Chenal du Four - Timing?

[watermark]

We are planning on going southbound through the Chenal du Four on Monday and in order to sort a passage plan I need to plan an arrival time to take advantage of the tidal gate. Can anyone recall the best time to start the passage, I seem to recall it is one hour before HW Brest at Le Four, but have left all my pilot books, charts etc on board where they belong!

Thanks in anticipation

 

[Robin]

The tide in Chenal Du Four proper (south of Le Four light say) goes south at about HW Brest but the Channel tide is still going east at that time for another couple of hours. Going direct from the UK, we usually target the 'top' at HW Brest + 2hrs at our min planned speed which if we go faster means we can be 2 hrs early and OK or one hour late and still OK.

Robin

PS we will be a week behind you....

 

[Goodge]

We may be going through there ourselves on Monday but could be Sunday.
I remember looking at the pilot on Sunday and it said HW Brest + 1

We're looking to to get to L'Aberwrach then depart there and head for Audierne.

Wind direction not looking good for us for channel on Saturday, trying to see if we can go tomorrow.

Anyway look out for a catamaran called Wild Honey... may be see you there !

Where you heading ?

 

[watermark]

Thanks both, looks like an early arrival on Monday morning then, wind looking a bit dodgy at the moment with the small low moving around a bit.

I currently plan to get on board at Dartmouth on Saturday lunchtime after despatching hound to expensive hotel for 3 weeks (kennels) and head west to Plymouth or Newton Ferrers on Saturday before leaving Sunday morning to catch the by then, hopefully, emerging westerly breeze for at least half of the crossing.

Boat is Watermark, a First 33.7, destination is Vannes, probably after Carmeret and may be one other stop along the way dependent upon pressure from SWMBO and 3 daughters in search of make up, showers and shopping. Perhaps see you there or somewhere?

 

[Robin]

Why not just go straight from Dartmouth, that is our usual departure point and save a day, the distance is about the same? You can lay the course (about 208 degs) in a West wind but not a SW one.

Robin

 

[Goodge]

Prety certain we will visit Camaret but just aiming for Audierne and plan each day as it comes from there.

Just want to get there !!!

 

[watermark]

The point is the wind direction, if it has gone west, or looks like going west sooner than the current models show we will go direct from Dartmouth, but on current predictions for the little low every bit of westing will be needed!

 

[john_morris_uk]

We depart on Friday 29 from Plymouth -so I am just about to go through the same planning process once again... Probably heading straight for the for the Bell Isle area. Maybe stop at Isles Glenan en route? See how we feel... Houat, Hoedic, La Trinite etc etc...

See you down there - if you see a Westerly Sealord 'Serendipity' come and say hello.

 

[charles_reed]

If you\'re

trying to get through the Raz on the same tide it's best to catch it about HW Brest +30mins, if just getting ito Iroise any time from HW Brest +1 hr to +4.