Sailing from French Riviera to Corsica - Any tips?

[DavieMcG]

Hi all,

We're planning a trip around the Nice area then over to Corsica and Sardinia at the end of June, will be on a 36ft Benneteau

Does anyone have advice for the crossing to Calvi on Corsica?

We've done a reasonable amount sailing in flotillas over the years with some bareboating as well, this would be the longest leg we've undertaken (also sailing at night). We're looking forward to it but want to be well prepared!

I read the main issue is timing the weather right to avoid the Mistral, is this generally well forecasted our could you get caught out on passage?

Also wondering if there's much traffic through the night to beware of?

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Davie

 

[Sybarite]

Hi all,

We're planning a trip around the Nice area then over to Corsica and Sardinia at the end of June, will be on a 36ft Benneteau

Does anyone have advice for the crossing to Calvi on Corsica?

We've done a reasonable amount sailing in flotillas over the years with some bareboating as well, this would be the longest leg we've undertaken (also sailing at night). We're looking forward to it but want to be well prepared!

I read the main issue is timing the weather right to avoid the Mistral, is this generally well forecasted our could you get caught out on passage?

Also wondering if there's much traffic through the night to beware of?

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Davie

I have done it several times; takes about 18/20 hours so leave the continent around midday for arrival the following morning. No particular worries and you will probably see whales. In the morning you may well see the mountain tops before the coast because of morning mist.

 

[duncan99210]

Use one of the Grib wether forecast sites to get warning of impending mistral, which is likely to more of a problem returning to Mainland France than on the trip to Corsica. Other than the possibility of a bit of wind, it's pretty benign sailing.

 

[DavieMcG]

Use one of the Grib wether forecast sites to get warning of impending mistral, which is likely to more of a problem returning to Mainland France than on the trip to Corsica. Other than the possibility of a bit of wind, it's pretty benign sailing.

Thanks a lot for the replies, feel a bit more comfortable about it now!

 

[mcanderson]

This might be useful

http://www.uship-enav.fr

We have just moved our boat down to BSM and I had this website recommended.

 

[vyv_cox]

French weather forecasting services are excellent. There is usually three or four days warning of mistral winds, issued on Navtex, or on several meteo websites.

 

[capnsensible]

Delivered a Beneteau 36 at same time of year, lovely trip. Calvi is tops, enjoy!!

 

[jimbaerselman]

We're planning a trip around the Nice area then over to Corsica and Sardinia at the end of June, will be on a 36ft Benneteau

Plenty of good advice about the crossing!

Once there, see http://www.jimbsail.info/mediterranean/west-med/corsica for detail about good places to go in Corsica. There's a similar page for Sardinia, too. Good time to go, end of June, before the massive invasion from the mainland after July 14th

 

[DavieMcG]

Thanks again for the advice everyone

 

[westernman]

Chances are you will have the wind with you when going and against you coming back.

 

[Sybarite]

Chances are you will have the wind with you when going and against you coming back.

Or may have to do most of it on the engine. Once leaving the Golfe of Propriano I set a course to take us between Port Cros and Porquerolles on the AP - which we did without any AP adjustments.