Morlaix - passage planning advice

[jonathancormack]

I am planning to do a "frost bite" booze cruise from Falmouth to Morlaix in a couple of weeks - somewhere I haven't been before. I've got the charts but they are aboard my boat which is two hours drive away!

The almanac shows there is a fairly narrow channel and looks like it dries out quite heavily.

How difficult is it to get in there with just shy of a two metre draft? A dangerous place to try to enter in bad weather?

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[johndf]

My draught is 1.3metres and I went upriver with no problems on a falling tide a couple of years ago. I don't remember the drying height of the channel but the Frenchman behind me drew 1.8metres and likewise had no trouble. This although he had no chart and was a visitor to the area, but he just followed me and hoped for the best. He was a little taken aback to learn of my draught!

Locking in to the basin is from 1 1/2 hours before high water, I think, so going upriver on a rising tide would give you plenty of time. The staff are very helpful and the town is lovely. Have a good trip!

 

[jleaworthy]

Some years ago I took an Ohlsen 35 up river to Morlaix - boat drew about 2 metres. Good leading marks but (then) no lights at night. Locked out at about midnight, got stuck at second bend (now on falling tide!), fortunately got off and was overtaken by local boat with large searchlight mounted forrard. Gratefully followed it all the way down river. Morlaix well worth visit. Do as much as possible including first part of journey back down on rising tide. No problems in Bay of Morlaix once you have located the prominent leading marks for Grand Chenal - good shelter as you get closer in.

 

[yoda]

An interesting approach in bad northerly winds but once into the river all is fine. Going up on a falling tide is not advisable but otherthan that it is a nice place to go to. If I remember correctly there are anchorages just before the river narrows where you can wait for the tide. To find the deep bits of the river at bends look for the pairs of white poles which you can line up as a guide.

Yoda

 

[drawp]

Morlaix is no problem in good weather on a rising tide. Requires precise navigation but dangers are well marked. The only thing that will make you cry are the marina charges. They are so cheap it is hard to bear!