Guy Nicholls, Principal Marine Surveyor and owner of Solent Marine Surveys, is a qualified marine surveyor conducting surveys on motor yachts and sailing boats in Hamble and the Solent area, as well as the UK and Europe.
GRP marine surveyor for Hamble
Specialising in marine surveys for GRP (FRP) power and sail vessels, we offer pre-purchase surveys, insurance renewal surveys, partial surveys, sea trials, and build and project supervision.
To discuss your requirements please contact Guy or Louise Nicholls.
River Hamble
The River Hamble and the village of Hamble-le-Rice are considered to be the sailing centre in the UK. It’s a marine surveyor’s Mecca, with over 5000 yachts of all types, shapes and sizes either moored or being dry sailed from here.
No less than four yacht clubs are present on the river; Hamble River SC, The Royal Southern YC, The RAF YC and the Warsash Sailing Club.
The River Hamble boasts five major marinas, with numerous smaller boatyards and river moorings from the Hamble Harbour Master and others.
Hamble Point Marina, which is the southernmost site at the mouth of the Hamble, is undoubtedly the busiest. It has every conceivable service from rigging to GRP repairs, electronic firms and steel welders, adding to the most concentrated area for new vessel sales and brokerage firms in the country.
Port Hamble Marina is a short walk from the village centre and is where you will find the Ancasta brokers and main agent for the Beneteau ranges. To the northern end of the marina is Hamble Yacht Services, which operates dry sailing and has a hoisting capability of up to 80 tonnes and 90’ LOA.
Mercury Marina is further up river in a relatively quiet and unspoiled area and is very popular with cruising yachts.
Swanwick Marina can be found at the upper reaches of the River Hamble. Previously known as Moody’s Marina, it is becoming a major concentration for power yachts. It’s home to the Sunseeker, Fairline and Princess sales offices, plus Clipper Marine for Bavaria and Walton Marine (now Sea Ventures) for Jeanneau.
Universal Marina situated on the Eastern side of the River Hamble and owned by Premier Marinas is our favourite marina on the river.
Other smaller boatyards on the River Hamble include the Elephant Boatyard and RK Marine, agents for Volvo Penta, who operate both on the Southern and Northern ends of the river, with the old Stone Pier Yard recently acquired.
Companies we work with as a marine surveyor on the River Hamble
We work with Desty Marine or GRP Boat Repairs for GRP repairs, Yachting Sports for maintenance and refit work, as well as being on the “approved Marine Surveyor” list for several brokers, agents and new boat importers, such as Parker Adams Boat Sales, Arcona Yachts, Key Yachting for the J-Boat range, Sea Ventures for the Jeanneau range, Marco Marine for Dufour and Michael Schmidt for brokerage.
There are several high quality craftsmen operating on the river such as GRP Boat Repairs, who we have worked with on numerous occasions.
Based in the Solent area Solent Marine Surveys regularly conducts surveys along the South Coast including Hamble, Lymington, Southampton, Cowes, Gosport, Port Solent, Portsmouth and Chichester. We are happy to travel throughout the UK and abroad to Europe and further.
Solent Marine Surveys is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Guy Nicholls is a qualified marine surveyor with full professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
