Biscay tomorrow for a 5 day passage? Or France?

[webcraft]

Arrived in the Scillies last night planning a departure tomorrow morning for La Coruna, but the wind is looking like predominately SWesterlies with some unpleasantness possible coincident with arriving off NW Spain Monday or Tuesday.

Not really wanting to force it, but staying here and waiting for a better window is not appealing as there is a big blow coming next week.

So was considering France, maybe Audierne and wait there to head across. Never been that way, any advice or info welcome.

- W

 

[wully1]

Tell you what, I’ll plan a windsurfing trip for next week and that will ensure light winds and no swell in the North Atlantic..

 

[WoodyP]

You will need to head west with that forecast. We got trapped in Scilly at New Grimsby sound for 5days. Not much fun.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Why West?

Perhaps you could contact this person http://www.gentlesailing.com There is a lot of information on the inshore passages but also the various ports.

 

[Hadenough]

Arrived in the Scillies last night planning a departure tomorrow morning for La Coruna, but the wind is looking like predominately SWesterlies with some unpleasantness possible coincident with arriving off NW Spain Monday or Tuesday.

Not really wanting to force it, but staying here and waiting for a better window is not appealing as there is a big blow coming next week.

So was considering France, maybe Audierne and wait there to head across. Never been that way, any advice or info welcome.

- W

 

[webcraft]

Thinking going to Audierne to wait.

Is it possible to get through Chenal du Four / Raz de Sein on a single tide, and if not where is a good overnight spot in between?

Didn't take any French charts or pilots as never intended to go to France, but we have Navionics and the almanac, so should survive...

- W

 

[Deleted member 478]

Camaret sur Mer isn't a bad place to get stuck while you wait for a four day weather window.

 

[cherod]

sorry , no advice ( other than if possible wait until you are ready ) ,, consider your self lucky and enjoy

 

[Buck Turgidson]

The problem with forecasts in my experience is that the weather doesn't pay any attention to them.
It looks like a reachy, fetchy, where's the wind gone?, kind of passage to me. Strong winds at the end of next week which is a long time for the weather to change it's mind.

You know your boat and your capabilities better than us. I like a bit of a blow every now and then but not everyone does ;-)

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Oh and wherever you go, look out for the Mini6.50 fleet. They will all be knackered by now.

 

[webcraft]

Going to head for Camaret overnight tomorrow I think.

Buck, wind for the last two days of a passage direct to La Coruna starting tomorrow show 20+ kts on the nose. Could go further W and reach back in, might end up in Gijon, but never been to France so why not?

- W

 

[jordanbasset]

Good decision, it's not a race

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Good decision, it's not a race

+1

My earlier question on why west was that it would increase the crossing time and thus the likelihood of being caught in the developing strong winds, on the nose, on the last day. If one had to go, the shortest distance and time (based on last nights WIndguru) could get you there before the strong winds arrived. I agree heading to France is the calm option. Let the strong winds pass through.

However, based on this mornings Windguru strong wind is not arriving in Biscay until next Saturday now, so a dash across the bay would be in light winds and doable without probable risk of strong winds. Based on today's Windguru I would be inclined to cross the bay.

 

[greeny]

Looks like good westerlies today. Have you gone? Get out west a bit, then its a slog into S westerlies Friday Saturday onwards.

 

[DJE]

Thinking going to Audierne to wait.

Is it possible to get through Chenal du Four / Raz de Sein on a single tide, and if not where is a good overnight spot in between?

Didn't take any French charts or pilots as never intended to go to France, but we have Navionics and the almanac, so should survive...

- W

Yes it is perfectly possible to pass the Chenal de Four and the Raz de Sein on one tide. We did it last year at about 6 knots through the water with an hour or so to spare.

 

[Stemar]

If you haven't left already, one more possible spanner in the works is that France is suffering from a bit of a resurgence of Covid. You could find yourself facing a 2-week quarantine when you get back.

 

[cherod]

If you haven't left already, one more possible spanner in the works is that France is suffering from a bit of a resurgence of Covid. You could find yourself facing a 2-week quarantine when you get back.

he is not coming back , i think he is going to Spain

 

[Koeketiene]

Thinking going to Audierne to wait.

Is it possible to get through Chenal du Four / Raz de Sein on a single tide, and if not where is a good overnight spot in between?

Didn't take any French charts or pilots as never intended to go to France, but we have Navionics and the almanac, so should survive...

- W

It is possible, but only just.
Did it once, and wouldn't advise it.

Camaret is a good place to stop in between the Chenal du Four and the Raz de Sein.

Rather than waiting to cross at Audierne (town not accessible at all states of tide - or you have to stay on a mooring outside), I would consider Lesconil or Loctudy a more convenient starting point for a Biscay crossing.

 

[Mark-1]

@webcraft , is there a blog/FB page/twitter account for this trip and the background to it? I've just had a look over on Bluemoment and this gives a clue: Boat share in the Canaries - BLUEMOMENT

Perhaps I should have been paying more attention in recent years/months!

 

[Beneteau381]

Arrived in the Scillies last night planning a departure tomorrow morning for La Coruna, but the wind is looking like predominately SWesterlies with some unpleasantness possible coincident with arriving off NW Spain Monday or Tuesday.

Not really wanting to force it, but staying here and waiting for a better window is not appealing as there is a big blow coming next week.

So was considering France, maybe Audierne and wait there to head across. Never been that way, any advice or info welcome.

- W

Arrived in the Scillies last night planning a departure tomorrow morning for La Coruna, but the wind is looking like predominately SWesterlies with some unpleasantness possible coincident with arriving off NW Spain Monday or Tuesday.

Not really wanting to force it, but staying here and waiting for a better window is not appealing as there is a big blow coming next week.

So was considering France, maybe Audierne and wait there to head across. Never been that way, any advice or info welcome.

- W

Similar stuff happened to us, we went to L'Aberwrach first, then waited a couple of days there then went to Camaret, watch the pilot notes for the Chenal, we followed them faithfully but ended up nearly catching the turned tide! Some of the N going had actually started when we were nearly at the exit! It was like a millpond! Camaret for a few days, weather was unremitting for the big one. So went to Loctudy, Raz behaved according to the pilot. Waited at Loctudy for a few days, decided it wasnt going to happen, went to the chandlery and spent €75 on charts for the coast hop, that afternoon a window opened! Sailed the first day, and motored the next two to La Coruna. Then coast hopped to Algarve. Phone me for more detail 07967313792