Staffa

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 07:49

Heading up to jura / mull next weekend for a fortnight . Anyone got any advice on where to moor up if we head over to staffa ? And is it okay for the inexperienced .

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Maximus · 02 August 2014, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

Heading up to jura / mull next weekend for a fortnight . Anyone got any advice on where to moor up if we head over to staffa ? And is it okay for the inexperienced .

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Staffa is pretty straight forward to get to...depending on wind which way round Mull you go(Usual safety rules apply

)..Fuel available with a short walk at Tobermory..mooring at Staffa is Not really an option in our experience...any sort of Sea makes it unworkable.
The Sight seeing tours do have jetty,but I don't think they'll accommodate you...which is understandable.
If it's really quiet you may be able to drop off some Bods,but certainly don't COUNt on Mooring.
Still well worth the Trip!...and you can take in Iona too.
You have a great area to explore!Have a Good one!

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Staffa is pretty straight forward to get to...depending on wind which way round Mull you go(Usual safety rules apply

)..Fuel available with a short walk at Tobermory..mooring at Staffa is Not really an option in our experience...any sort of Sea makes it unworkable.
The Sight seeing tours do have jetty,but I don't think they'll accommodate you...which is understandable.
If it's really quiet you may be able to drop off some Bods,but certainly don't COUNt on Mooring.
Still well worth the Trip!...and you can take in Iona too.
You have a great area to explore!Have a Good one!

Cheers
We are staying in Tobermory and have been there before . We have family and friends joining us when on mull so may not have as much time . Just the four of us the week before when on jura so I did think we might try staffa from jura stopping off at colonsay on the way .
If we got to staffa and conditions were good I guess we might be able to drop off , have a look and then swap . Might check ferry times for staffa and try and go outside of them
Did you get decent views of staffa without landing

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SeaSkills · 02 August 2014, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

Cheers
We are staying in Tobermory and have been there before . We have family and friends joining us when on mull so may not have as much time . Just the four of us the week before when on jura so I did think we might try staffa from jura stopping off at colonsay on the way .
If we got to staffa and conditions were good I guess we might be able to drop off , have a look and then swap . Might check ferry times for staffa and try and go outside of them
Did you get decent views of staffa without landing

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Yes, you'll get great views of Staffa without landing. With care you can take your boat right into the entrance of Fingals Cave (I took an 11m RIB in there a couple of weeks ago) and get some good pictures. You'll not get much time when there isn't one tour boat or another there, though.

It's a pretty easy trip around from Tobermory, weather permittting. Iona is only a short trip on from Staffa, and well worth extending your trip a little. Hope you have a great time

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Yes, you'll get great views of Staffa without landing. With care you can take your boat right into the entrance of Fingals Cave (I took an 11m RIB in there a couple of weeks ago) and get some good pictures. You'll not get much time when there isn't one tour boat or another there, though.

It's a pretty easy trip around from Tobermory, weather permittting. Iona is only a short trip on from Staffa, and well worth extending your trip a little. Hope you have a great time

Just been to get fuel for boat . Getting really excited now . We went over to Iona last time we stayed on mull (pre rib days ) .
We have had great holidays in the past on most of the islands but previously with a cheap inflatable that was just big enough to house a 2.5 hp two stroke .

On duck pond days I went out and caught mackerel . I think my horizons have broadened this year . Mind you if I get as much fun to the £ with my rib as I have with inflatable I will be a happy man

If you got your 11m in the cave then I think even I might be able to get my 4.8 in .

Does cave access need high tide ?

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Maximus · 02 August 2014, 10:39

Pretty Rocky close in to Back end of the Cave (Non tourist side) so keep a keen lookout the Tour Boats as said are pretty regular at the other entrance..and High Tide defiantly Best.
Not wishing to push beyond what your comfortable with....but that Rib of yours will handle most conditions very well and is a big step up from a SIB!

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Pretty Rocky close in to Back end of the Cave (Non tourist side) so keep a keen lookout the Tour Boats as said are pretty regular at the other entrance..and High Tide defiantly Best.
Not wishing to push beyond what your comfortable with....but that Rib of yours will handle most conditions very well and is a big step up from a SIB!

Cheers
Don't think my other one could be classed as a sib !!
Did PB2 last September in the rib we bought . First time on any rib !! We have used it quite a lot considering where we live . I am gradually pushing the boundaries bit by bit . The biggest learning curve I think is allowing for not being able to go very fast when it's a bit choppy and adjusting journey and or time accordingly .

Jura and mull gives us endless possibilities

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Maximus · 02 August 2014, 11:12

You'll hopefully find as your Helming improves... the 'Chop' will slow you up less than it did ...if needs be

John Kennett · 02 August 2014, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

Heading up to jura / mull next weekend for a fortnight . Anyone got any advice on where to moor up if we head over to staffa ? And is it okay for the inexperienced .

If you're reasonably sensible and get some good weather you should be fine. Don't take anything for granted though as it can be a pretty challenging place to be if things start to unravel!

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

If you're reasonably sensible and get some good weather you should be fine. Don't take anything for granted though as it can be a pretty challenging place to be if things start to unravel!

I am not to proud to ask harbour staff and locals before venturing out and if in any doubt . A beer in the hotel in craighouse or Tobermory looking out at it .

I think I will always be cautious but thanks for the heads up

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willk · 02 August 2014, 14:44

Steve - the VHF comms in that general area are poor. Between Jura and Mull may see you out of CG coverage, depending on several factors.

"Interesting" waters south/east of Iona...

paddlers · 02 August 2014, 14:48

Spent three weeks at Fionnphort about 20 years ago in June. The best weather and beaches I've ever experienced.
Easy launch at the ferry slip between crossings . Water skied from there all the way to Staffa one day it was that flat ! Some fantastic beaches & maybe not as commercial in those days but we had no trouble mooring at Staffa. It's certainly worth a trip.

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Steve - the VHF comms in that general area are poor. Between Jura and Mull may see you out of CG coverage, depending on several factors.

"Interesting" waters south/east of Iona...

Go on then I will take the bait ... Interesting ?

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stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddlers

Spent three weeks at Fionnphort about 20 years ago in June. The best weather and beaches I've ever experienced.

Easy launch at the ferry slip between crossings . Water skied from there all the way to Staffa one day it was that flat ! Some fantastic beaches & maybe not as commercial in those days but we had no trouble mooring at Staffa. It's certainly worth a trip.

Had a week on Lewis about five years ago . It Rained as we drove over the island on arrival . It cleared up as we unpacked , we then had a whole week of solid sunshine , hardly a cloud and not a sign of rain .

We had mackerel and muscles on our own beach every day . One woman had the nerve to walk her dog on our beach one day , I think that was it .

We have had all other weather on them over the years but that one may never be beaten .

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paddlers · 02 August 2014, 17:34

We're off to Carradale (Kintyre) next week for a fortnight of beach & sea.

I fancy Mull again one year but the family insist on the same spot at the moment & I'm not complaining. The ferry costs always put me off a bit too so for now that's as far North as we get !!

This'll be our 4th August there but I love all that West coast.

Ian Wilson · 02 August 2014, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

Go on then I will take the bait ... Interesting ?

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There are well marked clear channels - it's not a problem as long as you know where you are. But if you're launching from Tob, there's not much reason to be coming that way

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddlers

We're off to Carradale (Kintyre) next week for a fortnight of beach & sea.

I fancy Mull again one year but the family insist on the same spot at the moment & I'm not complaining. The ferry costs always put me off a bit too so for now that's as far North as we get !!

This'll be our 4th August there but I love all that West coast.

You know your life is pretty good when you have the tough decision of going where you love for two weeks of beach or try somewhere new instead .

Hope you have a great time , have you a boat with you ?

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stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Wilson

There are well marked clear channels - it's not a problem as long as you know where you are. But if you're launching from Tob, there's not much reason to be coming that way

no I think we would be heading round the top

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paddlers · 02 August 2014, 19:24

Steve, we've got a 17 foot Glastron Sportsman with a 135 Mariner strapped on the back (does about 50 knots) which is a bit of a project for me as it's 1965 vintage but it's a good sea hull as they used to race them back in the 60's with twin outboards . Loads of room as it seats seven & there's five of us.

New for us this year I've just bought a 3.5 AE Honwave plus a 20hp Tohatsu for when the tides out. Had a Chinese 3.3 with a 15 Mercury two stroke before and just fancied an upgrade!

Also paddleboard,surf kayak,inflatable 3 man canoe, bodyboards, bikes, snorkels, waterskis,wetsuits & enough fishing tackle to open a shop ....

Needless to say we're already packing!

stevedonna · 02 August 2014, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddlers

Steve, we've got a 17 foot Glastron Sportsman with a 135 Mariner strapped on the back (does about 50 knots) which is a bit of a project for me as it's 1965 vintage but it's a good sea hull as they used to race them back in the 60's with twin outboards . Loads of room as it seats seven & there's five of us.

New for us this year I've just bought a 3.5 AE Honwave plus a 20hp Tohatsu for when the tides out. Had a Chinese 3.3 with a 15 Mercury two stroke before and just fancied an upgrade!

Also paddleboard,surf kayak,inflatable 3 man canoe, bodyboards, bikes, snorkels, waterskis,wetsuits & enough fishing tackle to open a shop ....

Needless to say we're already packing!

We don't overtake much in our long wheel base landy . But I if I over take a 4x4 with two trailers, four roof racks and kids on skateboards hanging onto rope I will know who it is .

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