Dandelion 37

 

When the hardened skippers, of the Glenans Sailing School, put into port for shelter, it is time to take notice of conditions at sea.

For Glenans skippers are happy to sail, in almost all circumstances. Particularly with a Friday handover deadline looming. Today, though, is an exception.

Dougall (pictured on her way in and alongside), I recognise as a Concarneau boat. With the notorious Raz de Sein, between her and home. 

A tidal race, through the shoal gap, between the Ile de Sein and the mainland. In strong onshore (westerly) winds, chaotic breaking seas are produced. Hazardous to shipping. Let alone to small craft.

Last night, the Hallberg-Rassy 342 (big sister to Stargazer) Wind Singer, determined to return north, took the long route. West of the Ile de Sein and the rocky islands, to seaward of the Toulinguet gap. The wind at her back as it increased, from twenty five to thirty knots. (Yellow arrowed track, on Ile de Sein chartlet). Her tired crew reporting 'robust' conditions.

 The Swedish flagged, forty five footer, Maridadi (red hull) arrived this morning. Forty eight hours out of Viveiro (in north west Spain). Announced by a thunderously flogging genoa. The powerful sail half furled. Before the gear failed, at sea. So that it cannot be dropped. Nor, despite the efforts of many helping hands, can it now be temporarily wrapped around the forestay. The wind is too strong. The sail too large. It must fly, until the wind abates.

A French flagged Beneteau is forced to moor, alongside Maridadi, on the outside of the wave break. She with her mainsail still set. A fold of sailcloth is preventing her, in-mast furling, main from retracting through the mast slot. The fold is quickly winched out, and the flogging canvas stowed, in the relative calm of Camaret harbour.

By Friday, the forecast has the breeze dropping, by around fifteen knots, and veering north. Creating a tail wind for both Stargazer and the Glenans skippers. Whose advice I will be seeking, on the likely residual sea state, in the Raz de Sein.

Picture Credits

Wind Singer track / Ile de Sein chartlet courtesy of MarineTraffic.com