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Lough Neagh Sailing Club
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Achilles 24' - Icthus - Trevor Currans
Crossing to Port Ellen
Monday 23rd June
ETD 14.00
ETA 21.30
Time 7.5 hrs. Avr. speed 4.8 knts Distance 36 nm
Port Ellen 55° 37' .09 W 06° 12' .26 N
Late Sunday night and early Monday morning the winds started to pick up as forecast. When we got up on Monday morning
there was a wave on the river and a strong wind blowing in from the sea, not what we had wanted. Consequently, as we had
two tidal windows when we could make the crossing we choose the later one in the hope that the wind would abate. As we
waited we were advised by several locals not to attempt the Bar Mouth with the on shore wind. However, as the morning
past the wind abated slightly and backed more to the West. Having had a car left in Coleraine for us, we decided to take
a drive to the Strand where we could see the Bar Mouth. From our view point there was nothing untoward so we decided to
go for it!
We had a pleasant motor down the river; as we approached the wall we clipped on our harness' and prepared for the shaking.
I timed the waves coming in, took central channel and motored straight out until I was well clear of the wall and breaking
waves. Although it was bouncy, with the occasional wave breaking over the deck the boat always felt completely under
control.
Once clear of the Bar we hoisted a fully reefed main and well furled jib and set sail for Islay, in a comfortable albeit
moderate sea. However, Ally and I soon became aware that Alan was yawning a lot and his weathered complexion had faded
to a greenish grey. Within half an hour he was shouting at 'Hughy', and the bucket was brought out from the stern locker.
Despite, Ally and I suggesting an overnight in Portrush, all credit to Alan, he said a categorical NO! and demanded that
we keep going. Consequently, he was ill for most of the passage. But by the time we were nearing Islay he gradually
recovered and had a mug of tea, sandwiches and admiration's from Ally and I.
As we had predicted the wind abated and backed further to the West. The Oa of Islay lessened the affect of the Atlantic
swell which helped Alan's recover. We finished the passage with both reefs shook out. By the time we reached the bay
at Port Ellen it was dusk. Having been there before we were able to follow the well marked channel into the harbour with
confidence and berth on the new visitors pontoon which was opened during the summer of 2002 to facilitate the yachts
participating in the Classic Malts. In order to give Alan a chance to recover and more importantly to give me the
opportunity to sample some of the exquisite whiskys we had a two night stop in Port Ellen. By the way there are toilets
and showers within two minutes walk from the pontoons and a bus trip to Bowmore is worthwhile. I would recommend the
tourist information office first, then a swim in the pool at the leisure centre and finish with a visit to the Bowmore
Distillery next door.
Arthur's Rock Lighthouse, Islay
Quest for the Paps
Wednesday 25th June
ETD 09.30
ETA 15.30
Time 6 hrs Avr. Speed 5.6 knts
Loch Tarbert 55°57'.69 N 06°00'.06W Distance 34 nm
The Paps of Jura, looking South East from Loch Tarbert.
We left Port Ellen in warm sunshine with only few fluffy white clouds in the sky and escorted by a school of Porpoise,
who stayed with us in an ongoing display of bow riding and rolls all the way to Arthur's Rock. We had favourable
southerlies of three to four which decreased slowly to a two by the time we changed direction to head up the Sound of
Islay. As we were lifted by the tide through the narrows beyond Arthur's Rock the wind picked up and we had a reasonable
spinnaker run up to Sgeir Traigh on Jura. As we headed East into Loch Tarbet we had very fluky and gusty winds until we
reached the middle section of the Loch. At this point we decided to motor the difficult twisty channel to our anchorage
in the bay Cruib Lodge.
The Martin Lawerence Yachtsman's Pilot to Clyde and Colonsay is essential if you intend navigating into the middle or
upper section of Loch Tarbet, as the detail even in the 2481 chart is not enough. However, the effort is rewarded with
one of the remotest anchorage in the Inner Hebrides, with scenery unsurpassed by anything that I have seen in previous
sailing trips to Scotland.
After a quick but hearty lunch we inflated the dinghy packed our walking gear and headed for the shore, from where we
climbed Cruib. The views from the summit were breath taking as we watched the evening sun melt behind Colonsay. On our
return trip we watched a large herd of deer make their way across the valley below us whilst two osprey soared over Loch
Righ Mor. We rushed back down the mountain returning to Icthus, for supper, by night fall.
Icthus anchored at Cruib Bay, Loch Tarbert Jura.
The Doldrums of Corryvreckan