Biscay crossing 2003

[Ocean Hound]

Looking for a bit of advice about setting off across Biscay, Morbihan-San Sebastian i.e earliest sensible time to make the passge and also what wind/weather complications can expected on the return passage possibly August

 

[zefender]

According to the pilot books, I believe it's best to return before end August since the frequency of poor weather increases considerably after this time.

Generally, the advice is to keep as much West as possible and to stay as deep as possible too. However, if you are going to San Sebastian, then you'll be staying fairly close to the shore (unless my geography has gone awry). If this is so, then you can duck in to safe harbour fairly quickly should it turn nasty but from La Gironde southwards, the number of all weather/all tide options decrease markedly.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

There was an article in PBO about three issues ago on routes across.
Generally stay deep. Some of the ports are not approachable when the sea gets up.
Go before end august. Plan your deprture time on the weather donot go out if it does not look good. Take a sea anchor.

These are lessons learned by a friend who went in my place on a crossing 2 years ago. They hit a ferocious storm that dislodged a steel 1000 ltr water tank in wooden boat.

Beer! Now there's a temporary solution.

 

[Guest]

Well it depends.............

You dont say what boat you are in, what kit it has and how strong and experienced your crew. Nor do you say how long you have got. I assume a well found 35' yacht and competant crew.

Secondly you say, "across Biscay", but then mention Morbihan which are on the coasts - on my chart at least!

The problem with BIscay is that it takes circa 5 days, and you cant get reliable forecasts in excess of two. That's why the received wisdom is to wait until the summer when the weather is more settled. Cross in either direction from May to August. It doesnt guarantee you good weather - just that statistically it is less likely that it will be bad!.

However, if you are going round the coast, and have the patience to wait for your weather - and then restrict yourselves to 24-36 hour passages - you can go essentially when you like. It could take over month, but there are some lovely spots on the Atlantic coast of France in addition to the Gulf of Morbihan. Theres also Santander Gijon etc on the N of Spain too.

This will take more planning and patience with the weather, because the French Atlantic Coast is a lee shore in most bad weather and access to some ports is very dangerous in stong onshore winds. Theres also some tricky passage planning in this approach, particularly the Chenal du Four and the Raz du Seine early in the season. However, if you've got the time and the patience...........

As regards weather complications on your return, assumuing you are starting form the Rias or Cape Finisterre, you can expect a stiff N or NE breeze (F5-6) from the Portuguese Trades. Theres a possiblilty of fog too, but less so in August. The wind should back slowly the further north you get.

Start on Starboard Tack for 12 hours then make the tack with the most Northing for the next 36, with a view to being about 200- 250nm due North of Finisterrre before you turn onto the rhumb line home. (You need to check the 200/250 nm on the chart - the purpose is to make your approach the continental shelf at a point where the depth change is most gradual.)


Good luck

 

[alant]

Just done a delivery to Gibraltar, left Plymouth 9th Sept, originally intending to go to Falmouth & then 'outside' Biscay. However, synoptic charts showed low pressure systems off Iberia which looked like coming North (likelyhood of being pinned in Falmouth) with High pressure shown across France giving easterlies in Biscay (wide isobars). Decided to divert from original planned route, & go Plymouth to Brest & then across to La Coruna with good brisk F4-6.
Check weather first & then decide. Our only problem was southerly (SE-SW) all down Portugal/Spain & foul 'tide'/current of about 1knt until past Cap St Vincente. We had a good weatherfax download from Northwood & Germany , which helped give passage planning confidence.

 

[NigeCh]

Anytime

Biscay can either be benign or evil. If you are going coastal then you will have to watch for 24 hour forecasts. From Morbihan to San Sebastion you are, with respect, hardly going across Biscay. What you are doing is probably going to do is either easier or more difficult: shallow equals shorter seas - Stay coastal and monitor Nord & Sud Gascogne on Bulletin Inter Service Mer.