2015 Destination
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Topic: 2015 Destination
Posted By: holby
Subject: 2015 Destination
Date Posted: 09 September 2014 at 10:50
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I know the 2014 season has not yet finished, infact DD is still up North in the Clyde Area, and she will be soon pottering down to her winter berth at Douglas, IOM.. My thoughts are now thinking funnily enough about next year already.... The idea is to go from IOM to Lundy then onto the Isles of Scilly at long last... Hopefully meeting Charles P, if the Weather is good I may then decide to potter to the Channel Islands and then onto ST Malo.... Does anybody know the prices of Marina's around there plus heading further south some goods small harbours to visit, with water for a fin keel ( 1.1Mtr) against the harbour wall.. Cheers. ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp) 
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Replies:
Posted By: bovine
Date Posted: 09 September 2014 at 22:51
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Hi Holby Lundy Island is one of my most favourite anchorages but not really on your way to the Scillys , a better plan might be Dale Milford haven then cross to st Ives Cornwall then on to the Scillys Regards David |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 11 September 2014 at 08:18
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Cheers thanks Noted.... Any info on the French Coast . Is it a good plan to perhaps look at making a summer base for example at St Malo. The advantage is that it has the Dinard airport for Ryan air... Also any suggestions for places to visit from St Malo or perhaps I should be looking at a different area for my first trip to Europe.. ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: S&J
Date Posted: 05 October 2014 at 18:02
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St Malo is a great place to explore the French coast and maybe even venture into the Rance if the weather turns against you. I have only stayed at the large marina outside the town but you can also lock into the inner basins which may be better for a long stay. Other nearby places worth exploring include St Quay Portrieux (large modern marina with all good access), Paimpol and the rivers (watch for currents when berthing) at Lezardrieux and Treguier. After that you are into North Brittany with plenty of fascinating ports. If the frighteningly rocky entrance does not put you off, Ploumanach is a personal favourite. En route to St Malo you have the Channel Islands and Dielette just past Cap de la Hague. You will probably find most French marinas about 25% cheaper than the UK, and often significantly less if you are there outside the "peak" months (usually July - August). Although it has been a few years since I have been there, Normandy / North Brittany used to be my regular summer cruising ground, so feel free to contact me if you any further info. ------------- H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising |
Posted By: Martin&Rene
Date Posted: 05 October 2014 at 21:29
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Holby I have recently been reading the book "Coastal Turmoil" by Ken Endean and have found it really useful in helping me to understand and predict sea conditions up on the West Coast of Scotland. Some of his examples include places you are likely to visit in your trip next year, so it could be good background reading. He has had a number of articles in "Yachting Monthly, some of which cover similar topics to the book. So is next year's toast in Calvados? Martin ------------- Martin&Rene Hanse 341 Dipper Wheel steering, 3 cabin layout, normally based in Scotland |
Posted By: echoofwight
Date Posted: 08 October 2014 at 09:57
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I have spent every summer for the last ten years cruising these areas, great places to sail and lots of harbours close together, once you get there. If you are coming from the Scilly Isles, what is the e longest passage you are happy to do? Nearest easy harbours are Roscoff or Camaret, about 120nm. There are other options but these two would be my choice after a longish trip. Channel Island are about 150 miles. My thoughts for next year are to get to Roscoff in early June, leaving Portsmouth end of May, heading south. But plans have a habit of not working, so I don't make any firm ones. This year I spent three months and stayed in marinas every night, average cost was twenty pounds per night but we stay for several days at a time and get discounts. Roscoff for example, is 27 Euros for my 341, with one day free if you stay a week. St Briec was 57 Euros for four nights so a bargain, but not everybody's favourite place. All in all great places to sail, can get busy from July to mid August but don't let that put you off. ------------- Steve. Hanse 341 Echo of Wight, . Deep draft and rudder, white hull, Single aft cabin. Raymarine instruments. Raymarine radar. Garmin AIS. Wheel Steering, Portsmouth. |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 08 October 2014 at 10:31
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David,S & J, Martin & Rene and Steve, Thank you very much for your inputs. Calvados could be the drink of next year but it would have to go along way for me to push my Scotch aside... The book title is noted. David, I know Lundy is not really on route to the Scillies, but I want to try if possible to call in there for a day.... S & J, I will look at contacting you if I may, later if you don't mind... There are a myriad of questions to ask.. Steve, I was looking at St Malo, but I will also have a look at Roscoff. As to length of trips, this is not a problem really within reason, as yet the longest I have done is 3 days nonstop, so 120 miles should not be a problem. Obviously before anybody comments, this is obviously subject to weather. Will put further info up as I develop my plans, but as Steve says plans have a habit of not working or being adapted on the "hoof" as they say. Thanks again for your help... One thing that I obviously need to look at is ;- What regs do I need to conform to regarding boat equipment, reporting, paperwork, etc..... If perhaps somebody could list these things I need to comply with... Do UK boats get checked by French Authorities, etc? Cheers. Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 08 October 2014 at 19:25
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Dave In one 11 week period I had no fewer than 14 customs officers come on board between Boulogne & the The Isle De Groix. It is just the luck of the draw. Do not go in the peak times. Costs go up & kids & dogs are worse than in the UK. Some marinas fill up early. But do not let it deter you, It is a great cruising ground. As a group of Dutch sailor told me -" France is a great place only ruined by the French". Food near the marinas is pretty poor too. St Malo has some interesting walks but the old town is "false" as it was almost totally wiped out in the war & is a re construction. But whatever you do go to St Peter Port. Great hospitality, good food & lots to explore. That is why I went there again on my 2 round UK trips I expect to go again in 2015 leaving UK circa 16 June & it usually takes me 10-12 days to get there. ( D..m I should not have told you that you will be after my Lidl scotch !!!!!) ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |
Posted By: echoofwight
Date Posted: 08 October 2014 at 22:47
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Dave, the RYA website lists the requirements for cruising in France, more reliable than me trying to list them, although theres nothing needed that we don't have in the UK. I have been boarded twice, once in Brittany, just needed passports and boat registration. For a Pilot guide I use the BLOC almanac, its French, and very good for the French Coast. Cost 27 Euros. I was sailing in France this year from June till the end of September, came back from Cherbourg a couple of weeks ago. It is busier in peak season, but I don't worry about it, busiest time is July 14th to August 15th, the whole of France seem to take this time off between the two public holidays. That said, the last two Augusts 2013/14 have been very quiet, may be because France is suffering some hard times. Steve ------------- Steve. Hanse 341 Echo of Wight, . Deep draft and rudder, white hull, Single aft cabin. Raymarine instruments. Raymarine radar. Garmin AIS. Wheel Steering, Portsmouth. |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 15 October 2014 at 22:02
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Thanks Steve.. Well dig into the RYA website. Cheers. Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Taylor
Date Posted: 02 March 2015 at 10:30
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Dave We regularly took our old boat a large trailable yacht to South Brittany (Audierne to La Rochelle) and also visited with friends for holidays out of Plymouth. The RYA website is quite good for advice about paperwork but can still be vague. We were regularly checked over in the marinas but never asked for documents! (Be polite to the men in black with guns!) Our boat had large SSR Registration numbers on the side. This seemed sufficient for them to prove we were Uk registered. A red ensign helps! A defaced blue one is not recommended they seemed like magnets to the Jackboots and presumed you were either drug smuggling, money laundering or people trafficking! I don't remember being asked for any documents in all the time we were there. But we had Passports, Car and Boat insurance, SSR certificate. VHF boat and operator licence. There is a load of bollix talked about needing an ICC to cruise France. It is not needed nor is the CEVNI endorsement for some of the inland navigation above the barrages of the Rance or the Villaine at Arzal. Marinas in this area are free all day including water and electricity. You only get charged if you stay over night! It is a good idea to find out if any big rallies are planned as they can mean a very busy Marina or sometimes the full sign is put up. (Ignore the sign and find an empty berth!) If you go into the Morbihan there are loads of moorings which can reliably be picked up late afternoon or evening with zero risk of an owner returning as night time navigation is vary rare and brave in there! Also plenty of secure anchorages. A trip up to Vannes is worthwhile and we enjoyed being there during the annual Jazz Festival. Useful spot for lay over or crew change? North Brittany can often suffer from sea fog in summer! South Brittany is warmer IMHO! The Sagemoor marina group offers some good deals if you are spending more than a few weeks in the area? Used to be called the Passporte Morbihan or something similar? Do you have? Peter Cumberlidge's "Secret Anchorages of Brittany" Good for ideas. Best nights had were sharing scotch with a couple of French guys in La Roche Bernard and La Trinite. We were all speaking fluently (mainly complete crap) in each others languages by the end of the evenings! Steve ------------- Hanse 301 Bluenote 11 |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 02 March 2015 at 16:33
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Steve, I Thoroughly enjoyed your down to earth description of cruising Brittany. Look forward to reading some more detail of ports and anchorages when you have the time. Excellent stuff. Are there any particular tidal gates and race which you would mention? Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: Taylor
Date Posted: 02 March 2015 at 18:43
The biggest Tidal Gate is the Chanel du Four   and on to the Raz de Seine. We managed to time across channel from Plymouth and right through to Audierne on our last trip! Once through there is nothing really serious other than the entrance to the Morbihan and or timing your approach to the River Villaine. I may be a bit blase about tides as our normal crusing ground around Anglesey seems just as or more challenging than anything I found in Brittany! The timing is more challenging on a return trip and the advice we followed was either go right outside Ouessant (the LONG LONG way) or plan your hops from as near to the Raz as you can get. This usually means getting to St Just off Audierne and waiting for the correct time to hit Raz at slack. On one of our earliest trips we got this wrong on a flat calm day and ended up with green rollers over the cabin top, spray hood and filling the cockpit as we motored through in a Cobra 850 which has a lot of freeboard for its size! Stopping off at Camaret or Aberildut or Aberwrach was usual before setting off back to Plymouth. The places we enjoyed most were Audierne, Concarneau Belon and Aven, Belle Isle especially Sauzon. La Trinite for the monster cats and trimarans. Le Crouesty and anywhere in the Morbihan. Experience the Vent Solaire at Houat (40 knots and an night time electric storm in the company of a minimum of 50 anchored yachts most of them dragging!). Hoedic another almost Caribean type island, then enjoy the rural back waters of the River Villaine barraged freshwater with plenty of bankside moorings , medieval castles, mansions and country village fetes and fireworks. Our quickest trip to the Villaine was only an overnight sail from Portsmouth and 2.5 hours from St Malo................ By Road!  https://www.dropbox.com/sc/9wcxyqwtfrzqppx/AAD8pwUXYzHqLLVM12pC7vvoahttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79352891/Brittany/IMAG0679.jpg Shame we are going to Scotland this year!
------------- Hanse 301 Bluenote 11 |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 02 March 2015 at 20:37
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Thanks again for this info. I was hoping to get to South Brittany for the first time this year, but it now looks like it may have to wait until next year. May be able to see some of North Brittany for the first time if weather is agreeable, on our way to the Scillies once again. We normally stick to day sailing, which can sometimes extend up to 18 hours. The occasional overnight is fine if necessary. I therefore assume that the "easy" choice going South through Chenel Du Four would be to go from L'Aberwrach around to Brest or Cameret. Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 03 March 2015 at 05:36
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Charles When i did it I went along french coast to Cherbourg ( RYA members get 20% discount) then St Peter Port, Lezardrieux, Treburden,L'Aberwrach, Camaret, Douarnez, Audiern ( Do not try anchoring outside in St Evett it is horrible in a swell) Benodet etc etc That kept the trips to a day sail , l'Havre to Cherbourg being the longest. All these places are good for a visit The Chenal du Four & Raz de Sein were daunting because of the warnings in the pilot books ( & not without reason) but by working the tides & keeping an eye on the weather it was a lot easier than I expected. By far the roughest passage was the Alderney Race & that was because I had to catch a flight out of Guernsey. The moral being - Never sail to a strict timetable ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |
Posted By: CharlesP
Date Posted: 03 March 2015 at 09:49
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Many thanks Sam and Steve. It's good to hear about experiences. A great help in interpreting Pilots and Reeds. Charles ------------- 'MERIDIAN LADY' 320 Nr 536 2010 Medway |