Since its August 2010 appointment the new management team at Cowes Yacht Haven has been working hard to improve facilities and respond to the needs of its clients.  The latest improvements, which will be of particular benefit to dry sailing customers, include:

• A complete reconfiguration of the customer toilet, shower and laundry facilities
• A complete reconfiguration of the marina offices
• Installation of a new HIAB lift for dayboats and RIBs
• Resurfacing older areas of the hard standing
• The latest phase of an ongoing marina deck replacement scheme

Marina Manager Ben Ferris explains the thinking behind these changes.  “We’re very lucky that Cowes Yacht Haven has a unique and privileged position at the heart of Cowes with yard services, chandleries, sail makers, etc, close to hand.  We’re also just minutes from the Cowes yacht clubs and the Solent’s main race areas, but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels.  We’ve an enthusiastic team who see responding to customer feedback as a vital part of the job.

“The new HIAB lift can handle boats up to 2T including Dragons, Etchells, Laser SB3s, RIBs, etc.  It will speed up individual movements and enable us to offer a more flexible service as all marina and yard staff will be trained to use it.  The new toilet, shower and laundry facilities are much larger and give us flexibility to cope with different types of event, whilst the new office configuration will make the management team much more accessible to customers.

“Resurfacing of the older hard standing areas and replacement of the marina deck planks are ongoing projects which will continue over the next couple of winters and we constantly look for ways to improve the appearance and accessibility of the site in general.

“Not all changes require capital investment though.  The Quarter Ton Fleet is a class we’ve developed an excellent relationship with in recent years.   They told us that they enjoy being able to store their boats together ashore and moor together afloat to socialise and build camaraderie so we’ve been able to arrange this for them.   It’s been so successful that we’re extending the approach to other dry sailing classes too.

“Of course we understand that everyone wants to keep costs down at the moment so I’m pleased to confirm that our dry sailing package prices are being held at the 2011 levels for the coming season, making them great value for money.   We can handle both power and sailing boats and welcome new customers.”