Crossing Biscay - North to South

[c2tux]

We're a 2-man crew on a 42ft light displacement sloop looking to head to the Med in May. We favour the traditional and direct route - heading west of Ouessant and out - avoiding the Atlantic swell, and then making a decision to approach at La Caruna or avoid Finistere altogether and approach at Vigo weather permitting. The alternate 'coastal hopping' route does not appeal. However, it would be great to hear opinions/advice from those who've done the direct route and we would value your comments!

 

[Sea Devil]

I posted this in your previous post

I have done it several times and always start somewhere like Dartmouth/Plymouth/Falmouth/Scilly isles to wait for a good 5 day forecast.
My route is down the traffic lane heading around 5 miles west of Finnisterre with the object of going into Bayonne as the first stop. You need to keep to the east of the long line of merchant ships heading up towards Ushant - normally on the horizon.

My preference for Bayonne rather than Coruna is that if a Southerly or Westerly gale blows up then I should be able to run for Coruna - although in 12 crossings that has never happened!

Did the inside route last year for the first time - Chanel du four - Raz de Seine from Guernsey in one pretty easy hit then a couple more to La Rochelle. From there it is still 3 days to la Coruna or Capo Finnesterre so if you are heading south towards the Med the offshore route is much to be favoured IMHO

You might be interested in 'My Biscay Log Book' in the sailing section of my web site - it is the log of a crossing in a 36ft Moody

 

[KellysEye]

In a lightweight boat I'd be inclined to hop along the French and Spanish coasts.

However, if you do go straight across stay outside the 1,000 fathom line (less sea) and I'd head for Bayona in Spain thus avoiding getting embayed if the weather turns. The classic time to leave is when a cold front goes over and the wind goes northwest.

Bear in mind that off Cape Finisterre the wind is often two forces higher than the Finisterre area forecast gives.

 

[mikeinkwazi]

Depends on what you call light weight?

In a lightweight boat I'd be inclined to hop along the French and Spanish coasts.

However, if you do go straight across stay outside the 1,000 fathom line (less sea) and I'd head for Bayona in Spain thus avoiding getting embayed if the weather turns. The classic time to leave is when a cold front goes over and the wind goes northwest.

Bear in mind that off Cape Finisterre the wind is often two forces higher than the Finisterre area forecast gives.

I don't agree with the advice on light weight boats.
I have crossed biscay heading for Bayona or Coruna nine or so times in multiulls and I'm sure that the correct advice is get some Westing. On the line between Cabo Villano and and Ile D'ouessant you may well see up to five ships per hour coming towards you! By the way, my boats have been 30 to a 36ft trimarans.

 

[rivonia]

We're a 2-man crew on a 42ft light displacement sloop looking to head to the Med in May. We favour the traditional and direct route - heading west of Ouessant and out - avoiding the Atlantic swell, and then making a decision to approach at La Caruna or avoid Finistere altogether and approach at Vigo weather permitting. The alternate 'coastal hopping' route does not appeal. However, it would be great to hear opinions/advice from those who've done the direct route and we would value your comments!

You will be pushed towards La Caruna as there is a strong easterly current. Head there it is very nice and not expensive. Then go round finnistere close to the coast> We did this and it was all OK.

Fair winds

Peter

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

You can cruise down to lovely Belle Isle and then look for a three day weather window to take you to La Coruna (352miles) which takes about 60hours (roughly three days and two nights). Then cruise down the many ports on the Portugese coast. The only other long leg you need to do is Sines to Lagos (91miles) about 16hours.
On the other hand, if you have a fast lightweight boat and you find favourable weather conditions....go for it!!

 

[Neil_Y]

Your plan seems good, as others have said be aware of where the ships are ;ikely to be but keep a good watch behind as some peel off to head for azores/panama somewhere in that direction.

You don't avoid the atlantic swell anywhere, it just gets less steep in deeper water, or longer wave length so not quite as scary.

If there is a swell running (and it happens in May as well as December) youre approach pilotage has to be well planned. Even Coruna has some large areas of breaking seas near the harbour entrance. But this was in November with a 10-15m swell.

 

[somerset]

I have done it twice (apart from on the ferry ).The first time was the traditional outside route.The weather (in january) was so good we did not put in till Gib.

The second time we again went outside but (for reasons that are too tedious to mention here) ended up tacking and going into Gijon and thence to La Coruna.

This page may be of use to you:

http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Crossing-Biscay-Meteorologists-Advice

 

[alant]

We're a 2-man crew on a 42ft light displacement sloop looking to head to the Med in May. We favour the traditional and direct route - heading west of Ouessant and out - avoiding the Atlantic swell, and then making a decision to approach at La Caruna or avoid Finistere altogether and approach at Vigo weather permitting. The alternate 'coastal hopping' route does not appeal. However, it would be great to hear opinions/advice from those who've done the direct route and we would value your comments!

If lightly crewed, take easier hops.

Head from Plymouth/Falmouth, across to N.France (l'aberach), use good tide to get around corner into Brest (Chanel De Four), fill up with good French food, then take shorter route via Raz to La Coruna when favourable weather window - this will take you inside most main merchant traffic coming around Ushant.

Vigo/Bayonne is achievable, but if your not sure, there are a few boltholes in the Ria's between La Coruna & there. Good fuel in Vigo (card/cash) & Sines (cash).

What is the '42' light displacement boat'?

 

[Swagman]

You've got a real spectrum of advice.

We've only gone N to S three times, twice direct from Falmouth and Plymouth into Bayona and one round the edge to Belle Isle then a hop to Corunya.
That edge trip took ages and I doubt we'll ever repeat it.

IMHO suggest the direct route brushing Ushant on a line to take you 10 miles off Finisterre is shortest and best - and it is not hard to remain ten miles outside regular big boat lanes if you are concrned about being run over!


As others have inferred, a five day weather window in May is not often going to go wrong - so you could slip from Falmouth to Bayona in fast boat and cover it OK in 4 days - or less if winds are strong.

Enjoy
JOHN