Redbay - Gigha Cruise, April 10, 2010

[willk]

After the unhappiness of last season, Redbay Boats took no chances for the Inaugural Outing of the Redbay Cruising Club and ordered in a generous supply of Perfect Weather from the Solent and Special Water from Cork. The scene was set:

0530 Great Alarum and Woe in Donegal – A Start is made.
0645 Donegaldan ripped untimely from his slumber and added to the pile of kit in the 110.
0930 Are last boat to arrive in Redbay for The Gathering. Glad to see lots of smaller open boats.
1030 The pair of John Deeres have launched the last “Heavy” and after a radio check, the first leg to Kintyre begins with Molly James on Point. The 1050 (aka The Beast) chivvies the stragglers. Corryvreckan hosts a small group of Refined Boaters in Style. We batter on in Wellies.
1200 The fleet regroups off Earadale Point on the Mull after a nice 28kt run in a following F3.
1300 Arrive Ardminish Bay, Gigha under blue skies. Welcoming Committee of 15-20 dolphins put on a display under blue skies. Suspect Redbay of running a “Hearts and Minds” marketing campaign.
1400 Finish a buffet lunch in the garden of the Gigha Hotel (nice place, good people) – Check beer. Beer good, recheck.
1430 Attempt to depart Gigha for Rathlin Island. Starboard engine fails. Enter Kevin, Stage Left, (Marine Motors, Cork – top lad) who diagnoses a fecked fuel pump. Much head shaking and muttering about “more delay, less time in the pub” ensues. Corryvreckan clamps a tow line on us (I prefer “assist line”) and we become the fastest 6.5m 90hp in the west. Discover that a 28kt tow in a F4 head sea is sporty. Don our man Sonar's old geckos. Are well pleased. Catch air. Catch water. Have good old laugh when Donegaldan's Halkey Roberts lifejacket fires. Yes Folks, it DOES happen!
1645 Arrive North cliffs of Rathlin. Cast off tow and give Tom “The Bird”. Make 22.5kts on one engine and are first in the pub. Change into dry kit.
1715 Steal a head start and begin a run for Redbay on single 90. Arrive first (suspect still Happy Hour at Rathlin).
1815 Attend a drifting Bowrider off Redbay quay – standby until Redbay RNLI 75 takes charge.
1830 Recover rib and RV in the Yacht Club. Check beer. Beer good, recheck.
2000 Dinner in Cushendall, beer, craic. Thanks Martin .
2200 – Late. Pub, beer, three sessions running, auld chat, fierce scandal, mighty craic.

Thanks to all involved - good ribbers and good company.



Pics courtesy of DonegalDan

[willk]

Heading North

[willk]

Gigha

[willk]

A Perfect Day

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by willk

mighty craic.

Aye .. sounds like it .. looks like it nice one

Weve all had it good up the North & West coast this weekend ... even the god fearing cheuchters get their ferries out on Sundays up here in the North Minch now and about time too ....

[jambo]

HI 'W' it was a great day on the sound and all over the west as Bigmuz said. I am sorry I missed you all but I had myself under my rib doinf the antifouling thank god it is done, moreon me than the rib!!
Anyway you got a great welcome from the fishes and yes the grub and beer are very good at the hotel.
Glad you all got home sae and enjoyed your craic.
Hope you will be up again.
Cheers
Billy

[donegaldan]

Big thanks to Tom, Gary and the rest of the guys who blasted trough the waves.
It was a great day, and surprisingly somewhat like a summers day..
Great to see boats like the Redbay 1050 doing circuits of us at +50 Knots.
Try taking photos when you have a closing speed of two ribs somewhere near 90 knots!!!

Overall an experience to be repeated.
Thanks guys