MARINA FOCUS

36 MARINA FOCUS

SOUTHSEA MARINA

Southsea Marina Fort Cumberland Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 9RJ 02392 822 719 southsea@premiermarinas.com www.premiermarinas.com

Whether you are looking for a safe haven for the winter or a more permanent berth, Premier’s Southsea Marina has it all.

PERFECT for yachting and motorboat cruising alike, this family friendly, awardwinning marina offers great value, fi rstclass facilities and a personal service that includes a 24-hour manned reception.

Nestling on the Eastney Peninsula, in the quieter reaches of Langstone Harbour, the marina is perfectly located for exploring the delights of the Solent and has 307 secure berths and a full service modern boatyard.

Once ashore, berth holders have the choice of two dedicated on-site restaurants with ‘delightful views across the marina’ and the option to call upon the services of a suite of marine tenants that include riggers, marine engineers, sailmakers and an RYA Training Centre.

Conveniently reached by road, minutes away from the M27, and with secure wet and dry berthing options, this marina makes a worthy recipient of the Yacht Harbour Association’s Five Gold Anchors Award.

FACILITIES The construction of Southsea Marina began in the 1980s, and since then it has expanded and evolved, both in facilities and the way it operates.

In recent years the marina has invested in modern boatyard equipment and a new static boom crane. There has also been a total refurbishment of its facilities and laundry - all to the same luxury standards seen across other Premier marinas.

In the water, the marina has just completed the replacement of the piles located in its approach channel to enhance security and provide berth holders and visitors with a more defi ned navigation channel to follow.

Customer service at Southsea achieves outstanding ratings, and in 2019 the Marina Reception was completely refurbished to include a modern and welcoming berth holders’ lounge area where visitors and customers can enjoy a complimentary drink in comfort. Accompanied by its popular outdoor BBQ area with decking, rattan seating and a bar for summer socials, the marina enjoys a thriving community spirit.

Southsea’s boatyard team provide year-round lift, high-pressure wash and block-off and re-launch services that include the use of a new 25 tonne hoist, a new static boom crane and a 15 tonne Roodberg boat mover.

Southsea Marina is also home to a good mix of marine tenants. These companies offer everything from rigging services to marine engineering, RYA theory and practical training and bespoke sail and covers.

The marina also accommodates one of the leading osmosis repair centres on the South Coast, with a 2,000sq. ft boatshed and a small chandlery shop offering a selection of essential maintenance products.

LOCAL EATERIES Southsea Marina benefi ts from two on-site restaurants. The Marina Bar specialises in British comfort cuisine and has a reputation for hearty breakfasts, light bites and substantial main meals – made with ingredients sourced from quality local suppliers.

Also located at the marina, The

Bombay Restaurant & Bar prides itself on cooking high-quality, fresh food, using traditional Indian recipes, and it has recently issued a new menu. BERTHING & STORAGE Southsea Marina has in-water berthing for 307 boats up to 16m, with larger vessels able to be accommodated on the outer holding pontoon. The marina offers competitively priced annual berthing contracts and seasonal savings on winter berthing.

Annual berth holders also benefi t from eight weeks’ complimentary storage ashore, a 15 per cent saving on yard services and there are additional seasonal boatyard discounts each year.

This winter Southsea Marina is offering monthly winter berthing from 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 – with a minimum stay of one month.

After the fi rst month’s berthing, customers can opt to extend their stay on a monthly basis to a maximum of fi ve months. Contracts can start on any day, and if you pay in advance for three months or more you can choose to store your boat ashore for 28 days with no additional charge – as part of your booked period.

THINGS TO DO The marina’s location in Langstone Harbour offers a relaxed and friendly haven in which boating enthusiasts can escape the pressures of everyday life. The foot passenger Hayling Ferry is within easy walking distance and gives walkers access to miles of beautiful, sandy beaches on Hayling Island.

On rainy days, there is a unique range of independent shops and trendy cafes and restaurants to explore in Southsea’s traditional town ACCESS The approach to Langstone Harbour is easy in most weather conditions. Within the harbour, speed is limited to 10 knots and fi ve knots in the marina approach channel.

Vessels enter the marina via a tidal cill gate that rises and falls according to the action of the tides and offers approximately six hours of access per tidal cycle. In between periods of tidal access, berth holders can leave their boats on an outer waiting pontoon for the marina to return them to their berth on a rising tide.

On arrival, call the marina using VHF Ch80, or by mobile telephone. The team will then allocate a berth.

When travelling to Southsea Marina by road, take the A27 and follow signs to Portsmouth, at Havant follow the signs to Southsea. If travelling by rail, Fratton is the nearest station, on the Portsmouth and Southsea mainline. There are regular trains to Chichester, London (1h 28m) and Southampton.

centre, plus an aquarium, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (home to three famous British warships) and the Pyramids Leisure Pool on the seafront. Further away, Gunwharf Quays, with its designer shops, multiplex cinema and the famous Spinnaker Tower, is well worth a visit. "There is a unique range of independent shops and trendy cafes and

restaurants to explore."

CRUISING For a day’s cruising you need not go far – Langstone Harbour itself is idyllically quiet and under-explored, and further on Bembridge on the Island is a gem of a location. Passing the beautiful Priory Bay you enter the harbour via the clearly marked dredged channel, where there is a large visitor pontoon where you can moor up and walk ashore to

explore the beaches and village.

Southsea Marina is also an excellent base for local daytrips to Premier’s Gosport and Chichester Marinas, where berth holders can take advantage of their 42 free visitor nights as part of the Premier Advantage package of benefi ts. Petrol and diesel are also available at Southsea and for Premier berth holders fuel is sold at cost.

“We looked at various marinas within 20 miles of Portsmouth and settled on Premier at Southsea - that was 12 years ago! Premier having multiple marinas in the area is a great incentive, as being a permanent berth owner we are able to stay for up to 42 nights at any of their other marinas. We have spent time in Chichester, Port Solent, Swanwick and our favourite, being here at Southsea.

Southsea has all the facilities: a very popular Indian restaurant, The Marina Bar and, of course, the normal marina workshops and services. The facilities have been refurbished to a high standard.

The staff are very professional, but friendly, and nothing is ever too much trouble. We feel very secure and very much part of a great group of people.

One great advantage of Southsea is the quick access to the cruising waters of the Solent and fantastic views across Langstone Harbour to the Sussex Downs.” Kevin Bowden, Seawolf

“We chose Southsea because we favoured a smaller, quiet marina. Our boating is now Solent based and it is easily accessible. The facilities match the high-class Premier brand and we consider Premier, with all its benefi ts, to be excellent value for money. In winter months it is convenient to visit during the eight week lay-up.

Southsea caters for everyone interested in boating - the knowledge and expertise of Scott Doble and his engineering team is second to none – you also have sail making/repairs/upholstery, restoration/ refi ts, a valeting/cleaning/polishing service, a thriving angling club, a restaurant cafe and an Indian restaurant - all on site.

We cannot praise the marina staff highly enough. Nothing is ever too much trouble and someone is always ready to assist in anyway needed. What is there not to love about Southsea?

On return to the peace and tranquillity there is nothing better than to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the most spectacular and beautiful sunsets that can be seen.” Jill and Peter Freeborn

WEBSITES ■ www.premiermarinas.com ■ www.bondsails.co.uk ■ 1degreewestmarine.co.uk ■ marinabarsouthsea.com ■ bombaybay.co.uk ■ www.jwsmarineservices.co.uk ■ www.portsmouthmarinetraining.co.uk ■ gunwharf-quays.com ■ www.haylingferry.net