Reasonable mooring option on Clyde?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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I'm in he Crinan canal at the moment and making my way over towards Ardrossan / Troon / Ayr tomorrow as I need to leave the boat for a week or so for some work.

Are there any reasonable options for mooring to avoid getting stung by short stay expensive marina prices but still with good rail connections? I don't want to really take the boat any further north so Hellensburugh is out of the question.
 
Tarbert is cheap as a permanent mooring holder but not so good for visitors. And transport isn't brilliant as it's 2 or 3 hours to Glasgow by bus.

I suspect that most of the Clyde coast marinas are on the same rail line so links should be comparable. I haven't visited any other than Kip and Largs so can't comment on prices.
 
I don't think that you'll easily get a berth on the Ayrshire coast without using one of the marinas. Clyde Marina, Ardrossan is probably the lowest cost, also the best transport by some margin. Station is on the harbour. Really helpful staff.
There's a club at Ayr, but I don't know anything about them.
Tarbert wouldn't have any real advantage pricewise and a long 'bus journey.
 
Check costs for Rothesay. The ferry to Wemys Bay runs from next to the inner harbour pontoons and I'm fairly sure that there is a rail station next to the Wemys Bay ferry terminal (do just check, but I'm pretty certain).
Speak to Dave who looks after the pontoons, he's very helpful.
More than a mooring ball but very convenient and much cheaper than Kip/Largs.
 
Pavalijo said:
Check costs for Rothesay. The ferry to Wemys Bay runs from next to the inner harbour pontoons and I'm fairly sure that there is a rail station next to the Wemys Bay ferry terminal (do just check, but I'm pretty certain).
Speak to Dave who looks after the pontoons, he's very helpful.
More than a mooring ball but very convenient and much cheaper than Kip/Largs.
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If the ferry's not a problem, worth checking Port Bannatyne marina too - last time I looked it was almost exactly the same price as Rothesay for a winter.

Top tip: If you go to the ticket office at Wemyss Bay and pay for four days' parking, you get a week. This is not advertised anywhere, as far as I can see.
 
Wemyss bay station is convenient for the Bute ferry.
Rothesay is the cheapest pontoon berth for a week or so, but overall saving depends on how many ferry tickets are needed!
I wonder if Rothesay, (Bute Berthing Co. ) might do a deal on the less popular outer harbour.
 
northcave said:
Thanks all. Has anyone tried the town pontoons at Girvan?
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I've been there, but only for a couple of night. Nice place, famously unpleasant entrance in strong onshore winds. If you are thinking that far south, it's also worth thinking about Stranraer. Ten quid a night (last time I was there), train to Glasgow (via Girvan), direct coaches to Carlisle.

And if you are thinking that far south, maybe even Bangor Marina.
 
Old posting but still ( afaik ) valid info . Same guy services all the new public moorings in Millport - 80% empty this time of year. Try giving him a ring.

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Default Re: Mooring services - Firth of Clyde?
If you are looking for a mooring around Millport or Fairlie ( next to Largs) you should contact Stuart Mc Intyre of Millport boatyard, best value moorings around this area and a good guy to deal with.
His MB number is, 07810333944, or you will get him on his home number in the evenings on, 01475 530 566
The Fairlie moorings are quite handy, aprox a mile south of Largs marina, fairley sheltered from most directions except west to north west and can get a fair blow in south to south west winds which are part broken by the coal terminal jetty.
Millport is very open to south and south west winds and can get very rough, unless tucked in behind the Eileens.
Hope this is of some help.
C_W

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?168553-Mooring-services-Firth-of-Clyde#iFxWh5mGSZu60U0z.99
 
Beware! I would not just choose on the lowest price. I learnt my lesson in May this year. Think about how secure and sheltered the place is.
This summer I left my boat in a town marina for two weeks because it was the cheapest of a number nearby. When I returned there had been a gale from the only direction that was not fully sheltered and the pontoon had clearly been riding up and down on the short chop causing damage to my hull side and ripping the fenders from their positions. A situation the staff had not taken care of. The cost of fixing the damage was more than the cost of staying at a more secure marina.
 
davidpbo said:
Portavadie?
http://www.portavadie.com/marina.php
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Not a bad choice. pretty secure. You can get a bus to Dunoon, then over to Gourock with train connections.

I would think twice or three times about a swinging mooring for this time of year , as some pretty hefty low pressure systems will be romping ashore shortly.
Both Tarbert and Port Bannatyne are pretty secure. Both fairly simple to get to Glasgow. OK the bus from Tarbert takes a while, but there are no changes (same one from Ardrishaig). The mainland marinas all have good transport connections, though probably cost more.
Next week end onwards looks rather gnarly!
 
I might be a bit late to the party, but if you get stuck, I have a 5 tonne mooring off my house just south of Rothesay, you are welcome to use it for free. I will tell you though, it's fairly exposed. Fine in normal weather.
 
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