What a hairy ride

[LadyInBed]

Just arrived at Audierne after a 335 mile Biscay crossing. Mostly NW 5 but with a gale thrown in last night. Took me 78 hours, mostly under half furled Genoa and Mizzen, but ditched the Mizzen when I picked up R4 LW shipping forecast and heard that the gale was arriving sooner and further South than I had expected. The wind wasn't too bad, but got hit by some really big waves on the beam that took off then dumped loads of water all over the boat. I spent most of the time huddled​ in my armchair down in the saloon.

 

[GHA]

Good to hear you're safe, enjoy the wine!!

How's the boat?

 

[bedouin]

Thank goodness for reliable autopilots

 

[Sybarite]

Just arrived at Audierne after a 335 mile Biscay crossing. Mostly NW 5 but with a gale thrown in last night. Took me 78 hours, mostly under half furled Genoa and Mizzen, but ditched the Mizzen when I picked up R4 LW shipping forecast and heard that the gale was arriving sooner and further South than I had expected. The wind wasn't too bad, but got hit by some really big waves on the beam that took off then dumped loads of water all over the boat. I spent most of the time huddled​ in my armchair down in the saloon.

Good crossing Nigel.

I am on my way back down that way so maybe our paths will cross. No hurry though.

 

[LadyInBed]

Good to hear you're safe, enjoy the wine!!

How's the boat?

All in one piece but a bit damp in places. I've got the fan heater on the job.

 

[LadyInBed]

Good crossing Nigel.

I am on my way back down that way so maybe our paths will cross. No hurry though.

From the look of the forecast I will be here till Friday.

 

[mdonnelly]

Thank goodness for reliable autopilots

Thank goodness for armchairs.

 

[LadyInBed]

Thank goodness for armchairs.

 

[RobbieW]

Pleased to hear you got there, even if shaken not stirred ! Now contemplating the same trip, Muros is very attractive though

 

[Sybarite]

From the look of the forecast I will be here till Friday.

Snap!

 

[Plomong]

Just arrived at Audierne after a 335 mile Biscay crossing. Mostly NW 5 but with a gale thrown in last night. Took me 78 hours, mostly under half furled Genoa and Mizzen, but ditched the Mizzen when I picked up R4 LW shipping forecast and heard that the gale was arriving sooner and further South than I had expected. The wind wasn't too bad, but got hit by some really big waves on the beam that took off then dumped loads of water all over the boat. I spent most of the time huddled​ in my armchair down in the saloon.

In those conditions, what was the entrance to Audierne like, or did you stay out in the outer harbour ???

Plomong

 

[john_morris_uk]

In those conditions, what was the entrance to Audierne like, or did you stay out in the outer harbour ???

Plomong

IIRC Audierne is sheltered from the NW...

 

[Sybarite]

IIRC Audierne is sheltered from the NW...

Yes but the waves have a habit of curling around the breakwater and so it may not be a comfortable mooring.

 

[LadyInBed]

In those conditions, what was the entrance to Audierne like, or did you stay out in the outer harbour ???

Plomong

I got into Audierne by the skin of my teeth in that it was two hours after HW and the channel going in is difficult, very narrow and gets very short of water. Thanks be for a 1.4 meter draft and bilge keels, I was down to 0.8 meter clearance in places. There was a large French boat tied at the end of the pontoon, it was crew heavy (8) so yelled for assistance in my best french. They didn't want me alongside them, but took my lines to the equally large boat before them. Thanked them very much and when they heard that I had arrived from Spain, they invited me over for a drink which I greatfully accepted. Turns out it is a charter boat from Brest, they wanted to go to the Scillies but the weather put them off. A lovely bunch, a lot of them are related, I joined them for lunch, a side of boiled in the bag pork and mash with a onion and honey gravey, washed down with red wine. They ate with fork and pocket knife, apparently it is a tradition.

 

[wizard]

I got into Audierne by the skin of my teeth in that it was two hours after HW and the channel going in is difficult, very narrow and gets very short of water. Thanks be for a 1.4 meter draft and bilge keels, I was down to 0.8 meter clearance in places. There was a large French boat tied at the end of the pontoon, it was crew heavy (8) so yelled for assistance in my best french. They didn't want me alongside them, but took my lines to the equally large boat before them. Thanked them very much and when they heard that I had arrived from Spain, they invited me over for a drink which I greatfully accepted. Turns out it is a charter boat from Brest, they wanted to go to the Scillies but the weather put them off. A lovely bunch, a lot of them are related, I joined them for lunch, a side of boiled in the bag pork and mash with a onion and honey gravey, washed down with red wine. They ate with fork and pocket knife, apparently it is a tradition.

A good reward after such along period at sea. Well done.

 

[LadyInBed]

Yes but the waves have a habit of curling around the breakwater and so it may not be a comfortable mooring.

I thought about anchoring in the bay, but like you say, uncomfortable, so took my chances.

 

[Plomong]

I got into Audierne by the skin of my teeth in that it was two hours after HW and the channel going in is difficult, very narrow and gets very short of water.

Very narrow is an understatement !!

What were conditions like just outside the entrance ??

Plomong

 

[LadyInBed]

Very narrow is an understatement !!

What were conditions like just outside the entrance ??

Plomong

Outside the entrance to the bay, not too bad.
Outside the entrance to the harbour, lots of white water on the starboard side, but there is a row of yellow buoys that define the starboard side of the channel.

Peeing down with rain at the moment, mains fan heaters all going so quite snug, just as well because it looks like I'm stuck here till Monday.

 

[Sybarite]

Outside the entrance to the bay, not too bad.
Outside the entrance to the harbour, lots of white water on the starboard side, but there is a row of yellow buoys that define the starboard side of the channel.

Peeing down with rain at the moment, mains fan heaters all going so quite snug, just as well because it looks like I'm stuck here till Monday.

I had a crew offer from a friend who has just moved down to Biarritz.

However friends and family all cried no because I had set myself a challenge....

They should take a peek over the harbour wall.

 

[Sailfree]

Interesting post.

Looked at various options for crossing Biscay but pleased we are doing it in short hops. A trip like yours would guarantee that SWMBO never steps on the boat ever again. Currently in Bayonne after doing a long one from Royan on the Gironde.

Intended to use a weather window to Arcachon but called up on Ch16 Cap Ferret for entrance condition at HW-3 (recommended earliest arrival time in cruising guide) to be only told ideal time of HW-1 as mention in almanac. Tried discussing that it would be dark at 21.15 and channel markers unlit and far apart but to no avail. Swell was 2m while recommended max was 1m. Not clear whether an early entry was possible at say -2hr when still light or not. Forthcoming advice as stated in almanacs in English from Cap Ferrel just not available. Realised limited english when she said buoys not fired instead of not lit. About as much help as a chocolate fireguard but perhaps I should be fluent in French. Entry in dark is advised against as channel position changes with moving sandbanks.

Decided use the suggested 2hr wait to start going to Bayonne. 24hr later not pleased to find entrance shut while large ship exited. Stooge about for 45 min then entered.

Looking for weather window for next leg to Bilbao.