Kerrera Marina has new leaseholders

[aquaplane]

If it was easy to get into town to go shopping, I might stay at Kerrera.

If they didn't rob excess electricity credit off the posts to make more off selling a hookup, I might stay at Kerrera.

Oban is not a place I go by choice, I go for food from Tesco and lately from Lidl. Now the transit pontoon has a £5 charge for a 1 hour stop ( though they got the funding for the pontoons to increase footfall in the town the previous £12.50 charge was self defeating) it's almost worth calling in to shop.

If my priority is to charge my batteries Kerrera doesn't even get a lookin, the showers are scottish excrement, it's dear, and I can't go ashore without using my own dinghy to cross the bay..

[Gardenshed]

Give the new leaseholders a try. Don’t judge them from previous experiences.

[Burst Boiler]

Id like to keep an open mind, but how many of the downsides can they do much about? They can certainly clean the bogs on a more regular basis which would be a start. But presumably not for them to refurbish the toilets and showers, or just knock the block down and build a new one. Ideally they would have had a commitment from the owner for a rolling programme of upgrades to his marina, paid for by him, written into the lease, but I doubt it. And do away with that carry on with buying a power card and selling it back at the end. The owner addressed some of the issues when he bought it, fixing the water and WiFi, but it feels like a half-finished project that he's lost interest in (or run out of money). The facilities lag behind the three nearest options- Craobh, North Pier and Lochaline by quite a margin. Is he still running the waypoint, or is that with the leaseholders?

[Nick]

BB is right. As leaseholders their ability to make changes is limited.

[Gardenshed]

Id like to keep an open mind, but how many of the downsides can they do much about? They can certainly clean the bogs on a more regular basis which would be a start. But presumably not for them to refurbish the toilets and showers, or just knock the block down and build a new one. Ideally they would have had a commitment from the owner for a rolling programme of upgrades to his marina, paid for by him, written into the lease, but I doubt it. And do away with that carry on with buying a power card and selling it back at the end. The owner addressed some of the issues when he bought it, fixing the water and WiFi, but it feels like a half-finished project that he's lost interest in (or run out of money). The facilities lag behind the three nearest options- Craobh, North Pier and Lochaline by quite a margin. Is he still running the waypoint, or is that with the leaseholders?

go there, speak to Tim the new lease, explain what you think needs too be done and give them a fair chance. if we just complain in private and don't use facilities, then don't be surprised if things don't change

[Burst Boiler]

You are, of course, correct. And over the winter I will send a thoughtful and constructive email to them once they are settled in. But I would just note that I tried to have a similar, constructive conversation with Gary Adams about water a number of year ago and found him to be arrogant, dismissive and not the least bit interested in what i had to say. However, as you say, nothing lost by trying again with the new people.

[claymore]

Just been reading this thread - am hoping we will be back on Claymore in September.
Do I understand you all to have said that the ferry from Kerrera is no longer running?

[Burst Boiler]

It does run, but a free return fare isn't included in the cost of a berth the way it used to be. Not sure about frequency, or when the last one back to the island is.

[claymore]

Thanks
I'd much prefer to be on Kerrera than on the Oban Pontoons, I think

[BlowingOldBoots]

If you are thinking of overwintering at Kerrera I would be concerned about easterly gales. Lowest probability based on current statistics but it just takes 1 easterly humdinger to do the damage and who knows with the global warming throw of the dice. In my opinion you do need to consider protection from all cardinal points if leaving the boat afloat all winter.

https://weatherspark.com/y/35100/Averag ... tions-Wind

[yannosman1v]

Good Luck and best wishes to both of you....

[Burst Boiler]

Id like to keep an open mind, but how many of the downsides can they do much about? They can certainly clean the bogs on a more regular basis which would be a start. But presumably not for them to refurbish the toilets and showers, or just knock the block down and build a new one. Ideally they would have had a commitment from the owner for a rolling programme of upgrades to his marina, paid for by him, written into the lease, but I doubt it. And do away with that carry on with buying a power card and selling it back at the end. The owner addressed some of the issues when he bought it, fixing the water and WiFi, but it feels like a half-finished project that he's lost interest in (or run out of money). The facilities lag behind the three nearest options- Craobh, North Pier and Lochaline by quite a margin. Is he still running the waypoint, or is that with the leaseholders?

Just been. What a difference. Most of the above has been addressed (showers have been tidied up, power is an easy plug in). Main difference is the staff though - plenty of them, interesting mix of people, and they seem genuinely happy to be there which creates a great atmosphere. Online info is still a bit of a mish-mash and sometimes outdated (web page doesn't match facebook for restaurant opening hours etc) and online berth booking is flaky, but the helpfulness of the staff more than compensates. No longer a last resort option.