Heading south

Scillypete

Scillypete

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Jun 2003
Messages
1,927
Location
Isles of Scilly
www.peteandspamgosailing.blogspot.com
All last winter and this summer in the planning but not allowed to leave until September (work, sorry to use the word) so all along I have said I would go and head straight across Biscay when the first decent weather window presented itself in September. As luck would have it at this moment in time the weather models are showing just such an opportunity from the 1st of September but it will no doubt involve a long spell, or spells, of motoring. Do I wait a little longer for some breeze or just get out there. As the boat is sorted and ready to go I'm inclined to just go for it as it is very likely that what they may be saying about the long term weather today will be quite the opposite tomorrow.

Needless to say the excitement is mounting
 
Scillypete said:
All last winter and this summer in the planning but not allowed to leave until September (work, sorry to use the word) so all along I have said I would go and head straight across Biscay when the first decent weather window presented itself in September. As luck would have it at this moment in time the weather models are showing just such an opportunity from the 1st of September but it will no doubt involve a long spell, or spells, of motoring. Do I wait a little longer for some breeze or just get out there. As the boat is sorted and ready to go I'm inclined to just go for it as it is very likely that what they may be saying about the long term weather today will be quite the opposite
Needless to say the excitement is mounting
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"He who hesitates is lost" Come and join us.
 
I think you'd better make sure ex Hurricane Cristobal has passed Iceland before you rush out! Could still be a huge swell running.
 
Hi Pete, I assume that you have looked at Simon Keeling's look ahead over on Scuttlebutt - I've been watching it for the same reason as you but we cannot get away until the middle of September. Just have a look at his possibility of a low over S. Biscay region around about the 7th if you haven't already done so - it then looks pretty good for the second half of the month if it pans out as hoped.

We should be down in the Scillies readying for departure round about the 16th - dash across Biscay, and then down to the algarve.

Fair winds, we'll be on your tail!
 
drumbeat said:
Hi Pete, I assume that you have looked at Simon Keeling's look ahead over on Scuttlebutt - I've been watching it for the same reason as you but we cannot get away until the middle of September. Just have a look at his possibility of a low over S. Biscay region around about the 7th if you haven't already done so - it then looks pretty good for the second half of the month if it pans out as hoped.

We should be down in the Scillies readying for departure round about the 16th - dash across Biscay, and then down to the algarve.

Fair winds, we'll be on your tail!
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Indeed, I too have been closely gathering any weather info available and the latest models were not showing much of anything at that end of the trip until just now that is but the window is not completely closed just yet. Another couple of days should give a clearer picture. I will take the first opportunity that shows itself as there might not be another for a while and if I'm not here I don't have to work.
 
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"long spells of motoring" ... Why, what's the rush.?
I can appreciate you want to get across before a storm smacks you in the face but the winds look ok for the next 8 days (yes I know things can change quick in the bay) if you have a drifter/gennaker. 550 Nm at the current winds traveling at less than 3 knots will get you into Bayona in 8 days... No need for the diesel stay sail ;-)
 
wazza said:
"long spells of motoring" ... Why, what's the rush.?
I can appreciate you want to get across before a storm smacks you in the face but the winds look ok for the next 8 days (yes I know things can change quick in the bay) if you have a drifter/gennaker. 550 Nm at the current winds traveling at less than 3 knots will get you into Bayona in 8 days... No need for the diesel stay sail ;-)
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quite true and if there's a ripple on the water I say there's enough breeze to sail, but I would like to get the first bit out of the way in a reasonable manner, that and the pooch on his first long trip from land might not appreciate 8 days without sight of a tree.

Currently its looking as though I will get some good breeze for some of the crossing but not all so it may be a bit of both, have to wait and see for now
 
Having been across Biscay several times and as late as October without serious incident I think September is perfectly OK but you need to be sitting somewhere like the Scilly Isles waiting for a good 5 day forecast.

Alternatively you can coast hop down with so many places to 'winter' if you get stuck.

This book lists most of them - Gentle Sailing Route to the Med

http://www.gentlesailing.com/gentle_sail_to_med.htm
 
Scillypete said:
All last winter and this summer in the planning but not allowed to leave until September (work, sorry to use the word) so all along I have said I would go and head straight across Biscay when the first decent weather window presented itself in September. As luck would have it at this moment in time the weather models are showing just such an opportunity from the 1st of September but it will no doubt involve a long spell, or spells, of motoring. Do I wait a little longer for some breeze or just get out there. As the boat is sorted and ready to go I'm inclined to just go for it as it is very likely that what they may be saying about the long term weather today will be quite the opposite tomorrow.

Needless to say the excitement is mounting
Click to expand...

I sailed the first day and night then motored for the next two with the wind on the nose. Blew up to lo 20s but I kept up a steady 5kts. XCweather gave a good trend indication, as did Passageweather. We started from Loctudy after some weather blew thru so I suppose we did the classic of leaving with the last of the bad weather and then had the three days of good as the hi came thru. What does your insurance say about biscay? Ours were very specific, no cover for Biscay after Sept 1st.
S
 
If necessary, contact your insurers and see if you can get an extension (and a definition of the end of Biscay). We had to as we were delayed in La Coruna due to breakdown.
 
arriving

skipper_stu said:
I sailed the first day and night then motored for the next two with the wind on the nose. Blew up to lo 20s but I kept up a steady 5kts. XCweather gave a good trend indication, as did Passageweather. We started from Loctudy after some weather blew thru so I suppose we did the classic of leaving with the last of the bad weather and then had the three days of good as the hi came thru. What does your insurance say about biscay? Ours were very specific, no cover for Biscay after Sept 1st.
S
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Just passing cape Finisterre as I type going to duck into Muros sloppy crossing sailing til yesterday morning then motoring in no wind then no wind and fog. My insurer has no restriction on Biscay crossing that's good old Pantaenus (spelling may be wrong)

A few zzz's are gonna be in order soon it was a long night and morning in the fog
 
Scillypete said:
Just passing cape Finisterre as I type going to duck into Muros sloppy crossing sailing til yesterday morning then motoring in no wind then no wind and fog. My insurer has no restriction on Biscay crossing that's good old Pantaenus (spelling may be wrong)

A few zzz's are gonna be in order soon it was a long night and morning in the fog
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Well done, once you have had a good kip enjoy Galicia, especially the sardines and white wine. Only the fog to worry about now for a while.
 
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