Just an average day in the uk

Biggles · 15 March 2005, 23:21

I just thought I would add this pic to show an average day in the UK.

This was taken on the south coast of England near the Solent. It shows our slipways.

Any comments are left to visitors.

However I personally feel as though I have to hunt for my entrance to the sea.

Any comments are welcomed.

Maybe somebody could enlighten me on a slipway on the English South Coast that is :-

a) Well maintained.

b) Easily accesible.

c) Has free and secure parking.

I bet you can't ..........................

codprawn · 16 March 2005, 00:50

Not just the Enlish south coast - there are several slips around Swansea that are fenced off!!!

Rogue Wave · 16 March 2005, 06:23

Boatlaunch.com is a good source of slipway ifo. I think your request for free parking is probably fanciful in these times, as it is a major source of revenue for councils

Out of interest how much would you pay for secure parking and good launch facilities

But off the top of my head It's gonna be

Daedulus in Lee on the Solent

Cross house road Southampton

Town Quay Southampton (not sure about free parking)

Ltmington Town Slipway (not sure about free parking)

Bedhampton ?

Dirk Diggler · 16 March 2005, 07:28

The slipway at Hythe Marina used to be pretty good, very popular with Southampton Boatshow exhibitors.

I assume it's still free, with loads of parking.

MeMe · 16 March 2005, 07:50

...........boil. I wonder, is there some way one can site the "Right to Roam" act in such instances ? I'll investigate......... Not that it would do you any good when you pull up and find a £19.99 padlock stands between you and a good day out !

Addendum.... I took a look at this and the Ramblers Association web site but was unable to find anything of use. http://www.ramblers.org.uk/freedom/

http://www.waterscape.com/boating/

John Kennett · 16 March 2005, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Maybe somebody could enlighten me on a slipway on the English South Coast that is :-

a) Well maintained.

b) Easily accesible.

c) Has free and secure parking.

Why do you think you should be able to expect free and secure parking? Or free anything for that matter! Free unsecure parking is hard enough to come by at the best of times, but who's going to pay for the security?

You didn't mention the cost for actually using the slipway. Should that be free too?

As ever www.boatlaunch.co.uk is the best source of launching info. Camber Dock in Portsmouth, and Northney Marina on Hayling Island both meet requirements a and b and have reasonably secure parking -- they're not free though

John

DJL · 16 March 2005, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

The slipway at Hythe Marina used to be pretty good, very popular with Southampton Boatshow exhibitors.

I assume it's still free, with loads of parking.

The council recently started charging £5 for parking. It’s a pretty secure place though as they have CCTV and the security guards make regular patrols, not to mention the nosy residents.

If only they would install a public hose it would be perfect.

Nick Hearne · 16 March 2005, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL

If only they would install a public hose it would be perfect.

Should that not read Public House?

Nick

codprawn · 16 March 2005, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Why do you think you should be able to expect free and secure parking? Or free anything for that matter! Free unsecure parking is hard enough to come by at the best of times, but who's going to pay for the security?

You didn't mention the cost for actually using the slipway. Should that be free too?

As ever www.boatlaunch.co.uk is the best source of launching info. Camber Dock in Portsmouth, and Northney Marina on Hayling Island both meet requirements a and b and have reasonably secure parking -- they're not free though

John

Why not??? Free parking isn't free anyway - we pay more than enough in council tax as it is. There used to be quite a few slips in the Swansea area years ago that were free to use - now they have just been fenced off without any chance even to complain.

You also used to be able to launch boats off many beaches - these days most beaches have been closed to all vehicles - Pendine Sands being a classic example. It was the home of British Land speed records for many years - many people used to enjoy driving on the beach and there were NEVER any problems - until the council did a "risk assessment" and have now closed the beach!!!

MikeCC · 16 March 2005, 14:46

Biggles,

I'd echo what people say re boatlaunch website.

Specifically though, try free public slip at Swanwick (near Moody's) behind the Old Ship pub. Free car park and room to move about. Bit of a trip down the Hamble, but you can always do some yacht-gazing. Shingly but OK and not so good on a low tide. Watch the mud off the side.

Alternatively Warsash (free) - bit closer to Southampton water also free car park next door (gets full and limited times) and another a couple of hundred yards away. Also has pub opposite.

Can't comment on security - just lock up in line with your insurance! But as they say, 2 out of 3 ain't bad (or maybe 2.5 if you count the pubs)

Mike

timboli · 16 March 2005, 18:24

Hythe marina slip is still free,but pay for parking,£6for car and £6 for trailer,I used calshot last year,£110 for the year (sub 6m boat)and they have 2 taps and toilets,or around £12 a time,slip way is all tide but can get a nasty dumping chop,parking can be a problem due to open meetings on occasions

Biggles · 16 March 2005, 18:36

John,

Of course you don't get free parking. Paying for parking on Council land is just another form of tax. At the end of the day it is us the Council looks after the land for.

But I pay Council Tax, Income Tax, VAT, Fuel Duty and the list goes on and on. Why should I pay to park. Most of France has free parking, and several other countries as well.

With regards how much I would pay for secure parking. Probably not enough. But it would be nice to have some of my taxes spent on something I want to actually use.

It just seems in the south of England its very hard to do anything with a bit of freedom. Cycle routes are a joke. Even going for a walk gets a bit boring sticking to the same old footpaths.

Right to Roam is a joke.

The farmers are busy looking after their own interests and damn the subsidy payer.

DJL · 16 March 2005, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by timboli

Hythe marina slip is still free,but pay for parking,£6for car and £6 for trailer

Yes the slip is free. Car parking is £5 for car and trailer, all day, as long as they are attached to each other and parked in the trailer parking area.

jewels · 16 March 2005, 20:36

Mike CC

We are new to ribbing (bought a ribcraft last March) and have ONLY launched at Swanwick....always easy to park (free!) and even at busy times never much of a wait. Yes you do have to watch the mud!! We enjoy the amble down the Hamble and from Romsey it's only 20 minutes drive! And anyway, on the way back always handy to go 2 minutes further up river to the Jolly Sailor!!

Julie & Mike

Richard B · 16 March 2005, 21:12

When my boat was small (and the trailer had bearing savers!) I used to launch at Hamble Le Rice where the parking isn't free, but there's a pontoon which you can sneak on briefly, and the car park is fairly well overlooked, so reasonably secure.

Interesting that you compare French slipways/access/parking... we did some research in 2003 and found that whilst our European neighbours have plenty of free slipways, those with good facilities and parking, trailer parks, etc, do in fact charge a fee.

Nick Hearne · 17 March 2005, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

When my boat was small (and the trailer had bearing savers!) I used to launch at Hamble Le Rice where the parking isn't free, but there's a pontoon which you can sneak on briefly, and the car park is fairly well overlooked, so reasonably secure.

Interesting that you compare French slipways/access/parking... we did some research in 2003 and found that whilst our European neighbours have plenty of free slipways, those with good facilities and parking, trailer parks, etc, do in fact charge a fee.

Terrible slip, small car park always full

Richard please keep this little gem quiet!

Nick

timboli · 17 March 2005, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL

Yes the slip is free. Car parking is £5 for car and trailer, all day, as long as they are attached to each other and parked in the trailer parking area.

Thanks for the info DJL,the lock office misinformed me,I may give this a go sometime as my Calshot membership is about to expire!