Anchoring at Inverary

IPsailor

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Can any of the Clyde sailors advise on anchoring conditions at Inverary - we are due to attend a family birthday party there soon and are on the boat for the summer. Not much in local pilot books etc. Fin keel, 9 tons, will be neaps. Fish farms, local moorings in the way, holding etc? Possibility of lying against the old stone pier? As an anchorage it certainly doesn't look promising in any sort of southerly or easterly wind

Andrew
 

aquaplane

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We tried to get tucked in behind the jetty but couldn't get in far.

IIRC we were about 2 or 3 times the length of the jetty sticking out to the North, and maybe just able to see the inside of it.

There was a mooring buoy fairly close when the wind changed.

The holding was OK but it was fairly settled when we were there.

We were in a 3' 6" draught First 18.
 

Quandary

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I have anchored there but not recently but lots of visiting yachts do, it should be ok in most conditions but the nearest total shelter is probably Minard or Loch Gair. The area in front of the castle bridge N. of the pier is shallow with debris brought down the river, negating the chance of shelter there, unless you are shallow draught. The pier is privately owned, locally there has been disquiet at the owners unwillingness to repair or maintain it and it has been closed, not sure if this is still the situation, I suspect it is. Inverary can be uncomfortable in strong S winds but Loch Gair is a perfect anchorage (thick mud) except for the problem getting ashore clean. There are free visitors moorings up at the Oyster Bar but these are rarely used. No moorings (except an admiralty buoy) and no fish farms near the burgh. The Campbeltown to Glasgow bus goes up the west side of Loch Fyne the service is reasonably frequent in summer but I suspect the last bus is not very late, but a taxi to Loch Gair is a possibility.

I would regard it as a fair weather anchorage.

Correction - this year the bus service has reverted to infrequent with last bus from Inverary at 20.00
 
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IPsailor

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Thanks for replies, fits with my assessment. We draw 1.6m and coming from S my plans are, if the weather looks settled, to come up Loch Fyne and anchor off Inverary or if looking unsettled and we can get past the Mull of K to take a visitor mooring at Oban or Kerera and car hire to Inverary.

Andrew
 

aquaplane

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With the prevailing SW winds you should be OK anchoring north of the pier.

if it's Northerly or NW you could anchor just South of Invearay.

Coming from Oban sounds a bit of a pain, unless you want to be the other side of Kintyre.
 
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earlybird

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Whilst anchoring off Inverary might work, at best it's a fairly open anchorage, with awkward dinghy landing and no facilities for yotties ashore.
If conditions aren't ideal, E. Loch Tarbert might be worth a thought. Totally secure visitor finger pontoons at reasonable price, good facilities, 'bus-stop 5-10 mins. walk from boat, and a very pleasant journey of a little over the hour to Inverary. Downside is, as said, last 'bus returns ~8p.m.
 

claymore

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Thanks for replies, fits with my assessment. We draw 1.6m and coming from S my plans are, if the weather looks settled, to come up Loch Fyne and anchor off Inverary or if looking unsettled and we can get past the Mull of K to take a visitor mooring at Oban or Kerera and car hire to Inverary.

Andrew
I think it would be easier to get to Tarbert and catch a bus round to Inverary than travel from Oban
 

Quandary

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AFAIK there is no one doing self drive car hire in Tarbert though there is a Taxi service, as I said above the bus service is not great, however there is plenty of overnight accommodation in Inverary which is a tourist honeypot.
W.D. Semple who have garages in Lochgilphead and Inverary claim to do car hire, they have a website. The Crinan canal have a waiting pontoon sheltered by the pier just outside the Ardrishaig sea lock, this is usually available and is free. Strictly speaking it is intended for canal users but the lock keepers do not mind a visitor stay of one or two nights. There is a sailing school (connected with HM forces?) which uses it overnight occasionally but most yachts transiting go in to the basin. The pontoon is long enough for two yachts and there is about 2.5 m. at low water on the sea lock side, do not go to the other side which is often occupied by small boats. It is approx. 2 miles from the pontoon to Semple's garage but I am sure they would bring a car down if someone runs the driver back. It is a small operation so probably worth enquiring in advance.
This would give you a fall back if the wind was too strong to encourage you to go on up to Inverary. I live in Ardrishaig, overlooking the pontoon and if I was at home would be happy to help you but if it warms up we might go sailing.
 

IPsailor

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Quandry, thanks for the info about Semples garage/car hire. This gives me another option to consider. Already checked out possible taxi from E Loch Tarbert as no car hire there and can do car hire from Oban to Inverary if need be.
 

claymore

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Well - just think on, its 30 mph coming out of Lochgilphead all the way to beyond the roundabout, heading for Inverary.
They oversexed fascist polis twarts are a bit sharp on offenders.
 

Quandary

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In a normal summer you should be okay at Inveraray except for about two or three days a month, so it is still your best option, they had a cruise liner up there a couple of weeks ago and the prospect of that business may encourage them to get their act together, but this is Argyll where 'manana' is considered to be far too impatient.

Claymore, I agree with most of your adjectives but 'oversexed'?????
 

claymore

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In a normal summer you should be okay at Inveraray except for about two or three days a month, so it is still your best option, they had a cruise liner up there a couple of weeks ago and the prospect of that business may encourage them to get their act together, but this is Argyll where 'manana' is considered to be far too impatient.

Claymore, I agree with most of your adjectives but 'oversexed'?????

It was a compound euphemism.....they all need a good ****ing......
 
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