Kerrera Marina has new leaseholders

[Nick]

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Kerrera couple Tim and Gill Vollum are to take over the lease of the island’s Oban Marina on September 1.

They are taking the helm from owners Gary Adams and Catherine Peat, who are planning to take their boat on more sailing adventures.

One of the Vollum’s first moves will be to rename Oban Marina ‘Kerrera Marina’ to distinguish it from Oban’s North Pier Pontoons opposite.

https://sailscotland.net/kerrera-couple ... nd-marina/

[cpedw]

Just read about this in the Oban Times. They report that the diesel and water supplies have recently been improved, along with better Wifi. The new road on Kerrera between the Gallanach ferry and the north end will give a (much longer) alternative route to the mainland compared to the marina ferry.

[Gardenshed]

great news
we've always enjoyed staying at Kerrera and thought that the previous owners/operators had tried very hard to make it work.

[stevepick]

Agreed , good news. Sounds like the basis for future development is there with better water and fuel access. I hope this works out for the new leaseholders.

[Burst Boiler]

Good luck to them. Not sure about the name (visitors wondering where Kerrera is?) maybe Oban Kerrera Marina would indicate the location, or Oban Island Marina make it sound more exotic. There's a nice article on the history of the place in the Royal Highland yearbook (copies lying about at Ardfern).

Sounds like they have a better handle on the locality and the reality and natural challenges of the place. I think a lot of the improvements mentioned in the article actually happened quite a few years ago. The boreholes were certainly done a while ago, although I think part of the problem was storing the water produced which they then addressed by adding a bigger storage tank.

Having diesel is a big plus,and the one advantage they have over the north pier pontoons.

[marisca]

Popped into Kerrera for diesel on 7th July. No dice. Only if I was staying the night. Got some in Tobermory.

[Burst Boiler]

How long did you have to wait for mcKays to send someone down to unlock the pump? Its at the ridiculous stage there now, but I'm not going up with cans when there's a pump there.

[marisca]

I took the cans to the pump. I gave up waiting for pump service years ago.

[BlowingOldBoots]

Popped into Kerrera for diesel on 7th July. No dice. Only if I was staying the night. Got some in Tobermory.

An attitude that limits sales and produces a negative customer experience. Why would it matter if you are not staying the night? A better solution would be to fill up and give you a voucher for 5% off a 1 night stay to entice you back, give a big thank you for your business, and send you on your way a happy customer. Heck, make the voucher have a limited time period, to encourage its use.

[Burst Boiler]

I'm not a fan of the owner, but in this case I see his point. Must be frustrating seeing overnighters staying at the north pier and just coming over for diesel on the way out. I bumped into an acquaintance on the north pier (it buffed out) who did get diesel from Kerrera, but said it was more expensive than expected. This seems a better approach - maybe they were just running low and were keeping back supplies for marina users on some occasions. And mckays at Tobermory should charge a bit more if running the dock pump is a pain. Tightwads can always trundle up with cans and get the normal rate at the red pump at the garage.

[marisca]

I'm not a fan of the owner, but in this case I see his point. Must be frustrating seeing overnighters staying at the north pier and just coming over for diesel on the way out. I bumped into an acquaintance on the north pier (it buffed out) who did get diesel from Kerrera, but said it was more expensive than expected. This seems a better approach - maybe they were just running low and were keeping back supplies for marina users on some occasions. And mckays at Tobermory should charge a bit more if running the dock pump is a pain. Tightwads can always trundle up with cans and get the normal rate at the red pump at the garage.

I resemble the inference I'm a "tightwad" - just experience of waiting for service and 20l was enough.
The lady at Kerrera did explain (moan) about the North Pier pontoons stealing business and then sending boats across for fuel. I, as a "tightwad", was on a borrowed mooring in Cardingmill Bay ..... and I only wanted 25l.

[Gardenshed]

I assume you are still dealing with the existing leaseholders and not the new ones. The new operators take over on September 01 so we should be clear so that we give the new team a fair crack of the whip, they may have a very different approach

[Burst Boiler]

I resemble the inference I'm a "tightwad" - just experience of waiting for service and 20l was enough
The lady at Kerrera did explain (moan) about the North Pier pontoons stealing business and then sending boats across for fuel. I, as a "tightwad", was on a borrowed mooring in Cardingmill Bay ..... and I only wanted 25l.

Sorry, no offence intended and I wasn't referring to your good self. For Tobes, I would have thought a bit of investment in a pay at pump machine like is common at petrol stations, with a premium price for the convenience of 42 foot blue ensigners, and the option of lugging cans for the economically enlightened.

[marisca]

There you go again .... if I only had another 10' (who said "size doesn't matter"?) then as a proud wearer of an undefaced blue, I would be offended

[Burst Boiler]

Sorry, no offence intended. I've seen a lot more Scottish marine ensigns this year - red duster with a saltire. Although I suspect they use spent chip fat rather than diesel (let me get my tin hat . . .).