I arrived in Hout Bay end of January 2012. After nearly five months, I make the following comments.

SHELTER IN THE BAY:

It is NOT a sheltered bay. The night was falling when I arrived and I found anchorage in the corner of the beach and the harbour wall. It was a peaceful night. Two nights later, secured in the Hout Bay Yacht Club Marina, a Katabatic wind from the east raked the bay and harbour. Waves smashed against the harbour wall. A chop built up within the harbour, spray plastered the boat with salt. The finger pontoon was bouncing. My anchorage outside the harbour would have been totally untenable. I have since moved to a more protected berth and subsequent strong easterlies have been less uncomfortable, but still, result in a coating of salt on the boat.

I have spelt this situation out so that you can appreciate that the statement, “Hout Bay is a very sheltered bay” is totally wrong. Your contributer may have been here during one of the many benign periods.

THE HBYC MARINA:

For the protected berth, that I still occupy, I paid R1000 (one thousand Rand) per month. Since I arrived charges have increased by 15 per cent so I now pay R1150 per month. One has to become a member of the Club in order to rent a berth. I was advised by Alan, the manager, that as I wanted to stay until December, it would be cheaper to become a full member. This cost R2200, making the monthly cost in my case R1370 per month. At the current rate of exchange, this is about £115 per month, cheap compared with the UK. Electricity is available to each berth at R55 per month, also cheap. My vessel is 29′- 7″ on deck, is cutter rigged with a five-foot bowsprit.

Security on the marina is good. Management and staff are polite, helpful and friendly. The club bar is comfortable, is not expensive and has good facilities. The 24-hour access WC and showers are not good. Privacy is lacking in the showers but the water is hot.

SUPERMARKETS:

The supermarkets are; Super Spar, Woolworths and Checkers. Super Spar is nearest to the marina and is middle priced.

HARDWARE:

Hardware stores at first appear to mainly paint shops. However, tools etc are available in less obvious parts of the shop. I favoured “Jack Hammer Hardware” which stocks a comprehensive range of tools and a very long list of other lines. Some cordage is stocked but only an item or two of boat chandlery. “SeaPort Supply” in Paarden Eiland, a little further out Cape Town from The Royal Cape Yacht Club, is the best boat chandlers in the district.

FUEL:

Paraffin (kerosene) is available at Jack Hammer at R98 per five litres. Diesel cost about R12 per litre from auto service stations.

BUSES:

Weekday buses to Cape Town, are frequent until about mid-morning and again after mid-afternoon. They are few in the middle of the day. R11.10 each way. The company is called “Golden Arrow” and plies along the main road near the Marina. Bus stops are marked with a sign and often have a prefab concrete shelter. Minibuses also operate and are distinguished by a yellow stripe along the bottom of the bodywork.

I appreciate your vast, well-organised website and hope that these notes will help to keep the information up to date.

Edward Anker

SV Spirit of Rema

25th June 2012