Biscay first time

[MoonDust]

Does anyone have any advice for a first Biscay crossing (Brest to Coruna) in own boat in late June. I'm already assuming the following:
* get the weather right
* take plenty of water, fuel and stugeron

Thanks.

 

[Das_Boot]

Are you rowing?.
Then leave the fuel take plenty of food.

 

[Sailfree]

Allow a good few days good weather window and if it all goes pear shaped go out to sea not try to find to port. At Hendaye last year I was suprised by the rollers going down the marina entrance channel and that was on a calm day!

 

[jonic]

Pick a good long window if you can, you may need plenty of fuel, we had a flat calm all the way across and motor sailed most of it.

Check your flares, epirb, liferaft, vhf etc.

Go on a good forcast and enjoy. Watch out for the sparrows that hitch a lift half way, and the dolphins as you near the shelf.

 

[TigaWave]

It'll be worth it, the Spanish coast East and West of Coruna is lovely.
But as you said allow yourself plenty of time to wait for a weather window, it can get quite horrible out there.
Dont forget to get your tuna fishing gear sorted, big plastic squid on wire trace. Be cautious of other peoples advice on weather, otherwise have a good trip it can be lovely.

 

[tome]

Most stressful bit is getting around Ouessant dodging ships & fog, after that you're into deep water with little traffic about. If fog forecast, go west well clear of Ouessant and TSS's. Otherwise Chenal du Four is a useful short cut and nowhere near as daunting as it looks on the charts. You can get some big seas in the Bay, but they are long and gentle compared with the channel chop once you are clear of the shelf.

Look out for low mist on the approach to the Spanish coast. Lighthouses can often be obscured in low cloud/mist and not appear where you expect them to be. Lots of fishing boats around in the Bay with big Tuna rods out either side.

Follow the forecasts in the week before you go so you get to build a picture. And don't let the girls wash their hair every day (we ran short of water 150 miles from Spain once before discovering why).

Enjoy!

 

[affinite]

If you see me (AffiniteII) DO stop and say hello because it means Im becalmed and out of fuel - we are setting out (Biscay first timer also) 1st week June. BTW - only joking about the fuel -Ive enough Jerry cans lined up to set up an offshore fuel barge