Sunk Summer Cruise

[Sailfree]

I previously asked for places to visit (and those to avoid) when we head for Gibraltar and try to poke our noses into the Med. I intended to do a slow port hopping sail down and longer legs port hopping back.
A man from a Gibraltar sailing school at the Boat Show said there is a 1 to 2 kt south current down the west europe coast plus often big rollers so fine going south but go at least 100 mls out for return journey and he always goes back via the Azores when doing deliveries.
Was he taking advantage of an Ocean Virgin or was it good advice.
I had hoped it would be pleasurable for SWMBO but am not sure whether she would enjoy the probe into the Atlantic.
Only 2 of us in 38feet. Leaving mid June returning mid September. Boat back in the Hamble for say 15th Sept is non negotiable this time!!
Has anyone done this trip both ways. A reference on currents I found is South 1/2Kt but can be 1kt with Portugal trades. Any advance on 1kt please.

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[Twister_Ken]

He's right about the current. And there are fairly reliable northerlies on the coastal route as well.

Why not park the boat ashore in Southern Spain for the winter, and bring it back via the Azores and/or Canaries the following summer?

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[Sailfree]

Unfortunately not an option, the boat must be back in the Hamble for September. As I understand it we have 3 options. A) return up the coast against probably 1kt of counter current and the prevailing winds are likely to be northerly or B) go 100mls offshore and head North for what say is probably an 8 day passage or C) sail west to the Azores then back to UK.
I assume this last option in say August could be nice, would it be a good introduction to longer passage making and perhaps encourage SWMBO to do the ARC/RAC in 2005?
Any advice please?? How have others that cruise off Spain & Portugal in the summer return. I am beginning to think the Med may be too far for a 3 month return trip.
I am happy to stretch our experience envelope but it must be in a way that is enjoyable to SWMBO. The worst possible senario would be to frighten SWMBO and discourage more and longer sailing trips.
I have read enough postings of reluctant wives to think that like other aspects of dealing with the female of the species slowly is best!!


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[zefender]

I went down as far as Villamoura and back in 2002. Left July 1st and returned Sept 2nd. We went via Falmouth to Camarinas (NW Spain) and then pretty much day sailed down. Some quite big seas but nothing too worrying. We were expecting the prevailing Northerlies but they never really showed, until we started to head back of course(!) The way back is a long motorsail slog to windward. Not uncomfortable, just a bit boring. We didn't stay offshore, just listened to the forecasts carefully and plugged on. Some others opted for the Azores but this seemed a bit of a schlep at the time. I didn't notice any current on the way down but on the way back once the northerlies were established it was just under 1 knot, I'd guess. We tended to leave just before first light and there was little wind/current then anyway. Strongly recommend radar though as fog was a real hazard on many days. PM if you want details of stopovers etc.

In retrospect, it was a long way and I'd have preferred a more leisurely time staying far more time in Galicia, which is very fab. On the way back, we cut the corner and went via La Rochelle.

If you really enjoy long passages then you can of course get to the Med and back (just) within your timescale but, as I found, you'd be missing a lot on the way. Frankly, I'd have called Porto my southernmost point and headed back from there. But I was with family and they wanted the Algarve sun, sand etc.

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[Sailfree]

Thanks, will PM you for more info on stopovers. If I get this one right who knows - tomorrow the world!!

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[snowleopard]

you'd be pushed to make the passage via the azores in 8 days as it's a long way west and a fair chance of calms but if you head generally w from the algarve until you pick up a favourable slant then turn north till you reach the latitude of c. finisterre you should get a reasonable passage with minimal head-banging.



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[circumnavigation]

You mention that the boat has to be back in the Hamble. Is it the boat or you have to be back?

Many people here, that's La Rochelle, sail down that coast and back every year with no problem etc. But, with the new FlyBe Southampton/La Rochelle service starting in June, this opens up many a scenario for UK south coast based sailors. In fact FlyBe boast about the Les Minimes Marina and for sailors to get there and back with ease. Does this help?

Martin

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[Twister_Ken]

\'nother thought

Put a bunch of hairy-buttocked mates* aboard and sail boat non-stop to somewhere warmer (South Brittany?) in advance. Then fly down with SWMBO at start of the hols and you've already got a month's worth of coast-hopping over and done with.

*if no HBMs, ask around these YBW parts.

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[AndrewB]

I too can confirm it's something of a pig to get back north up the Portuguese coast. There can be days on end with a fresh northerly wind. But it doesn't always blow from the north, and it's often quite light in summer so possible to motor back in reasonable comfort.

I'm not sure I'd want to bother, either. The best cruising ground by far is the NW Spanish Rias. South of there, Lisbon is interesting, but not much else.

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[Sailfree]

Boat has to be back. Am now looking at a couple of long legs to Southern Brittany then hop between nice places going South that posters on this Forum recommend. Have not decided on return route yet. Would like to listen to other's experiences first.
The idea of getting others to sail our boat for us (part way) somehow takes away some of the achievment - if that makes sense.

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[circumnavigation]

Could you do it the other way around, have short hops going south, before your desired lengthy sejour and work your way to La Rochelle? That way you have achieved doing it yourself. When the time comes to leave Southampton for La Rochelle, the trip to NW Spain is a doddle. You have had the benefit of visiting some of West France's best localities and would have enjoyed every day of it.

The logistics of getting back to the south coast after each hop are easy, if say from the Channel Islands, north or south Brittany and any where in between to La Rochelle.

Martin

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[Twister_Ken]

One mans\'s SWMBO is another man\'s...

>The idea of getting others to sail our boat for us (part way) somehow takes away some of the achievment - if that makes sense.<

Different SWMBOs obviously. For mine, the idea of not having to do the Channel & North Brittany legs, with big tides and dodgy weather, would be a definite plus point!

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[MoonDust]

Have you thought about going all the way round Spain and coming back through the French canals from Sete to Bordeaux? That would avoid the Portugal northerlies and take not much longer. Draft would obviously be an issue.

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[Sailfree]

Thanks for replies. Boat draws 1.9m so no inland waterways. Doing it in longer hops down and different short hops back seems best idea.

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[alant]

Took a boat to Gib in September 2002 & wind after Coruna until Algarve, was on nose (low pressures off Iberian coast). Also current seemed to be against us (anyone got any tidal stream info this area, other than Portugese Current?).

Brought another boat back from Gib in March 2003. 5-day forecasts showed high pressure systems over Eastern Atlantic, so took decision to go 'inshore' rather than 100 miles out, with chance (as would have happened) of becoming becalmed. Very fresh winds out of Straits & up to St Vincent & then zilch - motor sailed up past Vigo until some wind returned. Reasonable wind across most of Biscay until last leg toward Ushant. Pleasant but frustrating. However we were fortunate, about a week later the conditions off Coruna were apparently horrendous, with the loss of a well found yacht.

The expected winds/currents seem to have been flukey over recent years, so would suggest you base any trip on actual trends/forecasts, rather than historical conditions which may not occur.

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