Barra and Coll.

[xp640ralph]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip in our rib-x xp640 (a 6.5m boat with 150hp honda engine). We normally use this for whizzing around and day trips, never venturing much further than Tobermory.

Is it unreasonable to plan a week-long trip from Appin (near Oban) to Barra (via Tobermory to top up the tank (200l).

Is it reasonable to expect a mooring in Castlebay in August?
Is it possible to beach the boat at North bay to pick someone off the Barra airplane? Or is there a jetty nearby?
Is it possible to Anchor / stern Anchor at a quiet bay in the south of Barra?
Is there petrol within walking distace of Castlebay (we keep a mini tender to row ashore if on mooring)?

Looking for advice before embarking on a big voyage basically. I understand a nice day is needed for the 45mile dash from the Sound of Mull to Barra.

Is my boat totally unsuitable?

best,

Ralph.

[Brian]

I can answer one question and that is you cant moor up in Castlebay harbour itself, you must moor to some buoys to the right of the harbour entrance. You can, however, unload next to the launching ramp in the inner harbour (if the ferry isnt in) and then go and moor up outside.

Send you some photos of the harbour area and castle if you wish.

My guess at some of the other questions is:
Mooring shouldnt be a problem even in August.
Barra beach I would have thought dodgy since the airplane actually lands on it! Hence it is shallow by nature. Whether there is a tying up/mooring somewhere else in the bay????
Your boat is suitable, given good weather -both ways !!

[codprawn]

Please it's aeroplane or aircraft unless you happen to be a Yank!!!

A RIB that size should be easily capable of a 45 mile crossing if the weather conditions aren't too bad.

[willk]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Please it's aeroplane or aircraft

That depends on what humor one is in.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by willk

That depends on what humor one is in.

Very good!!!

[xp640ralph]

Thank you for all of your replies. I have spoken to some friends too.

We are planning a trip in August. We are thinking of being very adventurous indeed.

Appin - Tobermory - Knoydart - Small Isles - Barra (and surrounding) - Coll/Tiree - Colonsay (via Staffa/Treshnish) - Jura - Lochgilphead - Appin.

We will presume two nights per destination, but allow 3 for bad weather, with the view to cutting short or missing out bits if time or weather isn't on our side.

The boat has a 200l petrol capacity. Usually I carry 2 or 3 gerry tines. Sometimes empty for refuelling.

Can anyone suggest suitable moorings at these destinations?

Any advice on where to obtain fuel? Petrol that is. I reckon that with wiggles, maybe some watersports or beach trips that 600 miles might be what we cover.

Mallaig?
Barra? - I understand there is a filling station near to a visit Scotland jetty.
Coll?
Colonsay?

Lochgilphead is friends so very easy for us (and I think they'd offer us fuel for the last leg home.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by xp640ralph

Thank you for all of your replies. I have spoken to some friends too.

We are planning a trip in August. We are thinking of being very adventurous indeed.

Appin - Tobermory - Knoydart - Small Isles - Barra (and surrounding) - Coll/Tiree - Colonsay (via Staffa/Treshnish) - Jura - Lochgilphead - Appin.

We will presume two nights per destination, but allow 3 for bad weather, with the view to cutting short or missing out bits if time or weather isn't on our side.

The boat has a 200l petrol capacity. Usually I carry 2 or 3 gerry tines. Sometimes empty for refuelling.

Can anyone suggest suitable moorings at these destinations?

Any advice on where to obtain fuel? Petrol that is. I reckon that with wiggles, maybe some watersports or beach trips that 600 miles might be what we cover.

Mallaig?
Barra? - I understand there is a filling station near to a visit Scotland jetty.
Coll?
Colonsay?

Lochgilphead is friends so very easy for us (and I think they'd offer us fuel for the last leg home.

Sounds like a great trip! Have fun

[9D280]

One trick I;ve discovered (not an infallable method) is to use Geograph.co.uk, home in on the places you could come ashore (piers etc) and look through the surrounding photos for petrol stations! Only down side is if nobody has pointed their camera at it..... and let's face it round the islands there are plenty of epic views,whereas petrol staions aren't usually seen as particualrly Photogenic! Worth a try tho' - I've found numeous potential emergency fills like that.

I know it's probably a bit close, but is there not a garage at Tobermory a short walk form the pier?

[xp640ralph]

Yes I have used the Tobermory garage in the past. Trouble is the only time i'll pass it i'll have only used 35l out of a total 260l. Not a big refill.

[codprawn]

Just use Google

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/UnitedKingdom/Mallaig

Colonsay does have a petrol pump.

Here it is!!!