UK cruising advice

Oct 30, 2019
12
Hi All,

I'm staying aboard my Vega Debonair in London at the moment, but I'm
planning on going away for a longer cruise for a month or two over the
summer. I was thinking of going up the east coast and maybe trying to get
through the Caledonian canal before the winter weather starts. Then
winterising Debonair somewhere around Oban, either afloat or ashore. (with
the aim of coming back to the east coast the long way over the next few
Easter/Summer breaks).

Are there any Vega owners around that area? Does anyone have any advice
about where to go/how to get around/good mooring spots and boatyards up
there? Am I being ambitious to get round there in the time? I've always
wanted to sail off the coast of north west Scotland.

Cheers,
Tom[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Tom

Quite a few Vegas in that area. Fairwinds and Nick Bowles is in that
area. He can be contacted on HYPERLINK
"mailto:nick@..."nick@... His Vega is berthed at
Balvicar on Seil Island.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)
 
Oct 31, 2019
6
Hi Tom
I live on the North Coast of Ireland at a town called Cole aine. 40 miles almost due North are the Inner Hebrides Islay being closest.
I have spend at least 3 weeks sometimes 4/5 cruising the NW coast of Scotland every summer for the past 20 years in our Vega "Curlew".
Go for it, you are in for a real treat. Plenty of places to keep your yacht.
The scenery is great, the sailing superb and most important the people are wonderful and of course the local beverages, enough said.
In 3 weeks we can usualy manage as far North as Stornaway and home.
On one trip we met Fairwinds in Tobermorey and as Steve says he keeps his yacht around Oban.
You should have no problems around NW Scotland. We use The ClydeCrusing Club's books.
David Daly
 

kyeira

.
Dec 23, 2000
4
Hello Tom

Any of the following will be able to help you on you passage from the Caledonian Canal basin onward.
North to South:
Corpach Boat Builders 01397772861 (Fort William area)
Creran Moorings 01631720265 (8 miles north of Oban)
Marine Resource Centre 01631720291 (8 miles north of Oban)
Dunstaffnage Marina 01631566555 (2 miles north of Oban)
Ardoran Marine 01631566123 (Oban)
Craobh Yacht Haven 01852500222 (20 miles south of Oban)
Ardfern Yacht Centre 01852500247 (30 miles south of Oban)

The Marine Resource Centre has inside storage the others outside. The smaller facilities Corpach, Creran, Marine Resource Centre and Ardoran will probably be cheaper than the others.
Hope this helps.
Paul Macintyre
 
Aug 3, 2005
66
Thanks a lot for all your help everyone! I'm really looking forward to this
(and next) summer's cruising.

Cheers,
Tom