Golfe du Morbihan

[Chris_Robb]

We are thinking of going to the Golf in August this year. Sounds a lovely spot, but her in doors has read an article from YM from a few months back which make it sound like mayhem.

What do you think - give it a miss?

If you were going to leave a boat in france (around that area) and bring it back later in the year, where would you leave it - Lorient, Vannes?? Any ideas?

Cost is important!!!!!

 

[Gunfleet]

I've done this, pm me.

 

[jsl]

Good spot, and not as scarey as the pilot books might imply. Hurst Narrows or the entrance to Poole will give you the general idea. Lots to explore, and a fine town/marina at Vannes - where I think there are quite a few British resident boats. Another possible place to leave the boat is La Vilaine: several boatyards of differing degrees of swishness. Ask me for more info if you want to.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jsl on Mon Jun 10 14:03:42 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jamesjermain]

My wife read the pilot book before we went and nearly wet... er - got very excited.

Once we were inside the entrance and she saw how beatiful it is, she was bowled over and forgot the swirling currents and islands flashing by. We had a great 10 days there. I would certainly recommend it. It really isn't as difficuly as it inevitably appears in print, but you do need to be able to handle tides and plan so that you are always going in the right direction. It gets very crowded during the French holiday season in August.

For laying up I would suggest either Vannes or Le Crouesty which is just south of the entrance to Morbihan. Vannes is very sheltered but perhaps not completely secure since it is so close to the town. It might also be full and I don't think the facilities are very comprehensive. Le Crouesty has a secure marina but I don't know what the facilities are like for over wintering.

JJ

 

[tome]

Lovely spot, go for it.

Don't leave the boat in Lorient - we did a few years back and it was broken into. Suggest Vannes.

 

[Guest]

I lived in St Malo for several years and based my boat at La Roche Bernard for two seasons - specifically to explore the Morbihan and North Biscay.
Loads of great sheltered sailing. Once you get used to going backwards with the tide, it really is a superb, family friendly area.
La Roche Bernard, just up the Vilaine used to be cheap and very popular with British yachties for over-wintering. Everything said on the forum about Vannes is true, but you may have problem finding a berth. La Questy is huge with good facilities, but may be more expensive than Vannes /La Roche Bernard. Redon also has a marina. It is further inland but has good access. There are a couple of other marinas within Quiberon Bay - look them up in any decent pilot.
Hope you try it.

 

[brianhumber]

The Golfe is a must and not difficult. Do not be put off by Pilot books. Make sure you visit as may creeks as possible including Bono and Audray. Vannes is good for leaving but I agree with others it is crowded. La R Bernard and the river is quieter but not so good for getting hire cars to and from Ferry.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Thanks

Thanks all of you for the info on Morbihan. I am very tempted to leave the boat there at the end of the hols to a bot more research is necessary on marinas, she's 40 ft and I need to find somewhere long term that I can afford. (should have bought a smaller boat!)

I get a little woried from the pictures at Vannes that every one is rafted up, rather than in finger pontoons, so is it really practical to leave it there?

 

[Guest]

Re: Thanks

Don't know which picture you refer to - could it have been a picture of the holding pontoon outside the lock? They do raft up there. Vannes marina is right in the town, just a short stroll from the old quarter and walls. They have finger pontoons.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Thanks

Do you reckon a forty foot boat would go on those pontoons, Roger? I told Chris off board I thought not. There was a Fisher 35 there last autumn and it seemed to dwarf its catway. I agree the rafting up is in the visitors' area but you can't help but notice that's where all the larger boats are.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Vannes

The RCC Pilot has a picture - I understand from John that there are finger berths but that they may be a little small for 40 ft. would be interesting to hear if you know.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Vannes

Actually, there's a simple answer. The HM and at least one of his female assistants speak very good English including yachting terms. Give him a ring! Also if you want to go all the way up thereon one tide he'll give you what time to pass Navalo so it's on a rising tide and you don't have to wait for the walkway (it's not really a lock) to open. See http://www.tadorne.com/passer.htm for a panoramic video taken from the walkway which shows both finder berths and mooring side to.
John

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Vannes

Interesting view from the web cam - yes the pontoons look small - but then most finger berths in france are small! I'll give the HM a call - always worried about my french - or rather lack of it!

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Vannes

Well they involve a bit of clambering on my boat and yours is 16 feet longer!