Getting a marina berth...

[Wardy]

What is the best way to get a marina place? Can you just turn up and start from there, or is it best to prebook one?
We are about to embark on our live-aboard lifestyle and, strangely, we want to have the first year up in Scotland (Inverness way), so we are after a permanent/semi-permanent mooring at either Caley or Muirtown. The main thing is, we need to work so we don't want to be too remote from civilisation for the moment.

Any help greatly appreciated

Steve and Julie

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[mikewilkes]

Go and see Mike Lofts at the BWB office in Muirton Basin. Tell him I will be home at Crimmble so if he does not give you a berth I will kick his a**e.

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[tcm]

generallly it's an idea to call ahead if you plan to styay for a while - and especially if you want to spend winter in a place i wd book at least 6months ahead or as soon as poss. Scotland tho, is pretty empty, so i spect they will fall over themselves to accomodate you. Thought you wanted to be near civilisation tho? arf!

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[Sea Devil]

Generaly if you are already there with the boat and wanting to stay I think you have a better chance of a permanent place in crowded marinas everywhere -

Its easier for the staff to say 'no room' on the phone but if you are actually in the marina, on a short term visitors spot, they will try harder to find you a permanent place - well that's what I've found.

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time visit my web site
www.michaelbriant.com/sailing

 

[Wardy]

Inverness marina berth...

The concensus seems to point at having a go at Mike Lofts to the point of threatening him with a future a**e kicking, but, just turning up and assessing the situation then.

Thanks for the replies all.

soon we'll find out how cold a boat can be overwintering in Scotland... why didn't I choose the Med?

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[mikewilkes]

Re: Inverness marina berth...

The reason I can do that is that he is my brother in law!!!!
BUT still had to pay the going rate for a berth when my boat was there.

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[snowleopard]

caley is fairly busy but they always have plenty of berths at muirtown. beware though that the empty pontoons furthest from the office at muirtown are in range of rock-throwing kids from behind the fence!

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[pragmatist]

So how do you plan to work - and at what ? - while in remote bits of vurrin' parts ?

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !

 

[Wardy]

What will I be doing for work

I'll do anything! Well almost anything, bar work, market work, gigolo, sweeping... you name it?
Mainly, I am a bloody good electro mechanical engineer so i'm thinking of setting up a business eventually with respect to boats... god knows what, but i can turn my hand to most things as long as it's a physical entity. I seem to have an aptitude for these things!

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[snowleopard]

Re: What will I be doing for work

have a chat with richard of freewing masts on the lock side at clachnaharry. an interesting guy to talk to and he may be able to point you in the right direction. he's always happy to talk about his masts.

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[mikewilkes]

Re: What will I be doing for work

You might also try young Alan Hogan at Caley Marina / Cruisers.
Try BWB themselves because they do employ some kind of electrical people.
Either way may help with the mooring also.

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[mikewilkes]

Re: What will I be doing for work

Had another thought you could try the ship repairer - if he is still there - on Thornbush Quay. While you are down that way call in Gael Force and see if they have any ideas. They do a lot of commercial supply stuff. One guy in there was Dave Davidson. He is more on the shop side but at least try to talk to him.

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[mikewilkes]

Re: What will I be doing for work

Another thought - old age cant keep up!!!
My mate was out sailing with me a couple of weeks ago and he said they were throwing up houses just along the Southern Distributor Road ( Polis Station through to wherever now) All the sites have signs outside looking for all trades. Dont know if its any good but there you go.

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[Wardy]

Re: What will I be doing for work

Cheers for all these job ideas, hopefully i won't have to work quite as hard as i do now when we get there but I will be looking into whatever I can to earn a few pennies.
Just need my solicitor togive me the final details regarding the house sale now and we'll be away... touch wood, crossed fingers etc etc

Cheers

Steve

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