out more, visit mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-fitness.
Remote control
VirCru smart boat system
VirCru is a new smart boat system enabling you to remotely monitor and control your boat via smartphone. Easy to install, onboard sensors connect to a smart device to give you a comprehensive view of your boat’s condition, wherever you are – allowing you to monitor battery power, boat position, temperature and bilge levels. The VirCru Launch Bundle costs £250 – find out more and subscribe at vircru.com.
Head east
Winerack – Photo Credit Daniel Fisher
Buy into life on the waterfront – No 45 The Winerack Apartments is a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment within the brand-new Winerack development in the heart of sophisticated Ipswich marina. With 837 sq. ft. of interior designed luxury, contemporary finishes and large balcony off both bedrooms with south-facing views over the marina, this is one of the Winerack’s finest examples within the second quarter. Q2 is the tallest and most prominent quarter in the development, spread over 17 floors, offering some of the best views of the town, marina and beyond. Priced at £275,000 – Help to Buy is also available to first-time buyers on all Q2 and Q4 apartments at The Winerack. For more information, go to thewinerackapartments.com.
Marina extension at ardrossan
Plans for a 150-berth extension to Ardrossan Marina are moving forward – a design team is soon to be appointed, and Clyde Marina, which operates the existing marina, will continue to partner with the council on the new development. Currently providing 260 berths and over 300 boatyard spaces, the marina reached full capacity and saw record visitor numbers last year. The proposed extension is part of an ambitious £170m regeneration programme for Ardrossan, which also includes new homes, a coastal path and an Educational and Community Campus. It is hoped work should get under way in the second half of 2023, bringing more job and tourism opportunities to this west-coast Scottish town.
Browse through the latest marina property for sale, find out more about marina living in the UK or pick up the latest copy of Coast magazine for more marina and harbourside property news.
