Oban - new pontoons open yet?

willk · 02 July 2017, 21:39

Anyone know if the new pontoons in Oban Harbour are open yet? I know they are in situ, but heard a rumour that there was a delay/unhappiness about trading?

jambo · 02 July 2017, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Anyone know if the new pontoons in Oban Harbour are open yet? I know they are in situ, but heard a rumour that there was a delay/unhappiness about trading?

No still in the process of building according to the sailing forum.

jambo · 02 July 2017, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

No still in the process of building according to the sailing forum.

Just the finishing work to be completed

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Last Tango · 03 July 2017, 05:54

Had a "drive-by" yesterday looks as though the ramp up to the car park ends in a fenced building compound but there are a couple of comercial boats on what looks like the floating break water.
I'm going to take a run round with the boat today, have a proper look and I'll post an up to date report tonight.

Maximus · 03 July 2017, 08:37

Looked a fair way off when we were there recently ....but will be a real boon when complete

willk · 03 July 2017, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

I'm going to take a run round with the boat today, have a proper look and I'll post an up to date report tonight.

Cheers ears. Don't forget yer camera

I'm probably up that way Wednesday and was looking for handy overnight berth - looks like Kerrera again. No harm but extra faffing about.

Last Tango · 03 July 2017, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Cheers ears. Don't forget yer camera

I'm probably up that way Wednesday and was looking for handy overnight berth - looks like Kerrera again. No harm but extra faffing about.

We had a run over there today. Pontoons definitely not ready. We had a chap on the construction barge get quite excited jumping up and down and waving his arms about as we approached. It looks like the breakwater is out and the main pontoon arms but with no berthing fingers yet.
They'll no doubt get it finished for the end of the season and by the start of next season it will be fully taken up by local charter boats, fishing boats and assorted rotting hulks they couldn't find anywhere else to put. any remaining space permanently "reserved" for the cruise ship tenders that'll turn up once a month.

willk · 03 July 2017, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

We had a run over there today. Pontoons definitely not ready. We had a chap on the construction barge get quite excited jumping up and down and waving his arms about as we approached. It looks like the breakwater is out and the main pontoon arms but with no berthing fingers yet.
They'll no doubt get it finished for the end of the season and by the start of next season it will be fully taken up by local charter boats, fishing boats and assorted rotting hulks they couldn't find anywhere else to put. any remaining space permanently "reserved" for the cruise ship tenders that'll turn up once a month.

Hmmm, well, despite the outcome, many thanks for swinging by. Kerrera it is!

I should probably have just asked were the best fish dinner and boozer is!

Poly · 03 July 2017, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

hmmm, well, despite the outcome, many thanks for swinging by. Kerrera it is!

I should probably have just asked were the best fish dinner and boozer is!

56.0267° n, 5.6211° w

willk · 03 July 2017, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

56.0267° n, 5.6211° w

Hmmm. I had a VERY hit or miss experience there last year. Mainly due to the chaos caused by fresh fish (hired for the season). I wouldn't rule it out for lunch on the return leg though. Sea miles are hungry miles

jambo · 04 July 2017, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Hmmm. I had a VERY hit or miss experience there last year. Mainly due to the chaos caused by fresh fish (hired for the season). I wouldn't rule it out for lunch on the return leg though. Sea miles are hungry miles

Oh! So we won't leave the light on then. BFYI it has changed hands this year.

willk · 05 July 2017, 17:06

Nice stop on Colonsey on the way north today. Got our passports checked by Last Tango and Breezeblock when we looked in at Easdale. Nice to meet you all, shame it was a hello & goodbye. We just made the 5pm ferry off Kerrera, next one was 7pm and we will be pubbing by 6.30 :-)

Poly · 05 July 2017, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Got our passports checked by Last Tango and Breezeblock when we looked in at Easdale.

Standards are slipping. I can only assume you played the grandmother line again...

willk · 05 July 2017, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Standards are slipping. I can only assume you played the grandmother line again...

Oh, I have Scroatish blood from three sides. donegaldan is a actual half blood. We should have our own tartan ;-)

Poly · 05 July 2017, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Oh, I have Scroatish blood from three sides. donegaldan is a actual half blood. We should have our own tartan ;-)

Is that not yours he's wearing here?

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/...ure-id74539612

willk · 05 July 2017, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Is that not yours

Cheek!

Last Tango · 06 July 2017, 06:37

Good to meet Wilk and crew......Nice boat

We were given an accurate opening date for the pontoons from one of the workers on the site.

......"maybe a week, maybe a month...when they're finished"

Helpful or what ?

Ceejay · 06 July 2017, 08:22

I live on Lismore, and was looking forward to being able to nip across to Oban in my RIB, be it for work, play or even just a Chinese carry out, and having somewhere safe and secure to tie up.
However, I asked one of my local councillors a couple of weeks ago about the charging regime that will be in place, and he hadn't any idea what it would be.
I was hoping that in view of the recent statement by the Scottish Government that they would be supporting initiatives to make island living more attractive and less burdensome, that perhaps an annual fee at a reasonable rate might be on the cards. The councillor's reply did not gladden my heart, as he told me that in order for the Council facility not to be seen to competing unfairly with local marinas, the charges imposed would be in the order of 20% greater than the berthing fees that they charge.
If correct, this tells me that the new pontoon facility is intended to be used by visitors and the needs and aspirations of locals have not been considered.
Looks like the solution for me may be to take a dinghy with me, chuck out an anchor and row ashore. It would be so much easier for many reasons to being able to just tie up and walk ashore.

Last Tango · 06 July 2017, 09:56

This is kind of typical of councils. They overprice and over regulate facilities to the point that they don't get used and a few years later the disuse is their excuse for not maintaining it and it ends up closed.
For a model that actually works, look at Tobermory.....buzzing.

Poly · 06 July 2017, 18:01

Ceejay, dunstaffnage and kerrera marina are 2.50/m per 24hrs (less in winter). So by extrapolation a short stay pontoon would be about 10p per m per hr. I am sure you wouldn't mind paying 12p to ensure it was not unfair to the marina!

Since neither marina offer walk ashore facilities in a small town, and since the pontoons aren't going to be for mid-long term use, I am not sure they are competing in any way.