We’re bringing subscription boating to North Wales

We’re excited to announce that Beyonder will soon be launching at Conwy Marina. Bringing all the benefits of subscription boating to our first ever location not on the South Coast of England.

Why Conwy Marina?

In a beautiful location on the North Wales coast, Conwy Marina is the perfect starting point for adventure. Nestled between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Historic Conwy Castle, you can enjoy breath-taking views like no other, and waters suitable for beginner boaters and experienced explorers alike.  Plus, with great connections by road to Merseyside, Manchester and Cheshire our Conwy Marina location makes it easier for even more people to discover the joy of boating.

On-site at Conwy Marina you’ll find everything you need for a great boating experience. As a part of the boatfolk family, the Conwy Marina team are always on-hand to share their local boating recommendations to maximise your enjoyment on the water.

Even more flexibility to your boating
With our third Beyonder location (and counting) Beyonder members now have even more flexibility when it comes to their boating. If you’ve got a subscription with us you can book a boat in any location providing one is available in the same tier. Whether you’re a South Coast boater who wants to treat yourself to a weekend away in North Wales, or you’re local to Conwy but want to experience boating on the Solent over the summer, you can mix-and-match the location of your pre-booked and spontaneous days as much as you like so you can get on the water your way.

Want to give it a go?

If you’re eager to start your boating journey at Conwy Marina get in touch with us today.

So what is a boat club anyway?

What is a boat club?

A boat club is an exclusive membership-based organisation that provides access to a fleet of boats for its members. Instead of owning a boat outright, members pay a monthly fee to enjoy the benefits of boating without the hassles associated with boat ownership. Here’s how boat clubs work:

1. Access to a fleet: Boat clubs offer members access to a variety of boats for their exclusive enjoyment. These boats are available throughout the boating season, typically located at marinas around the UK coastline.

2. Maintenance and costs: As a member, you don’t need to worry about boat maintenance, insurance, or education. The boat club takes care of all these aspects. You can reserve a boat for your desired time without the financial burden of ownership.

3. Social community: Boat clubs often foster a sense of community among members. They organise social gatherings, parties, and cruises, providing opportunities to connect with fellow boating enthusiasts.

4. Training and support: Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a complete novice, boat clubs offer training and mentoring. You’ll receive guidance on operating the boats safely and confidently.

Why Choose Beyonder Boating?

Beyonder sets itself apart with a fresh approach to subscription boating. Here’s why it’s an attractive model compared to its competitors:

1. Flexible freedom: With Beyonder, you get the freedom to enjoy boating your way. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or a first-timer, the flexible subscription allows you to escape on your terms. No long-term commitments—just adventure when you want it.

2. No ownership hassles: Forget about maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep. Beyonder takes care of all that. You can focus on making memories on the water while we handle the nitty-gritty details.

3. Community connection: By joining Beyonder, you become part of the boatfolk family. With 11 marinas across the UK, you’re never far from friendly faces and warm welcomes. Socialise, share stories, and build connections with fellow water lovers.

4. App-based booking: Beyonder’s modern approach includes a web-based booking system. Reserve your chosen “home” boat in advance, ensuring you’re ready for special events, relaxing long weekends, or family time on the water.

In summary, Beyonder offers adventure, camaraderie, and hassle-free boating. Be free. Be adventurous. Choose Beyonder!

Subscription boating is coming to Dorset

We’re excited to announce that Beyonder is officially launching at Portland Marina, giving you access to all the benefits of subscription boating in an exciting new location.

Why Portland Marina?

Perfectly placed on the Dorset coastline, Portland Marina is the ideal jumping off point for discovering the Jurassic Coast. With endless picturesque locations, great anchorages, and hidden coves there are plenty of opportunities for exploration both on and off the water.

On-site at Portland Marina you’ll find everything you need to make your Beyonder boating experience even better. As a part of boatfolk, the Portland Marina team are always on-hand to share their local boating recommendations to maximise your enjoyment on the water. You’ll also find two great restaurants on-site, perfect for a pre-boating breakfast or après sea sundowners and dinner.

What does this mean for Beyonder members?
Because we care about giving you as much boating freedom as possible, our Beyonder members will be able to book boats at either of our locations. You can mix-and-match the locations of your pre-booked days and spontaneous uses to your hearts content, as long as there’s a boat available in the same tier or lower than your current subscription.

Come along to the official launch

To mark the occasion, we’re officially launching Beyonder at Portland Marina a the Dorset Boat Show by boatpoint taking place at Portland Marina from the 12th - 14th April.

If you’d like to pop down and pay us a visit we’d love to see you, equally if you have any questions about Beyonder, or are looking to become a member don’t hesitate to get in touch.

See you at BoatLife 2024!

Calling all boating enthusiasts, thrill seekers and water lovers alike. We're thrilled to announce that we'll be casting off and setting sail for BoatLife 2024, the UK's largest indoor boat show, happening at the Birmingham NEC from February 15th to 18th, 2024.

Get ready to dive into a world of nautical excitement as we join hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest in boats, equipment, and all things aquatic. You’ll find us on stand C170. Plus, as part of the boatfolk family we’ve offering you 20% off with the code BLBF24. Click here to buy your

Here's what you can expect from us at the show:

• Experience the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795: A firm favourite amongst boaters and novices alike, we'll be bringing along one of the most popular models in our fleet. You'll have the opportunity to step aboard, check out the boat and imagine the incredible memories you could make with a Beyonder membership. 

• Have a chat with our team: Got some burning questions about subscription boating? Want to know more before dipping your toe in the water? Our friendly Beyonder crew will be around to answer any questions you have about joining Beyonder. And, because we're part of boatfolk, we'll also have brokers from boatpoint on the stand if you're on the fence between buying or subscribing.

• Check out some exclusives: If you're coming to see us on stand C170 you'll also spot some incredible Nordic boat brands represented by boatpoint. As exclusive UK dealers for both Swedish brand Ryds and Finnish boat brand Quarken, if you're a lover of innovative designs and great build quality this is a great opportunity to view some exciting new players on the boating scene.

But that's not all! BoatLife promises an unforgettable experience with over 200 boats on display, live talks and demonstrations from industry experts and a range of fun family-friendly activities to keep the little ones entertained.

You’ll find us on stand C170. And, as as part of the boatfolk family we’re giving you 20% off your BoatLife ticket when you use the code BLBF24. Mark your calendars! Don't miss your chance to meet us at BoatLife 2024. Follow us on social media for exciting updates and sneak peeks leading up to the show.

See you there!

P.S. Don't forget to grab your tickets in advance! Visit the BoatLife website for more information and booking.

Debunking boating myths: #4 Going solo

“It will never be possible for us to boat by ourselves”

For your first few boat trips, it's best to go just yourselves and avoid bringing kids, friends, or pets. Keep it simple - leave the marina, head out to the Isle of Wight, practice anchoring and driving, and then come back. Avoid stress until you're confident with your navigation and boat handling. Our advice to first-time boaters is to make a booking and let us know. We can then come and spend an hour with you, refreshing your memory on boating basics and helping you with parking practice.

If it's too windy to dock your boat, park it in an easy spot and tell the marina office. They'll move it later. The staff is friendly and happy to help you catch your lines - just give them a call! And, like with any new skills, practice makes perfect - the more frequently you take the boat out, the more confident you’ll feel!

Debunking boating myths: #3 Skill

“I have never driven a boat before, so I am doubtful I can safely operate a Beyonder boat”

More than half of our members are new to boating: they have not done any boating before and are keen to get afloat. As part of your subscription, we recommend training options and provide a full 1-1 onboarding session after you join.

To learn how to operate a powerboat safely and effectively, you can book via an RYA training centre and sign up for the RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) course. This two-day course consists of classroom learning and practical experience in a rigid-hulled inflatable (RIB) and is perfect for beginners! We highly recommend taking the VHF Short Range Certificate exam in addition to the PB2 course. This will give you an operator's license to legally use the VHF radios on boats, which are heavily used in the Solent for traffic information and control, calling for help if you are in distress, contacting marinas for berths, calling the water taxi, etc. The VHF course can often be done in parallel with the PB2 course, making things logistically simpler.

How your Beyonder orientation works

The next step is to schedule an orientation session with Beyonder. During this session, you'll spend a day out at sea on your chosen boat. We'll guide you through the boat's safety equipment and systems, and teach you how to manoeuvre the vessel, including leaving and entering the berth. Furthermore, we'll demonstrate refuelling procedures and show you the entry and exit procedures for Portsmouth Harbour.

1. We start the day by inspecting the boat's systems, equipment, and features. We have helpful videos on the Beyonder YouTube channel as a reminder.

2. Next, we familiarize ourselves with the local area in the Solent and the Isle of Wight. We demonstrate safe navigation out of Portsmouth Harbour and practice picking up a mooring in Seaview.

3. We then practice anchoring in Priory Bay, taking into consideration the tide and the depth required.

4. Finally, we raise the anchor and head to Cowes, showing you the Osborne Bay anchorage on the way.

5. We navigate through the breakwater and narrow channel into Cowes, avoiding the Red Funnel ferry and heading towards East Cowes Marina. The Boatfolk marina here is perfect for an overnight stay, with friendly staff who are familiar with Beyonder boats and happy to assist with berthing.

6. Afterwards, we head back home to Gosport. We pass by Stokes Bay which can be an excellent anchorage spot when the wind is from the north. Then, we make our way towards Portsmouth Harbour via the Swash way channel. During the trip, we show you the buildings located on the shore at Southsea that can help you navigate. Additionally, we practice how to enter a route into the navigation system and guide you on how to follow it.

7. After returning to the marina, we have lunch at the Creek restaurant, well-needed after a long morning of boating. Following lunch, we’ll practice more berthing techniques, learning how to park the boats both forward and backward. We also demonstrate how the boats are stern-heavy and tend to swing their sterns around like a pendulum, which can be used to your advantage when berthing. In our experience, most people can grasp this concept easily with enough practice.

It's important to remember the two golden rules when operating a boat: Steer then Gear, which means that you should always point the engine in the direction you want to go before putting the boat into gear, and Slow is Pro, which means that all manoeuvring in these boats can and should be done at tick over either forwards or in reverse. Even in windy conditions, the engine has enough power to manoeuvre the boat at tick-over speed. At this speed, even if you get it wrong and bump into anything, you won't leave more than a scuff, if, and more importantly, you won't be creating an amusing spectacle for onlookers.

It's worth noting that the more experienced the boater is, the more throttle they want to use, and the less impressive their berthing skills are. It's often surprising how good beginners are because they listen and do what is being asked.

By the end of the day, you'll feel tired but satisfied with the day's events. We typically wrap things up around 4 pm after refuelling the boat (Please bring your physical debit/credit card!). Once everything is settled, you'll be ready to book your first trip on the boat.

Debunking boating myths: #2 Access to boats

“I doubt there will be any boats available when I want to use them”

Beyonder is a shared service that offers fully managed high-quality boats at a cost that is lower than the mooring fees for the boat alone. The cost is shared between a maximum of 7 customers per boat, but we aim for 6 customers per boat to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. This means that each customer can enjoy a nice boat that is fully maintained, insured, berthed, and cleaned, all for one monthly cost.

So how do we manage the bookings so that everyone gets a fair share of the popular times (weekends and school holidays etc)?

To ensure that everyone has a fair chance to book during peak times such as weekends and school holidays, we have a restriction in place. Each customer is allowed to book up to three days in a six-month period for their allocated boat. These three days can be booked together as a three-day block or on three separate days. This means that at any given time, only a maximum of seven customers can book three days each, which adds up to 21 days altogether, in a six-month period of 180 days. This leaves plenty of short-term availability for other members to book. Beyonder members can book any available day within a six-month sliding window, restricted to their allocated boat.

If a customer needs a boat within 48 hours, they can book their assigned one or any cheaper equivalent available. This is possible without considering their prior bookings.

Debunking boating myths: #1 The cost

“It seems like taking the boat out for a day could be quite expensive”

This is a common topic, and although it's difficult to answer, people still want to know. So here it goes…

If you just fancy a quick and easy trip, you can head over towards Seaview on the Isle of Wight and pick up a buoy off Seaview Yacht Club for a pint in the bar or drop the hook in Priory Bay. By the time you get back, you will have used around 25 litres of fuel, which equates to about £52 at today’s pump process (Nov 23).

Or how about heading up to Cowes for lunch at the Lifeboat or the Folly Inn? It takes about 35 minutes of running time each way and requires 40 litres of fuel for the round trip, costing approximately £84

If you fancy a trip further afield, consider a trip to Yarmouth for some fun and lunch. Find a spot in the harbour or call a water taxi after picking up a mooring outside. The trip is 18 nautical miles each way and costs £135 for 64 litres of fuel.

Would you like to visit the stunning Alum Bay and explore the beach for fossils? You can even head out to see the Needles lighthouse. This round trip from Haslar Marina will cover approximately 45 miles and require around 76 litres of fuel, costing approximately £160.

Assuming the boat cruises at 20-22 knots with 3-4 people in calm conditions, fuel costs will increase in larger seas or with a loaded boat. Main Solent destinations are within 20 nm, so a great day out shouldn't cost over £150.

Why is Haslar Marina the best place on the Solent?

The Hamble has traditionally been the go-to destination for those who want to boat on the Solent, but it is not the only option available. Lymington, Poole Harbour, and Chichester Harbour are other possibilities, although they are not strictly part of the Solent. Many people are quick to dismiss Portsmouth Harbour or Gosport, but perhaps this is a preconception that needs to be challenged.

Here’s our top 6 reasons why Haslar Marina is perfect for Solent boating

1. Portsmouth is cool: “While London has been rightfully named the coolest place to live in the country, the tiny city coming in second place may be a bit of a surprise to you. Portsmouth, the seaside city located on the south coast of England, was named as the second coolest place to live in the UK, and with regeneration projects bringing trendiness and vibrance to the area, we can see why. There are great bars and restaurants, many overlooking the harbour and all within walking distance.

2. Road access is easy. Ever since the opening of the new Stubbington bypass, driving to the marinas in Gosport has become much easier. The increased number of route options has helped to alleviate traffic congestion. Remember those frustrating Saturday mornings when you had to wait in a long queue for almost half an hour just to get down Hamble Lane to the marinas? Well, those days are now over.

3. Rail access is easy. Portsmouth Harbour station has direct trains to London and much of the southeast and is right on the harbour next to the Gosport and Isle of Wight ferries.

4. Quicker access to the open Solent waters: Haslar Marina is just inside the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour, and you can open the throttles and climb onto the plane within 10 minutes of slipping your moorings.

5. Lots of places to go: The eastern Solent provides convenient access to Chichester Harbour, Bembridge, Seaview, Priory Bay, Cowes, and the central Solent.

6. Gosport is a hidden gem: Try some of the delicious food at The Creek and The Lightship restaurants located at Haslar Marina, or visit The New Bengal, known for its first-class curry.