June 2021

Hello all and welcome to this newsletter for June 2021.

On the 29th May we held our first mini muster for 2021 with a short cruise in company to Kilchattan
Bay in an attempt to ease us all back in to the swing of things!

29th May Kilchattan Bay muster report

Sharlo, Paragon, Our Toy and Grand Blue departed from Kip at 1200 in very calm but overcast conditions and rendezvoused with Blue chip, Corona, Mandee, Autumn Spirit, Buddy Buoy & Seal at the North end of Largs. The 10 boats then sailed in company to Kilchattan Bay via the Largs Channel giving a ‘float past’ for our Honorary Commodore Morrison & Margaret who were unable to join us but were waving from the house – Morrison was particularly pleased to see us out on the water again and has expressed his thanks to all involved for their float past.

The 10 vessels anchored at the North side of Kilchattan Bay around 1400, shortly after we were also joined by new members Alistair & Chris on Breeze making a total of 11 RSMYC boats all safely anchored first time and with very little fuss. Immediately after arrival I took the dinghy and visited all attending vessel’s to welcome them to our ‘easing back in to boating’ muster and also delivered cakes to all attendees which had been kindly baked by John & Lynn (Blue Chip) – I must say when I eventually got back to try some cake myself it was all incredibly tasty! Initially there was a gentle swell making the boats roll but as the tide turned at 1500 the swell disappeared and took the clouds with it leaving us anchored in glassy conditions with the sun beating down….. we were even treated to a wake boarding display from Rick McKay (Corona) being towed by the Vice Commodore Douglas Atkinson (Paragon).

Later in the afternoon we all dispersed off in different directions, some headed off to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend and sunny weather on their boats whilstothers headed back to their homemarinas. We all found that the weed in kilchattan Bay was very thick and most anchors appeared covered in heavy weed which required removing, Mandee even managed to pick up a large rock wedged perfectly between the flukes!

Tunnocks RNLI flotilla

This went ahead on Monday 31st May as planned. We were not planning to attend but as the weather was nice we went out and anchored in Lunderston Bay. We were the only boat there when we arrived and anchored for some lunch but within 1 hour we were surrounded by 37 other boats and the Largs lifeboat all waiting to start the flotilla! At approx 2pm there was a lot of horns sounded by all the boats and they then headed off on the flotilla route – it must have been quite a sight for those on the beach at Lunderston Bay.

Next muster

The next muster is planned for 25-27 June 2021 and will now be at Kip Marina, we had originally planned for Largs Marina, however, they were unable to accommodate many additional vessels and we would be well spread out, Kip can accommodate us all and are able to berth us all in relatively close proximity, it’s also slightly easier to muster at Kip as Inverclyde has dropped down to Covid level 1 whilst Largs is still in level 2.

The plan is for boats to arrive at their leisure on Friday 25th June and members can socialise that evening. The Chartroom restaurant or Inverkip Hotel are both available for food if people wish but pre-booking will be required.

For Saturday 26th June we have arranged for a BBQ to be held for us at the Royal Gourock Yacht Club on the balcony, if the weather is not perfect they will put up a gazebo otherwise we can use the inside bar area. If weather allows the plan will be to cruise in company around from Kip to the RGYC where we can use the RGYC moorings and their launch will collect us and ferry us ashore to the yacht club, if anyone would prefer not to take their own boat around then I am sure some boat sharing will be possible; if the weather is really bad then we can get taxis or there may be some cars available for the short journey from Kip Marina. We have arranged that we will arrive at around 4pm and we will leave the RGYC by 7pm and sail in company back to Kip. They are very keen to host us and appreciative that another club wishes to use and support their facilities.

The BBQ will be on a pay as you go basis and will be offering burgers, hot dogs & veggie burgers all with salad, portions of chips will also be available (any specific dietary requirements will also be catered for) drinks will be available from the bar.

Please could members who wish to attend the Kip muster fill out the attached booking form and return it as soon as possible, this allows for berth planning and so we can liase accordingly with the RGYC.

I hope to see many of you at at Kip muster but for those who cannot make it safe sailing and see you soon!

Best regards,
Matthew Hill
Commodore RSMYC