Brittany marinas

[gjgm]

I know that normally there are the designated V berths, and in some of the big places a lad in a dory, but quite how does it work if you go out for the day? In UK you get allocated a berth, but I always got the feeling in France that if you nip out for the day, even if you have paid for several days, someone will nick your berth. Of course the tides might limit your options anyway !

 

[guernseyman]

I'm sure in various marinas I've seen a length of cord strung across a berth carrying a label with something written on it.
If the panel cannot come up with more details, it would be worth asking at the office.

 

[Bandit]

This is quite a good site for Brittany & Normandy marinas see Digimap.gg - Marine- Marinas. Colin who runs this is another Windy owner.

Generally Marinas do not keep or struggle to keep a specific berth for a boat that has gone out for the day. But on the other hand one normally gets a berth

 

[Nigelpickin]

This has been a regular issue for us over the last three seasons, best bet is to call or email ahead and book a berth. You get a varying response, we've had luck with:
Brest
Saints Marine
Belle Ille
Les Sable
Pornichet
La Rochelle

All of whom reserved our space and allowed us to do as we pleased and kept our berth for us.

Trinity in Morbihan also did this for us but on return from a day in the gulf we returned to find a motor boat in our berth, but no worries as we just rafted.

A lot of the marinas will not take a booking and will put you on the long visitor arms, it's fine but you will be taking pot luck on your return to the marina after a day out.

Best bet is to plan and send friendly emails, requesting a berth and offering to pay in advance.

Can't stress enough the importance of arriving at marinas at the optimum time, between 10:00 and 12:00, you'll have far mor chance of getting a space and can then wait to watch the raggies scrambling for room as the day goes on.

Happy travels

 

[Bandit]

Most marinas in Brittany, You cant book in advance Its an English thing you will get in to Guernsey and Jersey and most Brittany/Normandy ports perhaps not your perfect berth but they will find you one for an average size boat. They do not take bookings because her is large amount of no shows.

Booking a berth for a visiting boat is an English custom in the UK , mot marinas in France will not take a firm booking, Possibly Med popular marinas will?

With a 39 and 48 ft boat over 15 years I have only been turned away once in Brittany because of and incoming yacht race.

 

[Poignard]

Can't stress enough the importance of arriving at marinas at the optimum time, between 10:00 and 12:00, you'll have far mor chance of getting a space and can then wait to watch the raggies scrambling for room as the day goes on.

At lunch time lots of small motor boats ( Merry Fishers and such like) come into the marinas and occupy berths while their crews go ashore for a leisurely lunch. They clear off in mid to late afternoon, without having paid for the berths they have occupied. Anyone arriving whilst they are in occupation might think he is not going to get a berth that day so it's best to arrive before lunch, as you suggest, or well after it!

 

[Nigelpickin]

At lunch time lots of small motor boats ( Merry Fishers and such like) come into the marinas and occupy berths while their crews go ashore for a leisurely lunch. They clear off in mid to late afternoon, without having paid for the berths they have occupied. Anyone arriving whilst they are in occupation might think he is not going to get a berth that day so it's best to arrive before lunch, as you suggest, or well after it!

exactly you do tend to get into the rhythm of leaving/arriving after a while, I have a good history of emails to Capitainerie's offices that serve well in terms of keeping the relationship going....
It's well worth following Piers & Lin on their travels as there is a mine of information at hand on their site:
http://www.playdeau.com

 

[gjgm]

Just had a day cycling about sark,so tomorrow my rump needs a rest and it looks a very calm trip to trebeurden...

 

[Bandit]

GIGM
If you have not been before try St Cast

 

[guernseyman]

Just had a day cycling about sark,so tomorrow my rump needs a rest and it looks a very calm trip to trebeurden...

Make sure you lock up when you leave the boat. Last time I was there a couple were working all the pontoons, systematically boarding apparently vacated boats and trying the hatches.
The guy in the Marina Office just shrugged when I told him.

 

[gjgm]

Well seems one of the supercharger coils has smoked so a few more days in sunny spp...