Scotland’s largest marina has adjusted their berthing layout to meet growing demand for berthing vessels up to 20m in length.
Largs Yacht Haven on the Firth of Clyde provides a sheltered, full-tide marina with berthing for over 700 boats plus up to 300 more in the boatyard serviced by a 75 ton boat hoist and Park & Launch service. The marina plays host to the famous Richard Mille Fife Regatta and the annual Largs Regatta Festival, as well as providing visitor berthing for over 4,000 visitor nights per year.
However, in recent years the popular marina has witnessed a change in demand for its visitor and resident pontoon berths. “We’ve seen a notable increase in the number of 15m to 20m vessels berthed at Largs Yacht Haven”, explains Marina Manager Dave Hewitt. “Berths for this size of boat can be hard to come by for owners so to meet this demand we have adjusted a number of finger berths to provide additional alongside berthing for 15m+ boats.”
With larger berths comes an increased demand for services so there were more changes required at the Yacht Haven to meet the demand. Dave continues, “We increased the number of 32Amp electric points which these larger vessels require, as well as installing additional cleats and more Wi-Fi access points to meet growing demand for connectivity. Eighteen months ago we also invested in a larger, 75 ton boat hoist to offer boatyard services to a wider range of vessels”
Based on the West Coast of Scotland, Largs Yacht Haven celebrates its 40th birthday this year after first opening in the spring of 1984. They are located to the south of Largs where a natural sandy beach lent itself to dredging and land reclamation, ultimately creating a new marina on the Firth of Clyde. With the expertise of the Kalis family (of Lymington Yacht Haven, now Yacht Havens Group), the vision for the marina took shape in the early 1980s before opening a few years later.
“The Yacht Haven means so much to the local community of Largs and Ayrshire, and the wider boating network,” Dave concludes. “We have a series of events planned to celebrate our ruby anniversary for berth holders and the wider community alike. 2024 is set to be an exciting year!”
For more information, visit www.yachthavens.com
