Commuting to marinas in Brittany

[Captain_Chaos]

Do any contributors to the forum live in the UK and keep their boat in a marina in France?

Before moving to Plymouth this season I briefly considered relocating to a marina in France eg Brest, St Malo near an airport which is served by low cost airlines.

I know that there are risks with Gallic air traffic control, but there can be problems on the motorway as well (took me more than 5 hours to drive from Plymouth to Nottingham last week)


I estimate that the costs of berthing in France (including travel costs) would be similar (broadly) with the costs of staying in the Uk, but would offer a new cruising area. I left it too late to do anything this year so I am thinking about next year .

Does anyone actually do this?



<hr width=100% size=1>My drinking team has a sailing problem

 

[circumnavigation]

We are based in S Brittany, but live in Jersey. Although not directly want you want, we do know many owners that live in the SW and take the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff. Most either bring their cars, but some do bring their bikes while others take train and taxi.

As for Marina prices, justifiably lower with facilities thrown in. Go for a Marina in the Morbihan area that offer the Passport Morbihan, thus allowing you to stay at other Marinas in the Group free for the first night etc, especially good if you are passing through or a weekend break away from your home marina.

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[rhinorhino]

Another factor to consider is the availability of flights, current legal action by the French may restrict or entirely remove the cheap flights, not so bad if you move the boat but a disaster if you bought a cottage.

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[max]

I kept my boat in Loctudy (South Brittany) for three years before cheap flights to Brest. The marina is new, well run, with all facilities, in a delightful setting. The cost at around £900 pa for a 10m yacht was about one third of the cost of the UK equivalent.

Using scheduled flights to either Quimper or Brest, booked in advance, I reckon I broke even with three family trips per year including car hire at the far end.

PM me if you would like more info.



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[Sybarite]

For more info :

http://www.sagemor.fr/

John

PS I'm at Locmiquélic.

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[Guest]

Also worth noting that French marina agreements run January--> December, unlike uk April --> March.
Hence you need to make plans sooner than you think!

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[TomIsitt]

Motor Boat & Yachting magazine ran a 10-page feature in March 2003 on commuting to your boat in northern France, with marina details from Dieppe along to Morgat, complete with descriptions of the ports, contact numbers, web addresses, distances from major ferry ports and berthing prices. I reckon you might find that pretty useful. Call (020) 8532 3628 for a back issue.

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[johndf]

As Brittany Ferries runs a service from Plymouth to Roscoff, you could keep your boat in Morlaix, which is just a short hop from Roscoff. TheBay of Morlaix is a lovely cruising area, where i'd like to spend more time and Morlaix marina has loads of space at around £500 per year for a 10 metre boat, I think.

If you want somewhere further south, then I'd agree with the Morbihan - maybe Vannes, which has good rail connections.

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