Normandy/Brittany Where are all the MOBO's ?

[JerseyDiver]

We returned today from an enjoyable 2 weeks in France. Carteret, Chausey, St Cast, La Latte, Dahouet, St Quay, Brehec, Paimpol and Lezardrieux. Only 1 day forced to stay in port due to the storm that has just been through the channel.

Nowhere was too busy but there was a distinct lack of motorboats. St Cast had a few CI boats and a couple of UK boats. Even out at sea between places there were very few cruising motorboats.

Where is everyone ??

 

[Keith-i]

All on D pontoon at La Colette ?

 

[Bandit]

Living in Guernsey I would say the number of UK mobos is up on previous seasons to date.
A lotto of UK mobos don’t go further than Guernsey or Jersey which is a great shame for them as Guernsey and Jersey are great launch points for excellent cruising in West Coast Normandy and North Brittany while only using cheap CI diesel.
In St Cast at the moment a few CI mobos and very few UK Mobos.

UK Mobos can cross the Channel and fill up on super cheap from a Tanker in St Sampsons in Guernsey or more expensive in Jersey cruise north Brittany or Normandy and fill up on the way back without buying any diesel in France.

Jersey Diver we have the best cruising Grounds in North Europe for a Mobo or a Yacht.

Why people cross from uk to Guernsey and go straight back is beyond me.

 

[Phildorset]

perfect timing -
we, (me and my best mate plus his kids and mine) are off to Alderney on Sunday, probably to Jersey on Monday for a day or two, I was thinking maybe St Malo from there, went to Pampol last year and liked it, and also called in at Carteret... we have to be back in Poole for the following Saturday - any great suggestions as to some 'must visits' within our range? I think I heard that Carteret were restricting length of vessels - are others?

 

[Dorset Dan]

With our fingers crossed for the weather (already on our reserve dates after the May half term weather let us down), there are 6 mobos coming across from Poole next Friday / Saturday for at least a week, possibly extending up to 10/11 days if its nice.

No fixed plans yet but we have passage planned to do Alderney then Guernsey, then down to St Malo but will keep options open depending upon weather.

Any recommendations on lunch stops or overnight stops, or indeed any other practical advice welcomed. Size wise all between 40-52ft mobo’s, couple of us have teenage kids. All but one boat are first time across the Channel so we are keen to explore, there will also be an experienced instructor with us who will hop between boats during the week.

 

[Dorset Dan]

perfect timing -
we, (me and my best mate plus his kids and mine) are off to Alderney on Sunday, probably to Jersey on Monday for a day or two, I was thinking maybe St Malo from there, went to Pampol last year and liked it, and also called in at Carteret... we have to be back in Poole for the following Saturday - any great suggestions as to some 'must visits' within our range? I think I heard that Carteret were restricting length of vessels - are others?

Ha ha, similar posts!! You are Phil with the Azimut at the bottom of D pontoon, yes? We are in a Fairline Targa 43 on D pontoon too. Sounds like we might arrive the weekend you are coming back.

 

[Phildorset]

Ha ha, similar posts!! You are Phil with the Azimut at the bottom of D pontoon, yes? We are in a Fairline Targa 43 on D pontoon too. Sounds like we might arrive the weekend you are coming back.

Hi Dan - yes, very similar, funny... yes that's me/us, though this season we are right up by the offices/cafe.

Your plans sound excellent, what a great idea to have a roving instructor, that will be really useful I think, and I know I'd sometimes be very happy to have someone give the thumbs up (or not) to my passage plan to a new place. Have a great trip all.

 

[ashtead]

It might be that there are a lot of Guernsey mobo s in st cast as they had to exit Binic due to the rock festival ? I was told the harbourmaster closes up as in previous years another harder type of rock did some damage to a fly bridge there ? Certainly seemed to be quite a few mobo in st cast including an attractive older sun seeker which looked to mid mid 90s vintage in good condition.

 

[jrudge]

I was based in La Rochelle. Had a targa 40 and everyone used to Gawp and point at the size of it !

Other than merry fishers of which there are thousands it is all sailboat territory with tiny numbers of Mobos and almost none over 50 feet

 

[JerseyDiver]

Any recommendations on lunch stops or overnight stops, or indeed any other practical advice welcomed. Size wise all between 40-52ft mobo’s, couple of us have teenage kids. All but one boat are first time across the Channel so we are keen to explore, there will also be an experienced instructor with us who will hop between boats during the week.

Chausey for a lunch stop is beautiful. Entry from the south is relatively easy. Mooring buoys tie fore and aft and prob raft 3. boats between 2 bouys. Dinghy ashore and explore !!

St Cast about 10nm West of St Malo is a definite must visit. non tidal, lovely walk into village, big beach, smaller beaches round the corner or anchorages by dinghy or take a big boat and tie a line acroos (reserve) the berth. We like anchoring at Fort La Latte for a few hours and getting the paddleboards etc out. From here a run up to Cap Frehal lighthouse is only a few miles before setting back north if thats your plan.


Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Dorset Dan]

Thanks for the reply, I will look up those suggestions later this evening. A quick look at St Cast, nice big marina and easily accessible for the group of us. Do you generally need to pre-book?

 

[TheOrs]

There were at least five 40ft + C.I. mobo's in Binic on Thursday.
Didn't notice if they were still there today.

 

[Bandit]

You can’t pre book French marinas in Brittany or Normandy, you can notify them of your arrival.
St Cast try and arrive during the day, week days are better then weekends or arrive and take any berth and move the next morning when spaces come free.

 

[TheOrs]

It might be that there are a lot of Guernsey mobo s in st cast as they had to exit Binic due to the rock festival ?

Been thinking on this. Do you perhaps mean Paimpol rather than Binic?

 

[ashtead]

He said Binic - something along lines of a rock being dropped on to fly bridge and causing 20k damage . As I've never been to Binic don't know if it's valid info though. Paimpol is certain pretty but apart from the crush might have the temperature issues of being found at the far end of the St helier bowl when the tides out. I've only been to paimpol by land and seemed to be somewhat noisy .
I've never booked for st cast and just radio up on arrival . No real issues apart from once we were in a an absent resident berth some way from shore.

 

[TheOrs]

Ah, ok.
Just asking as I am there at the moment (land based) and there is a festival on in Paimpol (very busy) but Binic is pretty quiet.

 

[JerseyDiver]

Ah, ok.
Just asking as I am there at the moment (land based) and there is a festival on in Paimpol (very busy) but Binic is pretty quiet.

Binics 'rock' music festival was last weekend and marina was closed to visitors.

Anyone heading to CI/Brittany etc should have a look at digimap.gg. under the marinas sections loads of info and useful links for all the ports etc.

 

[ashtead]

Thanks Jersey driver yes I gathered marina closure was due to previous flying rocks incident and the HM was clearing out the mobo according to the source of my info.

 

[jcwads]

I'll be representing the Mobo owners when I head out late next week to St Malo via Guernsey. That's if the weather plays ball. Not looking too lovely at the moment!!