Would you sail now or wait until Spring 2016? Holland to the Med

[artisthos]

Originally Posted by Horus

Advice: don't ask other sailors to leave or not, you will get so many different answers (with respect). It brings a lot more difficulties. Only go to the harbour master or Lifeguard for asking them about facts; no meanings.
And decide.

Excellent advice. Great tread.

Captain Eric Arrives
From Fiona's Facebook:
"November 21st: Fiona arrived Viana do Castelo early afternoon on Saturday- a nine day slog from Falmouth, 1001 nm logged. The trip was entirely to windward except for the last few hours. We experienced frequent gals force winds with a maximum gust of 50 kts seen. The boat is soaked, as are our clothes and bedding. Thirty maintenance items appeared on the 'To Do' list, most weather related. We will be busy in Viana for the next few days, before leaving for Cascais, with one or two intermediate stops."

[AFKASAP]

More great replies. Thanks for your comments. Really appreciate them.

Beneteau Oceanis 40 - 2008
Netherlands

[roverhi]

Canal depths are controlled by how much rainfall run off there is. Summertime is the least rain and the least depth in the canals. Winter should be decent water depth. Not as much as the spring because of that nasty white stuff in places but still the second best time for depth.

With inexperienced crew, would be Leary of the Bay of Biscay in winter.

[Numawan]

Hi,

I live in Belgium and my boat is based in Zeebrugge. Frankly, with the quality of today's weather forecasts, you could undertake such a trip in winter. Provided you have plenty of time. You might have to stop several times to wait for depressions to pass over. But there any plenty of harbours along the way to do so. The hardest part might well be to get to Brest, as you are going against the prevailing south westerlies. To cross the Gulf of Biscay, just wait for the right weather window (usually right after a drepression). And of course, it is becoming cold (you will need to get experience with that) and days are short.