New Marinas Overseas

A little closer to home ( that is for those of you who live in the UK ) this time, but nonetheless a very pretty new marina, has just been completed on the Isle of Wight. Best known as the world’s premier yachting centre, Cowes is the Island’s main port with a natural harbour at the mouth of the Medina river. Yachtsmen from all over the world participate in the season’s prestigious sailing events, of which the best known is Cowes Week, which is held annually at the beginning of August. If you’ve never been to this event - please go - it is a fantastic spectacle and great fun.

Cowes and East Cowes grew from a huddle of fishermen’s shacks around two coastal forts built by Henry VIII on opposite banks of the River Medina, and named after the two off-shore sandbanks or cows. The towns are linked by an old-fashioned chain ferry and have a tradition of fine ship building, dating from the reign of Elizabeth I. Then came the yacht building industry, as sailing became a popular sport, endorsed by the royal family. In 1854, the Royal Yacht Squadron was moved into Cowes Castle, the former Tudor fort, and the name of Cowes has been synonymous with yachting ever since.

Fifteen minutes by boat from Cowes, along the Medina River, the colour-washed cladding gives the development a coastal style in keeping with its sought after marina location. The 48 holiday homes making up Heron Square and Cormorant Grove enjoy a waterside lifestyle, with 10m pontoon moorings forming part of the Island Harbour Marina. It has a full range of facilities to hand, for the needs of new and experienced skippers. Most of the homes are situated over the water, on a beautiful boardwalk, creating an unparalleled living experience for messing about on the river.

Now I must stress at this point that the homes are designated as holiday home only - in other words they cannot be lived in all year round. These houses are second homes, and the relevant planning consent states that the properties can only be used as holiday accommodation. There is no restriction however as to the number of weeks per year that the properties may be occupied, so I guess this is open to debate. If you choose to live there and move to a hotel for a holiday each year, then I’m not sure whether this would be allowed - if anyone has any comments on this I would welcome some feedback. There is another development on a lake in the Cotswolds which has similiar restrictions - in that case I beleive that residency is restricted to 11 months of the year ( again you can move out for a month’s holiday and then back in again!)

All the properties are being sold freehold. Beautiful internal specifications continue the ‘best of both’ theme, with solid wood floors, substantial fixtures and fittings and the convenience of broadband and networked cabling for AV equipment. There is ample secure hard-standing available for winter boat storage,and the marina boatyard offers additional facilities. Newport, the Island’s capital, is conveniently situated only a few minutes’ car or boat ride away or a 30-minute walk alongside the Medina River from the marina.

All townhouse owners will have the right to use a 10 metre mooring berth, capable of berthing a monohull yacht up to 12 metres, and for penthouse owners both 15 metre and 17 metre moorings will be provided. Berths will be allocated by the berthing master appointed by the Residents Association. If you have a bigger yacht that this, then berths may be available in the commerncial section of the marina for an additional berthing fee.

Prices for the properties start at £390,000 and the most expensive unit is £695,000. Built in a town house style there are two principle types, with slightly different layouts - a 3 storey with 3 bedrooms and a 4 storey with 4 bedrooms ( well you’ll need all the bedrooms for all the friends you will suddenly acquire!!)

If you’ve never been to this part of the world, I would urge you to give it a look - but be quick as the properties are selling fast. With its stunning setting, sense of space and well appointed facilities, all combine to make Island Harbour an exceptionally sought after marina.