Marinas and moorings

There are thousands of berths and moorings in the UK. Not surprisingly many are located in the most popular boating areas.

When we talk about a berth we usually mean a space in a marina. A mooring is usually anywhere else you can keep a boat, for instance next to a yacht club jetty, out in the middle of a river or in a cluster of other boats adjacent to a club or centre.

They come in all shapes and sizes, and from budget to the very expensive. The cost is usually dependent on the location and the amenities offered, such as on-site showers or, for instance, a club house.

How to find a berth

To search for marina berths or moorings you can:

• Check out Berth Search for a full listing of available berths in the UK
• Look in the boating magazines
• Speak to the company that sold you your boat -  they can often help you find somewhere to keep it
• Ask locals in the location you want

Things to consider when looking for somewhere to keep your boat:

• When choosing your location decide how far do you want to travel each time you use your boat – some people don’t mind a couple of hours journey, others want to pop down to their boat when the mood takes them
• Do you enjoy your comforts and want to be able to just step aboard? – if you do then a full service marina is for you
• Do you prefer tranquility to hustle and bustle? – then a mooring accessed by water or a remote boat yard may be the place for you
• If you’re boating on a budget then you may need to choose marinas or moorings with less amenities or perhaps accessible only at certain times of the tide.

Security

Whatever you opt for do make sure you consider your boat’s security. Invest in the best protection methods you can – this could be as simple as a tow hook lock on your RIB trailer or a check on a marina’s security arrangements or an on board security device.