Who looks after boats round here?
Every marina runs on word of mouth, and if you're new or not around much, you're left out of it. Ask the Pontoon writes it down: who does engines, antifouling, rigging and refits at your harbour, what the work should cost, and how to get a busy engineer to reply.
"Which harbour are you on?"
Find help at your harbour
Each harbour guide lists who works there, how to reach them, and local quirks worth knowing.
Buckler's Hard
Around 500 berths and moorings, a small group of trusted trades, and a busy spring. Who to call for what.
Open the harbour guide →Your harbour?
We're adding harbours one at a time, starting with the Solent. Tell us where you keep your boat and what you struggled to find.
Suggest a harbour →"How much should that cost?"
Plain-English guides
The questions boat owners ask each other on the pontoon, answered properly.
How much does antifouling cost?
DIY or done for you, by boat size, and what a fair quote includes.
Read the guide →What's in a boat engine service?
What gets done, how often, what it costs, and the warning signs that can't wait.
Read the guide →Winterising your boat
Afloat or ashore: the lay-up jobs that save you a spring repair bill.
Read the guide →How to find a marine engineer
Where good engineers are found, how to check them, and the message that gets a reply.
Read the guide →"Should have booked in January."
The boat owner's year
The most common reason people can't find help is asking at the same time as everyone else.
Lift out or winterise afloat. Engine service before the cold. Checklist
Bigger jobs and spring bookings. Trades have the most time now.
Antifouling and relaunch. Everyone wants the same week. Costs
Quick fixes and call-outs. Mobile engineers are your friend.
"Why does this exist?"
Because asking around shouldn't depend on who you know
Most marinas have good people working on boats. The hard part is knowing who they are, who has time, and how to reach them, especially if you're new or only down at weekends. Ask the Pontoon writes that knowledge down so anyone can use it. More about us