Clyde winter afloat

[tyce]

I’m planning on having the boat afloat this winter. I was thinking Largs would be good as they do a decent winter rate.
It looks to be sheltered but does anyone have firsthand experience. Is it suitable or should I look else where?
Any advice appreciated. Newish to the Clyde so just finding my feet.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Muddleduck will be along soon & suggest Port Bannatyne. I'll suggest Troon.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

It depends what you're looking for a bit. Will it be somewhere to live aboard, do some winter sailing, become your permanent base or just a winter parking spot until the spring when you clear off somewhere else?

If you're looking for winter sailing, up river might be better than down, i.e. Largs, Holy Loch, Kip or James Watt dock rather than Troon or Ardrossan. If it's just a winter parking space there's not much between them.

Also if you are visiting often then travel there might be important. Port Bannatyne & Holy Loch are more bothersome to get to from most places

 

[seafox67]

I wintered afloat in Holy Loch marina last winter, very well sheltered (Americans used it for their subs years ago) and cheap! The loch was ideal for sailing about during the day in the winter months practising! The biggest problem I found was the short daylight hours but I could get up loch long and down to Bute ok.

 

[tyce]

Plan is short day / overnight hops. Primary concern is It’s got to be safe / sheltered as I am a little precious about the boat. Somewhere within an hour or two of a decent pint and a roaring fire and good food served would be great.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I don't think any of the major Clyde marinas have any shelter issues; they are all well protected. Largs is fine, & well placed for winter sailing. It's expensive, but if you can get a good rate, go for it.

 

[dunedin]

Plan is short day / overnight hops. Primary concern is It’s got to be safe / sheltered as I am a little precious about the boat. Somewhere within an hour or two of a decent pint and a roaring fire and good food served would be great.

We have over wintered afloat at Largs for around 15 years. Great place, and love the fact that can do a lap round a couple of pretty islands for a winter day sail. Been a few F10 plus in that time - boat needs to have good ropes, and properly /properly secured furled jib, but we have had no issues afloat. (Only year we had minor problems was ashore)

 

[tyce]

Dunedin, just what I was after. Thanks.

 

[SteveA]

Does that mean we have a spare berth available

 

[tyce]

Only this winter Steve, I was thinking of renting out my trailer.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Kip often has a thin skin of ice in the winter; the fresh water from the Kip burn floats on top of the salt water and freezes. Not a problem in a mild winter, and it does no harm to a boat that isn't going anywhere, but it's frustrating if you want to go sailing!.

 

[SteveA]

Only this winter Steve, I was thinking of renting out my trailer.

If you are up there now you might be interested to know that RichardR is heading your way - setting off for Rathlin tonight (midnight) then over to Islay before heading further North

 

[tyce]

Mines now on a mooring at Rosneath ready for some summer adventures hopefully. How the hell does he get that much time off work?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

If you are up there now you might be interested to know that RichardR is heading your way - setting off for Rathlin tonight (midnight) then over to Islay before heading further North

There are a few of us from here lurking. Jumblequack was last heard of east of Tobes. I'm in Fishnish. I'll be lurking around Mull for a week then heading north to Kinlochbervie to join the K's (Kirkcudbright to Kinlochbervie). ctva seems to have gone home!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

In past years we've had an informal meet up in Lochaline about this time. Maybe another year when the galloping wheeze disease has gone.

 

[ctva]

There are a few of us from here lurking. Jumblequack was last heard of east of Tobes. I'm in Fishnish. I'll be lurking around Mull for a week then heading north to Kinlochbervie to join the K's (Kirkcudbright to Kinlochbervie). ctva seems to have gone home!

Yup, three weeks of liver abuse is as much as I can take. Office (spare room) on Monday…oh joy! ?

In past years we've had an informal meet up in Lochaline about this time. Maybe another year when the galloping wheeze disease has gone.

That sounds like fun, are you the organising committee?

Only one member met this year, PSP up in Loch Duich which was really nice.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

That sounds like fun, are you the organising committee?

I can float the idea early next summer, but it won't be a big organised thing like the Cherbourg rally, more of a see if you can get here on a certain day.

I'm changing boats this winter so depends on the new one arriving on time & being ready to roll.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Another vote for Largs, not least because there are two places to get your bacon rolls and a reasonable chandlery on site.

 

[SteveA]

Mines now on a mooring at Rosneath ready for some summer adventures hopefully. How the hell does he get that much time off work?

I think it must be something to do with this staycation thing! He's planning on 6 weeks. I hope you have great adventures! It's regatta weekend here and a dinghy (49er) yet again won the combined dinghy/cruiser pursuit race - there can't many club's whose results are 1st 49er, 2nd Blaze and 3rd Maxi 1000!!

 

[cstewart37]

Plan is short day / overnight hops. Primary concern is It’s got to be safe / sheltered as I am a little precious about the boat. Somewhere within an hour or two of a decent pint and a roaring fire and good food served would be great.

I would recommend Kip far better than Largs. Inverkip Hotel has a real pub c/w fire fantastic food & large selection of draft beers. Scott’s at Largs is a hit or miss & there’s no Pub! Kip also has fantastic Cafe Riva & Chartroom ( can be a bit hit or miss )
Never had a problem going out through the ice in winter, fresh water in marina is a great antifouling of the hull.