Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Development Survey

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Jura

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Dear Yachting & Boating World Forum Members,

After the recent success of the new pontoons at Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour, there is now an opportunity for improvements to be made to the shore side facilities. The Crown Estate, in partnership with the Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour Authority (THA), are investigating the possibility of taking forward plans for the harbour which would include the development of the old boatshed site (to the west of the current facilities) as a new harbour centre. This exciting prospect will enhance not only the quality of the facilities on offer, but will improve the appearance of the whole of the north side of the inner harbour area, becoming a year-round benefit to berth holders, residents and visitors alike.

Jura Consultants has been commissioned to work with these groups, alongside architect John Renshaw, to develop a feasibility study for the site and explore the different uses, facilities and services that could be included there. As avid sailors we greatly value your input into our study and the development programme.

Currently, 2 online questionnaires have been created to collect information and feedback from Visiting Berths and Non-visitors. These questionnaires have been designed to investigate satisfaction with the current facilities offered by the THA, to gauge the need/demand for new or enhanced facilities and to determine any barriers to visiting/using Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Harbour. Results from the survey will be used to assist in the preparation of the feasibility study to determine which mix of uses is most desirable, deliverable and viable, giving this unique building a sustainable future.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare a moment to fill out the appropriate questionnaire before Monday 27th April 2009


Visiting Berth Survey (for those who have previously visited Tarbert (Loch Fyne) by boat) - Click Here


Non-Visitors Survey (for those who have not visited Tarbert (Loch Fyne) by boat before) - Click Here


Additionally, if you know of any friends or family who would be interested in contributing to our study, please feel free to forward on the appropriate link.


Sarah Hill
Jura Consultants Limited
7 Straiton View
Straiton Business Park
Loanhead
Midlothian
EH20 9QZ

T: 0131 4406750
 
I'm a reasonably frequent visitor to Tarbert, which I like, but I'm not bothering to fill in the questionaire, partly because it doesn't seem very relevant. For the record, my main gripes about the place are:-
1) I don't like paying £20 for rafting 3, 4 or even 5 deep, and then paying extra for showers.
Will the new pontoons help here?
2) Don't like queuing for the "facilities".
3) Mobile phone coverage ( Orange in my case ) is very poor.
Think I'll go to Portavadie and pay the ferry fare across!
 
Be warned , there are 30 long questions in this survey. I'm afraid its another touristy catch all, tell us you love us type of survey.
Each to his own

Tarbert is a lovely place with poor car parking and a slummy harbourside section to the west of the marina which should have been improved years ago
The existence of Potavadie is obviously livening things up!!
 
It has all changed! Was there yesterday for the first time this season. The old mooring area directly opposite the original pontoon has been cleared and replaced with loads of decent length new finger pontoon. Didn't count them, but reckon that there are around 50 new berths. They seem very stable to walk on and are a tad higher than many other pontoons I've used, so it is easy to jump ashore.

Electricity is charged separately by cards at £2 each. Plenty of hook-up points, so no fighting for a socket!

Showers are now free for visitors.

Can't do much about Orange! I have a similar gripe about poor coverage. Went through the Crinan Canal last year and had virtually no coverage for he whole journey (not always a bad thing!). My wife changed to Vodaphone so that between us, we have a good chance of getting a phone signal where-ever we are.


BTW - stuck my nose into Portavadie yesterday. Loads of space availble, but it doesn't look like the restaurant/bar is open yet. It will be interesting to see how many people use this marina in preference to Tarbert, now that Tarbert has new facilities.
 
Well I filled in the survey on the other forum. I now rather regret my disparaging comments about Alanthesailmaker's student survey: this "professional" effort was arguably worse! In a number of questions no correct answer was offered, so I went for the closest... Oh, well, I don't suppose at the end of the day any of it really matters. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
If someone wants to ask my opinion, and there is a chance it helps provide what I would like when I go cruising, I'll answer the request. I thought the questions were a bit over-the-top in places (a gym as a priority shoreside service?) but also gave me the chance to say what I would like to see.

I hope they get plenty responses (and plenty of them say a play area for kids shoreside would be a Good Thing..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ).
 
<span style="color:white"> . </span>
I see that Argyll and Bute Council Committee have launched a legal enquiry because there was no planning permission sought. It wasn't required because the development is on the water, but now the council have got a hard-on because it is attached to the land by a fixed link.

They are also continuing to obstruct the development of 60 new berths at Dunstaffnage with trivial objections to the marrina's new signs - which have been in place for a year. Someone on the planning committee obviously doesn't like yachties.

What a bunch of parasitic grippers planners are.

- W
 
[ QUOTE ]
Why do people who spend a fortune on sailing object to paying a berthing fee - then go to somewhere remote and object to lack of mobile phone cover ?

[/ QUOTE ]

I try not to spend a fortune and used to anchor happily in Tarbert Bay - alas, no longer. It's a question of value not cost.

And Tarbert isn't remote. The town itself is only about 30 miles from Glasgow. And one could think the Scottish Series is akin to Cowes week (though it actually has a sponsor).
 
[ QUOTE ]
And Tarbert isn't remote. The town itself is only about 30 miles from Glasgow.

[/ QUOTE ]

According to my computer, Glasgow to Tarbert is about 100 miles by car (no ferry), 63 miles via ferry and I estimate 60 miles by boat.

It's funny how it has taken Portavadie Marina to get the money grabbers at Tarbert to start appreciating that us folk visiting on boats should be appreciated. Assuming the Portavadie is privately funded, I feel sorry for them in that they are making the big investment and now that they are up and running, the council are now using public money to promote Tarbert to attract visiting boats. Apologies if my facts are incorrect re the funding and I will be glad for someone to correct me. I like Tarbert, but that is one town that has taken visitors for granted over the years - big time. Indeed I have heard that many of the locals even hate the Scottish Series being based there. I wonder how they will feel if it gets moved across to Portavadie, where they will be most welcome if my experience is anything to go by.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wonder how they will feel if it gets moved across to Portavadie, where they will be most welcome if my experience is anything to go by.

[/ QUOTE ] Portavadie is more suitable in a lot of ways - more berths, less hassle, cheaper anf friendlier - the SB cruise last year got a great welcome. I always have the impression in Tarbert that they just want my money.

Does anyone know if the restaurant at Portavadie is open yet?

- W
 
[ QUOTE ]
BTW - stuck my nose into Portavadie yesterday. Loads of space availble, <span style="color:red">but it doesn't look like the restaurant/bar is open yet. </span> It will be interesting to see how many people use this marina in preference to Tarbert, now that Tarbert has new facilities.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
I have to say that Tarbert (Loch Fyne) has an outstanding health centre.

Just after securing to the pontoon at Freestyle's last visit, I noticed a shoal of mackerel, so chucked the line overboard and immediately hooked three good-sized ones. As there were four of us, I chucked the line again (which involved unwinding a suitable length and throwing the lead weight followed by four hooks and lures) and got a hook almost through my thumb at the base of the nail. As the point of the needle was only just under the skin, and reckoning that the thumbnail would prevent the hook coming out the way it had gone in, I cut the shank off below the eye and tried to push it through. No chance. I could not budge it. And the crew, which included a vet, were no bloody help, turning pale, and exclaiming things like "Yuck, Dad, that's gross - don't ask me to do that."

So it was off to the health centre with me, where I was shown the proper way to remove fish hooks, or would have been, had I not cut the eye off the shank. (You loop a piece of stout thread around the bend in the shank and, while pulling on the eye in the opposite direction, give a firm, rapid pull on the loop.) They were obliged to follow my original treatment plan of feeding the hook onward and out the side of my thumb, with the help of a little local anaesthetic. Apparently they have a constant stream of fish-hook injuries, and I was the local equivalent of a small boy with a saucepan stuck on his head. Yet I was treated with just the right mixture of sympathy, warmth and good humour.

So I'll do the questionnaire.

Oh, and the mackerel was delicious.
 
Yes, it's disappointing that a professional market research organisation, or whatever this group would call themselves, manages to produce such an error-prone survey. Question 1 set the tone perfectly - I was there 21 months ago, which is bang between "less than 18 months" and the next option, which is "more than two years". And because I could not remember a recycling facility, let alone whether I used it, I left that question blank - but that's not an acceptable option, so I had to select "not used" in order to get my other responses accepted. I could go on, but I'll spare you.

The whole effort came across as polished rubbish.
 
I was in Tarbert on Sun 29th March assisting taking a friends yacht up through Crin an Canal. It was my first visit since the day they started installing the new pontoons.
I am a regular in Tarbert so was keen to see the new pontoons. An aerial pic can be found on this link http://www.clydesailing.co.uk/09_jan_feb.htm

I had heard that the only about 25% of the pontoons were to be for permanent berths as the the main reason for the pontoons was to attract visitors. It however appears that more than 60% of the pontoons have been given over to permanent berths which at about £1600 for the year is a bargain but now severely limits the number of visitor berths.
Permanent berths other than their annual fee will not bring business to Tarbert as they arrive late Friday night have a drink on board then set off on Sat morning and return Sun night and get in their cars and off.

The new pontoons have now severely reduced the maneuvering space in the harbour and means that the setting of fenders and warps will now have to be undertaken outside the harbour not an easy task when single handed and if a day like we had on our visit. Rafting out on the main sections of pontoon appear restricted now.

I found the finger we used which are about 11/12 mtr and 1 mtr wide very very unstable when I stepped on and thought I was going to end in the water which would have happened had my other crew mate stepped on it.

Unless there has been a change the showers are still charged but I have never had a problem queueing for the showers since they were extended some time ago. Mary has got to be congratulated for how immaculate the toilets are kept.

We found on the Sunday night many of the restaurant kitchens were closed and we ate in the Victoria which would not be my first choice but we had a nice meal. Being a Cold Sunday night Tarbert was like a grave.

As to Portavdie I think in future it will be my port of call and the friendly welcome from Karen, Robert and their crew. The new toilets and showers are open and Robert says they are about the best around. The Restaurant missed the Easter opening but is due to open this weekend 25 April.
 
I have always thought of Tarbert as a dear harbour for a visitor. For a 10m boat with 6 crew it was more expensive than a marina if the crew had a shower, and 'lecky was on top.

Permanent mooring holders do get a good deal compared to a marina, AFAIK. On wandering up and down the pontoon and being introduced to folk last year I got the impression that many were not W/E visitors, but liveaboards spending money in the local shops if not the pubs/eateries.

Since the pubs put the prices up for the Series a while ago and the sailors voted with their feet, I hope the locals relise there is only so much cash can be bled out of the yachting fraternity and don't take the urine.

The new pontoons may or may not be a good thing, only time will tell. The long straight bits are left available for 60' boats! The permanent mooring holders in the finger berths may want to wind the clock back.

Lets face it, they have had all the fish, they have to make some cash somehow by diversifying into tourism.

Leaving Tarbert the road sign says Galsgow 98 miles.
 
Bit late to this thread but for what it's worth I was there at the end of March and spoke ot the Harbour Master who told me that as from April this year, the showers would be free and shore power would also be free.

I've been going there on and off for the last 4 years on a charter out of Largs and have always had a great time. I begrudged paying full price when we had to raft up 4 deep but not now it's nice spacious pontoons.

I know all this has been spurred on by the development at Portavadie but at least they are now putting the effort in. I will be visiting again in August but will be berthed in Portavadie as my parents are having one of the cottages there.
 
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