THOUGH I admit that as a continuous cruiser I have considered taking a winter mooring, I just do not see the point, writes Gerry Varley.
After all it doesn't matter where you are it is just as cold, so getting well wrapped-up and cruising for a few hours every two weeks saves you quite a bit of cash, as my friend, who is also a continuous cruiser found out when he took winter moorings at Willington [Trent & Mersey Canal] last year whilst I cruised the canal mooring by the shops on the way.
Knock on £1,000
With both of us having 50ft—thereabouts—boats I see he will have to pay £225 a month, as the site has local facilities, pump-out, water and rubbish facilities, which will knock on to £1,000.
This year he is saving himself that much with us cruising together, and should we get iced-in, then that could be a bonus, as when we are stopped by winter maintenance. In fact I know of boaters who look out for winter stoppages, and get themselves 'stuck' so have a mooring, often with facilities for free.
Moor in the sticks
There are of course less expensive winter moorings on offer, but why pay £98 a month to moor in the sticks with no facilities whatsoever, when you can moor anywhere in the sticks then move on every couple of weeks—or very often longer as there are no CaRT people should you be away from a road—for nothing?