The Clyde and Covid19

[davidpbo]

Last year we trailed our boat up the Clyde in May, launching and retrieving at Largs and had a lovely 3 weeks, quiet, no midges, easy to find marina berths and buoys., eat out etc.

We are considering a return visit in the next week or two for a few weeks, so end of July into August.
We have done it at that time of year before, but I wonder with the need to maintain distance and with some people at least being reticent
to crowd onto aircraft whether it is likely to be significantly more busy.

How easy is it likely to be to find marina berths or buoys? We are 24ft and can reduce draft to 1m or so.

Are people observing social distancing in marinas?
Are toilets and showers open?

Are restaurants and pubs open and if so is it outside only? is it difficult to get in ?

I am assuming shopping is OK, observing social distancing and wearing face covering I know the midges will be out in force.

Any other relevant information appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Marinas are open, from what I can tell you should book ahead. However many yachts are still on the hard so if you turn up you will get a space. Showers were closed at Kip Marina but toilets open. You will need to phone to check showers. One way systems operating in many shops, face masks are mandatory. Eateries are open with social spacing, beer gardens are open. Not sure if pubs are open inside yet, might be. So, yes, all opening up, social distancing is expected but not always practiced, need face masks inside shops, it’s the law up here.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Port Bannatyne marinais open, I am told, but the toilets are closed overnight because they can't clean them then. They have arranged an evening meal service with the Kingarth Hotel for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights - order by 4.30pm and dinner arrives at 7pm.

I shall be heading off for two or three weeks on Wednesday (I hope) so if you want to use my mooring at PB while I am away then your are very welcome. I'll PM some details.

 

[adwuk]

Much of the Clyde appeared mobbed over the weekend. I think everyone had the same idea! Saturday 4pm there was a traffic jam coming into Tarbert, and when we got to The Narrows at around 8pm it was standing room only in Caladh harbour, as well as most of the spots around the Burnt Islands. Breezy on Sunday and surprising to see the number of sailing boats whose sails aren't working after the long layup Looked like most of the Kames hotel moorings were taken, although a lot of boats still ashore in Tighnabruaich, with many empty moorings there. The pontoons by the lifeboat station still aren't connected ashore though, but do know that the Kames hotel are welcoming visitors.

 

[dunedin]

If you are arriving by trailer, I would be tempted to go a little bit further and come to the west coast - probably quieter than the Clyde, and a new area to explore.
Never had to launch a boat in this area, but suspect Ardfern, Craobh or Dunstaffnage would be able to assist - or find a public slipway if happy to DIY to save costs (a quick post on here would get you recommendations).

 

[davidpbo]

Not surprised to hear about the busy weekend.

Any idea whether there was room at Portavadie on the Saturday referred to? We like Tarbet but are quite happy at Portavadie

Being somewhat nesh sailors in small boat and our first time on the Clyde we spent a lot of time between the there and Tarbet because of an "Exceptional Low over Iceland) in 2008 ending up with us buying an 8 week old puppy and having the roughest sail we had had getting off a lee shoe opposite the Crinan Lock having collected him.

He will be accompanying us.

 

[davidpbo]

If you are arriving by trailer, I would be tempted to go a little bit further and come to the west coast - probably quieter than the Clyde, and a new area to explore.
Never had to launch a boat in this area, but suspect Ardfern, Craobh or Dunstaffnage would be able to assist - or find a public slipway if happy to DIY to save costs (a quick post on here would get you recommendations).

Probably a bit late for us to look into this now, but thanks. We can launch ourselves but need a good sheltered slipway with a pontoon beside it, we have to use a 10m strop and float on and off the trailer. We know Largs, they are very helpful.

 

[Railbob]

Not surprised to hear about the busy weekend.

Any idea whether there was room at Portavadie on the Saturday referred to? We like Tarbet but are quite happy at Portavadie

Being somewhat nesh sailors in small boat and our first time on the Clyde we spent a lot of time between the there and Tarbet because of an "Exceptional Low over Iceland) in 2008 ending up with us buying an 8 week old puppy and having the roughest sail we had had getting off a lee shoe opposite the Crinan Lock having collected him.

He will be accompanying us.

This was Portavadie on Saturday.

 

[cherod]

if you are coming from england then do not forget proof of you Negative test result .

 

[adwuk]

if you are coming from england then do not forget proof of you Negative test result .

Most of the folk up here will be welcoming, and very pleased when you support local business. The rest will be locked up in their houses, in fear of the plague, so will stay out of your way. No test result required, but you do have to wear masks in shops.

 

[davidpbo]

This was Portavadie on Saturday.

Room for small one then.

 

[sigimae]

if you are coming from england then do not forget proof of you Negative test result .

You really are a welcoming charmer aren't you, interestingly some of us little englanders who keep our boats in Scotland because we love the place, scenery, sailing and generally the welcome, may actually be at more risk from youse lot.
Latest figures for Dorset: Total Cases to 21 July - 610, Coronavirus related deaths to 10 July - 161
Latest figures for Ayrshire and Arran: Total Cases to 21 July - 1269, Coronavirus related deaths to 12 July - 293
Maybe when I return to my boat at Troon later this week I should be asking for the proof of your negative result, hopefully though I shall only be seeing the vast majority of genuinely nice people as normal and not an obnoxious arrse like you and your alter egos........
It must be about time for the goose to fly again......

 

[cherod]

Most of the folk up here will be welcoming, and very pleased when you support local business. The rest will be locked up in their houses, in fear of the plague, so will stay out of your way. No test result required, but you do have to wear masks in shops.

I wonder how much local business the odd yacht showing up at an island or remote area will support

 

[cherod]

You really are a welcoming charmer aren't you, interestingly some of us little englanders who keep our boats in Scotland because we love the place, scenery, sailing and generally the welcome, may actually be at more risk from youse lot.
Latest figures for Dorset: Total Cases to 21 July - 610, Coronavirus related deaths to 10 July - 161
Latest figures for Ayrshire and Arran: Total Cases to 21 July - 1269, Coronavirus related deaths to 12 July - 293
Maybe when I return to my boat at Troon later this week I should be asking for the proof of your negative result, hopefully though I shall only be seeing the vast majority of genuinely nice people as normal and not an obnoxious arrse like you and your alter egos........
It must be about time for the goose to fly again......

“ youse lot “ interesting tho not unexpected attitude , perhaps a financial bond should also be requested regarding your behaviour as you lot have somewhat of a reputation when abroad .

 

[cherod]

You really are a welcoming charmer aren't you, interestingly some of us little englanders who keep our boats in Scotland because we love the place, scenery, sailing and generally the welcome, may actually be at more risk from youse lot.
Latest figures for Dorset: Total Cases to 21 July - 610, Coronavirus related deaths to 10 July - 161
Latest figures for Ayrshire and Arran: Total Cases to 21 July - 1269, Coronavirus related deaths to 12 July - 293
Maybe when I return to my boat at Troon later this week I should be asking for the proof of your negative result, hopefully though I shall only be seeing the vast majority of genuinely nice people as normal and not an obnoxious arrse like you and your alter egos........
It must be about time for the goose to fly again......

Well may i disrespectfull suggest that you stay in Dorset , but it is a bit of a boring ass place , isnt it ?

 

[dunedin]

Probably a bit late for us to look into this now, but thanks. We can launch ourselves but need a good sheltered slipway with a pontoon beside it, we have to use a 10m strop and float on and off the trailer. We know Largs, they are very helpful.

Great. And yes Largs is a great place to launch, and many nice island anchorages very close by.

Enjoy your trip to the Clyde.

 

[stevie69p]

To the OP:
Visitors' moorings are now in at Millport and at Brodick, plus those that were already in place at Lamlash. I tend to mostly anchor so can't really help with the marina situation.

 

[Skylark]

if you are coming from england then do not forget proof of you Negative test result .

I’ve just returned from my first, few days visit to The Clyde, post CV. As usual, everyone was warm and welcoming. Common sense CV precautions were being observed by all.

The only anti-English venom seems to be confined to a few sad posters on here. Shame really.

 

[davidpbo]

We have now been up here for a week and a half. Launched at Largs spent a few days there because o minor problems. Sailed up to Kip and spent 2 nights there because of heavy rain. On to Rhu, across to James Watt Dock up to the head of Loch Goyle day off the boat there.

The next day was not a pleasant start, set to leave at a sensible time to catch a bit of the falling tide and some favourable wind, coming off the mooring we ran over it and got it wrapped around the keel. It took about 2 hours to free it by untying the pick up buoy once I had found the loop. The pick up buoy was attached by a recognisable knot that I could untie unseen under water. I had put a line of ours around the buoy to take the strain off the mooring strop so we were still attached to the buoy.

I attached a fender that I was prepared the leave to the mooring strop in lieu of the pick up buoy.

Just after I got back on the boat from the tender and we were about to leave, the pick up buoy bobbed free so I was able to retrieve it, reattach it and retrieve the fender. Fortunately no damage to us or the mooring.

We missed the favourable tides and wind and after a disastrous attempt at sailing between Carrick Castle past Coalport had to lower the sails and motor because the wind was right on the nose and I was tired and aching after the exploits to free the mooring.

We did get up t to the head of Loch Long and have spent two nights there, with a walk over to Loch Lomond,.

I am amazed how empty it is when we are sailing and so far we have not had a problem getting a berth or mooring.

Social distancing is so so and difficult with a dog people want to say hello to and stroke.

 

[wully1]

Social distancing is so so and difficult with a dog people want to say hello to and stroke.

you or the dog?