french marine suffolk yacht harbour

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is the east coast's leading independent marina with 550 berths and additional swinging moorings, which are accessible at all states of the tide. Berth holders and visitors are able to enjoy world class facilities including newly renovated showers and unique lightship yacht club and pub.

With a 75 tonne boat hoist, maintenance and refit workshop and chandlery facilities, Suffolk Yacht Harbour is well equipped to cater for your boating needs.  Also onsite at the harbour are 11 marine businesses offering top-class sail-making, rigging services, marine electronics, a sailing school, marine surveyor, brokerage and new boat sales and engineering. The harbour is a complete one stop shop  attracting boat owners from the east coast and further afield.

• Boat Care / Valeting
• Boat Charter / Hire
• Boat hoist / Lift out
• Boat Sales / Broker
• Boat storage
• Business Facilities
• Car Parking
• Convenience Store
• Electricity to Berths
• Fuel Dock (Diesel)
• Fuel Dock (Petrol)
• Launderette
• Marine Electronic Services
• Marine engineering trades
• Rigging Services
• Sail maker / Repairer
• Toilets & Showers (individual en-suite style facilities)
• Water to Berths

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Levington Ipswich IP10 0ln Suffolk, England United Kingdom

+44 (0)1473 659465 [email protected] http://www.syharbour.co.uk

Back to results Vote for Marina -->

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

The leading independent marina on the east coast, Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) is a hub for cruising, racing and boat maintenance.  As well as multi-faceted workshops, two chandleries and eleven marine businesses onsite, SYH has the largest hoist capacity from Bridlington in Yorkshire to the Solent.  Based in Levington, on the River Orwell in Suffolk, SYH offers a friendly ‘one-stop-shop’ for all your boating needs.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Levington Ipswich Suffolk IP10 0LN United Kingdom

• The Registers
• Shipshape Network

• Manage Reservation

Add dates for price

• Berth Price
• Service fee

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

• Max Length 60 m
• Max Draught 2.5 m

You can reach Suffolk Yacht Harbour by calling VHF80.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is a very accessible marina located located on the River Orwell at Levington, Suffolk. Levington is a small village in the Suffolk Coastal District. The village stands very close to the town Ipswich. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the river Orwell. There visitors can cho

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is a very accessible marina located located on the River Orwell at Levington, Suffolk. Levington is a small village in the Suffolk Coastal District. The village stands very close to the town Ipswich. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the river Orwell. There visitors can choose from a wide diversity of attractions to see and things to do. For those interested in local history, important landmarks define the towns appearance and as well as the outside countryside. Among the multitude of places, tourists can choose to see Sparrowes House as well as The Tolly Cobbold brewery. Tourists who visit Ipswich during the summer can have the opportunity to attend the annual Ipswich Arts Festival which offers a varied program of events from visual arts, performing arts, literature, film and music. For tourists who decide to spend their nights in a special spot, Hintlesham Hall Hotel offers exquisite accommodation. The building is a fabulous Grade 1 listed Country House

Facilities of Suffolk Yacht Harbour

• Electricity
• Fuel station

No reviews (yet)

This marina has no reviews yet. Be the first to write a review of Suffolk Yacht Harbour

From helpful headlines to descriptive details, you could write the kinds of reviews travelers love a look. Kindly share your feedback regarding your experience in Suffolk Yacht Harbour to help them improve and tell future skippers / boat owners what to expect.

Weather in Suffolk Yacht Harbour

We strongly advise you to check the weather in Suffolk Yacht Harbour before your trip.

The neighborhood

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is located in Suffolk

The Restrictive Policy doesn't allow any refund.

Recommended Marinas

Neptune marina, royal norfolk & suffolk yacht club.

Southwold Harbour

Tidemill yacht harbour.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Exploring projects at Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Related Articles

Upcoming Events

• Search forums
• East Coast Forum

Shotley / Suffolk Yacht Harbour - Pros & Cons

• Thread starter Jokani
• Start date 27 Aug 2018
• 27 Aug 2018

Active member

I am currently spending a great year at Haven Marina Ipswich. I originally decided on the Haven as it is close to a train station and pubs/restaurants/shops for visiting family. But, I haven't used the train once, and visits from family rare, and I have only been out of the marina once (on foot) for the maritime festival. So, next year I am considering moving to a marina that is closer to the sea, and more central for weekend cruising. I'm thinking of either Shotley or Suffolk Yacht Harbour. The price for both is approximately the same, Shotley has the disadvantage that you need to lock in/out, SYH has the disadvantage that it is 20 minutes further from the sea. based on this, I think I would opt for SYH. SYH say on their website that they have a waiting list, but I'm guessing I would get in for next year. But are there any other advantages or disadvantages of either that I should take in to consideration?  

Well-known member

SYH has much easier road access. SYH has immediate entry/exit. Shotley is closer to the sea and the Stour. The lock at Shotley can be a delay at peak times, but probably not much more than 15 mins. Shotley, being locked and with 24/7 manning, is more secure. There's more to see at Shotley, with a great view over the harbour.  

PaulRainbow

I wouldn't disagree with Peter in post #2 by much. I don't think there's too much to choose in the drive down, it's only 9 miles from Foxs. Can be frustrating if you get stuck behind someone doing 20MPH, but otherwise it's a 15 minute drive through some nice countryside. I don't mind the lock, it isn't usually too much of a delay, unless you insist in coming back in at 5PM on a Sunday evening mid season. The entrance to SYH can be a bit hectic on a busy day. Benefits of the lock include the fact that it's manned 24/7 (the guys in the tower do keep a good lookout and the place has really good CCTV, so security is top notch) and it keeps the water levels fairly constant. Visit SYH/Foxs/Woolverstone at LW and imagine dragging a trolley full of gear up the ramps !! Being staffed 24/7 also means you can get fuel or a bottle of gas anytime. The staff are all really good, both in the tower and the yard. We are, of course, very close to the sea and the Stour. The one thing that really lets the place down is the lack of a decent pub/restaurant/clubhouse. If you're driving down you can at least nip to The Rose, the Red Lion at Chelmo', the Butt and Oyster or the newly re-opened Boot at Freston, but i really wish we had a good establishment onsite where all the berth holders frequented for a pint and a gossip. We do have a nice sailing club (albeit no clubhouse/bar) that organises a lot of trips throughout the season though and the vast majority of berth holders are very nice people (as i'm sure they are at SYH). All in all, i like the place :encouragement:  

Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor

The facilities are much better at SYH, And the local enviroment is also much better for walking etc... it’s quieter as you don’t get noise from container terminal... it’s also cleaner on the boats as you don’t get detritus from the stacks on the ships (which isn’t really a big deal...) You get better payment terms as well... the chandlery is superior, there are more services on site, the yacht club is far better than the shipwreck, and it’s a short and nice walk to one of the best pubs around... (the ship)... unlike shotley... The entrance is never a issue in bad weather... versus the lock can be a bit of a cheek clencher above f5 if the wind is up the chuff.. Don’t get me wrong... lots to like about shotley, very secure, good staff, probably more responsive in the yard... nice location... better public transport as the bus comes into the yard... on balance the time you lose going that bit further upstream is about the same as queing for the lock on a busy day... and you always seem to to need to wee when you’re in that que... plus of course your on max display when coming through the lock, being no doubt judged in your skill or lack thereof by the crowd...  

pvb said: SYH has much easier road access. SYH has immediate entry/exit. Shotley is closer to the sea and the Stour. The lock at Shotley can be a delay at peak times, but probably not much more than 15 mins. Shotley, being locked and with 24/7 manning, is more secure. There's more to see at Shotley, with a great view over the harbour. Click to expand...

Minn said: Very fair summary. I’m a customer of SYH and I haven’t had any “issues” with the marina staff there. But I have a friend of twenty years and more who moved to Shotley and will not have anything to do with the SYH marina and yard people under any circumstances, but he is very happy at Shotley. He does agree with me that the chandlery at SYH is good. Click to expand...

photodog said: plus of course your on max display when coming through the lock, being no doubt judged in your skill or lack thereof by the crowd... Click to expand...

• 28 Aug 2018

PaulRainbow said: A bit embarrassing when you're sideways in the lock and there's 500 gongoozlers watching. Click to expand...

As an infrequent visitor of both I've found them equally as nice and don't really have a favorite, pros and cons on both sides. One thing that hasnt been mentioned is that generally boats behind locks around here seem to suffer less with fouling, in which case Shotley could have the advantage?  

Many thanks for all the replies, lots of helpful information. I'll go and visit both before making the final decision.  

GaryCottam said: SYH say on their website that they have a waiting list, but I'm guessing I would get in for next year. Click to expand...

Sea_Spray said: The lock has never been an issue. Ignore the tales of huge queues to get in and out - that's very rare and whilst you may cock it up occasionally you and your crew will soon get very good at navigating locks which will always stand you in good stead. Click to expand...

Our refer a friend scheme is still in operation- If you as a resident refer a new boat to the marina (hasn’t been an existing berth holder for the last twelve months ) and they sign up and pay for a years annual mooring we will credit your account with £400.00 The same will apply if you sell your vessel and persuade the new purchaser to become a resident. Any fully paid up annual resident at Burnham can spend up to one month(free of charge) at our sister marina on the River Orwell. Shotley Marina has all the facilities you find at Burnham and is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Orwell and Stour in Harwich Bay. Click to expand...

matthewriches

I like them both although there is something to be said about heading back up the Orwell just as the sun is setting - picturesque. SYH can be quite tight depending on your vessel size.  

pvb said: I've had to wait over 30 minutes to lock in on occasions, usually summer weekends when there've been visiting boats (which for some reason like to wander up and down the entrance channel at about half a knot). I can't understand why the lock-keepers don't ask boats to make their best speed, especially at busy times, because the dawdlers coming in are also holding up boats wanting to lock out. Click to expand...

Athene V30 said: As a committed dawdler I would like to suggest to you that some boats don't handle well under astern power. I always go as fast as I must, as slow as I dare when entering locks, berthing etc. Sorry if I hold you up! Click to expand...

pvb said: You don't need astern power until you get close to the lock. The entrance channel is 400m long - at 1 knot this is 13 minutes! I always motor at around 7 knots through the channel, achieving the trip in less than 2 minutes. Click to expand...

pks1702 said: I am sure there are those here that would 'split' this referral with you :encouragement: As a berth holder at Shotley you can berth a Burnham for up to a month FOC. Click to expand...

Athene V30 said: Well done. Enjoy. I hope you always have astern power when you need it or if you don't that I am not in front of you. Click to expand...

pvb said: If you need to allow 400m to stop in, perhaps you shouldn't be berthing in marinas at all. Click to expand...

Other threads that may be of interest

• jon and michie
• 10 Aug 2024
• 12 Aug 2024

Members online

• bob the ancient mariner
• finestgreen
• CaptainMike1970
• Sticky Fingers
• duncan99210
• double_ender
• Bristolfashion
• pearson.henry2
• LittleSister
• Puffin10032
• iantomlinson
• Irish Rover

Share this page

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

www.syharbour.co.uk

01473 659465

Ipswich, IP10 OLN

Suffolk Yacht Harbour: Suffolk Yacht Harbour is the East Coast’s leading independent marina, with 550 berths. Onsite facilities include new Wise 75 tonne and 15 tonne hoists, self launch slipway and hard standing, full repair and refit workshop facilities with new extended workshops and spray booths recently completed. Sail makers, yacht brokers, engineers, rigging, sea school, stainless fabricatiors, yacht surveyors and electronics all available on site.

Click on the picture to find the interactive Navionics chart

Projects: Exploring Suffolk Yacht Harbour

In the lead up to the summer season, the boatyard services team at Suffolk Yacht Harbour is working around the clock on maintenance and repair jobs, ensuring the incredible boats that come through their doors are ready to go back on the water.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) is the leading independent marina on east coast of the UK. Founded in 1967, the 550-berth marina is a hub for cruising, racing and boat maintenance.

Alongside their extensive marina, they also provide boat movement services and two on-site chandleries. But it’s the boatyard services at SYH that we’re shining a spotlight on today.

Led by Boatyard Services Director Joshua Major, the workshop team have over 50 years’ experience working with classic and GRP boats. From minor repairs to full refits, SYH have a state-of-the-art workshop and utilise the latest in marine technology to repair and renovate sail yachts and motor boats.

We managed to pull the team away from their busy work schedule to find out a bit more about the projects they’ve been working on and discover how they continue to manage and exceed boat owner requests year on year.

The team talked us through one of their recent projects; the extensive refit of Ryegate, a classic wooden motor yacht. When she arrived in Suffolk for her renovation, the team sanded the hull back to a bright mahogany, routed out all the seams and splined the topsides in the same wood.

“We renewed her gas system to meet insurance regulations and removed and remanufactured the traditional galvanised rudder and keel shoe.” Corroded and degraded fastenings were also replaced to ensure this beautiful boat is authentically restored to her former glory.

For the Ryegate project, the SYH team used a number of products from WEST SYSTEM on this refit:

• WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin
• WEST SYSTEM 205 Fast Hardener
• WEST SYSTEM 407 Low Density Filler
• WEST SYSTEM 403 Microfibres Adhesive Filler 

The team goes on reminiscing about the work done on Acamar – a 26ft wooden classic sailing yacht.

“The topsides were sanded, spot filled and hand-painted using the ‘roll and tip’ method. This method involves someone rolling the paint on for coverage, while a second person follows with a brush to eliminate any roller marks,” explains Joshua Major.

The decks were sanded back and primer applied for a non-slip finish. All the varnish work was stripped back before a layer of Awlwood was applied and the decks were changed to full swept teak with new mahogany cover boards and teak kick rails.

“We stripped the cockpit arrangement and fitted new teak, side deck sloping helm seats.” The aft cockpit locker was removed and the engine box and companionway were repositioned to optimise the space and strop out any excess weight.

Down below, all the interior paintwork and varnish was stripped back and refinished, and a fridge was built and installed alongside a replacement galley sink and pipe work.

The SYH worked with onsite business French Marine to fit a new electric engine and Mr Stainless to make a custom genoa track and fit new, polished stainless window surrounds. Chandlery Classic Marine supplied traditional winches and all new Schaefer deck gear, while the team partnered with Seapower Marine Electronics to fit the wiring loom and convert the dials to a classic style. They also installed period LED cabin and navigation lighting from Classic Marine.

The SYH team also worked with WEST SYSTEM epoxy across the extensive refit, using the following products:

• WEST SYSTEM 403 Microfibres Adhesive Filler. 
• WEST SYSTEM 406 Colloidal Silica

You may recognise this next boat from her on-screen feature in ‘From Russia With Love’. Sean Connery gets involved in a typical James Bond high-speed pursuit with a fleet of bad guys on their Fairey Huntsmen, as he races across a Scottish lake on his Fairey Huntress.

At Suffolk Yacht Harbour, the team called upon their traditional boat building skills to restore Fairey Huntsmen, Nauti Bear , back to her true original design.

They started by blasting off the old antifoul with a soft mineral called olivine before revolting the underwater section of the hull and replacing the port spray rail.

Wanting to stay true to the Fairey’s original construction, “We re-painted the top sides and modified the exhaust back to its traditional design,” explains Joshua Major. The team worked with onsite partner French Marine to re-engineer the twin Perkins 200hp engines and install them midships under the cockpit.

For this project, the team relied on the following products from WEST SYSTEM:

The Best Epoxy for Boatbuilding

Down at the yard, the team are hard at work on a number of jobs going on. Osmosis treatments, bulkhead bonding, hull laminating repairs and teak and Lignia deck laying. Suffolk Yacht Harbour has a long-standing relationship with WEST SYSTEM epoxy and use the products on all of their work. “As the Suffolk Yacht Harbour refit and repair workshops have steadily grown into the large, modern facility we have today, WEST SYSTEM has remained a consistent and trusted supplier,” explains SYH Managing Director, Jonathan Dyke.

“WEST SYSTEM is without a doubt the best epoxy for boat building and there is barely a day that goes by when we aren’t using a WEST SYSTEM product in our workshops,” explains SYH Boatyard Services Director, Joshua Major. “We use WEST SYSTEM on both GRP and classic wooden boat repairs and refits; the products are simple to apply and deliver on the high standards we always aim for. More recently, we have found the new G/flex epoxy particularly good for repair work.”

SYH Classic Regatta

Looking forward, Suffolk Yacht Harbour has announced the dates of their annual Classic Regatta, due to be held from 25 th – 27 th June 2021. The event is the largest classic yacht regatta on the east coast and attracts a fleet of beautifully maintained vessels.  You can find out more about the 2021 Classic Regatta here .

You can find out more about Suffolk Yacht Harbour over on their website .

Back to projects

G/flex® 650 vs. 655: Choosing the Right Epoxy Adhesive

Swiss Couple’s Boat Restoration Rescue?

What Can You Do With a WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy A Pack?

Bespoke Shaft For The Suffolk Yacht Harbour Dredger

*UPDATE* Remember the lovely slo-mo film of the shaft Pete turned in our Brightlingsea workshop? Well here it is delivered ahead of schedule to our Levington branch all ready to be fitted to Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s Dredger. What a whopper. Superb job Pete, Jason and the Levington team.

Featured products

Volvo Penta D4-320I-G Pair (In Stock)

Yanmar 196630-09211 Diesel Outboard Propeller 10.5 x 13

Remigo 1 Travel bag

RemigoOne 1000w Electric Outboard

Remigo 1 Standard Charger

Teleflex Morse TX-172103 Single Lever Side Mount Control Sail Boat

Mercury / Mariner / Quicksilver 823054Q Lanyard Cord (Kill Cord)

Vetus ZINK15C zinc anode

Classic & Modern Chandleries

Everything you need under one roof.

SYH’s modern chandlery and onsite business Classic Marine are both located in the main office building at SYH.  Both chandleries offer a wide range of products, fixtures, fittings and ropes; if we don’t have what you need we will always order it in for you.

Chandleries

Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) has two chandleries onsite; the SYH chandlery and Classic Marine.

Both are located within the main office building at SYH and are open 8.00am to 5.30pm, seven days a week, apart from Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

[email protected]

[email protected]

01473 659 465

Syh modern chandlery.

The main SYH chandlery offers everything from ropes to paints, fittings, clothing and charts.

Ropes & Fittings

Clothing & charts.

Classic Marine is a well-established chandlery that supplies specialist classic boat fittings and parts such as fastenings, deck fittings, ropes, lights, tools, materials and custom pieces in bronze, stainless or galvanised mild steel.

Traditional Fixtures

Custom items, expert advice.

Within the SYH workshop is a 130ft long, two-part preparation and spray bay to keep the two processes entirely separate.  The facility’s temperature and and humidity levels are controlled, so whether it’s an Awlgrip topside respray or Coppercoat application, the space is optimised to provide the best environment for spraying.

SYH WORKSHOP

Boatyard services.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s (SYH) modern workshop offers repairs and renovation work on classic and contemporary sail yachts and motor boats using the latest in marine technology.  With over fifty years’ boat building experience, the SYH team is on-hand to work alongside an owner or run a project from start to finish.