Winter berthing

Winterlude

Winter is upon us but are you getting the best deal on your winter berthing? Sam Jefferson ponders the options

Winter afloat?

Elsewhere in this issue we discuss the possibilities of winter sailing in the UK. The conclusions are that it’s eminently possible with care, albeit a bit chilly at times. If you are serious about a spot of winter sailing then the only option is to keep your boat afloat. This has a couple of other clear advantages: it’s generally quite cheap and your boat is also well protected from frost damage as it is somewhat insulated against it.

Marina berth or swinging mooring?

The next question is whether you are tough enough for a swinging mooring. These can be obtained for bargain rates in winter but there is definitely something intimidating about rowing out to your boat on even the most beautiful crisp winter day. It is therefore for the toughest of sailors and you really do want heating on board if possible; be it an Eberspacher diesel heater or even a woodburner. The slightly less hardy may be more tempted by a berth afloat and these are also available at heavily discounted rates in most marinas.

As an example, Mylor Yacht Harbour in Cornwall offers a mooring buoy for £135 per metre. As an added sweetener you are also offered use of the water taxi, discounted fuel services, car parking space and discounted stays in Mylor’s harbourside holiday cottages. A

winter berth in the marina is £229 per metre. More information is available by going to: mylor.com.

Another excellent option for south coast sailors looking to keep a boat on a swinging mooring is in Poole Harbour, which provides excellent all round shelter in certain parts of the harbour even in severe weather conditions. As an example, Poole Quay Boat Haven has a selection of swinging moorings available; as a swinging mooring customer not only do you have full use of the shower and toilet facilities, but you are welcome to bring your vessel in to pump out and top up with drinking water when required. For more information and prices go to: poolequayboathaven. co.uk/swinging-moorings

Insurance

Insurers say that many policyholders could keep their boats afloat without seeing a rise in their premium. Craftinsure, for instance, says that customers in England and Wales face no winter restrictions even on a swinging mooring, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland can keep their boats in a marina berth during the winter for no extra charge.

Craftinsure does advise boatowners to take a few extra precautions during the winter. For instance, tie up furling headsails to stop them shaking loose in a gale and remove dodgers, biminis or anything else which could increase windage. With the boat likely to get more rain aboard, it’s also important to keep scuppers and drains clear, and try to check the boat after very heavy rain to ensure the bilges are dry.

Marina offers

Premier Marinas

Premier offer a seasonal boatyard discount – a saving of 15 per cent on services booked for October and November, with a relaunch completed by 23 December. Premier is also offering monthly winter berthing for boats up to 18m from 1 November 2021 to 31 March 2022. premiermarinas.com

MDL Marinas

MDL has poured a lot of energy into developing a new loyalty card scheme called Otium. As you pay for goods and services in MDL marinas, you earn points which can be put towards further purchases. Between 1 October and 31 December 2021, MDL is offering double Otium points on boatyard

Winter berth check list

If you do go back in for the cold months, Yacht Havens have some useful advice about keeping the boat securely moored through the winter storms...

l Avoid the 'running W' mooring line, which makes it very difficult to adjust lines in a gale. Use separate lines for bow and stern, two long spring lines and double-up where necessary. l If you’ve got fenders, use them!

Don’t leave them in baskets or lockers because you think they’re the wrong size. l Avoid using metal shackles straight on to the pontoon cleats. l Avoid short, tight lines from midships to the centre finger cleat. The rope will exert big snatch loads. l Before you leave your boat for the winter, check the quality of your mooring lines.

services, including lifting and scrubs. This means that for every £100 spent on boatyard services, berth holders get back £44 in points and visitors £28 in points to spend on services. In addition for every monthly berth purchased between 1 October and 31 December customers get one month free (maximum three months). mdlmarinas.co.uk

Yacht Havens

With nine UK marinas, Yacht Havens is offering a number of special winter offers, but each one is tailored to the location. One example is six months winter berthing afloat at Troon Yacht Haven, £110 per metre (based on a 10m boat), or £143 per metre (based on 10m boat) for lift out, pressure wash, storage and launch off, from 1 October to 31 March 2022. yachthavens.com

Boatfolk

Boatfolk runs to 11 locations across all four home countries. They are offering 30 per cent off this Autumn Valid 1 October to 30 November then 30 per cent off their lift, storage and launch package. This offer is limited to a maximum of eight weeks storage ashore. They are also offering 20 per cent off which is valid from 1 November to 31 January; terms may vary slightly from marina to marina. boatfolk.co.uk

Winter refit?

Of course the other end of the spectrum is hauling your boat out and going for a full refit - or at least a refresh. It's something you can do at most marinas but there are certain operators that specialise in this and many have special packages for winter refits.

Fox’s Marina

Located in Ipswich on England’s east coast, Fox’s is a busy independent marina, with a booming chandlery. It is offering 10 per cent off its usual haul-out and storage rates this winter. Early birds get a further 10 per cent off plus a free underwater condition report. Refit-wise they don’t offer any package as such but do offer free consultation for refit and repair projects, as well as general winter maintenance. foxsmarina.com

Berthon

Berthon offer full lay-up and decommissioning services. Boatyard services cover every aspect of yacht maintenance from engine and generator servicing, to GRP repairs and rigging services. Berthon can also project manage large repair jobs. Email Kim.ScottRobinson@ berthon.co.uk for a quote. berthon.co.uk