Harwell Charters - Self Drive Fishing Boat

Enjoy fishing from your own boat but put off by the cost and time involved? The solution may have arrived in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Brothers, Alex Rothwell and Tim Harry have set-up a new business at Sovereign Harbour Marina. Their company, Harwell Charters offers a high-quality 23ft Arvor for self-drive daily hire. No formal qualifications are required and dependent on crew experience and weather conditions the boat is licensed to be taken up to 20 miles from the marina, more than enough distance to get to some of the fabulous fishing marks in this area.

‘Bare-boat’ chartering (where the customer also acts as skipper) is common in the yachting industry but there are very few companies catering specifically for anglers. Tim explained... ‘Self-drive allows customers to choose where, when and how they fish.....and of course who with’.

Harwell Charters’ boat ‘Isobel’ is an Arvor 230AS, powered by a economical Volkswagen 150hp inboard diesel engine, capable of making 23 knots. The vessel is equipped with high quality electronics, a large working deck space and walk-around access to the anchor. She is also fitted with all the necessary safety equipment and is MCA certified.

Alex and Tim are keen to point out the waters around Eastbourne offer some of the best fishing on the south coast. ‘The seabed in this area is littered with wrecks, reefs and other features which all attract fish, offering good quality sport all year round’. Customers will find the boat’s chart-plotter already loaded with wrecks and other marks both inshore and offshore.

To hire ‘Isobel’ at least one member of the crew will need to have sufficient boating experience to safely handle her at sea. Whilst safety is vitally important Alex stated that ‘Isobel’ is extremely user-friendly and easy to operate. Formal qualifications are not essential as the brothers recognise that many people have the right experience but have never completed training courses. Alex and Tim will be happy to discuss potential customers’ experience on the phone and if necessary will take people out prior to charter at no extra cost to familiarise them with the boat. The cost of a day’s charter, including fully comprehensive insurance is £185 plus fuel. For more information visit www.harwellcharters.co.uk or call 07979 508877.