Easdale Rib Rendezvous 2025

[GeoffW]

The date for ERR 25 is now set for the weekend 3/4 th May 25

Plan is for a circumnavigation of Mull, with a shorter option for those looking for a shorter day. We envisage break away groups to Iona, Balfours Bay, Staffa, Treshnish Isles and Ulva. Tobermory will feature as well.
Sunday, Lismore then lunch and fleet gather at Kerrera.
Monday. Whilst formal event ends Sunday . Like last year small groups can plan their own adventure taking advantage of the bank holiday.

The website will be updated. But register here.

https://www.easdale-rib-rendezvous.com/register

ERR is now apparently the biggest gathering/event for ribs in UK and Ireland.

If you have not been before. You are most welcome, regardless of boat size or speed .

[smallribber]

Me and Her indoors will be there

[mhill]

We are heading back again staying at Sunnybrae again with the usual crowd.

[GeoffW]

We now have a sponsor.

This will help sustain and grow event.

ERR attendees past and present can also get 20% discount on parts trailers and servicing between now and the event.

Promo trailer produced by Indespension

[GeoffW]

Currently. 67 boats registered. Will we beat last years 87 ?

[Scooby]

What is the smallest vessel considered safe for such and event. We are just wondering if our boat would be up for the job

[GeoffW]

We have had boats as small as 4 m but you can tailor your trip to the conditions. Put together a small boat trip with other boats. Weather conditions will dictate. 4 m or 10m.

[mhill]

Originally Posted by Scooby

What is the smallest vessel considered safe for such and event. We are just wondering if our boat would be up for the job

There's been other RC 4m in previous years keeping up with the big boats and likely will be this year too.

[Roflhat]

I go in my Thundercat, 4m. As Geoffrey Winterbottom says can adjust your trip to suit the weather

[jeffstevens763@g]

Did it some years ago in a 3.65 SIB. Force 4/5 winds great fun

[Somerset Jim]

Booked into a hotel in Oban and for launching/parking at Ardoran Marine. Plan is to head up from Somerset/Devon border on the Thursday morning and stay overnight just across the Scottish border somewhere and then launch on the Friday. If anyone is coming from the West Country and wants to head off in convoy then let me know.

Now to continue looking at upgrading the chartplotter in time for this trip!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jjnuttall84

If anyone is coming from the West Country and wants to head off in convoy then let me know.!

Convoys are probably likely to increase frustration in other drivers for the section North of Glasgow. There is limited overtaking and passing one rib+car is doable with care in the right places. Two or three in succession would be ambitious! Unfortunately it’s a section of road which sees too many accidents - a lot of the most serious caused by impatient overtakes. Given the slipways can’t really cope with multiple boats launching simultaneously it may be better for everyone to spread yourselves out.

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by Poly

Convoys are probably likely to increase frustration in other drivers for the section North of Glasgow. There is limited overtaking and passing one rib+car is doable with care in the right places. Two or three in succession would be ambitious! Unfortunately it’s a section of road which sees too many accidents - a lot of the most serious caused by impatient overtakes. Given the slipways can’t really cope with multiple boats launching simultaneously it may be better for everyone to spread yourselves out.

OK. Well, happy to travel together to Scotland and then its every man for himself on the Friday morning from the stop over around Glasgow!

Either way, it looks like it will be a great weekend of fun and exploration.

[Tony Hill]

Being someone who tows 10m RIBs when I have to I would avoid doing the narrow northern stretch beyond Tarbet, Loch Lomond (A82) but press on via the A83 over The Rest and Be Thankful to Inveraray On entering Inveraray turn right onto the A819 to join the A85 into Oban.
The alternative to look at is to head to Stirling and take the A84 west to join the A85 at Tyndrum.

Those with a satnav set for Easdale BEWARE. DON’T turn off at Connel before Oban. It’s a single track road. HEAD into the centre of Oban then out to Easdale.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by Somerset Jim

OK. Well, happy to travel together to Scotland and then its every man for himself on the Friday morning from the stop over around Glasgow!

Either way, it looks like it will be a great weekend of fun and exploration.

I,m up for my fourth year and travel from East suffolk each year ,one thing i would make a note of for you is that when i get to Glasgow i am ready for an o,nite stop probhably after 8 hours ish ................if i /you try to get above Glasgow to stop there is usually a two hour jam to go north after the erskine bridge (weekdays at work time) ,so 2 hours after the long tow finnishes you off (and also may put you at risk ) is too much
The second thing us old boys worry about is where to leave boat and trailer 11m is a little difficult to park safely . Last time i stayed 5 miles off the m74 at the popinjay hotel carluke ML8 5QB ,plenty of space ,not the poshest but cheap and has loads of long space parking and great breakfast !,there is a posher one just off same junct but dont take a dog

posted at same time as you tony ! ,yes i always go rest and be thankful
looking forward to the meet up as usual Tony

[GeoffW]

Sensible advice from Tony. Avoid going thru Glasgow on M8. M74 is the exit, join M8 south of Kingston bridge. Alternative. Stirling A84/85.
On Polys sensible “convoy” point. I think 2/3 ribs travelling broadly together well spaced out would avoid “convoy “ status. On that road motorists are more likely to get stuck behind the Tesco lorry behind the Farmfoods truck behind the Caravan following a tractor.
But yes. Pull over if you can as you do on A roads in England if you sense frustration astern of you.

On slipways. I tend to think it’s helpful to have some extra hands launching in an unfamiliar slip. Help each other launch one at a time.