Month: April 2016

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Clyde Evening 20th and Loch Long Day 21st

Paddlers: Clyde; Hugh, Bill, Geoff, John and Sheila; Loch Long: Lee, Tim, Charlotte and Geoff

Weather: Wonderful on both days. Light breeze from SW on Thursday

Reports: Wednesday Evening was set up as a Training Paddle to identify which trips might be suitable. It was a wonderful night and flat calm. The group simply went to the sugar boat and returned just as the sun set.

At the sugar boat
At the stern of the sugar boat
A bit of clapotis along the bottom
A bit of clapotis along the bottom (Bill and Geoff)
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Sheila and Geoff

On the following day another simple trip in glorious weather. We met at 10am at Finnart before crossing to the west shore. It was calm and sunny as we progressed north, expecting the promised northerly winds. Stopped for a break and sunbathe at the huge new hotel by Ardgarten. Crossing back to the east shore to Ardmay House we were conscious of a F2/F3 wind from the South West! Given Charlotte’s time constraints we headed back into the wind with two of our number turning a gentle recreational paddle into a high speed challenge. Charlotte in her Epic7 won.

As a result we arrived back at Finnart far too early and Lee and Geoff decided to carry on across to Mark Cottage for a brief inspection. After another break and sunbathe by both groups we returned and were away about 4pm

Loch Long 013 014What a glorious place to live.

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A grey but enjoyable paddle on the Clyde; 14th April

Paddlers: Allan, Geoff, Colin, Pete; Susan and Alan

Weather: Cool, calm and grey

Route: Craigendoran-Helensburgh-Rosneath Point-Gourock- McInroy’s Point (Western Ferries Terminal)- Cove-Kilcreggan-Green Island-Craigendoran (c20km)

Report: Pete Baker initiated this paddle and the three of us joined him and two others (Susan and Alan) at the pier for the paddle.

Our Allan with Clydebank Alan and Colin
Our Allan with Clydebank Alan and Colin looking to Craigendoran.

We headed for Rosneath Point with a discernible, if light, north easterly pushing us along and causing both a light swell and the less experienced some uncertainty. At the Point we were met by a flotilla of seals which must have numbered about 20 or so.

A short stop was made at the Point to ballast Allan and Colins boats to improve stability. It worked. We then proceeded to Gourock Outdoor Pool before going along the shore looking for a suitable lunch stop. We eventually found an excellent beach just past the ferry terminal but beware of the wash from the Gourock to Dunoon high speed catamaran which generates a big if shortlived  wash. This, in turn, has a lot of fun with any boats just on the water’s edge.

The lunch stop
The tea break at Green Island looking at Craigendoran

After a leisurely lunch we crossed back to the north shore and paddled along past Kilcreggan pier for a tea break at Green Island (just round the point). This is now recommended as a stopping point with extensive flat sandy areas resulting from on-shore works. At this point we split with our group heading straight for Craigendoran whilst Pete’s went on up to Rosneath to investiagte curren scrapping at McGruers. A very succesful day.