Setting & Character
Road, rail, river and boatyard activity meet around the upper Hamble. That mixture gives Deacons a distinctive, lived-in setting rather than a resort atmosphere.
Arrival by Sea
No marina VHF channel is published in the supplied record. Contact the office by telephone when required, maintain the current River Hamble watch on Channel 68 and follow Harbour Authority directions.
Berthing Experience
Visitor capacity and maximum dimensions are not stated here, so berth suitability should be settled directly. Seasonal office hours make advance contact particularly sensible.
Facilities Afloat
Operational shoreside facilities should be checked with the marina. This Guide does not borrow amenities from Swanwick or another nearby site simply because they share an operator.
Marine Services
The boatyard handles craft up to approximately 14 metres or 15 tonnes. The actual limiting factor may be weight, shape or working space, so provide full vessel details before booking.
Ashore
Bursledon adds railway, village and boatbuilding context to the visit, although individual transport and opening details remain a direct check.
Best For
Smaller and medium-sized craft, Bursledon visits and crews arranging defined boatyard work.
Less Suitable For
Crews relying on a marina VHF call or larger boats without confirmed handling and berth arrangements.
History & Local Character
The upper Hamble has supported boatbuilding and river trades for generations. Deacons retains some of that yard-like directness within a modern marina operation.
Nearby Cruising
Swanwick lies close by, while the river itself leads down to Southampton Water and the wider central Solent.
Skipper's Notes
Note the seasonal office hours and use the telephone where needed. Never substitute the River Hamble working channel for an unpublished marina channel.
Old Sea Dogs View
Deacons has the appeal of a marina that still feels attached to a place. Bursledon and the river do as much work as the pontoons.
Information checked against official sources
The practical information in this Guide was checked against the official source record below on 6 August 2026. Operational details can change.
- Deacons Marina official information
- River Hamble Harbour Authority navigation guidance
