Top marina’s new boat cradles reflect continuing investment at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour

BUCKLER’S Hard Yacht Harbour has continued a programme of investment with £125,000 spent on 48 new boat cradles to improve services for mooring holders at the award-winning marina.

The top-quality galvanised steel cradles offer the highest standard of care when moving, repairing and storing customers’ boats. They join another 37 yacht cradles bought previously, together with 90 motorboat stands.

A 17-metre-high cherry picker was also recently purchased to enable boat owners to reach the top of their masts for wind instrument swap-outs and re-running halyards, as well as assist the boatyard team and dockmasters to carry out more maintenance work and repairs.

The boatyard investment by Beaulieu Enterprises to secure the yacht harbour’s future follows a £2m redevelopment to reconfigure and extend the marina. Environmentally-friendly boat pump-out and washdown facilities were also installed.

Harbour master Wendy Stowe said: “Many customers prefer modern steel to traditional wooden cradles, which provide more protection and efficiency while moving and working on their boats. We are committed to delivering the best possible customer service, with the investment that requires.”

Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour continues to offer an open policy boatyard and chandlery with full marina services, as well as a range of benefits. It won the title of Marina of the Year in recent British Yachting awards after receiving the most votes for its warm welcome, facilities and services for sailors.

The investment has extended to its team, with the appointment of the yacht harbour’s first apprentice. Ollie Rickard, aged 23, is working towards achieving the British Marine apprenticeship standards to deliver the best service for boat owners and visitors.