Trailer Sailing to the Med?

Little Rascal

Little Rascal

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Just mulling the idea over at the moment:

Has anyone else taken a trailer sailer to the Med by road?
Where would you go?
Any recommendations for friendly yards?
What should I expect in the way of road regulatons?

I would think at least two or three weeks would be needed to make it worthwhile...
...but it is worth the faff?!?

Jon
 
If you're going to the S of France, don't forget that anything larger than a beach toy ('engins de plage') needs to be registered!

On a slightly more serious note, it is surprisingly difficult to find out the details of traffic regulations abroad. For example when towing in the UK the speed limit is 60 and you aren't allowed in the RH lane of motorways. What are the equivalent rules for France?

Maybe the AA can advise. Or the French embassy.
 
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snowleopard said:
If you're going to the S of France, don't forget that anything larger than a beach toy ('engins de plage') needs to be registered!

On a slightly more serious note, it is surprisingly difficult to find out the details of traffic regulations abroad. For example when towing in the UK the speed limit is 60 and you aren't allowed in the RH lane of motorways. What are the equivalent rules for France?

Maybe the AA can advise. Or the French embassy.
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Caravan Club has all the info you need about the driving here.
 
Seriously, I'm towing my Cape Cutter 19 down to the lakes south of Bordeaux in August. So far I've found that I need to register for use on the lake, but this is dependant upon engine size. I need to do this with the local council - cost €11 for a month IIRC.
 
Thanks chaps.

Looking for inspiration as much as details at the moment...

A catapult in Corsica sounds like fun!

The boat is fairly capable so passages to Corsica/Balearics might be a possibility for a 'proper' trip?

Otherwise I'm just looking for the nearest/nicest place to spend a week or two pottering and anchoring...
 
There are not all that many places along the mainland coast that fit your requirements, but I would be looking at France in the Toulon, Hyeres, Porquerolles area. Plenty to do there for a few weeks in a small boat and good launching facilities at both mainland towns. Northwest Corsica would be very nice but it's quite a long and demanding trip from Nice and horrendously rough in the mistral. Balearics are superb with very many anchorages but also a long way from Barcelona (100 miles IIRC) although the weather is often more settled.
 
banger said:
Vyv,I am intending to take a trailer/sailer to the South of France,can you recommend launch sites areound Toulon/Hyerer area. thanks
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I suggest you invest in the Heikell pilot 'Mediterranean France and Corsica'. Bloc Marine is also excellent although I'm not sure where you can buy one for the Med in UK. Both are full of information about the area.

There are slipways that I know of at Sanary (a super little place), Hyeres-plage, St Mandrier, Bormes, Le Lavandou, Cavalaire. Probably others too, don't forget this is a popular speedboat area so there are plenty of facilites for launching.

Just looking through an old Bloc that I still have, there are many more slipways than I have listed above.
 
The article about trailing to Greece was in Watercraft. A small double ender with camping accomodation. I feel the problem might be more how many other people are there(france) ref:the holiday seasons. Bit like Italy in August, def no go.
 
Thanks Vyv - was looking at that area on google earth. Looks like you could do some nice island hopping.

A few more questions... are small boats welcome in areas like that? St Tropez (!) for instance?

Would it be realistic to spend nights at anchor?... or would it be cost effective in proper berths ie marinas for a small boat?
 
Little Rascal said:
Thanks Vyv - was looking at that area on google earth. Looks like you could do some nice island hopping.

A few more questions... are small boats welcome in areas like that? St Tropez (!) for instance?

Would it be realistic to spend nights at anchor?... or would it be cost effective in proper berths ie marinas for a small boat?
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Try looking right ariound the St Tropez peninsula using G'Earth. You'll see plenty of places to anchor a boat. You should even be able to anchor right off the town, in spots, and you'd be very welcome, if ( Catapult ) memory serves. Just fly the appropriate courtesy flags....

Look also at Les Calanques east and west of Cassis, again using G'E. You'll see that, while there are dozens of packed marinas, should you want to find a sheltered place to put down the hook, you will have plenty of choice. Of course the pretty spots will get very busy with day-visiters during the day, but most of them will head back to their marinas and their pre-booked tables.

Should you like a little cove with a little restaurant, and wish to stay for a few days, tell the patron you'd like to do day-sailing, have breakfast and dinner there, and after the second visit they'll treat you as almost one of the family. After the third, you will be....

Oh, and bring back some pics for us!

Aime France!

:)
 
This sounds a fab idea.

Day sailing would be just great in many places along that south coast. Yep, there can be big wind but it is well forecast and we're only talking coastal stuff - they'll all be talking about the mistral and will definitely offer advice about not going as appropriate.

Generaly, france is extremely friendly towards "normal size" boats and there oodles of places to launch and as far as i am aware, lots are free.

I wd look at three main areas - marseilles area (and just east to Cassis, or Cassis) and then St tropez, (a likely place to drive into would be er o erm that marina just west of st trop slips my memory begins with C) and then Cannes area to hang out amongst the ile de lerins. Loads of big marinas means loads of smal spots to tuck the boat into. Below a certain size (like a big dinghy) they seemed in some ports to just "oh jam the thing anywhere willyer" so in st laurent du var I parked 12ft dinghy foc for a week.

In marseilles there's a launch right at the end of the main Vieux Port and parking near the capitinerie - the calanques nearby no problem.

St trop likewise has great sailing, and through that whole coast there's loadsa space - PROVIDED we are talking about 20foot boats.

In Cannes Mandelieu up a river there's port-a-sec and they have giant forklifts to bop the boat in the water.

I would not have though you need (or can) book anything much in advance - because a zillion people have the idea and slightly less than a quarter of a zillion actually turn up. Hence St tropez doesn't like take bookings in high season cept for the biggest boats. Pull off the motorway and ooh look- he's got a trailer boat - follow him!
 
Little Rascal said:
Was that Jean-Louis Grenier?
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Actually No. But a friend in the Dordogne is a near neighbour of J-L G and often sails with him. The perp in question had often been to Greece and decided to get a boat (from Swallow Boats?) to enjoy some cruising. Only day sails.
Elsewhere, there was a guy who sailed there with his daughter in a Drascombe Coaster. I can't remember the link. But was minimal cruising at its't best.
 
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