question for sailors on West Coast Scotland

[drawkins]

What is the situation with jetskis,water skiers in the waters of the Kyles of Bute ,Loch
Fyne ? general area
what ,if any, are the downsides to keeping ones boat there permantly?
we kept a Hurley 22 on the west coast in the 70s but I expect it has changed quite a bit.

 

[Searush]

They are pelted with stale haggis & porridge if seen anywhere in the locality

 

[scottie]

pests in the kyles

Rarley see them but then when its raining your rarely see anything and this year its rained a lot
They tend to stay on Loch Lomond thankfully

 

[s/v moondancer]

Nice place to sail but a long way to drive from anywhere else.

 

[drawkins]

we are toying with the idea of re locating there thats the reason for my question.
it would seem from reading this forum that its better to put up with rain rather than being swamped in people.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

You might get more information on the Scots Clique forum.

 

[puddock]

Nice place to sail but a long way to drive from anywhere else.

That's what I like to hear. Just think of the drive,,,,,,, takes ages. Don't bother, it's not worth it. Horrible place, full of Scotsmen throwing stale porridge and haggis.
Best bet is the Solent, so much easier to drive to.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Mooring on Kyles Of Bute

A few points: -

1. Mooring areas are pretty full so putting your own mooring down will be difficult to get permission.
2. I have occasionally seen moorings for rent in this area.
3. I sailed here a lot in the 80s and have now returned this year. What struck me was the busyness of the the area. It was quite busy even during the wet weekends with a procession of vessels up and down the East and West Kyle
4. Most of the vacant bays are kept vacant for anchoring in, but they always have boats in them, where as in the 80s some were quite free all the time.
5. Significantly more motor vessels than I remember (not an issue, just more boats)
6. Chavs in the Holiday Cottages with football colours, fires on the beaches, music, beer cans. This was the single biggest thing I noticed! No problem with chavs, but the tranquility isn't what it used to be.
7. It is quite accessible now by Ferry and road upgrades.
8. New marina at the old oil rig yard (Portavadi or something like that) on the peninsula opposite East Loch Tarbet, apparently very good.
9. New Marina at Port Banantyne next to Rothesay, just opened this year, Rothesay Harbour expanded to hold more yachts on pontoons.

All in all a much busier place than the 70s and 80s. It is heaving this weekend because the sun is out!

 

[maxi77]

A few points: -

1. Mooring areas are pretty full so putting your own mooring down will be difficult to get permission.
2. I have occasionally seen moorings for rent in this area.
3. I sailed here a lot in the 80s and have now returned this year. What struck me was the busyness of the the area. It was quite busy even during the wet weekends with a procession of vessels up and down the East and West Kyle
4. Most of the vacant bays are kept vacant for anchoring in, but they always have boats in them, where as in the 80s some were quite free all the time.
5. Significantly more motor vessels than I remember (not an issue, just more boats)
6. Chavs in the Holiday Cottages with football colours, fires on the beaches, music, beer cans. This was the single biggest thing I noticed! No problem with chavs, but the tranquility isn't what it used to be.
7. It is quite accessible now by Ferry and road upgrades.
8. New marina at the old oil rig yard (Portavadi or something like that) on the peninsula opposite East Loch Tarbet, apparently very good.
9. New Marina at Port Banantyne next to Rothesay, just opened this year, Rothesay Harbour expanded to hold more yachts on pontoons.

All in all a much busier place than the 70s and 80s. It is heaving this weekend because the sun is out!

Of course it is busier, so is almost every where else too. Mind you even back then there were quite a few spots you needed to be quite early getting into to make sure you got a decent anchorage.

Even so jet skis and water skiers are few and far between in most places otheter than Loch Lomond.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Of course it is busier, so is almost every where else too. Mind you even back then there were quite a few spots you needed to be quite early getting into to make sure you got a decent anchorage.

Even so jet skis and water skiers are few and far between in most places otheter than Loch Lomond.

I don't agree at all. Last Sunday (13/09) in the Largs Channel there were plenty of Jet Skis, water skiers and small speed boats. Not a problem loads of room.

It was a problem on the visitors moorings at Millport where on two occasions Jet Skis came through the moorings at high speed. When I say through, actually between boats. The moorings are quite snug at Millport. One was travelling at a significant speed.

This area is very busy of course because of the easy access at Largs and Largs Yachthaven to launch into the sea and the relevant sheltered waters.

The question on the original posting is of course about the Kyles of Bute which by their distance would limit the amount of jet ski activity.

Its still a lot busier than the 80s and there is to me at least a noticable increase in motorised craft of all sorts, especially the 20 - 30 foot fast cabin cruisers.

This is my observation.

 

[maxi77]

I don't agree at all. Last Sunday (13/09) in the Largs Channel there were plenty of Jet Skis, water skiers and small speed boats. Not a problem loads of room.

It was a problem on the visitors moorings at Millport where on two occasions Jet Skis came through the moorings at high speed. When I say through, actually between boats. The moorings are quite snug at Millport. One was travelling at a significant speed.

This area is very busy of course because of the easy access at Largs and Largs Yachthaven to launch into the sea and the relevant sheltered waters.

The question on the original posting is of course about the Kyles of Bute which by their distance would limit the amount of jet ski activity.

Its still a lot busier than the 80s and there is to me at least a noticable increase in motorised craft of all sorts, especially the 20 - 30 foot fast cabin cruisers.

This is my observation.

Considering last weekend was the best we have had for a few months it is not surprising there were a few out, but compared to some places down south it is not bad. When you consider the continuing rise in berths available all through the Clyde it is not surprising it is busier, not helped by Ryanair and their cheep flights to Prestwick. Even so I do not think it is as bad now as it used to be in the 80s on the south coast

 

[Aja]

What is the situation with jetskis,water skiers in the waters of the Kyles of Bute ,Loch
Fyne ? general area
what ,if any, are the downsides to keeping ones boat there permantly?
we kept a Hurley 22 on the west coast in the 70s but I expect it has changed quite a bit.

If you are concerned only about jetskis and water skiers, then there is nothing to worry about. You'll find plenty of welcome for a Hurley 22.

Regards
Donald

 

[asteven221]

Nice place to sail but a long way to drive from anywhere else.

What a pointless statement! Given the large number of boats based in the area, with owners based many miles away, it would seem that very many are happy to travel to what is a stunning area. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Very rarely to see jetski's or speedboats with people skimming along the top of the water on planks of wood either. As another poster said - you find them in Loch Lomand.

 

[asteven221]

I don't agree at all. Last Sunday (13/09) in the Largs Channel there were plenty of Jet Skis, water skiers and small speed boats. Not a problem loads of room.

It was a problem on the visitors moorings at Millport where on two occasions Jet Skis came through the moorings at high speed. When I say through, actually between boats. The moorings are quite snug at Millport. One was travelling at a significant speed.

This area is very busy of course because of the easy access at Largs and Largs Yachthaven to launch into the sea and the relevant sheltered waters.

Just read this after my reply above. I need to add that IMHO after many years of sailing around the Clyde, Millport is by far the worst place on the Clyde, in fact the ONLY place on the Clyde where you will consistantly meet neds, drunken youths and all round undesirables. I have been many times (I am not too fussy) and always worry about the dingy being burnt, knifed or stolen when I get back from the George Hotel after a beer or two. To be honest I have stopped going there as why bother with the hassle? There are plenty of other nice places without the concern. Shame really as Millport itself would be fine if you took out the drunken idiots that seem to jump on the wee ferry at Largs for a weekend of being total ar£$£*l%. Incidentlly Largs channel is the only place where you find jetski's etc.... which probably due to the launching facility. Hmmmm......jetski's, ar£$*&l^s and Millport....? Goes together eh? I jest, I am sure there are plenty of responsible owners of jetskis!