UK to the Med

[ThereAndBack]

We are planning (hoping) to take our Bav37 to the Med (coastal route), later this year.

Can anyone recommend any books that will give us insight and guidance into this, please?

Details of websites or blogs covering this subject will be also be appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

 

[tcm]

Small chunks rather than planning a grand voyage is the key, i think. I planned the whole thing, but in the event didn't go to most of pre-planned stops. Care needed in aproaching the well-known windy spots of finsterre nw spain, and gibraltar.

 

[KCS]

Imray to vast amounts of pilots from Uk to Med

i'd make sure you have a current almanac like REEDS or something that'll help

 

[Twister_Ken]

From one of us. Brighton to Gib.

 

[tcm]

\"later this year\"

thinking about it...it shouldn't be much later this year perhaps? In a not-large boat i wd want to be clear of Biscay by mid-august - some insurance doesn't cover biscay after 15th august so even if you are covered, it's worth bearing in mind that some feel you have better odds or at least less risk during april to mid-august.

The weather is the thing, not the ports really.

 

[LymingtonPugwash]

[ QUOTE ]
Small chunks rather than planning a grand voyage is the key, i think. I planned the whole thing, but in the event didn't go to most of pre-planned stops. Care needed in aproaching the well-known windy spots of finsterre nw spain, and gibraltar.

[/ QUOTE ]

I totally agree with tcm.... I have never stuck to the 'plan' for that trip (or almost any other extended trip for that matter)! Having said that, it is good to go through the 'process' of planning it in order to familiarise yourself with each place along the way, so that when you are 'making it up' as you go, at least the details will look somewhat familiar. To that end, I always put together a loose leaf file with pages of 'quick notes' on each major place and 'bolt hole' along the way.
Having prepared all of that, I then set off with little idea of where I am heading for beyond the next point, with a list of 'mabeys, in case I fall short along the way! That way, the trip is far less stressful and far, far more enjoyable!

So, the order of the day for sailing to the Med, is: Left at the Needles, left hand down and keep going stopping often along the way, until you get to the end of Portugal, then left hand down again aiming roughly for Ceuta and enter the Med without needing to knock!

If you have the time.... do yourself a favour and stay over on the south side of the Med if possible and enjoy something a little different!
My predicition is that more and more yachties are going to be aiming to reclaim the 'good old days' of Libya as it has become quite a safe and welcoming place again and really worth visiting with incredibly realistic prices for marinas etc.....

So.... don't get stressed up.... just enjoy it all..... wish I was with you! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The experience of leaving the UK and seeing it sink over the horizon behind me, never fails to fill me with joy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[peterb26]

Imrays "Atlantic Spain and Portugal" isbn 0852888937 is a superb book. Its worth the money for the aerial photos in it - and thats before the information supplied.

And dont forget - call in at Lagos, its a wonderful place. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tcm]

useful info also at

http://www.rccpf.org.uk/index.htm

 

[jimbaerselman]

My web site describes in broad terms each of the coastlines you'll be passing, including 'must visits' - if you've got time - and things you can afford to miss. It's written to assist those who've got quite a bit of time to make the journey and want to explore, but it's also useful for passage makers.

Landfalls in N Spain are divided into 'can be entered in any weather' and 'others' - which can be blocked by swell, or only entered at high tide.

Hope you find it useful. Feedback welcomed!

 

[Richard10002]

Imray Charts plus a chartplotter with either C map or navionics charts. Pilot Books for each area. Reeds to Gib, and Imray med Almanac for the Med. Plenty of advice from this forum.

Good weather forecast ... winds are generally northerly for most of the summer, with occassional very strong winds, but I know of one chap who was blown to England from lagos by a generally southerly wind a couple of weeks ago.

Dont miss lagos.... you may choose to stay there. I left a week last monday, and am having some regrets ..... mostly due to the hassle of doing a long trip, (to Malta), with some difficulties finding marina berths in Ibiza, and the demands of crew, who I need more than they need me.

Re: Lagos, I firmly believe that you will find it hard to find better facilities, better social scene, nicer town, (open and active throughout the winter), easier cheap access, (flights, train/hire car).

In relation to location, I am somewhat motivated for tax reasons, and malta or Cyprus will benefit me substantially in the long term, so i will be carrying on.

Good Luck ... it will be a fun challenge.

 

[jimbaerselman]

A 'light' version of documents, if you're planning a quicker trip, would be the CA pilot Book, which covers sufficient harbours for passage making, most of the rias, and a reasonable level of exploring. Imray charts and a Yeoman plotter with a GPS readout at the wheel will be sufficient to deal with the occasional bad vis along W Iberia.