A personal list of favourites and not so favoured, which in no way reflects the opinions of others - just myself!   The list is of course open, and subject to amendment at any time.

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MARINA's IN THE UK.

BEST FACILITIES.   Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne - close to supermarket, cinema, other shops.  Chandlery in town. Parks and boating lakes close-by.  Fuel at marina exit.

BEST SHOWERS/WC's.      Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne - exceptionally clean - open 24 hours - spacious.

BEST STAFF.            Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne - 24 hours, helpful and friendly.

MOST EXPENSIVE.   Southsea Marina.

CHEAPEST.                Ramsgate Marina.  (because I couldn't find anyone to pay before leaving!!)

BEST OVERALL MARINA.     Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne.

THE WORST.       Southsea Marina -  entry/exit times from Langstone Harbour are limited by tides and the approach is a winding channel with a narrow entrance into the marina itself.   Staff OK, fairly well stocked chandlery on site.   Whilst showers in main building are shared gender (not a problem!), they are closed after 10pm and usually flooded the rest of the time.   Those at the opposite end of the marina are an awful beach hut type of abomination and should be bulldozed.

and the rest..........   Ramsgate is indifferent to everybody, staff are impossible to find and it's showers which used to be good,  have deteriorated over the years.   Dover is friendly, close to town, good facilities.

 

FOREIGN MARINA's

BEST FACILITIES.        Marmaris Yacht Marine, Turkey.   Chandlery on site, gym, swimming pool, bar, restaurant, lift out, wi-fi, laundry, kids club and shop, but fuel is a bit of a problem and has to come by tanker.  Town 8km away by road, bus every half hour or free ferry from marina - chandleries, upholsterers, sailmakers, stainless steel fabricators, woodwork shops - everything you need.

BEST SHOWERS/WC's.       Sunseeker berths in Mahon, Menorca - absolutely spotless!   Only open during office hours.

BEST STAFF.    Not technically a marina, but the award has to go to Sunseeker berths in Mahon - all were helpful and accommodating.

MOST EXPENSIVE.   Milazzo in Sicily. (At the time of my visit, off-season, 60 euro's for one night)

CHEAPEST.    Rochella Ionica in Italy.  First five nights free!

BEST OVERALL MARINA.   Despite office staff being a bit 'offhand' I have to choose Gouvia Marina in Corfu for this category.   Although not the cheapest, I found it the most enjoyable.

THE WORST.   There have been some bad ones,  but Cherbourg has to top the list - a) because it's French, b) because the staff were arrogant, c) because the showers were dirty and cold and d) because I just didn't like the place!!

and the rest.........Cameret was ruined by the guy running the office and fuel pontoon.  The showers were a five day camel trek away, sited on the public roadway and with nothing much to show for it when you got there.

HARBOURS AND TOWN QUAYS

THE BEST.   The jury is still out on this one.

THE WORST.  Without doubt......Mandraki, Rhodes; it's almost impossible to get a berth, the harbourmaster is unfriendly, unhelpful and downright rude, and the place doesn't really want yachts to visit at all.  If the Aegean had piles...this is where they would be.  The options are to anchor in the cruise liner port(s) which are open to the sea and swell or go on the high concrete wall of the 'overflow' harbour and prepare to be pushed onto it and suffer damage. Don't try to get into the 'new, as yet un-built' marina, where the gypsies are - it's been closed off with rope which is invisible at night (26th Oct 2009). Alternatively, you could hire an agent to get a berth for you.....and pay through the nose.

FOOD.

BEST RESTAURANT MEAL.

No doubt about this one!  

"Latitude 38" in the marina at Cascais, Portugal gets the gong and five stars.   The meal was excellent!  The service was friendly, quick and without hassle.    The presentation was superb.  Everywhere was spotlessly clean.   A little pricey, but well worth it!

THE WORST.      No outright 'avoid at all cost' establishments here.

and the rest...... Second best is the marina restaurant in Marmaris Yacht Marina, renown for the peppered steaks which are superb - however....prices soared in 2008 and most liveaboards started to boycott it and use The Orange Restaurant in Aktaş village instead.   Zorba's in Gouvia serves good food, friendly management, and as cheap as chips!  Tony's Grill on the road into Corfu town is recommended.

 

ANCHORAGES.

MOST ENJOYABLE.     Amazon Creek in Turkey because of the peace and tranquillity, and the fun of trekking through the woods to and from the campsite for an evening meal with charming company.

LEAST ENJOYABLE.   Rhodes.....open to the sea, riding out an F7 at night when anchored 60 metres from the rocks of Mandraki harbour is, in no sense of the word, enjoyable!