While he supports calls for a small facility, he hopes Shoalhaven City Council “doesn’t throw million of dollars at something that’s not really going to change the volume of yachters that come into Ulladulla Harbour”.

He told the Times an “absolute low budget, ‘el-cheapo’ temporary floating finger wharf would be favourable for older and less able people to get on and off boats".

“That would satisfy the needs of the few people that I could see stopping over in Ulladulla, maybe on their way from Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay,” he said.

“But a 20-berth marina is not going to bring millions of tourist dollars into town - it’s not going to attract the really big boats.

“For a marina to be viable it needs to be a minimum 100-berth.

“Then you will start to attract the accompanying chandleries, restaurants and coffee shops.”

Mr Douglass said he has weighed up the costs and financial benefits of the proposal mooted recently by mayor Paul Green and supported by Blessing of the Fleet Yacht Race coordinator Clive Cross.

“I understand where Clive’s coming from and I commend the mayor for coming to Ulladulla and trying to get something moving.

“A 20-berth marina is definitely something that will be used by locals and service a handful of visiting yachters.

“I just hope we don’t go overboard and end up with something that is not viable.”

A sailor of 47 years and former world, national and state taser champion, Mr Douglass has been to many marinas around the globe and, while he would love to see the State Government’s proposed harbour Masterplan include a world class marina in Ulladulla, he said it will never happen.

“There’s not a chance in hell that public works will allocate a massive budget like that to Ulladulla.

“A new outer harbour and large marina with all the facilities is what we need, but I can’t see it ever eventuating in my lifetime.

“Let’s face it, we’re not the Whitsundays - and we never will be,” he said.

Meanwhile, council has allocated $100,000 in next year’s budget to match a recent $100,000 State Government grant for a floating pontoon near the southern boat ramp at Ulladulla Harbour.

Mayor Paul Green said council was working with a number of state agencies in an effort to get the pontoon constructed as soon as possible to provide easier, safer and disabled access to private and charter boats.

He said a second floating pontoon was also proposed for the northern ramp, but funding is yet to be allocated.