Isle of Bute

hadd · 21 March 2011, 20:43

Hi, I,m thinking of doing a cruise from Largs up the Kyles of Bute to loch Riddon, then down the west side of Bute back to Largs , as anyone on here done that cruise , that can give any info about it , thanks Andy.

Bigmuz7 · 21 March 2011, 21:28

Yep plenty times although its been a few years .. always looked forward to opening the throttles up, in the East Kyles

what do you need to know in particular

hadd · 21 March 2011, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Yep plenty times although its been a few years .. always looked forward to opening the throttles up, in the East Kyles

what do you need to know in particular

what mile,s would it be from Largs all the way round Bute , Hotels , B&B,s or pubs to stay over at cheers Andy.

GeoffW · 21 March 2011, 22:12

Sent you a pm

Get a Clyde Cruising Club book

hadd · 21 March 2011, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffW

Sent you a pm

Get a Clyde Cruising Club book

Will do ,thanks

Bigmuz7 · 21 March 2011, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by hadd

what mile,s would it be from Largs all the way round Bute , Hotels , B&B,s or pubs to stay over at cheers Andy.

Well I aint never circumnavigated .. I used to blast in to the Kyles at Toward point and sling shot out the bottom , with the odd turn back up to Kilchatten bay to visit an old worthy WAFI waiting there for some dinner odd tmes

I've wake boarded plenty off Inchmarnock .. and had a fine supper or two from the Tighnabrauich Hotel .. or was it Kames ? but I cany speak for the grub this last couple of years

Get the chart and a set 'o these

And ye'll no be far wrong .. no GPS required

jambo · 21 March 2011, 23:12

Belonging to Bute I would say the only bad place is the East K watch going thru thr 'narrows, the rest is ok but that maybe that I know it. As Geoff says get a download of some charts and sailing instructions and you will be fine. The last time I was there the grub was ok on the kames side of the water. There are some lovely bays on Bute that you can go into and enjoy and as Bigmuz drop round into Kilchattan moor up and take the small walk up to Kingarth pub grub excellent. Then you can zoom back over to Largs no probs.

Good luck and enjoy God's own country!!

Poly · 21 March 2011, 23:37

the food was fine at the Kames Hotel last time I was in but fairly standard "pub fair" - I would prefer the Colantrive (sp) Inn if you want a nice lunch.

kwil · 22 March 2011, 11:28

Looking at one of my old log books trip from Largs round Bute and a nose into Loch Riddon with a stop for lunch before returning to Largs I logged 42.5 nautical miles.

Keith

9D280 · 22 March 2011, 15:57

There's also a good coffee shop in Tighnabruach if you are just wanting a snack.

One thing to watch is there is a speed limit (6 or 8 knts, I can't remember) between approx the ferry and the top of the narrows at the North end of the East Kyle. There are a few grumpy locals in yachts will moan if you don't slow down! (It's marked on the charts & the clyde skippers' A4 sized leaflet that is (was) in reception at Largs marina).

Only other thing is it can get a bit randomly lumpy down the bottom end of the island if you hit it at the wrong state of tide / wind, but nothing that a rib can't handle.

I have a few GPS waypoints (for use with Garmin 12 / 72 -esque non chart plotting GPS handhelds) if you want. Let me know if you want them, as I don't have the USB stick with me today so can't just attatch the file.

BruceB · 22 March 2011, 17:05

Its a nice day out, we do it every september now from Tarbert and coming back at night from the Millport fireworks.

Siochair · 22 March 2011, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

the food was fine at the Kames Hotel last time I was in but fairly standard "pub fair" - I would prefer the Colantrive (sp) Inn if you want a nice lunch.

Is there a pontoon for these places or do you beach the rib?

donald463 · 22 March 2011, 17:39

Wanted to do this trip myself. post dates when you think you will be there. Might be able to meet up.

Bigmuz7 · 22 March 2011, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siochair

Is there a pontoon for these places or do you beach the rib?

Theres a quay at Tighnabruach, but the waverly uses the front of it in the summer so you need to keep clear, but you can tie up or raft round the sides. (see pic) Watchout for a couple of nasty jetties beside it with exposed steel work

IIRC .. Think Kames has a jetty too, of sorts, but last time I just sent my man up to the hotel to collect some excellent fish suppers .. we just held off, as its a bit stoney there too.

jambo · 22 March 2011, 18:43

There are two Visitors moorings at T/B and there are another two plus a pontoon at the Lochan Hotel just south of T/B. At Kames there are two private jetties and 15 visitors moorings.
Hope this helps.

Siochair · 22 March 2011, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siochair

Is there a pontoon for these places or do you beach the rib?

Many thanks for the info guys

Poly · 22 March 2011, 19:51

Siochair - Colintraive Hotel (http://www.colintraivehotel.com/) has its own moorings, and I think people tie up dinghies at the ferry slip (out the way of the ferry). I've only ever been by land - but always meant to go by sea. Give them a ring - they seem to be very boaty friendly

GeoffW · 22 March 2011, 20:44

Or just nip round the corner to Portavadie Marina and take one of the many berths on a pontoon free if you dine/stay. Unleaded pump on fuel berth is a plus

They are just completing a new Lodge with its own bar and restaurant . In addition to existing bar/restaurant. You can get a bus or taxi back to T/B if you want to dine there.

Or just pay for pontoon and stay and eat in TB, thats the easy thing to do without all the faff of moorings or unsuitable jetties.

Siochair · 22 March 2011, 20:45

Thanks Polwart

Xk59D · 23 March 2011, 09:24

looks good polwart-i'm going to give that hotel a bell and see if there is a way to get ashore and leave the boat on mooring for a night/2 short of towing a dinghy for 40 miles :-(

cheers