Scottish Elises

With a knowledge of the West Coast.

We want to go through the Crinan canal later this month and have no idea where we are going to leave the boat as we won't have time to bring it back. I suppose we are looking for some where between Crinan and Oban. Which is free. And safe.

Pete

(Appearing soon on some Rescue program)

Theres a question I never thought I'd see on SE...

I used to sail many years ago so will have a think but if you are looking to come back with out the boat I would suggest getting to Oban.

I used to have a boat, and I took it through the Crinan a couple of times.

There are a few places, but 'safe and free' could be tricky. Free - perhaps, but certainly not safe.

Moorings around there are very hard to come by - waiting lists for years in some areas. Some pubs and hotels have them, but they're busy this time of year and would need them, so unlikely to be free.

Your marina choices are Ardfern, Croabh Haven, and then another a wee bit further north that I can't remember, but certainly not cheap. There is some space in the Crinan basin too, and along that end of the canal, but then you have security to worry about too.

Best bet might be to find some yachtie forums and post out to see if someone has a mooring free. You never know, someone might be bringing their boat the other way through the canal to the inner clyde for a while and have a free mooring, or they might sub-let their berth cheap for you.

Colin

Alternatively - ask about to see if there is anyone that fancies bringing the boat back for you....

Colin

colintinto wrote:I used to have a boat, and I took it through the Crinan a couple of times.

There are a few places, but 'safe and free' could be tricky. Free - perhaps, but certainly not safe.

Moorings around there are very hard to come by - waiting lists for years in some areas. Some pubs and hotels have them, but they're busy this time of year and would need them, so unlikely to be free.

Your marina choices are Ardfern, Croabh Haven, and then another a wee bit further north that I can't remember, but certainly not cheap. There is some space in the Crinan basin too, and along that end of the canal, but then you have security to worry about too.

Best bet might be to find some yachtie forums and post out to see if someone has a mooring free. You never know, someone might be bringing their boat the other way through the canal to the inner clyde for a while and have a free mooring, or they might sub-let their berth cheap for you.

Colin

That's a good idea, look for a mooring exchange... Will look for a yachtie forum.

Shug beat me to it with a cleaner reply.

tut

My choice would be Ardfern every time, the other places I would consider would be Croabh, Dunstaffnage and Kerrera (Oban Marina). None are cheap but all are safe. I would always be reluctant to leave my boat on a swinging mooring which I had not been involved in maintaining for any length of time, all it takes is a storm and no more boat.

Where do you keep the boat the rest of the time? Some marinas have reciprocal agreements which can save you a few quid.

G

Titanium S1 111S (gla) wrote:My choice would be Ardfern every time, the other places I would consider would be Croabh, Dunstaffnage and Kerrera (Oban Marina). None are cheap but all are safe. I would always be reluctant to leave my boat on a swinging mooring which I had not been involved in maintaining for any length of time, all it takes is a storm and no more boat.

Where do you keep the boat the rest of the time? Some marinas have reciprocal agreements which can save you a few quid.

G

Was at Rhu now on a swing at Rosneath (I think - not my boat and the owner only moved it last week). But the let's take it somewhere other than around the sugar boat was my plan so I feel kind of responsible...

Good plan to go north of the Mull, lots of places to go but i would be unhappy leaving any boat for an extended period on a mooring unless i knew the prevailing wind and sea conditions and that the mooring was up to the job. I'm sure you will be able to find somewhere that suits. Some people say that I’m over cautious but I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to these things.

Titanium S1 111S (gla) wrote:Good plan to go north of the Mull, lots of places to go but i would be unhappy leaving any boat for an extended period on a mooring unless i knew the prevailing wind and sea conditions and that the mooring was up to the job. I'm sure you will be able to find somewhere that suits. Some people say that I’m over cautious but I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to these things.

I'm ludicrously cautious, partly because we have no idea what we are doing. I did a day skipper a couple of years ago and a yachtmaster theory recently but between us we have bugger all experience. But we have a boat, and people do go places in boats. So we figure WE must be able to go places in boats too... Just our only expedition so far involved us being towed into Kip with a knackered prop so we fear the unexpected...

But leaving it at Oban for a few weeks quickly gets very expensive... Will continue to research..

Just sail round the sugar boat till you get dizzy! Worked for Tom Baker in Blackadder

Will get my thinking cap on and ask a few people in the know up that way, but dashing out ATM...

We did Kip to St Kilda and back last summer- awesome trip. Can't beat the west coast!

pete wrote:

Titanium S1 111S (gla) wrote:My choice would be Ardfern every time, the other places I would consider would be Croabh, Dunstaffnage and Kerrera (Oban Marina). None are cheap but all are safe. I would always be reluctant to leave my boat on a swinging mooring which I had not been involved in maintaining for any length of time, all it takes is a storm and no more boat.

Where do you keep the boat the rest of the time? Some marinas have reciprocal agreements which can save you a few quid.

G

Was at Rhu now on a swing at Rosneath (I think - not my boat and the owner only moved it last week). But the let's take it somewhere other than around the sugar boat was my plan so I feel kind of responsible...

Which is your boat at Rhu? Do you know Hinerangi? The wooden sloop? It's my father in law's. Think it's on a pontoon at the moment but could be out on a mooring. I have sent him a text and waiting on a reply as he has been through the Crinnan a few times.

Hi Pete

I have a good place on the west coast you could think about KILMELFORD Yacht Haven he has 55 heavy duty 60 tonne swinging moorings and the pick ups are warp and then chain so you can put the chain straight onto the cleat no chance of breaking free. The owner is a very nice guy and he lives on site. he give us a free mooring last June on armed forces day. we will be back second week of June i expect after leaving Ardfern heading north as there is a great micro brewery up the road from the yacht haven.

Regards

Andy

Kimelford is a great suggestion, thanks. I think we'll have four days to get there...

P