I am intending to arrive on the west coast of Scotland from the east coast of England end of July/ beginning of August this year.Maxi 84 sailing yacht.

Does anyone have experience of or able to suggest a reasonably priced mooring/marina for the rest of this season,followed by out of water winter storage on site?

First thing to say is there is little organised winter storage once north of Mull-there are a couple of small yards on Skye but one can only lift to about 4 tons and the other which uses a trailer with slings needs both local knowledge and a cradle.

In the summer there are both moorings and pontoon berths available often at local council maintained harbours-about £500 for the season-they do not charge by the metre rather up to certain lengths.

Plockton is well worth it-you can usually negotiate use of an unused locals mooring for a lot less than the visitors mooring which are about £5 per day-and great thing about Plockton is that you can catch a train back to Inverness(and link to Caledonian sleeper down to London/fly most places from Inverness airport) or Kyle of Lochalsh-or if you are rich fly in by light aircraft or helicopter.

In the winter if you want  value for money certainly would reccomend various options on Loch Creran north of Oban-nr. mouth of Loch as well as moorings they offer winter storage in a reasonably pound(an old quarry)-restricted no. of cradles so helps if you can provide your own/legs.Lifting is done on trailer with adjustable slings.

www.[b]creran[/b]-[b]moorings[/b].demon.co.uk

Alternative is

www.marineresourcecentre.co.uk

They have both outdoor and indoor facilities-a massive hanger which can take just about anything.

Caledonian Canal is also good value for money and very secure-you can get a winter mooring deal including passage in and out-about £400 for 10 metres BUT you have to have either your EEC building certfficate of compliance or a boatsafety certificate and thats exeptionally petty and buerocratic and costs you £120-works a bit like an MOT but you have to have things like the right nos. on your fuel lines;gas pipes;right dia tank breathers  etc.

Phil

Further South on the West Coast try:

 Jackie Kay, Ardrishaig Boatyard (at the enterance to the Crinan Canal) 01546 603280

(Handy for the Firth of Clyde, Bute, Arran etc but not much else, probably cheapest winter storage in the area)

Crinan Boatyard (opposite side of the Crinan Canal) 01546 830232. 

Then Northwarsd towards Oban-

Ardfern Yacht Centre: 018520500247

Craobh Haven: 01852 500222

Kilmelford 01852 200248

Dunstaffnage: 01631 566555

I have a mooring in Ardrishaig and Loch Sween (Achnamara), both capable of taking your boat and both checked out for this season. Still a novice I have not yet managed to work out how to use 2 moorings at the same time, so if you want you could use one for a short time. 

Hi David,

Many thanks for the info.

If we are stuck when we arrive in the west we will look for one of your moorings.

I will let you know when we emerge from the canal.Email your contact to :nealsett@hotmail.com

Cheers Neal

It maybe too late for you now, but Oban Marina may be able to help with swinging moorings to 50 tonnes, pontoon berths, a new cradle and on site winter storage with electrics, it could be something that suits.  Speak to Sue, the marina manager, on 01631 565 333, or visit the website at www.obanmarina.com

This is our second season there, and we've been happy with the service, so it may be worth a look.