TIPS? Sailing from Sweden to the Med next spring

[nepal]

If you want to avoid the the Dutch islands (because of the weather or if you're not use to the tides) you can sail to Delfzijl and follow the "staandemastenroute" to the south of the Netherlands without lowering your mast.

If I'm not mistaken there is a similar route through Germany.

[Be Free Sailor]

Hi Juan

I live in Denmark, and have sailed between the Mediterranean and Denmark 8-10 times, and I sail mostly singehanded.
Your boat could easily do the trip, in less than 2 months, via the rivers and canals, letting you out into the Mediterranean near Port St Louis (near Marseille).
Did you consider this option?
With only 1m 60cm / 5 feet keel draft, it would be a nice trip. The inland waterways is really quite an experience, and would be a lot less stressful too.
Also you do not need to prepare the boat for offshore sailing. (Outfitting is crazy expensive). Perhaps add a cheap 2nd hand outboard, as backup for the inboard diesel?

Doing the trip via the English Channel / Biscay / Atlantic coast is a lot more challenging, as other have mentioned.
Liferaft, EPIRB, AIS, VHF, weather reports / routing is definitely needed, but I would add also that a reliable AUTOPILOT is a safety item, if sailing shorthanded.
Good onboard power / batteries / solar a.s.o. is important too.

You are welcome to send a PM, if you like tips or ideas for the trip.

Merry X-mas
//N

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by juanpadelmas

Here are some images of the boat Her name is Violeta

Oooo! She's GORgeous! You weren't kidding about being well-loved.

Fair winds - should be a lovely trip!
Warmly,
LittleWing77

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Once you're done with that, then you've got the English Channel. This can also be very challenging, even deadly, but the routing is simple (just stay out of the shipping lanes) and you have a wealth of interesting places to stop.

Crossing Biscay is harder than crossing the Atlantic. You can go straight across if you are really sure about the weather, or you can sail along the coast, which is the long way around but plenty of good ports of refuge (and beautiful too, and fantastic food).



.

Hi Dockhead
I’ve done this route three times and agree Biscay
can certainly bite hard if your weather window runs
too short.
All three of my crossings have been north to south
and have been directly across.
I have been warned many times by experienced
sailors of the region not to go inside while traveling
southbound. This route will leave you with a considerable
beat dead into the wind from Bayonne to A Coruna,
and was to be avoided . It was suggested to go
inside while crossing Biscay northbound.
Curious as too you reasoning and experience?
Copenhagen to Gibraltar was one of my most memorable
cruises ever. We did the “Standing Mast “ route
through Holland, Highly recommended as a once in a lifetime experience.
Cheers
Neil

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

Hi Dockhead
I’ve done this route three times and agree Biscay
can certainly bite hard if your weather window runs
too short.
All three of my crossings have been north to south
and have been directly across.
I have been warned many times by experienced
sailors of the region not to go inside while traveling
southbound. This route will leave you with a considerable
beat dead into the wind from Bayonne to A Coruna,
and was to be avoided . It was suggested to go
inside while crossing Biscay northbound.
Curious as too you reasoning and experience?
Copenhagen to Gibraltar was one of my most memorable
cruises ever. We did the “Standing Mast “ route
through Holland, Highly recommended as a once in a lifetime experience.
Cheers
Neil

Very true.. the corner between Bordeaux and N Spain has killed many a boat with few places to run to and hide. Fine if your happy to wait for optimal conditions but that can add a lot of days to your trip.