Redbay Boats 30th Anniversary
Redbay Boats 30th Anniversary was celebrated with the Annual trip to Ardbeg, on Saturday 5th May. 41 RIBs attended the event resulting in over 200 people taking part in the outing; the largest ever to date.

At 11:15, the flotilla of RIBs left Cushendall heading directly to Ardbeg. Conditions leaving Cushendall were good, with warm clear skys and only a slight chop in the bay. As the fleet passed Cushendun and Torr Head, the Southerly Force 4-5 winds had started to create a fairly moderate sea. This provided an exhilarating ride, as the RIBs surfed their way downwind heading Northwards to the Scottish Island of Islay, arriving at around 13:00.

The flotilla left Ardbeg at around 15:25 after a three course buffet lunch to head towards Rathlin Island. Shortly after departing, the winds continued to freshen, as forecast, to around Force 6 (gusting to Force 8) with the sea becoming rougher. However, this didn't disrupt the RIBs, and the fleet continued without any problems. At Rathlin, the conditions on the south side of the Island were much calmer and allowed some even the opportunity to put in a spot of water-skiing!

Leaving Rathlin at around 17:30, the group made its final leg back to Cushendall. Conditions had improved and the RIBs arrived back in Cushendall at around 19:10.

Ardbeg 2007 proved to be a complete success and was a fitting way to celebrate 30 years of boat building, with so many RIBs crossing the Irish Sea in rough conditions without any trouble.

Redbays flotillia at Rathlin Island

Stephen Gordon
May 2007