Royan or Rochefort

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clifford

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Looking to move my 11.4 meter sailing boat down to Royan or Rochefort Anyone with information regarding availability of annual berth and pros and cons. All information gratefully received thanks Cliff
 
I spent 8 winters at Rochefort (04-13). Facilities are good and yard staff helpful. Access is very tidal, usually only once a day for 20-30 minutes, but once you are locked into the marina it is very snug. Allow plenty of time to get up the river. Flights to La Rochelle are good in the summer but decrease during the winter. Train from LR takes about 20 mins and the marina is 10 mins walk from the station. Good Lidl next to marina.

Royan is a long way up the Girande estuary and I'm not sure what the shore storage facilities are like.

I'd recommend Rochefort as long as you only want to overwinter.
 
Agree with eastlands. Rochefort is a good overwintering location, good shelter and connections, e.g. you can walk to the railway station one stop to the TGV at La Rochelle. As a cruising base far from ideal, very tidal and a long way from the sea.
Royan is a nice marina, at the mouth of the Gironde. We demasted there for the Canal du Midi. Strong tides. Channel at Oleron gets a bad write-up in the pilots, we went right round.
 
Second all of the above. Rochefort roughly half the price of La Rochelle and quite a good community. Lydl has moved, so on your bike, rather than foot. I can ask about pricing for your boat, as I will be there this week.
The channel between Oleron and the mainland is only for locals with big engines. Avoid!

Bit of reading: Port de Plaisance de Rochefort - Book a berth now | Marina Reservation
 
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That would be most helpful I am looking for an annual berth for an 11.4 meter sun fast 37 with 2.2 m draft , we would much preface la Rochelle but unfortunately the waiting list is long .
Any other ideas close worth considering . Thanks Cliff
 
clifford said:
That would be most helpful I am looking for an annual berth for an 11.4 meter sun fast 37 with 2.2 m draft , we would much preface la Rochelle but unfortunately the waiting list is long .
Any other ideas close worth considering . Thanks Cliff
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A couple of friends have found La Rochelle's waiting list a bit of a myth. Told it was years, but got a call within weeks that they could have a place. I will let you know about Rochefort.
 
DownWest said:
Liveaboard in Rochefort just sent me this:
11mtr yearly rate €2178 p.a. inc tax. Monthly €441 inc tax. 2020 tarrif.
DW
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That sounds quite attractive if they have a suitable one for me, we will drive down over the next couple of weeks to have a chat with the mariner . We have been on the waiting list at La Rochelles for eight months and went down last week, they seem to think perhaps the end of this new year . Thanks very much Cliff
 
I've been to both. Rochefort much better in all respects. Call the marina to check the tides 'cause you won't get over the little bar on the inside of the lock at high water neaps with 2.2m. There's a cheap restaurant on the marina that will prep food for you to eat on your boat... very handy and a bakery/deli in the corner.
 
maby said:
It's only about 10 nautical miles to the open sea, and the estuary is so wide outside Royan that it is not much different to open sea sailing!
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That 10 miles has a strong tidal current and sandbanks on either side. This is not an all weather port and cannot be entered with large Atlantic swell running.
The pilot book suggests that fishing boats often divert (60 Nm) to La Rochelle in adverse conditions.
 
eastlands said:
That 10 miles has a strong tidal current and sandbanks on either side. This is not an all weather port and cannot be entered with large Atlantic swell running.
The pilot book suggests that fishing boats often divert (60 Nm) to La Rochelle in adverse conditions.
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It's a doddle... Go up on the incoming tide. There's plenty of depth.... it's used by largish commercials and tall ships. And it's a delightful sojourn.
 
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