Ras de Sein passage advice wanted

[awyatybw]

The standard advice for the Raz de Sein, southbound, is at slack water - a little before HW Brest. Reading between the lines, I get the feeling that it should also be okay at LW Brest.

The conventional option has the advantage that you go through at slack water and then the new stream carries you away S. It also has the disadvantage, it would seem, that you have to fight your way there somewhat, even if the streams to the N are not all that bad. Coming from Camaret, however, a HW Brest passage through the Raz would entail a difficult start.

For these reasons, and also because of the actual tide times on the days I am likely to want to make the passage, I am considering the alternative option. This way, the ebb would carry me south towards the Raz and I would use the last of it for the rounding, say 1h before slack water. I would, of course, need to ensure that we really did get through before the tide turned.

I would appreciate any comments on this plan or other advice about this "nororious" Raz.

 

[powerskipper]

we came though at just before slack and slack, then picked up the tide our way after, we were going north, I would personal, give yourself a bit of bump at first when you are fresh, and an easy ride later when you start to get tired. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
check the tidal diamonds for time you want to be there, and keep an eye on wind direction. Have fun what ever you decide.

 

[rwoofer]

I did exactly as you said just a few weeks ago, caught the other slack and found it no problem at all. For me it was probably a worse scenario because I got there a little late and had to beat to Penmarch against the tide. Having passed through it twice I have seen boats heading out to it at almost any time in settled conditions.

 

[freeman]

Do not take chances.
Avoid wind over tide and I suggest you follow pilot book instructions.
Do it right and it is easy

 

[charles_reed]

Raz de Sein

Only really challenging in a SW >F5 on ebb.

You really have to work the tides gong through, though there are back eddies on ebb at both le Chat (on the W side) and, on the E side inside Phare de la Vieille. You'll often see local FVs using the latter.

Going S I used to aim to get into le Conquet at about LW Brest -1, wait there until HW Brest and then leave - that got me to St Evette with plenty of time to either pick up a mooring there or to press on round to l'Odet ot la Foret Fouesenant.

Goimg N, get to Masklow Griez at LW Brest +2, usually you'd get to le Four by HW

 

[Sybarite]

Consider visiting the Ile de Sein. It's a little gem: no vehicles and streets which are 2m wide. Swim with the resident dolphins. Listen to the locals speaking Breton.

John

 

[TigaWave]

Thats just what I was going to say, lovely place to visit.

 

[charles_reed]

But

no harbour of refuge - must anchor and some BIG tidal ranges.

 

[brianhumber]

In settled light weather its not a big problem, if you get timing wrong you just take a long time or divert as peps have suggested to the Ille D Sein
In any strong wind say F4/5 stick to the advice - do not assume the only tricky bit is the Raz itself, I got knocked down one August between the Raz and Brest going north with W/SW in 45kts wind - bottled it and slunk into Morgat to let the winds die down.

 

[Robin]

The standard advice of slack water passage is sound in strong winds contrary to the tide OR the swell (French forecast this in their bulletins as La Houle).

However under the conditions most of us will chose to make a passage you can pretty well go through when you chose if the tide is going your way and especially so at neaps. Going against the tide is a no brainer unless you have a powerboat, or with a yacht know exactly where the back eddy tides run close in on the point, even then don't! Leaving southbound from Camaret and headed for say Benodet area, there is some sense in leaving Camaret at around HW Brest then you will have tide all the way to Penmarc'h after which the new flood eddies around eastwards along to Benodet as well, this of course would take you through the Raz as it is runng fast.

Going northbound unless departing from Audierne it is difficult to time your arrival. We plan to have a 'latest time' to arrive at our slowest speed, so mostly again will pass with plenty of tide running. In bad weather if you bottle it (I have a couple of times, beating upwind F6/springs) there is the anchorage at St Evette outside Audierne, stop there and go though at slack water next tide.

Fog BTW is another distinct possibility and it can form instantly when the tide turns and cold water comes up from the depths. The good news is that if you set some sensible waypoints you couldn't hit the point if you tried as the tide sweeps you away, north or southbound! We have 4 waypoints, an approach one clear from Le Four/Camaret, or Morgat/Dournenez, then 2 to give a North/South track past the point a suitable distance off west, then a final one clear to Penmarc'h and also clear of the 2 overfall areas in shallower water south of the Raz. In normal weather these can be flexible, in fog it is helpful but the straight line between 2 and 3 is about impossible to achieve as the tides sweep you westwards whichever way you are going and however hard you try!

The Raz has a bad reputation and there is a Breton saying that says something like no one passes without fear or sorrow.....very apt. We have gone though under sail, under motor, drifted through fishing, in daylight or at night with and without thick fog, in winds gusting up to F7 (not against the tide!). We were late on the tide once - never again! We had a sprayhood ripped open by one wave having passed northbound on a flat calm day under engine, but spring tides and a swell, we had thought we were through and had just put away the cameras. Lovely place, the gateway to wonderful cruising and after here and Penmarc'h you can pretty well come and go at times of your own choosing and ignore the tides.

Robin