Biscay crossing in october?

[coco]

I have the opportunity to sail from St. Malo to Faro at the beginning of october this year. Duration of the trip 2 weeks (boat must be in Faro by the 17th). The boat is a GibSea 43.
After being quite enthusiastic, I started to think hard about the trip and came to the conclusion that in order to do this in 2 weeks you must probably take a lot of risks, and certainly the Biscay may be a nasty place in October. (I suppose this is the kind of trip that sometimes leads to disasters or near disasters.) In addition to that, I think I would not mind doing it in a proper boat (V34/38, R34/38, etc), but a Gib Sea (6.5 tons for 43 ft.!).

What do you, more experienced guys (or gals), think of this? Anybody with some experience re. october Biscay crossings?

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by coco on 19/08/2003 13:55 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Goodge]

Never done it myself but I'm sure lots have people have because they need to get to Canaries for the ARC in November.

Can't imagine it woulds be that bad as we would have threads of horror stories every year and the maga zines would be full of tales of woe

Lets see what the ARC ers say.

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[tcm]

they try to get down to canaries by beginning september , though, not bash down at the last minute?

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[tome]

I've done it a couple of times, but not as late as this. I think you'll find that the ARC fleet are well on their way already. Don't think I'd chose to do it in a Gibsea . Having said that, I met the crew of a Gibsea 43 making their way to the ARC last month in Dartmouth, couldn't be the same boat ('Camilla')? If so, what are they doing in St Malo???

I've tried to bring a boat with a duff engine back during the winter months. We went down to Les Sables d'Olonne three successive weekends to find NW gales, eventually we set off in NW8 and it was a very tiring trip in real big seas. This on a heavy displacement long-keel wooden classic.

I'd study the weather nearer the time and wouldn't commit myself too deeply!


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[Gerry]

Have a look at www.martinnorthey.net. There was some advice onthere about a trip like this or you could email him. Not a lot he dosn't know about that trip!

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[NigeCh]

It depends on the weather

October is normally benign. but any Atlantic depression could turn everything topsy-turvy. I've been back and forth across Biscay over 20 times mostly in winter with not too many problems. IMHO, the Biscay crossing is a myth .... It's mostly calm with nice swells.

The worst problems have been off Spain and Portugal especially off Cabo Villano and Cabo San Vincente where the winds seem to do as they please.

It's suck it and see ...

Go for it.


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[shamrock]

My wife did this trip last October - in the Lord Nelson - 3 masted training ship. The first week wasn't much fun - motoring into Force 7-8 Southerly. Nobody enjoyed it, even the old hands.

After an unplanned stop in Vigo to recover, they had a much more pleasurable trip down to Lisbon, but the Bay lived up to it's reputation. Fortunately it was all in a good cause as she raised three grand for Cancer Research.

The lesson for a small boat sailor is that you do not choose when to cross the Bay, it chooses to let you go. I'd be concerned about any voyage that started at the beginning of the month with "the boat must be in Faro by the 17th". That puts pressure on the crew and skipper to take bad decisions on a marginal forecast.

I wouldn't worry much about the boat, assuming it is well maintained, it'll last much better than the crew in bad weather. (I've been through North Sea force nine in a similar size and weight) , but if you are forced to go without a good weather window it could be pretty unpleasent.

My wife loved her trip but swears that she won't cross Biscay in a small boat again if there's any chance of that sort of weather.

I suppose you've already suggested to the skipper that he leaves a bigger window for doing the trip?

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[coco]

Thanks to everybody for the time you took to comment and for your friendly advice.

Nigel just wondering, did you make the crossings with your C26?

Shamrock, this is a case where the window is all set and cannot unfortunately be changed, so it is up to me to agree or not.

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[NigeCh]

Biscay crossings:

Moody 47; Farr50; Rival 41; Rival 32; Valiant 40 & Valiant 42; Bristol Channel Cutter;a couple of Oysters and some Swans too .... lots of Beneteaus, a Bavaria and an Alden 44 ...and so the list goes on .... BUT sofar not yet in a CO26. The worst crossing was with a Legend ... and that not a proper boat.



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[Jeremy_W]

I sailed on a delivery Plymouth - Tenerife in October '90. We had F11 South West in the Channel, F9 South West off Lisbon and the SW wind continued till South of Faro. Even when sailing a 77 footer it was "character building".

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[Sybarite]

1) I wouldn't single out the GibSea. They have a reputation in France of being tough no-frills boats.

2) My tendancy would be to go but to keep a close watch on the weather patterns and be prepared to abort or delay. No delivery situation can be so imperative that it puts lives at risk - whatever the skipper says.

3) Make sure the boat is set up for heavy weather sailing just in case.

My great experience of one Biscay crossing (in May) showed that, as Nigel says, the weather was worse off the Iberian coast : full gale. Listening to weather forecasts -for Finistere - I believe this is often the case.

John




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[Spacewaist]

Not a lot to add to NigeBs post. October is normally OK, but when they come depressions can be pretty severe (Oct 1987 anyone?)

However in a 43ft boat you sd be able to get across in 4-5 days. You can get a 5 day forecast by phone from the Met Office before you go. These are pretty reliable at the macro level (eg there will be fresh winds/strong winds form the South West quadrant on Thursday).

If you get the right comms you can speak to the Met Office while at sea. Attraction of this is that he can break down the nearer term forecast for a particular sea area and route you round the weather - perhaps. On passage from the Azores last year a vigorous depression was forecast. Many boats stood off and hove to for a couple of days to let the depression pass through. The forecast for Sole Lunday Fasnet etc was SW 9-10. The Met Office "routed me" through the southern sector of Sole to be sure of lighter (F6/7) winds for a comfortable passage. It's £17 a go, but worth it and gave me the confidence to keep going.

<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2003

 

[AndrewB]

I'd agree with this, except that I have found the French forecasts more reliable for southern Biscay and the north Spanish coast.

A common strategy is to put into Cameret near Brest, and then wait for a clear 3-day weather window on the French forecast, to get across to Corunna or Camarinas. There are normally a number of yachts in Cameret in October, waiting for the clear.

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[simonjk]

Hi Coco,

Something from the weathermans point of view.

Biscay can be okay early October, but it is a very topsy turvy month.

There only has to be a strong zonal flow and one depression after another can sweep through the area.

Also, something to watch out for is swell from depressions far into the Atlantic. It can be that the track of the depression takes it well away from the Biscay area, but the swell associated with it may rush into the Bay and cause nasty seas.

As suggested elsewhere, best to get that 3 day weather window and always have an alternative plan to hand. Take advice on the weather from a weatherman (not plugging me although be delighted to help) and then get ready to make the journey in a series of short hops.

Another thing to note this year is that the hurricane season has been in a bit of a lull. Forecasters now suggest the season is about to get busy again and this could indicate a late season end. Therefore, active depressions may be sweeping through the Atlantic in October this year, although as with all long range forecasts, take this one with a picnch of salt.

Don't want to put you off.

Hope that helps,
Simon


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[Sybarite]

I have often heard that there is rougher water at the edge of the continental shelf due to upswellings. Don't know if this is myth or fact but perhaps to be avoided just in case.

John

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[AndrewB]

Continental shelf.

Yes, it is. Even in a flat calm you can see the upswellings - a long line as far as the eye can see. But its impossible to avoid as it cuts right across Biscay.

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[aod]

An October crossing is rather late and you would be best to expect a bumpy ride. I have done this trip myself in October and I would strongly recommend that you speak to the skipper and establish his experience. You will know whether he has a clue because anyone with an ounce of common would head due west out of the western approaches until they get 50 miles off the continental shelf befor turning south.
Getting caught in a prolonged sw/w October gale in Biscay in a 43ft Gibsea you will need a deal of luck and plenty of clean underwear.

My suggestion would be to simply ask the skipper what route he intends to take. If it's across Biscay stay at home. If it's out into the Atlantic and off the shelf before turning left go for it.

Hope this helps

Richard

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