Thank you very much for all your wonderful videos - long may you produce them to help educate other less seasoned sailors on every corner of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and points in between.
Well Sajad it's a two way street. in lockdown I had the 'time' to edit and put together all the material I had shot in that brief period between lockdowns when here in France I was allowed to go sailing. However if nobody viewed or liked them there would have been no reason to make them so I am delighted you enjoy viewing them - thank you
Glad to have come across your channel Michael. I remember writing to you many years ago for advice for my aspirations to own my own boat and go cruising. I've only now got my first boat!
Hi Michael. Thanks for your guides. We took your advice and made our way to the Med, where we are now currently living on our boat. It took us two years instead of one (we hadn't planned on a plague or the joys of Brexit) but we made it and are readying ourselves for the next part of our voyage. I really enjoy your relaxed and informed way of giving advice.
Robert I am so pleased you did it - life in a boat is just lovely - I envy you but will be back on board for longer periods once I get Golden Haze to the Caribbean.. Fair winds for the upcoming 90/180 day problems did you see my latest? th-cam.com/video/SQMNCPyh1fw/w-d-xo.html Michael
@@SailingGently Hi Michael. Yes we watched your Sailing with Brexit video. Very informative and so useful, if not inordinately depressing to cruising yachtsmen from the UK. We are basing ourselves in Spain for the next few seasons to explore the Med (taking the Residencia option to avoid the Schengen shuffle) Once the world settles down we may head across the pond. Looking forward to your future videos and rest assured they do actually change people's, lives for the better.
@@Constablegrowler I was a Spanish resident until a few years ago when I moved to France... The Spanish tax authorities are a nightmare and have imposed very high fines on me for simply not knowing about the tax system. As well as the challenging requirements to get Spanish driving licence, health card, and residencia you must clock into the Income tax system and declare and pay tax on your world wide (UK) property and income.
On Noble Dosser we did roughly that trip starting from Edinburgh in 2006. So thank you for reminding us of all the lovely places, the bits to be careful going round and the whole fantastic journey. We did it in sections - overwintering in the old harbour of La Rochelle, La Coruna and also Seville. Although this was at a slow pace we got to enjoy the country and the countryside. Particularly along the north coast of Spain. Sometimes even, we felt we were rushing it and would love to go back and do it again. I wish we had had your book back then but there we are. So good luck with the book and am sure you will have inspired many to give it a go.
Dear Gordon - yes its a lovely trip - I lived in and kept my boat in La Rochelle for around 10 years and Louise and I would sail south each summer cruising down towards Gib - lovely trips - We also did several passages north towards Plymouth. Eventually we sold up in La Rochelle and moved to Southern Spain and kept Paw Paw in Gibraltar. So you did a much braver passage sailing from Edinburgh and covered more miles - it is indeed a a good part of Europe to sail along and I am amazed how few Brits do it. Thank you for posting Fair winds Michael fair winds
BRILLIANT information. Husband sailed to Rochforte from Ireland helping a friend who was moving his yacht to rochforte. We as a family got to Brest in 2011 from Malahide Dublin Ireland.. Looking forward to getting sailing again. Launch next week please God
I had my boat in Rochefort for a while then moved it back to La Rochelle... Hope your 'splash' goes well and you have a great season - despite Covid and Brexit!
Hello from Belgium, we are pleased to find your video which are very educational on the waters of south england we hear the issues but never the details that bring it to life. Even with 2,000 miles in 2020 for Rival 36 delivery to portugal your trip to cross the channel was more challenging. Well done.
Looks a great way to spend the summer with family. We have two young children & this is a dream for us hopefully make it a reality in the next few years. Thank you
Wonderful way for kids to grow up - They become so bright intelligent and wise when they live in boats. I hope your dream comes true - lovely thing to do
@@SailingGently thanks for the reply. You're coming across very well on videos, honest & clear. I'll be sure to head over to your website & see what's on offer.
Dinghy sailing is the way to go Jon... on lake, reservoir or sea... Once you can sail a dinghy you can sail anything... Navigation from books or online then just buy a little boat. My first cabin boat was a 22 ft Galion with an outboard motor and I sailed her to France frequently from the Solent.. Maybe something which will take the ground at low water as that makes moorings much cheaper
We did the trip from Portsmouth to Cherbourg where the boat wintered. Last Spring we sailed to the Channel Islands, St. Malo and along the French coast to Port la Forêt (before Lorient), where we left the boat until August. From there we sailed along the coast ending up in Hendaye with an overnight sail from Royan to Cap Breton. THAT was a wild ride into Cap Breton. If there is any swell, you have to time it to surf in...I wouldn't do it again or recommend it! We ended up staying for 5 days because we couldn't get out! Now the boat is in Hendaye for the winter and we are contemplating our Spring trip. You make it sound easy along the Spanish and Portuguese coast but what about these orca attacks?
That's a great trip you have done - terrific and I agree Cape Breton is really scary - I have only ever entered in flat calm conditions then had problems avoiding the fishing nets in the river.# My understanding is that the Orcas are down towards the Algarve end and frankly they would worry me. Long before the attacks on boats started I passed one about 50 metres away going in the other direction on the surface... Huge and threatening... I kept very quite and didn't move about on the boat until it was out of sight! The north Spanish coast is easy and some lovely places - Going round Finisterre is quite impressive and another place to wait for reasonably calm weather then there are some lovely little places to stop in... and it's down wind sailing! Have a terrific summer Michael
Thanks for the link to your book. My boat delivery with owner, so 2 hand sailing took 3weeks and 3 days. We cut the corner from Ile Belle to Gion, spain due to Orca attacks in September 2020,
I have just downloaded the Mediterranean Routes book. I'm looking into getting a boat and do the circumnavigation, but since the starting point would be Cyprus, I would like first to get my initiation in the Mediterranean first , starting with the Greek Islands and then go further. I found particularly useful the videos related to OpenCPN. It is a wonder of a software and I find it amazing that companies like Garmin and Raymarine charge a hand and a leg for their maps/charts. I'm looking forward for your next videos. I am so happy that you are sharing your knowledge, I am following a lot of YT channels on sailing, but you are the very few that share facts and not idle words. Thank you once again!
Thank you Mighty Prophet yes the Med is a good way to start and with OpenCPN irts pretty plain sailing... I agree with everything you say about it. So pleased you like the channel - makes it worth the effort!
A very nice presentation. 40 years ago I made the passage with my father down to La Coruna from Portsmouth to Alderney then around Uissant and across the Bay of Biscay. It was a formative moment in my growing up. My father back then navigated old school taking sights and astro navigation. He learned to navigate in the Merchant Navy and was a very accomplished seaman. He taught me a fair amount although now with modern electronic plotters it has taken a lot of the donkey work out of navigation and definitely a sense of struggle and then achievement of reaching a destination port. He was very wary of the Bay of Biscay. He would often tell me horrendous stories of vessels getting into difficulties or being lost and wrecked there as when the weather turns in the Bay it can be foul, you can end up being trapped for days and pushed into the west coast of France it being a lee shore. But you are right the northern Spanish coast is very beautiful. It was practically deserted in the early mid 1980s when I used to sail with him there. Sadly he passed away about 4 years ago but I still have his boats a Carter and a much smaller Achilles fin keel 8m. Watching your videos bring back very fond memories of happier times. Thank you very much of making your videos.
Alex hello, Yes sailing in the 'old' days was more challenging and exciting and I think more rewarding - Your father sounds like a great guy and good sailor - you were lucky to have such a man as your father. It is GPS that is the biggest revolutionary change to sailing I think - it was the ability to navigate that opened or closed doors for long distance sailing so relatively few folks strayed too far from their home ports. That has all changed and the seas and oceans are now easy to roam but you still need all the other seamanship abilities so it is still challenging and fun. You are so luck to have a Carter and an Achilles - I am sure he would be pleased to know you still have them and use them. Michael
@@SailingGently Hi Michael thank you for your kind words of comfort. Yes I was extremely lucky. Like you he lived his whole life orientated around boats and sailing. I have very happy memories as a young boy of him teaching me to sail and navigate in the Achilles so have a very strong sentimental attachment to this boat. It is a small boat and seems dwarfed by his later Carter. Yes electronic equipment has made the job of finding your way a lot easier and you touch on this a few times in your videos. But I guess if it were all to fail for some reason then you would hopefully have the knowledge and skill to still find your way. Unfortunately ill health got the better of my father and he could no longer manage his boats and to sail. But his mind was still pin sharp I guess from all the years of thought and planning that navigating, sailing and boats require. I feel so fortunate to have had him as a Dad. As a seasoned old school sailor you remind me a lot of him so it is very cathartic watching your videos. In 2017 he sadly passed away. I see you look in relatively good health so hope that you can continue to sail and be on the water for as long as you possibly can. I need to sell one of the boats as I simply cannot manage them nor afford to keep them both and keeping and maintaining one boat is expensive enough but two ........ Yes I hope he is looking down or up from the green waters of the Blackwater where I scattered his ashes and where the Achilles is currently kept. The Carter is across the Thames in the Medway. I was hoping to start using both of them but CV and lockdown temporarily put paid to that as I live quite a distance away. I need to sell one, either of which will be extremely difficult. The emotional attachment we can place on possessions can be ridiculously strong, but boat yard fees help focus the mind!!! Thank you for making your videos sharing your knowledge and experience.
Difficult decision for you Alex. If it helps I have downsized from a Westerly Ocean 43 to a Beneteau 323 so I can single hand and park more easily and so far I really don't regret it - Oddly although I enjoy my boats other than the first one I was never broken hearted to sell - I wanted them to go to good homes and I do wonder what became of some of them but its more curiosity than love...
I've just watched this video and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very pertinent to me as I am planning to sail down to the Med with my wife, who has given me two rules: (1) no sailing at night, and (2) no sailing in rough weather. Hence, although I've sailed across Biscay before, this option is not available to me and your video was right on target for me. I will be buying your book. Thanks very much.
One more note: I seem to remember quite soime years ago, sailing into I think it was the Gulf de Morbihan, sailingt all the way up to the end where a canal could be taken to moorings right in the centre of a town called Vannes. Lovely place. Don't recall seeing any mention of this on your video, but perhaps its in the book which I've just purchased
Dean hello, I hope the book is helpful - I am going to use it this summer heading for La Rochelle... Yes I have been into Vannes - but I don't think it's in the book as I sort of selected the easiest route heading south and there are so many French ports to visit on the way... and it seemed easier just to overnight in Belle Isle which is opposite Vannes and more on the direct route -
Have fun with it - I am happy with 1 but not alone and hate 2 which in a way is why I wrote the book - Sailing should be fun not hard work - in my opinion...
Hi Sir. Let me make a small correction. Port wine is usually a red wine of considerable renown from the Douro region of Northern Portugal cherry is a fake version of this unique wine.
You probably know this, but upstream from Lézardrieux is the most wonderful river trip up to Pontrieux. The one bridge to pass under is given as 18 metres. Often have to wait for tide at Roche Jagu. Lock just before Pontrieux.
No Mark I didn't know that. How interesting - I will try that next time... I confess I was normally on my way to la Rochelle where I used to live and it was always a bit of a 'delivery' - I go slower now so will go upstream and explore - thank you
Hi Michael, thank you so much, I also bought your book because I would like to do this trip next year. Maybe I have missed it, and of course it can vary a lot - but how many weeks/months do you think this gentle route might roughly take? All the best from The Netherlands!
Hi Felix,I spent a very happy 4 years living in woon boat in Amsterdam! I think the minimum you could reasonably do the Gentle Route to the Med from UK waters to Gib is around 3 months allowing for bad weather and a few days off.. That would still incur a lot of moving on the next morning.... Once you get past Capo Finisterre it is a lot quicker as its all down wind and the 'hops' are longer... I think to budget 3 months is reasonable - less is possible if you treat it like a delivery
Spain have currently (March 2021) decided not to recognise any RYA qualifications including ICC if through RYA. I feel this is both inconvenient as well as short sighted.
Martin hi, Actually it has always been like that.. The ICC for a charter company will show them you know something about it and you can still skipper the Spanish charter boat... If you buy a Spanish registered boat you have always been obliged to obtain a Spanish skippers license - and the exams and tests are all in Spanish!!!
Thanks for that. Very interesting and informative. I'm on the other side of the world in Australia and a now 70y.o. dreamer but one never knows. Nice to know this info is there to take to take some of the mystique away for those of us used to our own waters. Cheers.
Dream on John. I am 81 in February and am determined to not give up until the curtain comes down..life is not a rehearsal and I consider myself so lucky to have such a terrific hobby... even if my legs hurt!!!
Fantastic information, so glad I've found your channel. I'm presuming that a return journey would be slightly more difficult because of the prevailing winds?
Yes, you are right but really only the Portuguese coast. Need to depart at dawn each motor sailing north then as the wind gets up around 14.00 go into a port...puts another 24 hours on that section. From Coruna its just a matter of waiting for fair winds.. Michael
Can't really emphasize enough the importance of proper passage planning when sailing around Brittany. It is beautiful but quite intimidating and very unforgiving. Plan arrival in daylight an hopefully in good weather and visibility, keep track of your location and headings. I know modern chart plotters make this rather easy now but skirting ile de Brehat on a foul night with your nearest and dearest might not be fun for all.
Most French, Spanish and Portuguese marinas come out at around 30-35 euros a night. Picking up mooring buoys around 20. Hope that helps Simon... the time you spend on the passage is up to you but I think at best its close to 3 months - weather permitting
Hi, thank you for your quick reply. How hard would it be to anchorage your way to the med instead of marinas, or are there not enough suitable spots? May God bless you :)
Of course it varies every year with the weather but there is no reason not to start in May. If bad weather is forecast just sit in port until there is a good forecast. One step, one day at a time... Enjoy your passage south!
Andy hi, I was trying to make this route very easy.. To get into SPP Guernsey you need to get the tide right. You can get into Cherbourg at any state of the tide and then work out the passage for St Peter Port to carry the tide. Of course you can go there directly or even into Alderney and pick up a buoy at any state of the tide then carry it down to Guernsey
Tommaso hello, Yes a Westerly 33 would be fine - excellent boat and as for experience - well you need some basic navigation/pilotage knowledge to work and understand the tides...
@@SailingGently thanks. I was thinking of bringing the w33 to the med permanently but i dont think its possible after brexit. re the skills its a never ending experience and RYA courses are fantastic. however I found owning a boat and skippering while trying to make as little mistakes along the way is the only way to really improve..dont know if you agree..thank you
Totally agree with you Tommaso, owning a boat, making mistakes is the way to learn... All the courses and diplomas in the world will not replace hands on in your own boat - well it worked for me - never did a sea going RYA course in my life only a shore based about navigation - a while ago!
Andre hello, The books are all digital downloads in PDF form - If you look on the internet there are book printers who will print from the link of your downloaded PDF and post to you for around 5UKPounds for example doxzoo.com
Chuck hi, April to mid September. Really just depends on the weather... Get yourself to Plymouth or Scilly Isles or similar and watch the weather for 5 day forecast - then off you go, if it's a Biscay direct crossing. if you are doing the more Gentle Route the same .. The weather patterns are a bit different every year
@@dortherudbeck Hi Dorthe - I just sent you an email with the link again.. Really sorry you had the problem and if you didn't get the link or the download just email again! Fair winds
Turn left, turn right, park up, get a grip man! I was shocked and dismayed to hear the use of such unseamanlike language! Only joking - I was supposed to be doing this trip solo on my Bowman 26 this year, looks like not going to happen now. Still hope to do it sometime and this will be very useful to rewatch when the time comes, thanks for posting & fair winds from Rona Bowman...
Very true Robert - but the nice thing about learning sailing is that fear often limits ambitions - and you build experience.... then get braver - and learning to plan - but I take your point - it's true
Yes offshore is always safer but this is a route for a lightly crewed boat of perhaps husband and wife with little or no offshore experience. It enables them to basically day sail from the UK to the Mediterranean and with modern weather forecasting is pretty safe. I have done the direct route across Biscay a dozen or so times mainly with a crew of more than 2 on board... I have enjoyed the coastal route so much as well with just the two of us or single handed...
Excellent Stuff. Nice to get some info from a sailor whos not wearing a bikini or speedos! Mind you It's only the second video I've watched. Here's hoping.
This is how to explain something, simple plain clear language with no waffle or life story, Thank you.
Really glad you found it interesting. Thank you for watching
Thank you for sharing...you are sir how every parent wishes their child to grow to be. Articulate, generous, thoughtful and kind.
I just like messing about in boats.... Thank you for the kind words
@@SailingGently We can add modest to the list as well! Thank you for your videos sir!
@@jhemlow I am so pleased you are enjoying the videos Jason - thank you
This was perfect winter viewing for us aspiring armchair sailors.
Thank You.
Thank you for watching Philip. So pleased you enjoyed it.
Thank you very much for all your wonderful videos - long may you produce them to help educate other less seasoned sailors on every corner of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and points in between.
Thank you Max. I am so pleased you are enjoying them - makes it worth the effort of producing them.
I don’t even sail, just love the idea of this. Thank you so much for this beautiful video.
Glad you enjoyed it Kaine - boating is a wonderful hobby - thank you for watching
Great video for people like me who love to sail but stuck infront a computer. Really gave me a feeling of the voyage
Well Sajad it's a two way street. in lockdown I had the 'time' to edit and put together all the material I had shot in that brief period between lockdowns when here in France I was allowed to go sailing. However if nobody viewed or liked them there would have been no reason to make them so I am delighted you enjoy viewing them - thank you
I feel your pain my Brother!!
Glad to have come across your channel Michael. I remember writing to you many years ago for advice for my aspirations to own my own boat and go cruising. I've only now got my first boat!
Congratulations. Well done. It must be so exciting to have at long last your own boat! Fair winds and safe landfalls
Hi Michael. Thanks for your guides. We took your advice and made our way to the Med, where we are now currently living on our boat. It took us two years instead of one (we hadn't planned on a plague or the joys of Brexit) but we made it and are readying ourselves for the next part of our voyage. I really enjoy your relaxed and informed way of giving advice.
Robert I am so pleased you did it - life in a boat is just lovely - I envy you but will be back on board for longer periods once I get Golden Haze to the Caribbean.. Fair winds for the upcoming 90/180 day problems did you see my latest?
th-cam.com/video/SQMNCPyh1fw/w-d-xo.html
Michael
@@SailingGently Hi Michael. Yes we watched your Sailing with Brexit video. Very informative and so useful, if not inordinately depressing to cruising yachtsmen from the UK. We are basing ourselves in Spain for the next few seasons to explore the Med (taking the Residencia option to avoid the Schengen shuffle) Once the world settles down we may head across the pond. Looking forward to your future videos and rest assured they do actually change people's, lives for the better.
@@Constablegrowler I was a Spanish resident until a few years ago when I moved to France... The Spanish tax authorities are a nightmare and have imposed very high fines on me for simply not knowing about the tax system. As well as the challenging requirements to get Spanish driving licence, health card, and residencia you must clock into the Income tax system and declare and pay tax on your world wide (UK) property and income.
On Noble Dosser we did roughly that trip starting from Edinburgh in 2006. So thank you for reminding us of all the lovely places, the bits to be careful going round and the whole fantastic journey. We did it in sections - overwintering in the old harbour of La Rochelle, La Coruna and also Seville. Although this was at a slow pace we got to enjoy the country and the countryside. Particularly along the north coast of Spain. Sometimes even, we felt we were rushing it and would love to go back and do it again. I wish we had had your book back then but there we are. So good luck with the book and am sure you will have inspired many to give it a go.
Dear Gordon - yes its a lovely trip - I lived in and kept my boat in La Rochelle for around 10 years and Louise and I would sail south each summer cruising down towards Gib - lovely trips - We also did several passages north towards Plymouth. Eventually we sold up in La Rochelle and moved to Southern Spain and kept Paw Paw in Gibraltar.
So you did a much braver passage sailing from Edinburgh and covered more miles - it is indeed a a good part of Europe to sail along and I am amazed how few Brits do it.
Thank you for posting
Fair winds
Michael
fair winds
BRILLIANT information. Husband sailed to Rochforte from Ireland helping a friend who was moving his yacht to rochforte.
We as a family got to Brest in 2011 from Malahide Dublin Ireland..
Looking forward to getting sailing again. Launch next week please God
I had my boat in Rochefort for a while then moved it back to La Rochelle... Hope your 'splash' goes well and you have a great season - despite Covid and Brexit!
Love your way of storytelling-explaining! Really informative and entertaining at the same time :)
Albin that is so kind - I am really pleased that you like the channel
Hello from Belgium, we are pleased to find your video which are very educational on the waters of south england we hear the issues but never the details that bring it to life. Even with 2,000 miles in 2020 for Rival 36 delivery to portugal your trip to cross the channel was more challenging. Well done.
David thank you and I am glad you liked the video but 2000 miles in a Rival 36 is much more challenging - nice boats
Looks a great way to spend the summer with family. We have two young children & this is a dream for us hopefully make it a reality in the next few years. Thank you
Wonderful way for kids to grow up - They become so bright intelligent and wise when they live in boats. I hope your dream comes true - lovely thing to do
@@SailingGently thanks for the reply. You're coming across very well on videos, honest & clear. I'll be sure to head over to your website & see what's on offer.
@@kingsleighjones9413 Thank you for watching - It's the audience that makes it worth while - I am grateful
Absolutely fantastic, thank you Michael. We will be sailing your gentle route to the Med this summer and we can’t wait.
Have fun sailing down there... It really is a special experience - Fair winds
thank you. perfect information for my needs right now.
Very pleased it helped
I liked the way you deliver the information well done 👍
Thank you Stephen
Love this Channel - good information! Thanks a lot Michael 👍
Glad you enjoy it! Thank you for watching
Thank you Captain for all
informations.Very interesting.
Good Luck.Thanks more
Thank you for watching Farid - Glad you found it interesting
Thank you for sharing your details this was a great pleasure and help
Glad it was helpful Ricky... fun route - I have always enjoyed it!
You are so lucky to enjoy boat life, it seams just a dream to me, eg got no idea of how to make it happen
Dinghy sailing is the way to go Jon... on lake, reservoir or sea... Once you can sail a dinghy you can sail anything... Navigation from books or online then just buy a little boat. My first cabin boat was a 22 ft Galion with an outboard motor and I sailed her to France frequently from the Solent.. Maybe something which will take the ground at low water as that makes moorings much cheaper
Dear Michael, thank you for this interesting info. I've just bought your guide. All I have to do now is buy a boat. Haha!
Thank you Mike. The best advice I ever got came from a RN Commander who said 'Just get a boat'!
Excellent - I will by the book !
Thank you Pierre - glad you found the video interesting and the book has lots of details not in the film
We did the trip from Portsmouth to Cherbourg where the boat wintered. Last Spring we sailed to the Channel Islands, St. Malo and along the French coast to Port la Forêt (before Lorient), where we left the boat until August. From there we sailed along the coast ending up in Hendaye with an overnight sail from Royan to Cap Breton. THAT was a wild ride into Cap Breton. If there is any swell, you have to time it to surf in...I wouldn't do it again or recommend it! We ended up staying for 5 days because we couldn't get out! Now the boat is in Hendaye for the winter and we are contemplating our Spring trip. You make it sound easy along the Spanish and Portuguese coast but what about these orca attacks?
That's a great trip you have done - terrific and I agree Cape Breton is really scary - I have only ever entered in flat calm conditions then had problems avoiding the fishing nets in the river.#
My understanding is that the Orcas are down towards the Algarve end and frankly they would worry me. Long before the attacks on boats started I passed one about 50 metres away going in the other direction on the surface... Huge and threatening... I kept very quite and didn't move about on the boat until it was out of sight!
The north Spanish coast is easy and some lovely places - Going round Finisterre is quite impressive and another place to wait for reasonably calm weather then there are some lovely little places to stop in... and it's down wind sailing!
Have a terrific summer
Michael
Great, really nice overview, without the usual doom and drama.
Brian that is very kind - I am pleased you like it because I think sailing should basically be fun and now an outward bound course
Thanks for the link to your book. My boat delivery with owner, so 2 hand sailing took 3weeks and 3 days. We cut the corner from Ile Belle to Gion, spain due to Orca attacks in September 2020,
Pleasure David... Yes I was reading about the Orca attacks and felt glad I was not heading that way - scary!
I have just downloaded the Mediterranean Routes book. I'm looking into getting a boat and do the circumnavigation, but since the starting point would be Cyprus, I would like first to get my initiation in the Mediterranean first , starting with the Greek Islands and then go further. I found particularly useful the videos related to OpenCPN. It is a wonder of a software and I find it amazing that companies like Garmin and Raymarine charge a hand and a leg for their maps/charts. I'm looking forward for your next videos. I am so happy that you are sharing your knowledge, I am following a lot of YT channels on sailing, but you are the very few that share facts and not idle words. Thank you once again!
Thank you Mighty Prophet yes the Med is a good way to start and with OpenCPN irts pretty plain sailing... I agree with everything you say about it. So pleased you like the channel - makes it worth the effort!
Thank you Michael - d/loaded your guides - super useful!!
So pleased you like the Guide books - I even refer to some of them myself -
A very nice presentation. 40 years ago I made the passage with my father down to La Coruna from Portsmouth to Alderney then around Uissant and across the Bay of Biscay. It was a formative moment in my growing up. My father back then navigated old school taking sights and astro navigation. He learned to navigate in the Merchant Navy and was a very accomplished seaman. He taught me a fair amount although now with modern electronic plotters it has taken a lot of the donkey work out of navigation and definitely a sense of struggle and then achievement of reaching a destination port. He was very wary of the Bay of Biscay. He would often tell me horrendous stories of vessels getting into difficulties or being lost and wrecked there as when the weather turns in the Bay it can be foul, you can end up being trapped for days and pushed into the west coast of France it being a lee shore.
But you are right the northern Spanish coast is very beautiful. It was practically deserted in the early mid 1980s when I used to sail with him there. Sadly he passed away about 4 years ago but I still have his boats a Carter and a much smaller Achilles fin keel 8m. Watching your videos bring back very fond memories of happier times. Thank you very much of making your videos.
Alex hello,
Yes sailing in the 'old' days was more challenging and exciting and I think more rewarding - Your father sounds like a great guy and good sailor - you were lucky to have such a man as your father. It is GPS that is the biggest revolutionary change to sailing I think - it was the ability to navigate that opened or closed doors for long distance sailing so relatively few folks strayed too far from their home ports. That has all changed and the seas and oceans are now easy to roam but you still need all the other seamanship abilities so it is still challenging and fun.
You are so luck to have a Carter and an Achilles - I am sure he would be pleased to know you still have them and use them.
Michael
@@SailingGently Hi Michael thank you for your kind words of comfort. Yes I was extremely lucky. Like you he lived his whole life orientated around boats and sailing. I have very happy memories as a young boy of him teaching me to sail and navigate in the Achilles so have a very strong sentimental attachment to this boat. It is a small boat and seems dwarfed by his later Carter. Yes electronic equipment has made the job of finding your way a lot easier and you touch on this a few times in your videos. But I guess if it were all to fail for some reason then you would hopefully have the knowledge and skill to still find your way. Unfortunately ill health got the better of my father and he could no longer manage his boats and to sail. But his mind was still pin sharp I guess from all the years of thought and planning that navigating, sailing and boats require. I feel so fortunate to have had him as a Dad. As a seasoned old school sailor you remind me a lot of him so it is very cathartic watching your videos. In 2017 he sadly passed away. I see you look in relatively good health so hope that you can continue to sail and be on the water for as long as you possibly can. I need to sell one of the boats as I simply cannot manage them nor afford to keep them both and keeping and maintaining one boat is expensive enough but two ........ Yes I hope he is looking down or up from the green waters of the Blackwater where I scattered his ashes and where the Achilles is currently kept. The Carter is across the Thames in the Medway. I was hoping to start using both of them but CV and lockdown temporarily put paid to that as I live quite a distance away. I need to sell one, either of which will be extremely difficult. The emotional attachment we can place on possessions can be ridiculously strong, but boat yard fees help focus the mind!!!
Thank you for making your videos sharing your knowledge and experience.
Difficult decision for you Alex. If it helps I have downsized from a Westerly Ocean 43 to a Beneteau 323 so I can single hand and park more easily and so far I really don't regret it - Oddly although I enjoy my boats other than the first one I was never broken hearted to sell - I wanted them to go to good homes and I do wonder what became of some of them but its more curiosity than love...
I've just watched this video and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very pertinent to me as I am planning to sail down to the Med with my wife, who has given me two rules: (1) no sailing at night, and (2) no sailing in rough weather. Hence, although I've sailed across Biscay before, this option is not available to me and your video was right on target for me. I will be buying your book. Thanks very much.
One more note: I seem to remember quite soime years ago, sailing into I think it was the Gulf de Morbihan, sailingt all the way up to the end where a canal could be taken to moorings right in the centre of a town called Vannes. Lovely place. Don't recall seeing any mention of this on your video, but perhaps its in the book which I've just purchased
Dean hello,
I hope the book is helpful - I am going to use it this summer heading for La Rochelle... Yes I have been into Vannes - but I don't think it's in the book as I sort of selected the easiest route heading south and there are so many French ports to visit on the way... and it seemed easier just to overnight in Belle Isle which is opposite Vannes and more on the direct route -
Have fun with it - I am happy with 1 but not alone and hate 2 which in a way is why I wrote the book - Sailing should be fun not hard work - in my opinion...
excellent video
Thank you very much Roderick... Glad you liked it
Another great informative video. Thank you.
Thank you for watching Rui
Hi Sir. Let me make a small correction.
Port wine is usually a red wine of considerable renown from the Douro region of Northern Portugal cherry is a fake version of this unique wine.
Thank you Roger... I actually didn't know that!
Very well done
Thank you Maureen -
You probably know this, but upstream from Lézardrieux is the most wonderful river trip up to Pontrieux. The one bridge to pass under is given as 18 metres. Often have to wait for tide at Roche Jagu. Lock just before Pontrieux.
No Mark I didn't know that. How interesting - I will try that next time... I confess I was normally on my way to la Rochelle where I used to live and it was always a bit of a 'delivery' - I go slower now so will go upstream and explore - thank you
Thank you Michael, wonderfully informative, I've just ordered your book. Glad I have discovered this channel, you have lot of knowledge to share.
Donal hello, thank you for watching my videos - I am so glad you find them interesting.
Great info many thanks 🙏
Jay I'm pleased you found it useful - thank you
Excellent. When will you do a guide cruising north to Norway Finland etc cheers !!!
Jorge hello, Thank you - so pleased you liked the video. I would love to sail to Finland - one of my ambitions - but probably not this year
Really enjoyed it very useful thanks
Thank you. Very pleased it was helpful
Hi Michael, thank you so much, I also bought your book because I would like to do this trip next year. Maybe I have missed it, and of course it can vary a lot - but how many weeks/months do you think this gentle route might roughly take? All the best from The Netherlands!
Hi Felix,I spent a very happy 4 years living in woon boat in Amsterdam!
I think the minimum you could reasonably do the Gentle Route to the Med from UK waters to Gib is around 3 months allowing for bad weather and a few days off.. That would still incur a lot of moving on the next morning.... Once you get past Capo Finisterre it is a lot quicker as its all down wind and the 'hops' are longer... I think to budget 3 months is reasonable - less is possible if you treat it like a delivery
Spain have currently (March 2021) decided not to recognise any RYA qualifications including ICC if through RYA.
I feel this is both inconvenient as well as short sighted.
Martin hi,
Actually it has always been like that.. The ICC for a charter company will show them you know something about it and you can still skipper the Spanish charter boat... If you buy a Spanish registered boat you have always been obliged to obtain a Spanish skippers license - and the exams and tests are all in Spanish!!!
This has now changed: www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/rya-icc-remain-valid-in-spanish-waters-brexit-78419
Thanks for that. Very interesting and informative. I'm on the other side of the world in Australia and a now 70y.o. dreamer but one never knows. Nice to know this info is there to take to take some of the mystique away for those of us used to our own waters.
Cheers.
Dream on John. I am 81 in February and am determined to not give up until the curtain comes down..life is not a rehearsal and I consider myself so lucky to have such a terrific hobby... even if my legs hurt!!!
Fantastic information, so glad I've found your channel. I'm presuming that a return journey would be slightly more difficult because of the prevailing winds?
Yes, you are right but really only the Portuguese coast. Need to depart at dawn each motor sailing north then as the wind gets up around 14.00 go into a port...puts another 24 hours on that section. From Coruna its just a matter of waiting for fair winds..
Michael
Can't really emphasize enough the importance of proper passage planning when sailing around Brittany. It is beautiful but quite intimidating and very unforgiving. Plan arrival in daylight an hopefully in good weather and visibility, keep track of your location and headings. I know modern chart plotters make this rather easy now but skirting ile de Brehat on a foul night with your nearest and dearest might not be fun for all.
I do agree with you Bodywood... Passage planning and getting a good weather forecast is vital
The tides in and around the Channel Islands can be very strong and need careful planning. The tidal drops are considerable as well.
Great, how expensive would this be in terms of marina costs?
Most French, Spanish and Portuguese marinas come out at around 30-35 euros a night. Picking up mooring buoys around 20. Hope that helps Simon... the time you spend on the passage is up to you but I think at best its close to 3 months - weather permitting
Hi, thank you for your quick reply. How hard would it be to anchorage your way to the med instead of marinas, or are there not enough suitable spots?
May God bless you :)
@@simoncorser8083 There are possible anchorages in most places.. Not everywhere and it is an Atlantic coast so the weather can be a problem
Wish I had seen this 7 years ago!
There is always this summer....
Would it be gentle sailing route in early May? Thank you!
Of course it varies every year with the weather but there is no reason not to start in May. If bad weather is forecast just sit in port until there is a good forecast. One step, one day at a time... Enjoy your passage south!
Is it possible to buy a copy of the booklet that you are referring to? I have searched online but can't find it?
Penny hello
You can only get it from my site www.gentlesailing.com - it is a download
Hi -- thanks, but why not go directly to StPP in Gy, rather than stopping in at Cherbourg? Is it the timing of the tides etc...?
Andy hi,
I was trying to make this route very easy.. To get into SPP Guernsey you need to get the tide right. You can get into Cherbourg at any state of the tide and then work out the passage for St Peter Port to carry the tide. Of course you can go there directly or even into Alderney and pick up a buoy at any state of the tide then carry it down to Guernsey
great video, thank you so much. what type of skill/experience do you think this requires? and what about the boat, would a w33 do the job? thank you
Tommaso hello, Yes a Westerly 33 would be fine - excellent boat and as for experience - well you need some basic navigation/pilotage knowledge to work and understand the tides...
@@SailingGently thanks. I was thinking of bringing the w33 to the med permanently but i dont think its possible after brexit. re the skills its a never ending experience and RYA courses are fantastic. however I found owning a boat and skippering while trying to make as little mistakes along the way is the only way to really improve..dont know if you agree..thank you
Totally agree with you Tommaso, owning a boat, making mistakes is the way to learn... All the courses and diplomas in the world will not replace hands on in your own boat - well it worked for me - never did a sea going RYA course in my life only a shore based about navigation - a while ago!
❤
Thank you
Is there a possibility, to buy this as a hard or stencil copy ?
Andre hello,
The books are all digital downloads in PDF form - If you look on the internet there are book printers who will print from the link of your downloaded PDF and post to you for around 5UKPounds for example doxzoo.com
Porto is famous for its PORT WINE Michael, not sherry. We'll put it down to first night nerves, (21.03mins).
Thank you Robert.. Silly me - the clue is in the towns name!!!
Are you using navionics to show where the anchorages are?
Jamie hi, No I use C-map 93 with Open CPN both for planning and my back up navigation...
@@SailingGently thanks kindly
Hello. What is a good time of the year to leave England to head to the mediterranean?
Chuck hi,
April to mid September. Really just depends on the weather... Get yourself to Plymouth or Scilly Isles or similar and watch the weather for 5 day forecast - then off you go, if it's a Biscay direct crossing. if you are doing the more Gentle Route the same .. The weather patterns are a bit different every year
Why not put a link to the book in the video description.
Thank you. That's a good idea I will do that!
I see you made a book on this route. where can I eventually bye it?
Now I paid, but didn’t get to the download site.... how do I get what I paid for?
@@dortherudbeck Hi Dorthe - I just sent you an email with the link again.. Really sorry you had the problem and if you didn't get the link or the download just email again!
Fair winds
May i kindly ask if the book you refer to is available to buy?
Yes of course Sajad. All my sailing books are at www.gentlesailing.com
@@SailingGently thank just picked it up a minute ago.
@@sajadhussain4732 Yes I saw Sajad. Do hope you find it interesting
Turn left, turn right, park up, get a grip man! I was shocked and dismayed to hear the use of such unseamanlike language! Only joking - I was supposed to be doing this trip solo on my Bowman 26 this year, looks like not going to happen now. Still hope to do it sometime and this will be very useful to rewatch when the time comes, thanks for posting & fair winds from Rona Bowman...
Thank you. I`m glad it was useful... I will probably do it solo again next year.. Enjoyed your site as well. Fair winds
Very good advice, but believe me you will need quite a bit of sailing experience to do this safely.
Very true Robert - but the nice thing about learning sailing is that fear often limits ambitions - and you build experience.... then get braver - and learning to plan - but I take your point - it's true
Iv msg you on fb about this book Micheal 👍
Leon hello,
Really sorry I did not understand/get the message. All I saw was an image... Sorry!
Sailing Gently it was just about a book I ordered that hasn’t arrived yet after two weeks that’s all Micheal
It's less dangerous to stay offshore.
Yes offshore is always safer but this is a route for a lightly crewed boat of perhaps husband and wife with little or no offshore experience. It enables them to basically day sail from the UK to the Mediterranean and with modern weather forecasting is pretty safe. I have done the direct route across Biscay a dozen or so times mainly with a crew of more than 2 on board... I have enjoyed the coastal route so much as well with just the two of us or single handed...
Excellent Stuff. Nice to get some info from a sailor whos not wearing a bikini or speedos! Mind you It's only the second video I've watched. Here's hoping.
I've lost my Speedos but do sometimes have an unlikely beard!
Another rear video
glad you liked it - It's a most enjoyable passage
Best sailing channel by far, no women to add colour just sail talk. If he starts doing these in a bikini ill stop watching.
Damn Gary! I will ask M&S if they will take the bikini back! Glad you like the channel!