Ireland - Easdale RIB Rendezvous feeder cruise 2013

[Portnahaven]

Sounds good to me. Port Ellen, with the pontoons, might be the best if there is a fair number of ribs going.

[jumpinjack]

Sounds good to me.

Boat in for service next week- then we are good to go!

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

OK Team, heads up!

We are now four weeks out and counting. Obviously, our fate is in the hands of the Weather Gods, but other than that, are we getting our sh1t together?

I've had informal talks with (I think) most of the parties concerned and I'm still leaning to departing Cushendall on Friday to arrive Islay on Friday night. Overnighting in either Port Ellen or Port Askaig. I'll check the accommodation situation over the next few days and report back. Both are excellent havens and have fuel, food and drink Next morning we would RV with Tony Hill's mob in Loch Tarbert and address whatever lunchables we have, before continuing to Easdale for the hooley on Saturday night. If the tides permit, a leisurely departure on Sunday morning heading South to take in whatever was happening in the Sound and RTB Cushendall that night. The chances of good digs and an excellent dinner in that fine village are very high...

Hi W you could also put Craighouse as an option pontoons/moorings hotel fuel distillery. B

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[Portnahaven]

Originally Posted by jambo

Hi W you could also put Craighouse as an option pontoons/moorings hotel fuel distillery. B

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Every time i head northward, my steering pulls to the left, and i end up tied to Craighouse Pier.
They even put a table outside the hotel to rest my pint.
If i stop there much more i will be awarded citizenship.

Good thinking Billy - well worth considering. Hotel might work out a deal maybe.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Portnahaven

Every time i head northward, my steering pulls to the left, and i end up tied to Craighouse Pier.
They even put a table outside the hotel to rest my pint.
If i stop there much more i will be awarded citizenship.

Good thinking Billy - well worth considering. Hotel might work out a deal maybe.

Ah Richard the pull is great it must be the local brew that does it. I just thought it worth considering along with the other two. I think you could be right re the hotel. Could always ask W's pal Nicol to strike a deal or if I see him first could ask.
Cheers
B

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[Portnahaven]

Craighouse might be the best bet- pontoon and moorings. Port Askaig could be a tight fit if there are a number of ribs. Also there is provision in front of the Jura Hotel for camping.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Portnahaven

Craighouse might be the best bet- pontoon and moorings. Port Askaig could be a tight fit if there are a number of ribs. Also there is provision in front of the Jura Hotel for camping.

It would get my vote Richard for the same reasons plus good food and drink!! It also has a variety of rooms 17 in fact but there are singles, doubles, triples and family and I think they might do a deal for such a group booking.

[jumpinjack]

Guys, could one of you update me on fuel availability for this jaunt? Where can we top up?

Fingers crossed on weather as really looking forward to this

[Tony Hill]

Paul
We collected fuel from the following places last year on various jaunts
Port Ellen (Islay) - contact the Port Ellen Hotel
Craighouse - Jura - contact the Jura Hotel

Both are helpful but suggest phoning a few days beforehand

Tony

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Tony Hill

Paul
We collected fuel from the following places last year on various jaunts
Port Ellen (Islay) - contact the Port Ellen Hotel
Craighouse - Jura - contact the Jura Hotel

Both are helpful but suggest phoning a few days beforehand

Tony

Also available from Port Askaig hotel.

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[willk]

Originally Posted by jambo

Hi W you could also put Craighouse as an option pontoons/moorings hotel fuel distillery. B

Yes Billy, I hadn't considered it, but looking at the charts, why not? I'm still not eating in The Antler though

We're now at three weeks and counting. Time to start The List! We have interest expressed from quite a few boats. Obviously, weather will be the big decider for boats from this island considering a 50 hour jaunt to the Inner Hebrides - but we'll discuss this factor later.

Right now, let's focus on who might be going:

donegaldan & willk - Deep Six* - Redbay Stormforce 6.1 Open
Portnahaven & crew - Portnahaven - Redbay Stormforce 7.4 Cabin
tonymac & crew - Cáit - Humber 5m+ Open
paulbryson75 & crew - Jumpin' Jack - Redbay Stormforce 6.5 Open
Ribliam & crew - Keamore - Excalibur 8m+ Cabin
Ribochet - Ricochet - Redbay 7.4 Special Ops

Jambo & crew - Breawatch - Ribcraft 5.85 Open - RV on the "Far Side" for drachms and Day 2
_____
*Use of Deep Six is still under discussion - but he'll agree eventually!

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

Yes Billy, I hadn't considered it, but looking at the charts, why not? I'm still not eating in The Antler though

We're now at three weeks and counting. Time to start The List! We have interest expressed from quite a few boats. Obviously, weather will be the big decider for boats from this island considering a 50 hour jaunt to the Inner Hebrides - but we'll discuss this factor later.

Right now, let's focus on who might be going:

donegaldan & willk - Deep Six* - Redbay Stormforce 6.1 Open
Portnahaven & crew - Portnahaven - Redbay Stormforce 7.4 Cabin
tonymac & crew - Cáit - Humber 5m+ Open
paulbryson75 & crew - Jumpin' Jack - Redbay Stormforce 6.5 Open
Ribliam & crew - Keamore - Excalibur 8m+ Cabin
Ribochet - Ricochet - Redbay 7.4 Special Ops

Jambo & crew - Breawatch - Ribcraft 5.85 Open - RV on the "Far Side" for drachms and Day 2
_____
*Use of Deep Six is still under discussion - but he'll agree eventually!

Hi looks good rib wise good flotilla! Craighouse is a good option for reasons listed. Antler now run by local girl. Keep me in the loop.
Cheers
B

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[willk]

Originally Posted by jambo

Antler now run by local girl.

Ding dong, the wicked white settler is gone!

[willk]

Originally Posted by paulbryson75

Guys, could one of you update me on fuel availability for this jaunt? Where can we top up?

Paul, I've done this run in my old 6.5 with twin 90s. I carried 100L in deck tanks and didn't need to use them on the return trip. My advice would be to take the extra tanks on deck filled with cheap Free State gas and fill your main once you arrive on Friday night. You can then use the empty tanks to refill in either Port Askaig (Jura)/Port Ellen (Islay)/Port Askaig (Islay) on Saturday before we head north to Easdale. There is NO FUEL in Easdale but the 100L should see you safely home to Cushendall, even with your ex-Apollo mission engine

[Portnahaven]

It looks most likely i will be going solo as my mate refuses to sleep under canvas - theres only room for one under flowery duvet (male that is).
So i have seating for two, if anyone needs.

[willk]

Our options have reduced a bit. I called the Jura Hotel in Craighouse. They have a wedding on that weekend and have only two rooms left. The camping facilities are closed for the season too. I think that knocks Jura on the head - maybe one to call at for a wee refreshment on Saturday?

I thought more about Port Ellen. It isn't the best positioned for Saturday and the fuel is a wee bitty from the pontoons. Also a few of us will be returning thereabouts a couple of weeks later. It's not doable for Jambo and his crew either.

So I called the hotel in Port Askaig. Marion has a few rooms left and has a couple on tap at Ayen Cottage up the road a bit. I'm not sure how many are travelling per boat and who's sleeping aboard etc. They will allow a tent on their private lawn for Ribochet (who they now understand is a bit Special). I have held rooms for a day or so to let us confer. After some block booking on my part , the hotel has a single room left. The B&B has three twin/double rooms (apparently it's the mutt's nuts) and the hotel can arrange a taxi up after dinner/drinks.
There will be space for the boats - we can use the north quay if we need to, the fishing boats won't be transhipping there until Monday. The hotel has agreed a 48 hour no-penalty cancellation so we have reasonable flexibility with a weather call.

SO: Are we happy to use Port Askaig on Friday and head up to Easdale for early Saturday evening? I intend to RV with Tony Hill and his team in Loch Tarbert around lunchtime, we could then decide the rest of the trip depending on wx etc.

[willk]

The crossing from Cushendall to Port Askaig is approx 47Nm, the last bit well sheltered. I would expect a trip duration of around 2.5 hours or less. Can anyone tell us what's happening tidewise in the North Channel that afternoon - maybe we can pick a good time to leave at? On that note - how flexible is everyone on the Friday? Maybe all post your earliest possible departure time and we'll work up a plan.

As previously stated, there is Petrol and Automotive Diesel on pump in Port Askaig. You will need cans to transfer.

Feel free to PM me to discuss your arrangements/requirements.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

The crossing from Cushendall to Port Askaig is approx 47Nm, the last bit well sheltered. I would expect a trip duration of around 2.5 hours or less. Can anyone tell us what's happening tidewise in the North Channel that afternoon - maybe we can pick a good time to leave at? On that note - how flexible is everyone on the Friday? Maybe all post your earliest possible departure time and we'll work up a plan.

As previously stated, there is Petrol and Automotive Diesel on pump in Port Askaig. You will need cans to transfer.

Feel free to PM me to discuss your arrangements/requirements.

If your departure time is late am we could RV at Caighouse for a V burger then have a nice wee blast up the strait

[willk]

Originally Posted by jambo

we could RV at Caighouse for a Vension burger

"Well hello, Deer... "

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

"Well hello, Deer... "

You've been sooking to much of that Lala juice from Islay