We discussed a cruise in company to Gigha during the pre-season Cruising meeting on 25 April.

The intention of this cruise is to provide an opportunity to those club members who may not have undertaken such a trip and would like the experience of doing so either in their own boat or as crew in another member’s boat.

Why Gigha? It is a beautiful island well worth a visit and is also a good stopping off point for passages further north or west (to Islay). It is also a location where it is possible to have a crew change (Ferry to Tayinloan, then bus to Glasgow). Return to Troon may be via Crinan canal or back around the Mull of Kintyre.

Any trip around the Mull of Kintyre needs to take account of the weather and tidal conditions. It seemed to be generally agreed that the the trip should only take place with wind strength below F3 or 4. That if we were to use the anchorage off Sanda Island, then the forecast overnight wind strength should be below F3.

Date proposed is:

1. Friday 25 May. Leave Troon and meet at the anchorage off Sanda Island. Saturday 26 May (08:30-09:00) leave Sanda for Gigha arriving around 14:30.

If the weather is not suitable, then:

2. Friday 1 June. Leave Troon and meet at Campbeltown. Saturday 2 June (11:00) for Gigha arriving around 20:30.

(Note these arrival times are based upon an average boat speed (through the water) of 4.5 Knots)

The intention will be to monitor the forecast (XCWeather say) and make a final decision by Thursday 24 May whether to delay till 01 June. If once we are on passage and the weather or forecast should change to a higher than acceptable wind strength, then we communicate with each other with a view to meet in Campbeltown.

We hope there will be a number of boats going and expect there will spare berths available should members prefer to come along as crew, so if you are interested please advise us:

A) Whether you are taking your boat or whether you want to go as crew.
B) Your boat’s comfortable cruising speed (engine).
C) Whether you have spare berths available.
D) Your plans thereafter

If you are crew:

A) When you need to be back in Troon. (Some boats may take a week to return)
B) Are you looking for a one way passage? (i.e. do you want to leave or join at Gigha?)

Please advise via email to Peter, reply to this website post, or via poster in the clubhouse.

http://www.gigha.org.uk/viewItem.php?id=8850&sectionTitle=Getting+Here