from the Gulf of Biscay to the Thames in late November

francesca

francesca

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Anybody has any advice/info/warning about sailing from the Gulf of Biscay to the Thames in late November with a 35 foot sailing ketch?
F.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anybody has any advice/info/warning about sailing from the Gulf of Biscay to the Thames in late November with a 35 foot sailing ketch?
F.

[/ QUOTE ]

In a word word: don't.

OTOH, you might get lucky, and wonder what all the fuss was about.
 
It'll be a bit colder and wetter than the Summer months, but the good news is it will very likely be downwind or reaching or staying in port. To do it in some comfort and safety it may mean spending a few days in Spain, France or Falmouth, but if you have the time definately do-able. I hope the boat has a good heater otherwise it will get pretty damp down below.

I've been the other way at that time of year and its worse but possible, there are also still quite a few boats heading to sunny places that late and waiting for some North Wests or Easts to cross Biscay. Generally all the real blows are South Westerlies.

If the boat has a good engine you can sometimes get several days of cold settled weather when you can just motor in light winds.

I'm assuming you will have someone on board who understands the weather.
 
Different ball game.... crossing the bay direct takes you into deep water, and this is part of the cause of the sometimes 'challenging' conditions......

Port hopping is a different proposition, and generally a less risky option weather wise, although obviously more challenging navigation wise....
 
I sailed back single handed marina hopping around the Bay last year in an AWB but I always waited for a good forcast. I meet one group on a Roberts 45 steel boat in Santandar that had a very rough passage across the bay from Ireland. They made Santander very tired, ill and much the worse for wear after experiencing big waves and a F9 while only a F6-7 was forecast. Read the MAIB web site report on the delivery skipper who sadly lost his life last year outside Les Sable's D'Olonne. The problem with the bay is that the depth suddenly shelves from the deep Atlantic and when it blows up it does from the west leaving most of the ports on a lee shore and dangerous to enter or leave.
After studying the charts and noting the vast number of wrecks marked on them I decided that if I did get caught out with bad weather I would head out to sea rather than try to make Port. With all my caution I had a some very pleasant sails but spent about 10 days in total in Santandar and Les Sable's D'Olonne waiting for good weather (2004 was not a good year for weather!).
Providing you do get a favourable weather forcast for 3 days go ahead but I would not recommend sailing to a timetable - treat the Bay with respect and you will be OK.
Also check with you insurers as a number put limits on which months they will insure small pleasure craft in the Bay of Biscay.
 
Many people do it. However you should be very sure of your weather in relation to the sea-worthiness of your boat and especially the experience of the crew.

I would not recommend coast hopping. There are long stretches of the coast (esp South of the Garonne) where there is no shelter and if the weather turns rough you are in a cul de sac with very rough seas and the only alternative is to be able to make to windward.

John
 
You are talking about from north coast of Spain?

I've crossed a couple of times in November, it does need a little extra care but is quite practical. Weather forecasts are generally good enough now that you can count on them not missing anything really nasty in a 3 day window, and that is enough to get across. To make it easy on yourself, go Gijon - Belle Isle rather than say Corunna all the way back in one. But as Sybarite says, do not think of coast hopping all the way round, you will find it takes a month, increasingly difficult against the wind up the French Biscay coast. You can of course coast-hop up the English Channel.
 
We left Camaret last December 1st and motored all the way to Finisterre before catching any decent wind! Coming the other way the previous June we (and all the Spanish fishing boats) were storm bound in Portasin for 3/4 days! I have also had a good sail back from Oporto arriving in Brixham on December 23! I mention these dates 'cos if you're patient enough and have the time you should always catch a 4/5 days "window" to get across. We always keep quite relatively close to shipping lanes to Ushant and normally find 3/4 days will see us across. Personally I think Port hopping late in the year is foolhardy as someone mentioned earlier besides the confused onshore waters in the shallower waters there are also the tides to be considered.
 
If the forecast is good for a few days should be fine - can get some good weather in November - December - go offshore and try for one hit to the UK - will be cold at night - then try one hit along the south coast knowing that there are stacks of ports to dive into if the forecast is dodgy.

What would worry me is the condition of the boat and equipment - If you have only just purchased it how sure are you that everything works? The problem with stepping into a strange boat - new or second hand is that you cannot be certain that all the systems are fully operational - do not need some TLC.... Need to do a short shakedown cruise to find out before heading out.
 
An alternative is to cross to La Rochelle and coast hop from there. However if your objective is passage making to the UK this then beomes a big detour.
South of La Rochelle the coast line is mainly long beaches but little in the way of inlets or islands to afford shelter.

John
 
We are buying the boat second hand but are still waiting for the survey and sail test (a 35' ketch). We will leave from La Rochelle, leaving plenty of time, not wanting to risk the boat BUT we don't yet have anyone to sail with us. We are looking for 2 experienced persons, one who is a certified and experienced skipper. Is anybody interested (crazy enough) to sail, for fun, from the Bay of Biscay to the UK in late November? Where could we put a notice?

I've also been looking at getting insurance for the trip, but insurance companies don't seem to insure boats in the Gulf of Biscay between 1st November and end of March. Others will only offer a quote after they have seen the survey.

The last thing is that we are planning to install a new heating system before leaving port. All these plans are still subject to us actually completing the purchase of the boat.
 
Thats much easier as you're not really crossing the bay, it's easy day sails from La rochelle, so plenty of time to sort out any problems, some nice safe harbours all about 50 miles apart. Take your time if you can and enjoy it, its one of the nicer cruising grounds.

Last time I did it in 8 hops to Fowey from La Rochelle (Isle de Re) Just be prepared to sit out a storm or two. Insurance shoudn't be a problem if you tell them you're not going offshore? I dont think? ask them about insurance for day sailing within 50 miles of safe haven, you may get a different answer.

Crew, I'd love to but am a bit busy this time of year as all the boats come out of the water they all wanty rope cutters! but I can't complain.

Enjoy the trip, just dont rush.
 
Thanks, a lot of useful info. We really love this boat so we hope it all turns out well. Having to wait for good weather in a French port doesn't sound too bad, mussels and french fries and all the rest ... Thank you, TigaWave, I'll mention the 50 miles to the insurance companies. Will stay posted.
francesca
 
I agree with Tigawave. There are lots of nice places to see as long as you are not in too much of a hurry to get home.

Being in a hurry moreover is one of the reasons people get into trouble. Rather than wait to be sure of the weather they push on.

John
 
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