Recommendations for winter storage in W Scotland?

[Carduelis]

We are planning a Round GB starting from Ipswich in the early summer and heading anti-clockwise to NW Scotland where we plan to leave the boat for the winter. I'm looking for somewhere to store the boat ashore from Sept until March 2022, ideally with a railway station within reach. I am looking at Dunstaffnage, but can anyone recommend other options? The boat is a 36 foot fin keel yacht.

 

[cpedw]

Best for the railway is Oban marina. The snag is that it's on an island so you are constrained by the marina's ferry. That was every hour through the day before covid but it's very restricted just now.
Dunstaffnage is about 3 miles from Oban station. There's a bus about hourly to Oban. I believe it's quite expensive and the service used to get severe criticism a few years ago though I haven't heard bad reports recently.
Creran Marine is very popular and busy - book early. I use it in winter. It's on acouple of bus routes but there's only a handful each day to Oban - it needs planning. It's about 10 miles from Oban.
There are several other yards and marinas in the vicinity but all are more difficult to access by public transport.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Railways on the west coast go no further than Kyle of Lochalsh but if you want somewhere further north there is Lochinver. It has a boast hoist, plenty of hard standing space, cradles to hire, electricity points available in the boat park, and is sheltered from the worst of the wind by the quarry cliffs. Transport south is a bus which has a stop right by the boat park to Ullapool bus station, which connects with the coach to Inverness from the same bus station, from which the train station is a short walk away. It's feasible to get to England by public transport in the same day.

 

[scottie]

Coming further south to the Clyde will increase options and shorten journey times but may increase costs

Ardrossan Largs and Dumbarton (may be draught restricted) Bute also gets recommendations but access is via train plus ferry

Clyde may also give extended sailing season as more sheltered options

This is a FAQ so lots of previous conversations

 

[mainsail1]

Dunstaffnage is a nightmare because of the swell at certain stages of the tide and with a particular wind direction. So if you go there get the boat out of the water pronto, otherwise it risks being damaged as mine was.
Croabh Haven is great and there is a bus to Oban train station which I have taken a number of times. I left my boat in the water over winters both at Dunstaffnage and Croabh so do have experience of both.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We’ve used Silvers Yard in Rosneath. It’s a taxi ride to Helensborough central station and an hour into Glasgow by train to pick up the main line South Or book the sleeper from Helensborough Upper station and you’re in London the next morning. Depends where you want to go? Personally I love the sleeper!

Oban is lovely if you want further north. Silvers have a choice of indoor and outside storage. Other boat yards on the Clyde available.

 

[Quandary]

There is a boatyard on the Crinan Canal at Cairnbaan run by Adam Way (A & R Way Boatbuilding) trouble is that next winter like this the canal is closing from Oct. until April, about 3 miles from the nearest stop on Glasgow to Campbeltown express bus service. there is also Crinan Boatyard and Kilmelford, Cairnbaan used to be substantially cheaper. Good facilities at Lochinver and plenty of space, the drawback is getting there by road.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Any of them are fine for ashore storage but some fill up fast as they have limited space. If minimum travel from the train station is required i.e. less than a 30 minute taxi ride then any of the marinas around Oban will do. I am not familiar with the ones north of Oban so will leave others to comment. Around Oban within 30 minutes by taxi you have: -

1. Oban Marina Oban Marina - boat taxi out to Kerrera is no big deal and has run in some very strong winds in the past.
2. Dunstaffnage Marina Scottish West Coast Marina - Oban - Summer & Winter Berthing. - hard standing is good
3. Ardoran Marine Moorings and Winter Storage - Ardoran Marine - limited space
4. Kilmelford Yacht Haven Home - Kilmelford Yacht Haven lots of space, indoor storage available as well.
4. Craobh Marina Craobh Marina - Scotland's Gateway to the Isles - space but can still fill up, only marina with all wind direction protection if staying afloat.
5. Ardfern Ardfern Yacht Centre, by Lochgilphead, Scotland - tight storage, ram them in, good reputation yard but can be slow.
6. Balvicar Boat Yard - no web site but phone, boats have been stored here.

One thing to consider, is that many yachts might be staying in all winter this year. This almost guarantees that next winter will be a very busy lay up on shore season. If you get stuck in the water, my advise, in this area, is Craobh Marina, all the rest that have pontoons (some are mornings only) have had some winter wind and wave damage.

Services can be difficult to book at the last minute and can work to the service providers schedule, not yours.

 

[jamie N]

+1 Lochinver. It's got the pies too!

 

[grandpaboat]

We’ve used Silvers Yard in Rosneath. It’s a taxi ride to Helensborough central station and an hour into Glasgow by train to pick up the main line South Or book the sleeper from Helensborough Upper station and you’re in London the next morning. Depends where you want to go? Personally I love the sleeper!

Oban is lovely if you want further north. Silvers have a choice of indoor and outside storage. Other boat yards on the Clyde available.

There are three yard's in Rosneath. I have used DRB Marine for many years now under new management as RB Marine. I can recommend them not least on price. Half an hour into Helensburgh by bus for trains to Glasgow

 

[Minchsailor]

I've used Kilmelford for years. It may be a bit rough and ready, but is fine for lock and forget (I live in the S of England).

OK to sleep aboard when ashore. Security no problem. Owner lives on-site - so boats checked regularly.

Bus for Oban (35 mins) stops outside the yard 4-5x a day.

 

[Sandy]

We are planning a Round GB starting from Ipswich in the early summer and heading anti-clockwise to NW Scotland where we plan to leave the boat for the winter. I'm looking for somewhere to store the boat ashore from Sept until March 2022, ideally with a railway station within reach. I am looking at Dunstaffnage, but can anyone recommend other options? The boat is a 36 foot fin keel yacht.

I'll look out for you. I'm planning to go round in August September.

 

[NorthRising]

+1 Lochinver. It's got the pies too!

Aye Lochinver is one of the reserve options for when current arrangements go mammalian protuberances up....

 

[NorthUp]

Stornoway, marina extended this year and 75 ton travel hoist ordered..or a 100 t crane
Daily flights to Inverness/ Glasgow/ Edinburgh, 3 ferries a day to Ullapool, most connecting with Inverness bus.
All Covid permitting of course, tier 1 here at present!

 

[Minchsailor]

Lochinver is more hardstanding than a boatyard - its fine for keeping a boat ashore but doesn't provide much in the way of services. They will get you out, usually pop you in a cradle (unless you are a bit unusual, in which case props), store, and pop you back in again, but that is the limit. Anything else is pretty much DIY. However the guys there (Highland Council) are very helpful, as is the harbour office.

Some chandlery at the hardware shop, mainly for fishing vessels; anything more is Inverness..

And with the best will in the world, it is a heck of a long way from anywhere, especially with the cutbacks in local bus services.

I should mention there is small yard at Ullapool. The guys there are friendly enough, but they are more interested in traditional boatbuilding, but maybe worth a shot. I know a couple of people who use them for winter storage.

Arisaig - limited storage ashore; they fill up quick with local boats. They had no room for me (36ft) when I asked in August this year.

There is also a small yard on Skye near Broadford, but they are limited to max size about 30ft. The Waterloo boat yard there has, I believe, closed own.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

The OP is very likely staying on his boat, so easy access to eateries, stores, toilet blocks should also be considered. Ardfern is a good choice for these features but the Firth of Clyde marinas are superior in this regard by a country mile.

 

[dunedin]

The OP is very likely staying on his boat, so easy access to eateries, stores, toilet blocks should also be considered. Ardfern is a good choice for these features but the Firth of Clyde marinas are superior in this regard by a country mile.

Has the OP said that? Looked to me like had a boat and a home so not liveaboard when ashore for winter?

Oban Marina Kerrera definitely worth checking out - I I have no idea how prices compare but convenient location and a manned boatyard able to do some work if needed. Ardfern also, but very popular / busy.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Has the OP said that? Looked to me like had a boat and a home so not liveaboard when ashore for winter?

Oban Marina Kerrera definitely worth checking out - I I have no idea how prices compare but convenient location and a manned boatyard able to do some work if needed. Ardfern also, but very popular / busy.

Has he said what? My comments is based on him staying on his boat after he arrives by train. If he is renting, B&B or Hotel, well, that's another discussion. As for live-aboard, where do you get that idea from?

 

[scottie]

Well. He is unlikely to be doing there (wherever) and back a day so some place to sleep will be required
Perhaps the Fredrift inn?

 

[awol]

I got the impression that it was dump the boat and run, returning in springtime when the blossom bloomed. Must be nice to have a boat that doesn't need to be fixed over winter.