Dunstaffnage - insurance

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castoffandgone

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Just noticed the following post on the Bluemoment Forum:

"Not a surprise after years of damage at Dunstaffnage, but my insurers have this year withdrawn marina benefits reduction in premium - time for an attentuating floating breakwater or a change of scenery? Anyone else having premiums loaded?"

Is it/has it been that bad? I am deliberating over moving my base to either Dunstaffnage or Craobh. :confused:
 
castoffandgone said:
Is it/has it been that bad? I am deliberating over moving my base to either Dunstaffnage or Craobh. :confused:
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Craobh had some serious pontoon damage in last winters storms but I dont think any boats were damaged- mine certainly wasn't.

If I was choosing between them it would be Craobh as it's much quieter, has got a nice new smooth access road, good pub- maybe as good as the Frog? Nice staff too. ( the folks at Dunstaffnage have been very nice when ever I've been there too)

Guess it depends a bit on where your coming from as well.
 
castoffandgone said:
Just noticed the following post on the Bluemoment Forum:

"Not a surprise after years of damage at Dunstaffnage, but my insurers have this year withdrawn marina benefits reduction in premium - time for an attentuating floating breakwater or a change of scenery? Anyone else having premiums loaded?"

Is it/has it been that bad? I am deliberating over moving my base to either Dunstaffnage or Craobh. :confused:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. With over 100 views and no replies I was beginning to wonder why no one had anything to contribute.
I guess if you look hard enough you will probably find most, if not all, marinas have at some time or another suffered damage to boats, but Dunstaffnage does seem to be one of the most talked about. I appreciate it might seem like I am not helping Dunstaffnage by bringing the matter up, but I am only responding to the post I referred to on Bluemoment and I am keener to find goods news rather than bad.

Forgot to add, I am only moving from the Clyde.
 
Dunstaffnage has the disadvantage of a long fetch in a northerly quarter.
Last year there were a few, but one in particular was spectacular.
We were on the inside of the last finger to seaward on a central row of pontoons (ie exposed, but not the most exposed).
Multiple rope breakages, ripped the fairleads off, and ruined the pulpit which took the force of the spring. (wind was on stern, as boat heading south into prevailing). About a quarter of the toe rail being replaced.

But far more spectacular was the pontoons to windward. Some were turned 180 degrees (floats up), some ripped off the walkway. There was an anomoly with the main ramp from the shore. It appeared to have moved shoreward about 2-3 metres, but not left a gap between it and the floating mass of pontoons. To my mind that meant the whole marina floating kit, pontoons, walkways, boats and all, had moved shoreward, but I might be wrong?
This all happened to be during the replacement of mooring chains holding the walkways etc. (Divers probably not down during ther storm I guess).

But other marinas have suffered too. Rhu (our other nesting place) suffered in several of the past years, but this last winter with the extensive replacements of piles, pontoons and all, seems to have been much safer.

A northern side breakwater at Dunstaffnage would probably cure all, but would be expensive.
 
Ardfern is very sheltered but may be fully booked. No damage to pontoons or boats in the three years I was there.

Tarbert harbour also suffered a damaged hammerhead in last years storm.
 
ianj99 said:
Ardfern is very sheltered but may be fully booked. No damage to pontoons or boats in the three years I was there.
.
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A few years ago there was over 100 mph winds through Ardfern and some boats did suffer slight damage but nothing like the destruction elsewhere - and Ardfern is always fully booked!
 
uxb said:
Craobh had some serious pontoon damage in last winters storms but I dont think any boats were damaged- mine certainly wasn't.

If I was choosing between them it would be Craobh as it's much quieter, has got a nice new smooth access road, good pub- maybe as good as the Frog? Nice staff too. ( the folks at Dunstaffnage have been very nice when ever I've been there too)

Guess it depends a bit on where your coming from as well.
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I agree.

I've seriously considered Dunstaffnage over the years - it would save me about 3/4 hour drive each way and be arguably a better geographical base, but the damage risk issue is a concern. So, for the present anyway, I'm biding in Craobh.

If and when they do organise a proper Northerly swell guard system I might reconsider.
 
Reluctantly, I have come to the same conclusion and will remain where I am for now.
DaveS said:
I agree.

I've seriously considered Dunstaffnage over the years - it would save me about 3/4 hour drive each way and be arguably a better geographical base, but the damage risk issue is a concern. So, for the present anyway, I'm biding in Craobh.

If and when they do organise a proper Northerly swell guard system I might reconsider.
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