Firth of Tay

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EdWingfield

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A few weeks back I was cruising that way and enquired by phone to Perth commercial dock if they could accommodate me? They turned me down flat, even though they had no coasters in, or due in. They gave me the tel no of a fellow who has bought property a little further upstream - a disused aggregates quay.

This fellow could not have been more welcoming and helpful. Although the facilities were primitive he has gained permission to convert the property into a marina. He intends to begin trading this autumn.

The Tay is a delight and Perth town is a fine visit.

It's the suicidal attitude of the people at the commercial dock that worries me. Surely they should've said, 'For £20 we can only give you a wall and a ladder, but you are most welcome.'
 
I can't find my Forth YC east coast cruising guide; house move. But I think it doesn't really sell Perth as a destination, sounds very dismal and derelict. Good to know someone may change that.
I drive over the bridge at Perth on my way to Dundee a lot, and I am very tempted by the location, but then again I'm also tempted by the Union canal from the Falkirk Wheel into Fountainbridge in Edinburgh as a pleasant day out. I could even walk home!
 
Been up as far as Newburgh a few times in the past on a shallow draft boat. Its possible the marks may have improved but was a bit interesting knowing where the deep water was.
Also the Tay tides are pretty strong even further down the estuary

Not sure many deep keelers would be tempted to go up to Perth to make it worthwhile for offering much berthing options, but great that you made the voyage
 
How times have changed! In the 60s, when my Dad was cruising off the East Coast of Scotland, there were no mobile phones, nor was VHF in regular use on leisure craft. If you entered a harbour, they found a place for you, and were usually very welcoming and helpful. At that time they took the position that they were a HARBOUR - and that anyone who sought refuge there was welcome. No question of saying "No, you can't come in", though of course you took your chances of an uncomfortable berth in a commercial harbour (though most had resident fishing fleets at that time). We berthed in most of the non-tidal harbours between Dunbar and Fraserburgh at one time or another. I do recall one time when we had a problem - we were put alongside a large trawler, and found that as the tide went out, we tended to slip under the turn of the bilge of the trawler - not a problem until we grounded too, and and had to spend several hours keeping an eye on a rather unstable situation!
 
What a great development for Perth... although I don't know how many yachts will actually use it. Timing your entry to the river Tay (where could you safely lie waiting for the tide?) and then a long passage up river would make it a bit tricky and then the return down river on a dropping tide. I know that coasters/small commercial vessels get up regularly and e.g. timber is still offloaded at the port but I don't know what draft those boats have or what speed they go up river at.
Well done to the owner for trying.
 
The timing for an upriver voyage needs to be accurate, and may vary neap or spring. Downstream, I understand that coasters that may draw 5m will set off -1HW Perth and really go for it!

So yotties shouldn't be dozy when on passage, or they may suddenly find a coaster at 10kn up their backside.
 
This brings back memories. SWMBO & I took a Vivacity 20 up the Tay many years ago. We also tried to get up the Earn, and found the tidal predictions more than an hour out. The resulting grounding provided quite a cabaret for the new home owners having a barbecue on the bank. Rather put out by this, we didn't stay as planned in the Bridge of Earn pool that night, but headed back down to the confluence with the Tay as soon as the ebb started. Anchoring there we watched the salmon netters as the mechanical log clocked up several miles of tidal stream.

Next morning, up the Tay to Perth, anchoring at Moncreif Island. By dinghy into the centre of Perth for shopping. On returning, heard a clang as something struck the mast. "Wee so-an-so's throwing stones" we thought, but in fact it was a golf ball. Back aboard, the river bed could be seen to have dozens of golf balls on it! Lots of people apparently hook their drive off the 2nd tee... That night a mysterious blue glow proved to be the motorway sign on the Friarton Bridge.

Next morning, panic: no rudder! As the tide turned we'd drifted into the shallows and the rudder had been lifted off its pintles. A frantic trip up river in the dinghy found the wooden rudder slowly circling round in an eddy. After re-uniting it with the boat a lanyard was attached, and stayed on for the rest of the time we kept the boat.

Leaving on the ebb we were overtaken by a coaster who was not hanging about! An interesting experience... Passing under the Tay Bridge and looking at the piers of the first bridge was thought provoking, then we tied up in Tayport harbour, fetched the trailer from Port Edgar, and towed the boat back.
 
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DaveS said:
This brings back memories. SWMBO & I took a Vivacity 20 up the Tay many years ago. We also tried to get up the Earn, and found the tidal predictions more than an hour out. The resulting grounding provided quite a cabaret for the new home owners having a barbecue on the bank. Rather put out by this, we didn't stay as planned in the Bridge of Earn pool that night, but headed back down to the confluence with the Tay as soon as the ebb started. Anchoring there we watched the salmon netters as the mechanical log clocked up several miles of tidal stream.

Next morning, up the Tay to Perth, anchoring at Moncreif Island. By dinghy into the centre of Perth for shopping. On returning, heard a clang as something struck the mast. "Wee so-an-so's throwing stones" we thought, but in fact it was a golf ball. Back aboard, the river bed could be seen to have dozens of golf balls on it! Lots of people apparently hook their drive off the 2nd tee... That night a mysterious blue glow proved to be the motorway sign on the Friarton Bridge.

Next morning, panic: no rudder! As the tide turned we'd drifted into the shallows and the rudder had been lifted off its pintles. A frantic trip up river in the dinghy found the wooden rudder slowly circling round in an eddy. After re-uniting it with the boat a lanyard was attached, and stayed on for the rest of the time we kept the boat.

Leaving on the ebb we were overtaken by a coaster who was not hanging about! An interesting experience... Passing under the Tay Bridge and looking at the piers of the first bridge was thought provoking, then we tied up in Tayport harbour, fetched the trailer from Port Edgar, and towed the boat back.
Click to expand...

Dave:
Would it be possible in a boat that draws 2.1m? (not the bridge of Earn/Moncrief Island jaunts, just the Perth Docks)
Ta
 
I dug out my copy of the Forth Clubs Pilot. It's a 2000 edition, so things have probably changed. Apparently by Y2k, Willow channel was a dumping ground for spoil by dredgers, which is a shame as it has a nice pic of a boat parked close to the banks. Perth Harbour was not prepared to accommodate yachties even then, save in an emergency, but the pilot advised anchoring in the main channel (except when river in spate) adjacent to the flood wall or even the quay used by the sand dredgers. 2m at LW.

I've never been up that far in a Yacht, but I used to wildfowl the Tay and Earn at Newburgh back in the 80's. Lots of sticky mud as I remember, but not as bad as Langstone Harbour.
 
Sorry I cannot give a direct answer.

I'm not aboard so cannot give you the tel nos you require. The way I obtained the tel no of the aggregates quay owner was through Perth Port's number given in Reeds.

He will also give you the available depth at LW.
 
gardenshed said:
Dave:
Would it be possible in a boat that draws 2.1m? (not the bridge of Earn/Moncrief Island jaunts, just the Perth Docks)
Ta
Click to expand...

A loaded coaster must draw more than that, so technically yes, but if the only place you can go is the dock and they won't let you in, well...

I've had a look at my copy of chart 1481 (last corrected in 1985) and it gives no depth information other than the LW line for anywhere above the Tay Bridge.
 
Boats from Tayport do an annual cruise up to Perth and usually moor off Perth Sailing Club just below Friarton Bridge. Owner of fishery recently established just above Friarton bridge acquired old pontoons and fingers from Tayport Harbour Trust and says he plans to provide a small no of pontoon berths adjacent to his fishery and restaurant. I believe plans have stalled due to issues with local planning officials, but hopefully will proceed eventually. Visitors welcome at Tayport Harbour on south bank of estuary. Convenient local bus service to Dundee and St Andrews if time to be a tourist.
 
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