Best Landfall in North Brittany?

Dockhead

Dockhead

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We are departing Tuesday for North Brittany from Salcombe. I have been reading and reading the pilot books, but still can't decide on the best landfall. Seems like a tough coast - no all-tide ports, few anchorages, 'interesting' pilotage.

To where would you head from Salcombe? L'Aberwrac'h may be too far West - we plan to meander East arriving back Solent in two weeks.

I would be grateful for any tips.
 
Without any doubt in my mind, the Ile de Batz.

The giant lighthouse there shows up about 2/3 the way across, there are no rocky hazards north of that, and the leading lights for the ferry terminal at Bloscon/for Roscoff lead safe and clear past the east entrance to the Chenal du Batz. Turn right at the appropriate point into the Chenal - clearly described in Reeds and most other Brittany pilot books - and find the dozen visitors free moorings close on your right.

In daylight, there are plenty of big brightly-painted daymark beacons, and ordinary pilotage techniques will serve you just fine. There's plenty of eau in the channels, and the hazards are obvious.

Enjoi!
 
Thanks!!

I'll study that. If that's accessible for a yacht with 2.35 draft, it sounds like an excellent landfall.
 
Roscoff is not a bad shout. Big lighthouse lot of buoyage. There are moorings you can pick up just inside Ile Pighet and from there you can gather your forces in order to continue East or enter the Morlaix river and perhaps the anchorage at Pen Lann.
Treburden is another, there are waiting buoys outside or enter the tidal marina, it's rather expensive though and there is not much there except a beach.

I think I might consider breaking the journey into two daylight legs though, with a stopover in Guernsey, esp in light, motoring, conditions. Then onto Treguier. You have to turn left into the river, etc. Probably looks worse then it is. Once in there is a choice of nice anchorages or enter the marina (best at H or LW). Fine town.
 
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If you really mean landfall in the traditional sense, i.e. somewhere to get a fix when approaching the coast, there are several good ones. Ile be Batz is one, Ile Vierge is another. With GPS though, all you really need is a waypoint on a safe approach to the chosen port.

'No all-tide ports' isn't strictly true. Lezardrieux for example is accessible at all states of the tide though I grant that entering against a spring ebb would be hard work.
 
Dockhead said:
We are departing Tuesday for North Brittany from Salcombe. I have been reading and reading the pilot books, but still can't decide on the best landfall. Seems like a tough coast - no all-tide ports, few anchorages, 'interesting' pilotage.

To where would you head from Salcombe? L'Aberwrac'h may be too far West - we plan to meander East arriving back Solent in two weeks.

I would be grateful for any tips.
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Lezardrieux has an all-tide marina as well as a tidal one.
Treguier is positively dangerous away from slack water, but there is a waiting pontoon which solves the problem.
For all-weather, all-tide safety, the Morlaix river is about as far west as one can go, short of L'Aberwrac'h. There are a few visitors buoys at Pen Lann, or you can anchor below Dourduff, if locking into the marina is not possible.
Even though there is a tidal sill to negotiate, and no pontoons - only trots, I recommend Ploumanac'h. It is unforgettable, and although the mooring fees have become comparable with the marinas, the showers in the facilities are free.
 
I was not using the word 'landfall' in its correct technical sense, apparently. I meant port of arrival, I guess.

Another consideration: I will have non-EU citizens on board. I guess I need a port of entry.
 
Strange expression - landfall.

Always seems to me that it should be when leaving land.

On arrival, the land rises out of the horizon.

Anybody know the origin ?

Dockhead said:
We are departing Tuesday for North Brittany from Salcombe. I have been reading and reading the pilot books, but still can't decide on the best landfall. Seems like a tough coast - no all-tide ports, few anchorages, 'interesting' pilotage.

To where would you head from Salcombe? L'Aberwrac'h may be too far West - we plan to meander East arriving back Solent in two weeks.

I would be grateful for any tips.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think Ploumenac'h is on with your draught, finding a free mooring off Isle De Batz is risky because if there isn't one free what then?

Trebeurden has a fairly long open period and there are anchorages near if you missed it, pricey marina though and not my favourite.

Treguier is favourite I think, just avoid arriving off the entrance a LW springs and do arrive with a rising tide or it is a long slog up the river. The marina in Treguier is OK just so long as you remember the tide flows through it fast (I mean FAST!) and you must find a berth going into it. Actually with your boat size you will have to go on one of the the hammer heads which makes life easier BUT you need to be sure there is a space on one so radio or phone ahead, the HM speaks English and is very helpful. At worst there is a nearby holding pontoon but not connected to shore.
 
How about Guernsey, Jersey, St Malo then West ? Works for me, Salcombe - Guernsey is a decent length leg and a good angle...

The earlier comment about fog is all too true, watch out for it and have a Plan B ready in case it crops up unexpectedly.
 
Robin said:
....finding a free mooring off Isle De Batz is risky because if there isn't one free what then?

Trebeurden has a fairly long open period and there are anchorages near

Treguier is favourite I think, just avoid arriving off the entrance a LW springs and do arrive with a rising tide or it is a long slog up the river. The marina in Treguier is OK just so long as you remember the tide flows through it fast (I mean FAST!) and you must find a berth going into it. Actually with your boat size you will have to go on one of the the hammer heads which makes life easier BUT you need to be sure there is a space on one so radio or phone ahead, the HM speaks English and is very helpful. At worst there is a nearby holding pontoon but not connected to shore.
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There are plenty of fine anchorages along the south side of the Ile de Batz, too. There are plenty more around the edges of the Baie de Morlaix. They, also, are in Reeds and t'other pilotage books. The above-mentioned 'approach to landfall' is about as bullet-proof as is possible along there, even allowing for some inclement weather.

The navigation and transition to pilotage is about as easy as it gets - even I can find Bloscon/Roscoff by following the ferry..... :D
 
Lady Campanula said:
There are plenty of fine anchorages along the south side of the Ile de Batz, too. There are plenty more around the edges of the Baie de Morlaix. They, also, are in Reeds and t'other pilotage books. The above-mentioned 'approach to landfall' is about as bullet-proof as is possible along there, even allowing for some inclement weather.

The navigation and transition to pilotage is about as easy as it gets - even I can find Bloscon/Roscoff by following the ferry..... :D
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You know that and I know that but for someone arriving for the first time to North Brittany after a long trip from the UK it isn't so simple because IMO they really need a guaranteed spot to park. Also Dockhead has a big boat with I think 2.35m draught which limits things, even on the buoys in many places. Not the same as arriving from just around the corner in L'Aberwrac'h when if needs be you have time and inclination to head off someplace else.
 
For me, always found Lezardriuex a great landfall. Straight forward, plenty of space and charming little town. We used to then do st malo and channel islands on the way home..
 
This seems to reflect some personal preferences now, and I respect yours.

My own experience of using the 'V' moorings just west of Ile Pigued, by the SE corner of Ile de Batz, is that I've not once failed to find a free buoy. Also, they all offer 4-5 metres or more at CD, according to Reeds, so the OP's draft of 2.35m. will readily be accommodated. Certainly, a safe approach in deep water is assured, with all the 'sticky-up bits' lit and painted.

The moorings area is also sheltered from winds from every direction except E and SE. Even Peter Cumberlidge mentions it favourably.

Of course, the OP will be visiting in August, when all the French and Dutch who can find themselves a boat will be thronging the marinas AND the waiting buoys outside them. In such circumstances, there can be no guarantees....

;)​
 
Robin said:
I don't think Ploumenac'h is on with your draught, finding a free mooring off Isle De Batz is risky because if there isn't one free what then?

Trebeurden has a fairly long open period and there are anchorages near if you missed it, pricey marina though and not my favourite.

Treguier is favourite I think, just avoid arriving off the entrance a LW springs and do arrive with a rising tide or it is a long slog up the river. The marina in Treguier is OK just so long as you remember the tide flows through it fast (I mean FAST!) and you must find a berth going into it. Actually with your boat size you will have to go on one of the the hammer heads which makes life easier BUT you need to be sure there is a space on one so radio or phone ahead, the HM speaks English and is very helpful. At worst there is a nearby holding pontoon but not connected to shore.
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Treguier-yes, some sill Frenchman tried to leave his finger berth next to me when the tide was on the flood. Three seconds later he is firmly pranged onto my bow. HM had to drag him off. HM really does to try to tell people what to do on ebb and flood, so do believe the pilot books and do follow his advice.
Lezardriuex is the easier of the two rivers to enter, but kicks up a right mess off the western side in poorer weather.
 
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