Easdale RIB Rendezvous 2022 - Saturday 30th April 2022

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by Tony Hill

Takes less than 30 minutes but it is what we at Seafari allow. What the guys have previously sent is correct. Cuan Sound is the option. By sticking to around 50m to the north tip of Torsa means you miss the rocks. Head directly to the middle of Cuan Sound. Turn 90 degrees to port and aim for Cleit Rock Beacon. Judge what the tide is doing but basically as you close Cleit Rock Beacon, when you see the channel out to the west all clear turn west.
As you exit Cuan Sound, if you have strong wind vs tide and over falls cling to the north side of Luing. As you exit basically head for the Garvellachs keeping the over falls to starboard. Mind the rocks off Port Mary. When calm enough head for Easdale Sound.

East tide Cuan Sound starts maybe 2 hours before HW Oban
West tide starts 2 hours before LW Oban

Tony

Thanks Tony ,thats great info ,really appreciated
Noticed from the lunga cottages website there seem to be a few vacancies in their properties for said period if anybody considering it !

[SeafariCarolyn]

The weather forecast has changed as the week has progressed.

Both Friday and Sunday are excellent. Saturday, however, all forecasts are now consistently saying SE wind and rain. We may have to adapt with the possibility of changing Erraid to the Sunday.

Saturday’s wind around the Ross of Mull would have to be less than current forecast for us to head in that direction but, for the moment we stick to the plan.

The aim is to have a great enjoyable time. Please be safe on the water. We suggest travel in groups of at least 3 boats. Seafari does not take any responsibility for event safety. We just offer advice based on our experiences.
Emergency contact telephone 01852 300003.
Coastguard station is Stornoway.
Seafari boat - Celtic Voyager - vhf Ch16 and for general chat Ch77.

Team Seafari from previous years. Tony/Jess, Carolyn in the office, Roy will be around.
During the evening please remember that many locals live nearby and therefore we ask that noise is kept low and indeed we are quiet from 2300.

General points:
On arrival pull into the motorhome parking site, prepare your boat for launching. When ready, join the queue to launch across the beach. After launching please take your car and trailer to the back car park (signed Free Public Car park) at Ellnabeich. Park neatly and detach trailers please. Please do not park your car or trailer at the motorhome site. It is for motorhomes staying overnight.

Saturday - Oban HW 0621, LW 1242, HW 1833.

Seafari intends to take its cabin RIB Celtic Voyager departing Easdale 0930. Cruise speed circa 22 - 24 knots. Direct run to Erraid but we will stop for dolphins etc. There is a jetty at Erraid with steps to drop off passengers but RIBs must not tie up and block the steps. You may have to anchor and cadge a lift ashore.

Erraid is part of the Findhorn Foundation. Please respect this. They sell a very interesting book about the island £25 last time we visited. Signalling tower for Dubh Aartach and Skerryvore lights. Robert Louis Stevenson and Kidnapped. Balfour Bay, The Hanging Stone - a quick google will give you an idea !

Iona is the nearest watering hole but again it’s anchor and wade/row after dropping off your passengers. The Calmac ferry and the tour boats to Staffa take no prisoners if you block their access. You can tie up on the south side of the ferry ramp but it’s shallow and rocky. Do so at your own risk.

Then it’s decision time. Staffa, Fingal’s cave is 20 mins north. The Treshnish isles are excellent. Please do not take the boat under the seabird cliffs. Birds come off the nests and the gulls swoop and steal the exposed eggs.

You could continue north around the whole of Mull (approx 100 miles)
Tobermory for cafes, fuel etc.
You can return via the south route from any point. Call into Loch Buie, the cafe has been refurbished. Tea and cake !

Sunday -a later start at 1000. Possibly to Eileach an Naoimh. Back for a later lunch at Easdale. Some may head on to The Corryvreckan, Glen Garrisdale, Crinan or more.

The Oyster Bar (Lyden and Dawn) and The Puffer Bar (Jhennia and Rachael - new owners) will be open throughout the weekend.

Fees - there is an honesty system. Harbour/Mooring dues - £10 per night go to Eilean Eisdeal the local community trust who own and try to maintain the harbour as a viable concern. You can pay at the Seafari office or post at the white honesty box at the end of the island ferry shed.

Overnight (motorhome, campervans or camping) at the former Highland Arts site. £10 per unit/tent. Please pay at the Seafari office.

Ukrainian Appeal - Douglas (RIB Sula) is organising. Please consider this charity.
It’s been a while, here’s to a great weekend !
Team Seafari.

[SeafariCarolyn]

Message from Tony - please can all who are here spread the word to others in case they don't see this ....
Due to the weather forecast Erraid is not a sensible option.
Decision for tomorrow is -
0930 to Loch Tarbert on the West side of Jura. It’s an impressive sea loch but no facilities whatsoever.
Theoretically there is heavy rain from 1400.
From Loch Tarbert the decisions for skippers - Sound of Islay - you can visit the distilleries on the way down to Port Askaig - fuel available. Return via the same route or if forecast ok then complete the circumnavigation of Jura.
Option 2 providing there isn’t too much east in the wind, Colonsay.
Some may prefer a shorter day if the rain forecast proves correct, Loch Tarbert and back.
SUNDAY
The intention with the current forecast (sunshine and little wind) is Erraid on the SW corner of Mull. 1000 departure. Confirmation Saturday evening
Tony

[SeafariCarolyn]

Message from Tony re: tomorrow - please spread the word to anyone here who is nearby supping a pint who might not see this message !
According to the weather forecast (and today’s was pretty accurate, it did rain this afternoon) Erraid is on the cards for Sunday.
The wind will start dying later tonight. Today was a SW wind at Iona. By tomorrow morning it will be light Easterly so should knock the swell back. By mid afternoon it’s light northerly which will see Mull give good shelter for the return journey.
Celtic Voyager will depart Easdale 1000. At circa 20/22 knots ETA Erraid 1130. Couple of hours ashore. Bring sandwiches, no tearooms on Erraid. Iona is 10 mins away. Please remember do not block the Iona slipway.
Some may wish to head up to Staffa, Fingal’s Cave, there is a Puffin colony towards the NE corner of Staffa. Some may wish to circumnavigate Mull - total distance circa 100 miles. You can get petrol at Tobermory.
Celtic Voyager will return via the south of Mull departing Erraid/Iona circa 1415. Back Easdale for 1600. Some boats will want to be recovering to trailer and work Monday.
Tony

[Lemonbonbon]

Some pictures would be interesting

[neil.mccrirrick]

Fidden and dolphins en route

[neil.mccrirrick]

[neil.mccrirrick]

[neil.mccrirrick]

Apologies for duplicates I think it’s the app but it could well be me [emoji23]

[mhill]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

Attachment 140383

Wow, where was this?

[neil.mccrirrick]

Going up the side of Mull from Easdale towards Iona. Several sightings on the day [emoji106]

[Steve509926]

Great pictures Neil, looks ike it was a good trip.

[mick]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

Apologies for duplicates I think it’s the app but it could well be me [emoji23]

It’s the app

[Dan Gurney]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

Going up the side of Mull from Easdale towards Iona. Several sightings on the day [emoji106]

We had a similar encounter in the Sound of Mull on the Friday. Less jumping, more fast 'flybys'. They stayed with us from just after Craignure to level with Lochaline. I will *never* get blasé about dolphins!

[Orwell boy]

Great event ,thank you Tony and your team at Seafari ,pity about Saturday for us (bathed phone so no pictures ) ,but friday and sunday (with dolphins) made it all worthwhile ,many thanks to maverick and crew who showed us round Grey Dogs and Coryvecken on friday ,and those who encouraged us to go for Erraid on Sunday ,thanks all who helped with maps from our stay in craobh to easdale
If anybody needs idea of scale ,210 miles for us over 4 days using 160 litres of gas , r/c 5.3 and honda 100 hp .....thanks to all and look forward to the next

[paul barclay]

Hi Orwell Boy Pleased to meet you on friday afternoon my last rib was called maverick the
small 4.8 rc with 60hp suzuki is called viper and my friends rib is called vega. Great weekend saturday not so good but sunday easy made up for it right round mull and a small plane give us a aerial display coming down the sound of mull. Like to thank Tony and the team once again.

[pgtip]

Quick message to say thanks to Tony, Jess and the whole Seafari team. Another great weekend. Thanks for showing us around.

West Loch Tarbert and The Hole (Sat) was... wet, but good to be shown the safe way in. We'll try it again on a different weather day. Erraid (Sun) was fantastic topped off with dolphins in the Sound of Iona on the way back (& sunburn).

In addition to Sat & Sun, we also cruised to Loch Feochan/ Ardentallan Bay (shallow technical section on the way in/ out) and Oban on Fri, Carsaig Arches (couldn't find a spot to get ashore) and Loch Buie on Mon; Duntrune Castle, Crinan Basin and Corryvreckan (big! & more dolphins) on Tues; Balvicar Bay and Loch Melfort on Wed and finished our week with a sunset soiree around Luing on Fri.

Roll on next year and thanks again!

[beerbelly]

we missed this year but are heading up to luing in the morning for a week of hopefully good boating . hopefully this time we will make it to Tobermory looks like were due some wind mainly easterlies but everything can change . this time if we decide to go to gigha for lunch we will book as last time we ended up with cake and crisps from the shop as the boathouse was full .if anyone has any recommendations for places to visit while were there please speak up .

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

we missed this year but are heading up to luing in the morning for a week of hopefully good boating . hopefully this time we will make it to Tobermory looks like were due some wind mainly easterlies but everything can change . this time if we decide to go to gigha for lunch we will book as last time we ended up with cake and crisps from the shop as the boathouse was full .if anyone has any recommendations for places to visit while were there please speak up .

Enjoy your stay ,just went for the first time and without doubt will be booking for next year ,despite the 540 road miles each way,stayed at creobh lunga estate which was perfection ,with jetty and slipway and very fair price ,my only regret was not booking more nights ,take a look at it on your outings just a few miles from luing... wishing you happy boating ..enjoy