Ardgour Muster, Saturday 17 August 2024
Musters are back! While your new GBC Sailing Officers have plans for diverse musters and the phased reintroduction of a keelboat racing programme over 2025–6, we felt it important to be able to offer something this season and have settled on a day muster to Ardgour.
Making use of similar tide times to our former ‘Ardgour Double’ day of yacht racing there and back, this brings an interesting ‘mini adventure’ through the tidal gates at Ballachulish Bridge and Corran Narrows with visitors’ moorings and the option of a nice pub lunch but, as a muster rather than racing event, is of course open to Club craft of all kinds.
Facts and Figures for Planning
Our proposed date of Saturday 17 August suits this particular trip, with Oban tide times and heights as follows:
Oban tides (BST)
| HW | 05:09 | 3.2 |
| LW | 11:10 | 1.4 |
| HW | 17:30 | 3.5 |
The tidal range of 2.1m (half of what you could get at springs) should allow most boats some leeway with these timings for the important gates:
The tide is favourable out through Ballachulish Bridge till c.12:15 BST.
The tide is favourable northwards through Corran from c.11:30 BST.
The tide is favourable southwards back through Corran from c.17:35* BST.
The tide is favourable back in through Ballachulish Bridge till c.18:30 BST.
(Note difference between ‘till’ and ‘from’!)
*Our suggestion would be to leave Ardgour somewhat earlier (e.g. 16:30 BST) against the last of the northbound tide.
Sunset is at approximately 20:56 BST.
Note also the shallows of Cuil-cheanna Spit turning northwards from Ballachulish Bay, where our yacht races went out round the green buoy but it’s possible for most small vessels with depth sounders to pass some distance inside of that.
We welcome participants of all experience levels and can ‘buddy’ anyone unsure of the ground or tides.
Onshore Briefing
We will offer a pre-departure onshore briefing on the day for which attendance is recommended but not required (time TBA).
Reserve Date
In case of bad weather on Saturday 17 August, please note the possible reserve date of Saturday 31 August, when the tides are similar and sunset only half an hour earlier. We currently anticipate making the decision whether to go ahead or postpone sometime on Friday 16 August (time TBA).
Notice of Participation
While we don’t need to know whether or not you’re coming, some idea of potential numbers would still be helpful and we’d love to hear from you!
Future Plans
Alongside the reintroduction of regular Club yacht racing and restoration of our annual open Regatta, a more varied muster programme might include anything from midsummer evening local venues (e.g. Lochleven Seafood Café) to overnight gatherings at Port Ramsay, Loch a’ Choire etc. or even longer cruises in company. So suggestions for the types of events and destinations you’d like to see will be welcomed!
Hi Tina Louise would be interested in participating. Sorry for late reply but we were supposed to be away for at least another week.