Girvan prices for overnight

[DangerousPirate]

On my way to Belfast I have to do a few more stops than planned, and given the weather I don't fancy anchoring. But what are the prices in Girvan Marina? I got 30ft, what bill can I expect?

Also on a side note:
Until when in the year can you use Mooring Buoys in Scotland again? Was it until end of September or end of October? Because instead of going Girvan - Portpatrick - Belfast, I might go Lochranza - Campbelltown - N.Ireland somewhere - Belfast. But this depends on whether I can use a buoy in Lochranza or not.

At the moment I find sailing in the area very difficult with the southerly winds. Very slow, no fun, and makes it difficult to reach ports. I need to plan for shorter passages.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Girvan Harbour Mooring - Application - Ayrshire Roads Alliance

Give the operators a ring to see if they're still there...

Contact

 

[Mataji]

Anchored in Loch Ranza several times when all buoys have been taken.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Girvan entrance can be difficult to get back out (or in) if there is any period of sustained wind due to the swell and depth over bar in the swell troughs. However, if the weather is settled to reasonable, no issue. If calling Girvan ask about the depth over the bar at the and its impact on leaving (or entering) if there is a swell.

 

[Concerto]

It does seem it is open for visitors according to these web sites.

Girvan Harbour - Sail Scotland

Girvan Harbour [Expanded View] - West Scotland and North of Ireland: pilotage, charts, photos and marine business listings

Girvan Harbour - Marina Price Guide (2017)

 

[DangerousPirate]

Girvan entrance can be difficult to get back out (or in) if there is any period of sustained wind due to the swell and depth over bar in the swell troughs. However, if the weather is settled to reasonable, no issue. If calling Girvan ask about the depth over the bar at the and its impact on leaving (or entering) if there is a swell.

Oh? What bar? And currently it's going to be very windy. Like westerly and southerly, depending on the days.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Oh? What bar? And currently it's going to be very windy. Like westerly and southerly, depending on the days.

Probably not the best place to go in those conditions.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Oh? What bar? And currently it's going to be very windy. Like westerly and southerly, depending on the days.

You need to do your research and pilotage plan to understand what bar exists off Girvan. Phone them and talk to them. The sand bar, at the entrance to the harbour is dredged to maintain 0.8m depth at chart datum, add on height of tide for time of arrival for actual depth, assuming the dredging has been maintained.

Zoom in on this chartlet to see the details and data.

Girvan Harbour: Girvan Harbour and Approach: Visitmyharbour.com

 

[RunAgroundHard]

At this time of year, expect a lot of strong winds, short days and long dark nights. November can be calmer as there are usually a couple of periods with big highs and calm conditions, but cold. However, the weather can change fast, so be on top of your forecast. You need to be confident in anchoring as that may be the only option if you are forced to sail to a refuge. Anchoring will open up many possibilities and perhaps safer options than running for a port.

So plan for anchoring.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

November can be calmer as there are usually a couple of periods with big highs and calm conditions, but cold.

Autumnal anticyclonic gloom - days of no weather. I couldn't get my boat south from the Clyde a few years ago in October. I got as far as Stranraer and couldn't get down the North Channel - week after week of strong SW winds. I ended up dumping it there for 5 weeks and went back in November and motored the whole way south in gloomy days of nothing.

 

[dunedin]

Like others here, I would think that Girvan could be a mistake in strong SW winds due to the entrance.
These recent gales are simply not the weather for taking a small boat south unless very experienced and confident. Perhaps a brief better window tomorrow To make some distance, but ca canny.

Not sure if Loch Ranza moorings are still in. Depending on depth and whether springs or neaps, you MIGHT be able to use the pontoon overnight (generally discouraged), but if not confident at anchoring Loch Ranza is not the place to start, as known as subject to squalls in the night and reputed to have poor holding, plus if moorings not visible their chains could still be on the bottom.

Moorings at Carradale may be around, and good in westerly winds. And unlike Loch Ranza, anchoring in Campbeltown Loch West of the NATO pier is quite simple and low stress - good shelter and generally masses of swing room so can put out lots of cable.
Sanda is a useful stop off but less suitable for anchor novice.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

And unlike Loch Ranza, anchoring in Campbeltown Loch West of the NATO pier is quite simple and low stress - good shelter and generally masses of swing room so can put out lots of cable.
Sanda is a useful stop off but less suitable for anchor novice.

And from there on southwards, there be dragons at this time of year in grumpy weather for a small boat.

 

[awol]

If you are still limited to 6m chain with string I would not suggest this is the weather to try it out.

 

[dunedin]

And from there on southwards, there be dragons at this time of year in grumpy weather for a small boat.

I agree - hence my preceding comment - “These recent gales are simply not the weather for taking a small boat south unless very experienced and confident”

 

[DangerousPirate]

If you are still limited to 6m chain with string I would not suggest this is the weather to try it out.

I still am. I will have to sort this out after this trip. Hence mooring buoys.

Weeks after weeks of south westerlys, yup. They're starting now. I barely made aby headway, 2kts at best down the clyde despite (once again) westerly forecast, south south west reality.

The mainland side of the channel has not a lot of shelter south of Troon really. If I had westerlys or even northerlys I could make it to ireland in one jump without stops.

Should have gone last month. Live and learn.

 

[Willies]

According to the Girvan mooring application it appears that they changed the calendar with a 31st of September.

 

[dgadee]

Why would anyone go to Girvan? It is grim.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Why would anyone go to Girvan? It is grim.

To have a place to rest for the night while en passage?

 

[dgadee]

To have a place to rest for the night while en passage?

Not a good enough reason. You could be trapped in there for days!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Not a good enough reason. You could be trapped in there for days!

You could also not be trapped for days. I think the OP has all the information needed to decide whether a passage plan that involves a Girvan stop over is reasonable. Your subjective statement that Girvan is grim, is irrelevant.