Easdale RIB Rendezvous 2/3 May 2015 - Page 11

Tony Hill · 30 April 2015, 07:16

Easdale RIB Rendezvous final update
I travelled through to Perth earlier in the week, no road works between Crianlarich and Oban.
The weekend forecast one has to admit is not great on the wind front. Overhead conditions are given as basically dry but cold. As the wind is from the east or ESE all is not lost. I certainly will be advising against heading to Colonsay/Scalasiag. Once you clear the shelter of Garvellachs/Jura the seas are likely to build and there will be rollers heading into Scallasaig.
As we claim there is always somewhere to go boating locally due to the number of island here current thoughts are a trip to the head of Loch Etive with stops along the wayat somewhere like Taynuilt/Bonawe. A visit to the furnace is worth the stop alone. I am attempting to seek information of whether we can tie up easily anywhere locally.
If there is anyone on the forum who ‘has the local knowledge’ I would be grateful if you could contact me on oban@seafari.co.uk or telephone the Seafari Ticket Office 01852 300003.
Your checklist should include
Have you booked your meals - The Puffer Bar (01852 300022) or The Oyster Bar (01852 300121)
The Puffer Bar will also have a pay as you go BBQ on Saturday
Seafari Ticket Office will not be listening on either CH 16 orCH77. You can book out/in with them by visiting the shop, use Stornoway Coastguard. Seafari’s boat Celtic Voyager (or Seafari) will be listening in on 16 and 77.
Organising Moorings.
With the forecast, I am of the opinion I will be keeping my RIBs in the harbour rather than bouncing about in theSound. It will be just a bit more crowded in the harbour and organisation required. For those with larger RIBs who would normally use a mooring, we will make provision in the harbour where you will not ground out. Smaller boats to the fore and aft moorings. There will be plenty of Seafari staff to assist.
With the tide heights given we as Seafari would expect to get our boats in/out of the harbour at all states of the tide.

We look forwards to meeting friends old and new

Team ERR 2015

Poly · 30 April 2015, 08:36

Tony, do you know the guys at http://www.taynuilt.net/business-and...s/attractions/ they operate from a pier at Taynuilt. I'm not sure who owns it, there's not space for forty boats but if there was a small number and the rest anchored off, or rafted up it could work. it's a short walk to the Bonawe furnace from there.

9D280 · 01 May 2015, 10:34

Baby asleep. I now have an hour to fit the new cable & helm then refit the battery..... hopefully no work to be done in the car park......

9D280 · 01 May 2015, 12:02

Ok the engine is going to have to come off.

... see you all later.

Xk59D · 01 May 2015, 18:26

Gorgeous day at easdale-rib-rendezvous.

Wee jaunt to corryvekyn under belt, amazing place.

Boat sitting back on trailer at puffin as they wouldn't let me leave it against wall to go get some kip, no sleep for 28 hours isn't ideal. I didn't have a dinghy to make use of the mooring so out she came.... Note to self, buying a sib.

Maybe see some of you tomorrow.

Tony Hill · 02 May 2015, 06:58

awoke this morning, blue skies, calm seas, all peaceful. Certainly not to forecast however the decision is to stick to Plan B. Loch Etive remains the decision.
0930 departure first boat away, 0945 last boat away.
Head north, I shall head up Kerrera Sound.
Out at the north end then hang a right, past dunstaffnage, under the Connel Bridge and into loch Etive.
Going under the bridge keep to the right hand side.
I shall stop at Kelly's Pier and visit the ironworks at Bonawe and probably walk to Robins Nest for coffee.
Then I intend to head right to the end of this spectacular glen, possibly land and go for a walk.

Back down the loch and depending on time some are thinking of heading up to Port Appin for tea at Pierhouse Hotel, around the north end of lismore then head back to Easdale under the bridge at Clachan Seil.

Tony

John Kennett · 02 May 2015, 07:14

Blue sky over Seil!

West coaster · 02 May 2015, 07:22

Why does the car always play up on the day that you need it. Hopefully get it fixed this morning and meet everyone on the loch.!!

A1an · 03 May 2015, 20:20

Another enjoyable ERR.

Its a pity the weather put paid to Colonsay, plan B was a good run none the less.

Good company, good food and a few drams, what more could you want.

Many thanks to Tony and Seafari staff.

jambo · 03 May 2015, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

Another enjoyable ERR.

Its a pity the weather put paid to Colonsay, plan B was a good run none the less.

Good company, good food and a few drams, what more could you want.

Many thanks to Tony and Seafari staff.

Yep another big plus 1 from me thanks to all see you next year

mick · 03 May 2015, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Yep another big plus 1 from me thanks to all see you next year

Yup good weekend great to meet you guys again

Bern Hanreck · 04 May 2015, 07:24

Also like to add our big thank you to Tony and Crew for all the help and hard work over the weekend . The run on Sunday in Nomad was superb.

John Kennett · 04 May 2015, 10:17

I managed to get up tot the ERR for the first time this year and it was good to put a few more faces to names. Thanks to Tony for making it happen, and thanks to willk for arranging a handy Redbay for me to play with

Here are a few random pictures that I snapped on Saturday as further proof of the fine weather!

John Kennett · 04 May 2015, 10:19

And a few more...

kerny · 04 May 2015, 11:00

Some nice shots there Jk especially the one of the back of willks head

. Glad you all had a good weekend :thumbup:

SeafariCarolyn · 04 May 2015, 12:00

Easdale RIB Rendezvous 2015 Report

One of the claims made by Easdale is that generally, whatever the weather, you can get out in your RIB and find relative shelter. With the forecast as given (Force 6 gusting Force 8) an early decision was made to change the destinations. Colonsay seems to be a jinx. Year 1 we headed to Colonsay and got a bit of a battering on the return leg as the wind did not drop as per forecast. This year we didn’t even have the ‘dropping wind’ forecast. Indeed the wind was scheduled to increase to Force 9 Saturday night.
Option B was to head deep into Loch Etive. Some who had signed up to come obviously had second thoughts due to the forecast however we believe 39 RIBs participated in Saturday’s activities.
Friday, the day most people arrived in Easdale could only be described as stunning. Blue skies, calm seas, it was difficult to imagine what was about to happen. Easdale harbour was crowded as Seafari had elected to keep their RIBs in the harbour and advised the larger boats attending that they should do similar. It was an impressive sight. The Oyster Bar and The Puffer were full of good banter and despite the late night everyone was ready for the 0930 departure with a steady stream of RIBs heading out along the narrow channel. A quick brief on the VHF and we were off.
North through the Sound of Kerrera and taking the narrow channel between the islands past Dunstaffnage the first and perhaps only challenge was under the bridge at The Falls of Lora. It had been mentioned for boats to keep in close to the right but perhaps some were not aware how close was close. There were a few deep breaths to ‘narrow’ the width of the fleet and we were all through.
Local Seafari knowledge ended at the bridge. We had never been asked to work up the loch but Donald, the former operator of Loch Etive Cruises agreed to meet and help us at Kelly’s Pier Taynuilt. It was heading towards low water and we had had cautioned against trying to berth by some. Good old Donald was great. Park here, do this send some to the next jetty etc and 37 boats were tied alongside. The intention had been to visit the Ironworks but many did not take the culture option. It was coffee and cream cakes everyone was after. Some were prepared to actively pursue this goal and easily accepted the 10 minute walk. Others just returned to their boats for flasks and whatever else had been packed. The reward for those who made the effort was the Community Hall where the group sent the local ladies into panic as they demolished cakes and coffee. It was great value. I had a piece of very light sponge baked by the vicar, more air than substance perhaps but excellent none the less.
Then the trip to the head of the Loch. What spectacular views of a glaciated valley, steep mountains sprinkled in snow. Some tied up to the timber loading jetty and took a short walk. Others felt their stomachs rumbling and headed for the Pierhouse Hotel Port Appin. A shot trip up a wee loch I hear some say. From the Falls of Lora to the head of the Loch is about 20nm. For one boat it was a bit of nostalgia. His mother had been born in the small croft house on the south side of Scarba at the entrance to the Gulf of Corryvreckan. As a young girl the family had moved to the upper reaches of Loch Etive. His mother describes the latter location as significantly more isolated than the former.
The Pierhouse Hotel is owned by someone with a RIB – Nick – no excuses next year, was a welcome call for cream tea although some actually made it for a late seafood lunch. A quick circumnavigation of Lismore before facing the wind and swell back to the shelter of Kererra Sound, Oban and finally Easdale.
Yes it was cold but it didn’t rain and we were for most parts out of the wind. Everyone returned safely to Easdale some with different tales to tell.
39 boats in the group but only 37 at Keey’s Pier. Two stuck with Plan A and headed to Colonsay. They landed safely, lunch in the hotel. Again excellent but their stay was curtailed by a visit from the Coastguard who strongly recommended they depart soonest as the forecast was building. Departing Scallasaig they claim their top speed was 9 knots but it was hull and props out of the water time. A bit of a fight back.
Photos have been posted on Facebook and will now try to upload on here as well !

Best wishes, team ERR.

9D280 · 04 May 2015, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

Also like to add our big thank you to Tony and Crew for all the help and hard work over the weekend .

+1

Also big thanks to the Helms & crews of "Tigger" & "Not Again 2" for letting me borrow a seat.

I am now off to buy a jump start pack & remove the useless emergency pull start rope from my toolbox.....

Xk59D · 04 May 2015, 13:54

got to meet a couple of you briefly, hopefully manager longer next year.

thanks for organisers and to Douglas for the wee jaunt on friday afternoon, was the best of the weather by far and worth the trip for that alone.

hopefully see you all again next year and i'll be back in a few weeks to explore some more, suffice to say i'll not be going to puffin dive centre again though.

Small video, not edited yet. I have about 10 to edit so be a wee while.