crossing Biscay from Holyhead

I

imagine

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I am considering crossing Biscay and heading for Vigo in Northern Spain.

I will be departing from Holyhead North Wales heading towards southern Ireland maybe holding off in Cork or Kinsale waiting for favourable weather to cross to Vigo.

Does anyone have any thourghts on this and advise. I am looking at departing from Holyhead around end of April early May.

Can anyone advise on costs of marina's in the area of Vigo and which marina would be the best for protection and security asI will be leaving the boat in Vigo for a month before returning to cruise down towards Gib for the summer.

Kind regards
 
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Xhaven or Kinsale are good jumping of points for N Spain, we went from Xhaven to La Coruna, no problem. Just keep a good weather eye, in reality there is no perfect forecast for the crossing, you will get a bit of **** but make sure it works for you! Also make sure you make a good westing first as the currents will bring you into the bay at the southern end and then you'll be taking the inshore route around Cap Finisterre. You'll be better off staying to the W of TSS if your making straight for Vigo.

Don't miss the Rias on the way, the best cruising grounds in the area, we certainly didn't spend enough time there.

Your choice of marinas will depend on what you want to pay and what months you will be there - have a good read through the Atlantic Spain & Portugal pilot and ask for info on where you think you want to stay, then ask about specific marinas and alternatives.

Anyway, enjoy Biscay.
 
'Stay west of 10 West'

....and get quickly past the edge of the continental shelf.

Baltimore is perhaps the best place to wait for a weather window. The shelter is superb, the costs are low, the little town is very welcoming, and 'transport and travel' is practicable. There are sheltered and interesting anchorages all around. Sailing out when you're ready past Clear Island and taking your departure from the Fastnet Rock Light ( 27nm ) is an apposite way to go.

'Stay west of 10 West' has worked well for many, for it keeps one clear of the busy 2-way stream of merchant vessels routing Off Casquests TSS - Off Finisterre TSS until near the end. I'd recommend turning SE for La Corunna in about 44 Deg 30' West.

Enjoi!
 
Thank you

Hi Thank you for the advise yes Baltimore is a lovely place and well sheltered as you say. I was going to trun in after La Corunna to aviod the TSS thats why I chose Vigo.

Thank you again.
Kind regards
Nick
 
In view of the overall scale of your voyage you seem to be introducing a lot of cost and complexity with this park up in Ireland for a month scheme. Its not just the marina cost but the taxis, ferries and overpriced departure lounge food that will eat into your budget.

Kinsale is lovely but expensive in terms of British pound notes. About £33 a night for 35 footer in what is best described as a 2nd division town quay marina. If you do end up in Baltimore checkout Ireland's answer to Lulworth Cove at the entrance.

Is this 10 degrees west concept motivated by fears of heading over the horizon for 5 days? If so why not coast hop your way down rather than risk becoming harbour bound for weeks fretting over forecasts.

Find the Carol "Wild Bird" sailing blog for motivational reading on how to do Biscay the easy way.
 
There was an article on this by David Rainsbury in a (fairly) recent PBO.

Send me a PM if you haven't got the article in question ;)

Andy
 
Just go for it. We did Maryport Cumbria to La Coruna in six and a half days in early May 08.
Weather is usually settled in May and often the best month of the summer.
 
Thank you

Thank you for your comments I ment I would be leaving the boat in Vigo for a month before returning. If the the weather is favourable when nearing Ireland I willl not stop but continue the crossing. I have no fear of the crossing just looking for the sensible and safe passage for my crew and I. I do appriciate your comments. Thank you.
jonjo4 said:
In view of the overall scale of your voyage you seem to be introducing a lot of cost and complexity with this park up in Ireland for a month scheme. Its not just the marina cost but the taxis, ferries and overpriced departure lounge food that will eat into your budget.

Kinsale is lovely but expensive in terms of British pound notes. About £33 a night for 35 footer in what is best described as a 2nd division town quay marina. If you do end up in Baltimore checkout Ireland's answer to Lulworth Cove at the entrance.

Is this 10 degrees west concept motivated by fears of heading over the horizon for 5 days? If so why not coast hop your way down rather than risk becoming harbour bound for weeks fretting over forecasts.

Find the Carol "Wild Bird" sailing blog for motivational reading on how to do Biscay the easy way.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you

[Thank you I have not seen the article in question if you know the month it was written that would be great.
Thanks Nick QUOTE=misterg;2379646]There was an article on this by David Rainsbury in a (fairly) recent PBO.

Send me a PM if you haven't got the article in question ;)

Andy[/QUOTE]
 
If you go at the start of a 4 or 5 day weather window, all will be fine. I've done Kinsale - Bayona, Kinsale - Lexioes, Falmouth - Bayona, , and the return trip from Finisterre - Scillies, with no issues each time. If you leave with a potential storm brewing, you could be asking for trouble.

A couple of nights in the marina at Monte Real Yacht Club in Bayona was €52 in August 2009, which was a very pleasant surprise having paid much more than this for one night in many marinas between there and Malta. It's also a lovely town where the Spanish seem to pleased to take their holidays.

You'll have a wonderful time, and I'm jealous!!
 
Thank you

Thank you for your comments I am really looking forward to trip.
Kind regards
Nick
Richard10002 said:
If you go at the start of a 4 or 5 day weather window, all will be fine. I've done Kinsale - Bayona, Kinsale - Lexioes, Falmouth - Bayona, , and the return trip from Finisterre - Scillies, with no issues each time. If you leave with a potential storm brewing, you could be asking for trouble.

A couple of nights in the marina at Monte Real Yacht Club in Bayona was €52 in August 2009, which was a very pleasant surprise having paid much more than this for one night in many marinas between there and Malta. It's also a lovely town where the Spanish seem to pleased to take their holidays.

You'll have a wonderful time, and I'm jealous!!
Click to expand...
 
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