Oban Bay Marina

[DaveS]

Its been resurfaced.

More than that, it's been completely re-built to proper standard for adoption by the cooncil.

 

[A1Sailor]

Going back to the original thread content:
Anybody know if the Oban Bay Marina is going to be ready for next season?

 

[A1Sailor]

Well there ain't nothing there yet, so don't plan on parking up there any time soon.
There doesn't seem to be any up to date info on their website, just a lot of historical background stuff.
CJ

Just realised there is a recent post - so I guess not...

 

[castoffandgone]

Going back to the original thread content:
Anybody know if the Oban Bay Marina is going to be ready for next season?

Hi,
I posted the original question, but still have no answer. Apparently the person who is dealing with the matter for the Argyll and Bute Council planning office is Arlene Knox Tel. 01546 604847 However, she is not in the office until next week. Perhaps not surprisingly, no one else I talked to was prepared to admit to knowing anything about it!

 

[Quandary]

I am not sure what the Council Planning Office could contribute to an answer to the thread. AFAIK they have already granted Planning Approval, thereafter progress will be in the hands of the developer and I can not see Argyll and Bute Council contributing much to expedite it.
But then, they might suddenly have changed their spots and be falling over in their eagerness to progress a leisure marine project, if this is the case a reliable indicator will be the pigs taking off from behind McCaigs tower.

 

[castoffandgone]

I am not sure what the Council Planning Office could contribute to an answer to the thread. AFAIK they have already granted Planning Approval, thereafter progress will be in the hands of the developer and I can not see Argyll and Bute Council contributing much to expedite it.
But then, they might suddenly have changed their spots and be falling over in their eagerness to progress a leisure marine project, if this is the case a reliable indicator will be the pigs taking off from behind McCaigs tower.

Has a developer been identified?

 

[Quandary]

Has a developer been identified?

Yep, they made the Planning Application to the Council that you refer to. They have used their imagination and called their company 'Oban Bay Marine', the directors appear to be a group of local businessmen from a variety of trades and professions but I can not spot any obvious financial big hitters in there so I suspect they will be hoping for a considerable level of grant assistance. They have a website which includes a sketch of the proposal but not much activity since the Planning Application went through at the beginning of the year. I will come back with a link to avoid you having to use the dreaded Google which I presume we are all boycotting now.

Here you are, obanbaymarine.org.uk

 

[uxb]

But then, they might suddenly have changed their spots and be falling over in their eagerness to progress a leisure marine project, if this is the case a reliable indicator will be the pigs taking off from behind McCaigs tower.

My money is on squadrons of pigs launching from McCaigs - the Oban Mafia have not got the best track record for development..

 

[biscuit]

I think that its a bad idea. There would need to be considerable infrastructure (fuel, heads, showers etc), then there is the sewage consideration. Also, it's in a very exposed position, so would need an extensive wave break, and would spoil one of the nicer things about Oban: the view from the promenade.

(I await the onslaught....)

 

[Ceejay]

I have to say that I don't go to Oban for the view.
Mostly I go there to work and to shop and occasionally to socialise. It would be good to have facilities where I could tie up my RIB and know that it was safe and secure. At the moment there is just nowhere to tie up short term, even for a quick dash for shopping or perhaps a bite to eat.
This is not really ideal in a busy seafaring township which is supposed to be the Gateway to the Isles.
CJ

 

[uxb]

(I await the onslaught....)

No onslaught coming from here. I like the idea but think its in a stupidly exposed and noisy position.

I can see the benefits for Ceejay and the large number of folk round here who will really benefit from somewhere central to park a RIB for a supply run at their convenience , and not Calmacs.

For yotties... I'll wait and see. I'm not planning on using it. If I want to stop in Oban there are good mooring available already.

 

[Quandary]

There used to be a visitors pontoon on the other (south) side of the ferry berths, it was there until the late eighties I recall. It was in a sheltered corner near the lifeboat and perhaps had some connection with it. I remember that sailing yachts had to be very carefully positioned because there would be frequent clashes of masts following a sudden short lived pressure wave surge a few minutes after a ferry berthed. We replaced at least one windex as a result.

So I might not be convinced that a floating breakwater might be adequate protection but it should be fine for ribs.

 

[twinkeel]

I would recommend Dunstaffnage Marina. Very helpful

My boat is overwintering there

 

[castoffandgone]

I would recommend Dunstaffnage Marina. Very helpful

My boat is overwintering there

Ashore, I presume?

Have you spent a summer there yet? I am considering moving there come spring. Any advice?

 

[twinkeel]

Arrived there last July having come up the east coast from Poole . Good welcome although their response to VHF is 'occasional'. Staff helpful. Surprising amount of tide through the Marina given that its in a small bay. Good restaurant / pub "wide mouthed frog". Limited chandlery on-site. Oban about 4miles away by bus or taxi. Owen sails will collect / deliver

I have been into kerrera too and would commend it for a transit, restaurant basic but good. Not a place to over-winter if you need to get stuff on / off the boat from / to car. Ferry is ok but can have to queue in busy times

 

[castoffandgone]

Surprising amount of tide through the Marina given that its in a small bay

Thanks for that. Is the tide enough to be awkward for berthing?

 

[claymore]

It goes round in circles and its fun

 

[machurley22]

It nearly always flows anti-clockwise round the bay (except when it flows clockwise) and isn't fast enough to give any real trouble although the transition as you cross the middle of the bay can catch the unwary unawares.

 

[twinkeel]

I managed it single handed so it can't be that bad.

I had been forewarned but could not find an up tide berth so came in down tide, in reverse gear !

Lots of fenders, No damage

 

[castoffandgone]

Thanks for all your comments. Something to look forward to, access to new adventures. Now back to wrapping parcels!