A MOORING benefits scheme is proving a hit with customers of Aquavista, which runs 32 marinas with more than 5300 berths around the UK.
When customers moor with the operator via an annual contract, they gain access to Explore 100. It means they get more than just a mooring at their chosen marina – they can also stay at most of the firm’s other marinas for up to 100 nights at no extra cost.
“What we mean is total freedom to explore the waterways – you can cruise along different canals, take in some countryside views, set off to a new town to soak up some culture, or if your home marina is on the coast you can make plans to sail over to your nearest Aquavista coastal marina,” said an Aquavista spokesperson.
“When you’re done for the day, one of our marinas will be ready to welcome you, with all the comforts you want for a stop-off and all the handy facilities you don’t get when you moor on the open waterways.
“As an annual contract holder, you can visit our marinas and stop over free of charge. The only exemption to this offer is Limehouse Waterside & Marina in London because it’s super busy, where we do charge a fee for visiting, but it’s still a discounted rate.
“In the 12-month period of your annual contract, you get a total of 100 nights to experience our other Aquavista marinas. All you have to do to book your free stop-over is call the marina you wish to visit, give it your Aquavista account number, and we’ll check availability. We’ll do our very best to fit you in.
“Last April, we increased the benefit from 34 to 100 – so it’s more than a year since we’ve almost tripled the number of nights moorers can use each year they’re with us.
“An unplanned advantage of our scheme is the peace of mind it has brought recently with the low water levels. We’ve been able to use Explore 100 for the instances where people haven’t been able to get back to the marina they currently stay at (or want to moor at) to allow them to stay in another Aquavista marina until it’s safe to travel.”
Paul and Kay Sumpner, the organisers of the popular Electrika electric boat trade show, are self-confessed Explore 100 addicts. For the last couple of years, they have been living on board their narrowboat Old Nick with their border terriers Bill and Ted at Brinklow Waterside and Marina – what they call ‘the marina of dreams.’
“We rocked up there a couple of years ago and liked it so much we stayed,” said Kay. “We are very happy there. I like the relaxed atmosphere – it’s very friendly, and we have a good social scene. It’s just a lovely place to be, and so rural.”
Kay explained that Old Nick is electric, and its battery charge must be monitored constantly in case it drops. For the couple to be able to hook up the battery and reset it at the marinas they visit is a huge advantage.
She added: “Explore 100 is essentially the total freedom to cruise. It’s such an amazing benefit for us that we take full advantage of using it. Last year we visited seven marinas.
“When we’re there, we usually have some groceries delivered – it’s so much easier! We will catch up with the laundry at the great facilities at the marinas… loos, water, all that sort of thing… we get ourselves into shape for going back out.”
Explore 100 also includes partner discounts on products and services and marina swaps. Last year, more than 400 Aquavista moorers took advantage of the initiative, using 6400-plus nights.
