Biscay Crossing

[TonyMS]

You want to be round Cap San Vicente before the SW winter gales set in. This can be as early as 1 October (when we got trapped in 2009). Doing the coastal route is enjoyable, but needs to be done leisurely, taking at least 3 months. So, IMHO, an August start rules it out.

Why not winter in NW Spain, and continue next spring?

My website details our passages.

TonyMS

 

[robertager1962]

Thanks to all for responding to my post and every answer has given me food for thought. The big adventure is getting ever closer and I am looking forward to meeting some of you on our travels. You will recognise us as I am the only fool who insists on using my paraffin anchor light at anchor.

 

[KellysEye]

Gales start in Biscay in September, so I wouldn't go August. We crossed in June and had a gale gusting 50 knots which hadn't been in a forecast, a Moody ran off towing drogues a cat hove to using both engines and sadly a local fishing boat was lost with all hands. So be prepared for heavy weather at any time

 

[capnsensible]

Mmm I think your advice is agreeing with many others and I am starting to think that we either need to leave earlier or look at the canals. (our original plan.) There are lots of conflicting stories about the best route but we would like to visit France and Northern Spain on the way so wanted to avoid a long Ocean Passage.

Don't worry it's only 350 miles! Not an ocean passage. I normally plan for three days. :encouragement:

 

[Tim Good]

We have done just that the other way. We sailed the channel in March and then worked our way along Brittany to Rochelle. Then crossed to Ribadesella. Now we're in Aviles.

Brittany is well worth doing and North Spain also lovely if you can explore inland a little. But coastal hopping isn't going to make it any easier in terms of cutting Biscay time. Even from Gijon to La Rochelle or Belle Ile your still talking over 200nm which isn't much different than going directly across to the Western tip of Brittany.

Anyway if you have time then certainly cross to Rochelle or Belle Ile and enjoy hat stretch of coast and the islands.

 

[Tim Good]

Don't worry it's only 350 miles! Not an ocean passage. I normally plan for three days. :encouragement:

Agreed. Take a decent weather forecast and compare GFS against Other models and you'll be able to almost guarantee a good window. Gone are the days where reliable forecasts only last 48 hours. And generally speaking a window in high pressure will be more reliable than a window based on low pressure.

 

[webcraft]

Gales start in Biscay in September, so I wouldn't go August. We crossed in June and had a gale gusting 50 knots which hadn't been in a forecast

Saying gales start in September so you should go in August, then admitting you were flattened in June suggests that you can get caught out by a gale any time if you are unlucky or impatient, as your story shows. People report crossing in flat calms at all times of the year, and others report Summer gales.

Being ready to cross by mid-August and waiting for a window should be fine IMO. I've done it twice in August Scillies-La Coruna with no drama, but your mileage may, as they say, differ.

- W

 

[LadyInBed]

Now we're in Aviles.

Hope you are enjoying it there as much as I did.