Oban Transit Marina

[Ian_Edwards]

I came along side the essentially empty Marina late this afternoon.
I accesed the website and booked in for 2 nights.
I was shocked by the cost £93.80, for a 14m boat.
I paid because I need to be here for a crew change, one crew leave early tomorrow another arriving on Tuesday.
The website promised an email with the code for the gate and facilities.
No email.
Called the mobile number, automated reply, office closed.
Your on your own mate!
My view, for or a transit marina, designed to attract visitors to Oban, the cost is far too high.
The website is poorly designed, it takes your money then fails to deliver.
And not having an out of hours service is unacceptable.
Just a warning of what to expect if you are intending yo visit Oban thus summer.

 

[[2574]]

Shockingly bad service I agree, especially at that price. I will avoid visiting this summer, there are decent anchorages thereabouts. The issue of course is provisioning. I predict that Kerrera will be rammed all summer.

 

[Sandy]

Thanks, that is one place to strike off my list.

 

[Daydream believer]

Shockingly bad service I agree, especially at that price. I will avoid visiting this summer, there are decent anchorages thereabouts. The issue of course is provisioning. I predict that Kerrera will be rammed all summer.

When I went there in 2012 Kerra pushed Scarborough very hard to be the filthiest scankiest marina toilets & showers on my circumnavigation. But it was a close run thing. In 2014 They improved so much that they won easily. Disgusting was not a bad enough word for the facilities.

 

[robmcg]

When I went there in 2012 Kerra pushed Scarborough very hard to be the filthiest scankiest marina toilets & showers on my circumnavigation. But it was a close run thing. In 2014 They improved so much that they won easily. Disgusting was not a bad enough word for the facilities.

Nowt wrong with them now.

 

[Minerva]

The waypoint bar & grill in Kerrera marina is supposed to really good too for what it’s worth!

 

[Daydream believer]

The waypoint bar & grill in Kerrera marina is supposed to really good too for what it’s worth!

The staff all walked out when I was there & the owner shut the place. Could not even get a beer.

 

[wingcommander]

I have always used the sailing club moorings. Honesty box and only a short dingy row . Still only a <5min walk to town. Even managed hot shower at said sailing club . Spoon' s very handy for breakfast/ lunch.

 

[arc1]

Transit marina just raised price to £3.70 per metre. Think either Kerrera (didn't stay there last year, but had a beer in bar when anchored other side of island and was impressed by improvements) or sailing club moorings next time in the area.

https://www.facebook.com/100063350103399/posts/565888102199522

 

[Minerva]

The staff all walked out when I was there & the owner shut the place. Could not even get a beer.

It’s all new management these days - new owners as of 2019/2020 sort of time.

 

[ylop]

14m with shore power and transport to the centre of oban for crew or provisions isn't going to be massively different at either Kerrea or Dunstaffnage. (Both under new management and heard good reports). If you don't want pontoon berth there are options, if you do - they are expensive to provide.

Not being contactable in the hours they publish (8-8) is shit.

 

[Minchsailor]

No respectable local owner would dream of using this 'facilty'.

Yacht club moorings, Kerrara, or if you want to get away from the crush there are 3(?) moorings belonging to the local farm behind Heather Island which is my preferred place when I'm in the area (seldom).

 

[ctva]

I thought the moorings just north of the sailing club are a community trust. That's what we use now when we (rarely now) visit Oban. The Transit pontoons were always over priced. The other option is Dunstaffnage with full marina facilities and cheaper. Only 3 miles north of Oban so a pleasant 1hr walk or 10 minute bus ride.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I departed at around 8am on Tuesday.
Not reply to my messages, phone or through the website.
Marina staff on the pontoon during Monday, clip boards in hand checking the meter readings.
No contact, not even an acknowledgement of our presence.
I won't be using the marina again, tòo expensive and quite exposed.

 

[Pye_End]

Stayed there a couple of nights last year. Found them friendly, decent facilities, good location for stores etc. Whilst not the cheapest, not the most expensive either.

I have visited several marinas/harbours (usually out of season) where there has been no contact when coming in. In the days before internet booking, they just received no fee for the night's stay as there was nobody to take any money. One port last year had an honesty box with an envelope for codes etc. but the codes were missing - so a trip to the office in the morning to sort things out, and they immediately gave a 50% discount and many apologies. One port some years ago chased for payment by post as I left at 6am, but when I explained that I had no access to facilities, the fee was cancelled. Another occasion there was usually a night security who gave pontoon codes, but upon arrival we discovered the security guard had been axed, and any telephone numbers scribbled on the office either didn't work or were ineligible, so that night was also free (we only discovered this on the wrong side of the gate, and it too some time to get back on board, and much swearing). Out of hours, especially not peak season, it may be irritating not to have contact, but is not all that unusual.

They say the mark of a decent business is how they deal with things that go wrong - it would be interesting to hear the end of this story if you make suitable representations (eg phone or in person - emails can be unreliable for all sorts of reasons) to the office during office hours when you are most likely to get to 'the person in charge'.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Oban bay at the North Pier has always been exposed so why anyone considers that the transit marina would be sheltered, is crazy. There was a time when anchoring to the west of the North Pier / Moorings and rowing to the slip was normal for transit.
Folks should not be surprised at the steep increases in price, it’s hardly unexpected.
Anchor more if you do not want to pay the fee.
Loch Aline is the same,

 

[ylop]

I departed at around 8am on Tuesday.
Not reply to my messages, phone or through the website.
Marina staff on the pontoon during Monday, clip boards in hand checking the meter readings.
No contact, not even an acknowledgement of our presence.
I won't be using the marina again, tòo expensive and quite exposed.

You were trying to get hold of them by email, phone and website. You saw human beings on the pontoon and you didn't speak to them? I'm not sure all the fault lies with the harbour master.

Stayed there a couple of nights last year. Found them friendly, decent facilities, good location for stores etc. Whilst not the cheapest, not the most expensive either.

I have visited several marinas/harbours (usually out of season) where there has been no contact when coming in. In the days before internet booking, they just received no fee for the night's stay as there was nobody to take any money. One port last year had an honesty box with an envelope for codes etc. but the codes were missing - so a trip to the office in the morning to sort things out, and they immediately gave a 50% discount and many apologies. One port some years ago chased for payment by post as I left at 6am, but when I explained that I had no access to facilities, the fee was cancelled. Another occasion there was usually a night security who gave pontoon codes, but upon arrival we discovered the security guard had been axed, and any telephone numbers scribbled on the office either didn't work or were ineligible, so that night was also free (we only discovered this on the wrong side of the gate, and it too some time to get back on board, and much swearing). Out of hours, especially not peak season, it may be irritating not to have contact, but is not all that unusual.

I like the Dutch approach of a parking meter style box that produces a label that goes on your lifelines to show you have paid and tells you the magic toilet codes. (Online options available too).

They say the mark of a decent business is how they deal with things that go wrong - it would be interesting to hear the end of this story if you make suitable representations (eg phone or in person - emails can be unreliable for all sorts of reasons) to the office during office hours when you are most likely to get to 'the person in charge'.

Lets be clear its not a marina - its pontoons operated by the harbour. I don't think it was really built for yachtsmen, its for the small cruise ships to get their affluent passengers ashore to spend money really...

 

[Scomber]

We were 2 nights early last yr when Manran played at Corran Halls. System worked fine , facilities , excellent.

 

[NorthUp]

Oban bay at the North Pier has always been exposed so why anyone considers that the transit marina would be sheltered, is crazy. There was a time when anchoring to the west of the North Pier / Moorings and rowing to the slip was normal for transit.
Folks should not be surprised at the steep increases in price, it’s hardly unexpected.
Anchor more if you do not want to pay the fee.
Loch Aline is the same,

Anchor anywhere Highland Council are the Authority and expect a bill shortly afterwards. Yes, on your own hook too!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Anchor anywhere Highland Council are the Authority and expect a bill shortly afterwards. Yes, on your own hook too!

I didn’t know that. You can’t anchor anyway west of the transit marina now.

Oban Harbour Anchorages