Cobbs Quay Marina, Poole, Dorset

Cobbs Quay Marina, Poole, Dorset

In October 2011 Stephen Hunt purchased and made ready for sea "Mistral", a Princess 385 at Cobbs Quay. He has good things to say about the marina and some of the companies who assisted him. Noteably; Ancasta Boat Sales Poole, Marine Options Services, HolesBay Marine and Mike Wills Engineers. Read a fuller account from Stephen here

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General - Cobbs Quay Marina is located in Poole Harbour on the coast of Dorset in southern England. The large, almost landlocked harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. The facility offers berths, boat yard and a storage operation.

Contact;
Tel -
Fax -
Email
Web
Skype -
Twitter -
Facebook -
VHF Ch -
Call sign -

Address -

Open - All year round

Hours - Not known.

Arrival out of hours - Not known.

Formalities - Not known.

Position - 50º 43' N 002º 0' W

Charts, Pilots & Cruising Guides - See the following link for UK Charts

Tides -

Reference port -

Mean time differences - HW: minutes ± ; LW: minutes ±

Heights in metres -

	MHWS	MHWN	MLWN	MLWS
	.

Depths at MLW - Not known.

Protection/Shelter - OK

Approach and Entrance - Cobb's Quay is situated at Hamworthy in Holes Bay within Poole Harbour. Access requires passing under a lifting bridge. Sailing & large motor vessels will need to take lifting times into account. These can be found at; Borough of Poole - Poole Bridge Lifting Times

Berths & Moorings - 850 berths . It is not known if reservations can be made.

Maximum length - 25m.

Water - On the pontoons.

Electric - On the pontoons.

Fuel - Petrol & Diesel.

Weather forecast - Not known.

Security - 24 Hours.

Internet Access - Wi-Fi coverage.

Other Marina Facilities, Services & Supplies - Toilets. Showers. Laundry.

Boatyard Facilities & Services - Slipway. Winter Storage. Engine Repairs. Sailmakers. Hoist or Crane

Shopping and Provisions - Most provisions can be obtained in Poole

Bank or ATM - In Poole.

Chandlers or Ships' Store - On site.
Shop Online for the Best Deals

Marine Electronics - The Top Deals are on the Web!

Butane/Camping Gaz//Propane - Not known.

Ice - Not known.

Eating Out - There are many restaurants, cafes and pubs serving food in Poole.

Transport -
Bikes -
Local Bus Service -
Intercity Bus Service -
Taxis -
Car Rental -
Train Service -
Water Taxi -
Ferry Service - Regular services to France and the Channel Islands.
Airport(s) -

Local Area -
Sporting & Recreational Facilities -
Sightseeing -
Museums and Cultural Attractions -
Galleries -
Conservation Projects -Brownsea Island is owned by the National Trust and is home to all sorts of wildlife
Special Events -
Children's Stuff -
Other -

Other reports on harbours, marinas and anchorages can be viewed in our marina guide

Stephen Hunt says from October 2011 "I recently bought Mistral, a Flybridge Princess 385 (1988) fitted with Cummins 260bhp diesels with shaft drive. This was a difficult purchase due to many reasons, but Peter and Becky at Ancasta Poole based in Cobbs Quay rallied on and did an outstanding job with flair and professionalism, overcoming many difficulties mainly caused by Close Marine Finance. They pulled their financial backing, without notice nor reason at the eleventh hour, after the sea trials and payment of my deposit and this caused me serious stress and a severe dilemma which I had to overcome. If I hadn't then I would have lost my £6500 deposit and the boat purchase...so be very aware of them and that boats financed by them are not allowed to cruise outside UK waters for more than 15 days (hidden in very small print and not in their pre-agreement signed paperwork nor conversations). Peter also helmed the sea trial. I had the boat surveyed and then had full engine deep servicing, water pumps and turbos, overhauled the Fire Extinguinshers, safety equipment including new liferaft and beacon. Also a flybridge radio was fitted to enable R/T above and new radar reflectors and AIMS. All of the shipwright work was done by Colin Paddy and Matt at Marine Options Services, who were absolutely brilliant! New toilet waste holding tanks were also fitted. The tender engine was also overhauled by HolesBay Marine. They have done a lot of work for me in the past on smaller external Mariner and V6/8 Mercruiser/Volvo engines. Chris and the team there have a wealth of knowledge and always made themselves available on the phone to help when I was in need.
Having monitored the channel weather for 3 weeks, the October weather was poor. Finally, the channel bouys transmitted a lull and the boat was launched at Poole Cobbs Quay Marina. This marina has a great wealth of expert help on hand and an RYA school. After a consultation, I applied for my power boat level 2 to be converted to an ICC here and took a VHF course and CEVINNI course to allow me to cruise on the inland waterways of France. These were added to my new ICC.
After consultation with a good friend, his 18 year old son agreed to crew for the crossing. He had recently undertaken training from the IOW to Maderia with the UKSA attaining his off-shore skipper licence.
I recorded all of the boats equipment with the Ofcom licensing, and also with the RNLI on the online Form. After final confirmation with Cobbs Quay of the launch date and with the Cummins Engineers (Mike Wells Engineering), the boat was launched easily (10 tonnes and 40') by Cobbs quay's mobile crane. This cost about £210. The sea trials went well achieving 23 knts in sea state 3-4. Unfortunately the surveyor mis-identified an echo sounder as a poorly fitted log, and the boat was lifted out again for it's removal. The actual speed log was then found under the port engine by the shipwright and it was sound. An expensive mis-identity as the boat once again returned to the sea. During a personal sea trial all of the systems were checked, but an overheat started on the starboard engine. It was shut down and we motored into Poole Yacht Haven (previously Dolphin Quay). They were very good and realising we were in difficulty offered us a prime birth for free. I called Mike Wills Engineers and they came to the other marina immediately to assess their work on the engine. They had done a requested feed to heat the domestic water from the starboard engine and this just needed a further bleed. To arrive in their vehicle, at another marina, tool box and anti freeze in hand, I thought was brilliant. We were soon out in beautiful Poole Harbour again with no further problems.
On return to Cobbs after our trial day out the flybridge starboard engine thrust cable snapped, leaving me to bring her alongside on one engine only. Again, two of Mike Wills engineers came immediately to the boat with a new cable at 17.15 to fit it, taking half an hour...a really exceptional service I thought!
At Cobbs I then refuelled the boat (gulp!) 800 litres and prepared the nav suite. I had plotted the route Poole to Le Harve, and with these waypoints loaded the nav kit. This was my first use of the kit, and it took several hours. The next morning we left for the 07.30 lifting bridge, enroute Le Harve. I had contacted Weymouth Coastgaurd prior to departure by phone and given them my waypoints and their ETAs. The crossing was a success even though we ended up in 3m seas gusting to F7. The boat was powerful and sound, in some really horrendous breakers and steep troughs. I felt confident in Mistral as she had been well prepared by all involved at Cobbs Quay, Poole. I thoroughly recommend Cobbs Quay Marina to other mariners as the expertise and facilities and available professionals are second to none."