Easdale welcomes all RIB owners for this year’s RIB Rendezvous. It has become a feature on our calendar. For those who are not familiar with this cruise in company event, it is open to RIBs of all sizes. Those attending are responsible for the seaworthiness of their RIB and for the safety of all aboard. Easdale is just south of Oban and has one of the most sheltered harbours on Scotland’s west coast
Visit our new updated website
Easdale RIB Rendezvous - Home (thanks to Eug at Island Shuttle). One or two tweaks are still needed but the site is live and all necessary info is there
We ask those considering attending register via the website so we have some idea of numbers and we can keep in touch via e mail.
Friday 3rd May 2013
For those arriving ‘early’ take a short shakedown cruise to some of the local islands.
Meet Easdale Postcode PA34 4TB. This postcode takes you to the mainland harbour.
RIBs to around 6.5m. Please organise your boat ready to launch before accessing the beach. Once launched do not tie to the ferry slip, use the beach, the pier end wall or better still, head to the harbour at Easdale Island 200m away. RIBs over 6.5m we suggest Cuan ferry slipway 2 miles away.
Evening ‘gathering at The Oyster Bar. Meals available (1800 – 2100). Meals also available at The Puffer Bar Easdale Island 1800 – 2100. Booking advised at both.
Saturday 4th May 2013
Day Cruise to/around Jura followed by Rendezvous Supper at The Puffer Bar and Restaurant, Easdale Island. (Late ferries back to ‘The Mainland’ 3 min crossing)
Early morning launching for those not able to arrive Friday Wyou can probably launch at Cuan till around 0900.
For those wishing to cruise in company and in the interests of safety we are suggesting RIBs should be grouped (min 3 RIBs) prior to departure.
For safety we offer RIBs the opportunity to check out prior to departure on channel 77
Departures from 0930,
The Jaunt to or around Jura
Subject to weather, the intention is to head south from Easdale down the west side of Jura. Certainly some will complete a circumnavigation, others may swap the attractions of the Hotels, coffee shops and whisky distilleries for the remoteness and ruggedness of West Loch Tarbert. Always keen to set a challenge, this year it’s another navigational challenge to Inner West Loch Tarbert. Get the chart out – yes it’s into that basin which virtually cuts Jura in half via the narrow 100m wide channel and with 7 sets of transits.
West Loch Tarbert is an amazing place, the highest raised beaches in Europe with the Paps of Jura bordering the southern shore. The west side of Jura is littered with deep caves but the west coast of Jura can be very unforgiving in places so care is required. There are 2 jetties within West Loch Tarbert, we are attempting to gain the owner’s permission to use both. I believe many will be awestruck by the remoteness and beauty and if the weather is good RIBs will just stay within the confines of the Loch. Estimate travel time to entrance West Loch Tarbert 75 mins. There are no facilities here so it’s bring your picnic/BBQ if you intend to spend the day here. In good weather there is nowhere better.
Two choices for ‘supplies and sustenance’ Head west to Colonsay Hotel, The Pantry café and fuel – see 2011 event or continue south keeping Jura to your left. A circumnavigation is around 100 miles so plenty of fuel and a spare can.
Enter the Sound of Islay, can’t miss it, there is a large lighthouse at the entrance Islay side. it is a personal choice to stop or pass by the Caol Mor Distillery. At Port Askaig there is an inner harbour which takes you to within 100m of both the hotel and petrol station. Face the ferry terminal, keep what appears to be the outer wall to your right (starboard for the nautical brigade) and just as you think you are about to hit the mainland a narrow entrance will appear. Next stop is Craighouse just around the southern tip of Jura. Great entrance but caution – the wreck off the southernmost islet and a very shallow rock seaward side of the middle of this narrow islet about 200m off. Tie up at the pontoons. The shop is at the top of the jetty, The Antler Café/Restaurant across the road, the Hotel 100m to your left opposite the distillery. Petrol is a further 150m away call at the Hotel..
There will be a detailed article on Jura in RIB International (Mar/Apr issue). We will send full cruising notes well before the event.
As in previous years with anything which is exposed to a westerly wind we need a backup plan. This year’s back up is to explore the area between Jura and the mainland. Places like the Crinan, MaCormick Isles, Craighouse etc.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE PUFFER BAR – Keren will put on a set meal – menu to follow. She is aware that as many may take a BBQ to Loch Tarbert a different sort of meal will be necessary.
SUNDAY 5th May 2013
A more relaxed day. A visit to Belnahua – the most remote of the four recognised slate isles Providing the wind plays ball we will organise somewhere for RIBs to tie up easily for people to get ashore. Kedge anchor stuff again. Some may slip to Crinan for lunch, a circumnavigation of Seil stopping at the Tigh an Truish, or Carsaig on Mull are all possible. For those still waiting for Spring, Carsiaig was the setting for the classic 1950’s Michael Powell film “I know where I’m going”. On a windy night why not settle down infront of the fire with a bottle of red wine and watch.
PLANNING INFO TIDES are NEAP
Times are Oban Fri 3rd HW 1346 2.8m, LW 1924 1.4m
Sat 4th LW 0818 1.5m, HW 1512 2.9m, LW 2050 1.3m
Sun 5th LW 0928 1.4m, HW 1609 3.0m
PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO COASTGUARD AREAS. Clyde has now closed. All VHF traffic from the northernmost point of Jura (including the Corryvreckan heading north is now STORNOWAY Coastguard. All VHF traffic from the north tip of Jura southwards is BELFAST Coastguard.
Breawatch
Red Mist
Clewless
) 
