Med trip details for anyone interested.

[Pugwash]

2011 Holidays to the Med.

Road trip consisted of

Out bound

Lincoln - Dover - Calais - Annecy - Port Argeles - 1140 Miles Average 39.2 MPG Diversion to Annecy cost 100 miles

Home Leg

Port Argeles - Toulouse - Limoges -Tours - Le Mans - Rouen - Calais - Dover - Lincoln. 1150 Miles 37.2 MPG
(inc 100 kg Wine) long way round took 17 hrs driving to Calais with minimal stops. Will not go that way again.

Minus. Long and undulating some non motorway so more stress less economy and much slower.
Plus:- Scenic route, no Paris no Massif Central, less toll costs.

Our normal route straight to Port Argeles via Paris, Millau, Massif, Montpellier, Perpignan is 950 Miles but have not tested that route with the boat on the back for economy through Massif, some long long drags through there but will give it a go one way next year for sure. The route down if you miss out Annecy comes down to 1000 miles so not much longer and was a good drive so that will be the other route.

Costs (ish) got our ferry at the times we wanted at £65 plus £100 worth of Tesco / air miles points, not got the card bills yet but burned about £400 in diesel there and back. Tolls are yet to be added up from the card but guessing at £80 down £50 back.

Serviced (water + electric) and locked gate pontoon marina berth in a nice busy, so entertaining marina, plenty of shops bars and cafes, access to showers and toilettes (free parking but wrong end of marina so sometimes paid. £2 / day but most times lucky around port so free) Cost of mooring £180 for 2 weeks.

Crane in, €35 each way, decided on this option as from experience we know it is a horrible short slip (trailer drops off) and cramped, very busy (combat zone) waiting area for rigging as opposed to large open quiet yard (with toilettes) helpful friendly staff with tools and a hand if needed for £65 no hassle, no brainer for me anyway.

Secure trailer park in same place €35 for 2 weeks ditto above.

Boat and trailer weighed in at 1900kg on a weighbridge before leaving then plus about 100kg wine on return.

Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTI 150HP Auto towed her very well (on Honnor Marine Trailer which was BRILLIANT can't praise it highly enough )
90 - 105 KMH (90 down hills kept her on the straight and narrow) I was impressed with 39 MPG I had expected somewhat less at the weight.
The fall to 37.2 on return may have been a bit of extra weight but mostly I felt the route was harder work even though there was no Massif or Alps towing there were lots of long steady drags. Also the tank full whilst driving through very heavy rain for 4-5 hours was gone at 360 miles where as the others lasted 410, rolling resistance?

Sailing lake Annecy was good, spectacular scenery, very quiet out on the water. The weather was a bit iffy, not much wind and turned to rain a time or two but scenery made it worthwhile. No jobsworths or police or people coming to tell you you can't do that etc. Where we were in Saint Jorioz just south of Annecy town, the slipway, parking, trailer park etc were very good and free. Couldn't find anywhere I was totally happy to leave her overnight but didn't look very hard so hauled out and partial de-rig and back to B&B. That was harder work than I needed on holiday but good practice as we haven't done it ourselves that often.

Sailing Port Argeles and surrounding area was very enjoyable, we are blessed not only with great scenery where the Alberes Mountains join the Med but also (as far as sailing is concerned) with a fair bit of wind down there, sometimes the Tromontane blows which is too much though. We sailed every day except one when it forecast and blew a force 8 for most of the day, no one was out, there were waves in the port and even one of the trip boats got caught out by the strength of the side wind and ploughed into the pontoon, heavily enough for the passengers to have come off and take another boat. The following day not a breath, or barely, we managed to motor sail with enough wind to fill the main and look pretty. Couple of super days with 4-5 maybe a gust to 6, that's my story anyway, 1 reef in the main and stay sail perfect. Crew informed me that we had reached the point of "enough heel thank you!" Crew has fallen in love with her staysail and hates the baggy snagging, furling jamming, twisting genoa with a passion, so looks like a Yankee on the Christmas list.

Will post later on the subject of who, where and how much options.

Sailed up the coast toward St Cyprien, Canet and towards Port Leucate, not very exiting scenery that way though mostly we sailed round the coast to Collioure and Port Vendres , didn't achieve the aim of anchoring in the Bay of Paulilles which is classic North Costa Brava coastline and is post card perfect but required a trip round Cap Bear and each day we had the inclination and the time the wind was either dead against or non existent. We were mindful of the fact we are beginners with this boat so have left things to look forward to on our return next year. So all round happy sailing, learned a lot about the way she sails, very impressed, loved the way she behaved and I think a Yankee will make her just perfect for the type of sailing we intend to do.


Crew generally behaved herself, this years only pottymouth moments where restricted to rigging tourettes. Jobs to do include changing some split pins for split rings etc and old cam cleats for spinlocks. The spray hood was very popular not only looking good but offered some shade from the wind and sun when taking the après lunch snoozes in the cockpit. My attempt at a sun awning was "ok" and did the job but didn't look too pretty was too much of a faff so mark two is being designed soon. The tarp I bought was cheap, very strong, probably too much so and a bit too rigid but nevertheless doubles as a sturdy cockpit, engine and hatch cover for times when you want to hide and protect but not do a full boat cover. Will post a couple of pics later.

For now it's back to work and looking forward to the next outing, Wells next t Sea again or maybe Derwent water, anyone have experience of Derwent and / or know of places to launch etc? I saw a small marina that was doing a week-end deal 3 nights, launch, pontoon mooring, recover £55 which doesn't sound too bad or does it??.

Anyway if I can be of helpto others intending such a trip please ask away.


Regards Simon
AKA Pugwash

[Ru88ell]

It sounds like you too had a great holiday. We towed Birmingham to south of Bordeaux via Portsmouth/Caen. Only 30mpg with Freelander though.

We were thinking of Annecy for a couple of weeks one year, so I'll quiz you more on that. Where we went to was just perfect. The mission was to get aqua phobic wife on Zephyr. As it turned out she loved it - with a preference for breeze between 5 and 11kts. Any more and she got a bit nervous.

Get a Yankee. Not only does she sail beautifully with it, she also looks beautiful. I lost count of the number of raggies AND stinkies who changed course to sail close by to compliment Zephyr. On the day I took her out of the water someone offered to buy her on the spot - and I could have taken a profit! No chance though.

The lake we sailed was Lac de Cazaux, and at 55km2 there was plenty to do/see. It's 20m at the deepest, but most of the edges had beautiful sandy shelf beaches. Below is a short video of my not quite so aqua phobic wife enjoying the moment - Living the Dream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smf-wVUn8dw

I'm certainly up for a late sailing weekend. Not sailed Derwent, but we have other CC19's on Ullswater - and it's just off the M6.

Russell

[Michiel]

Russell,

Any dates for Ullswater?

[Ru88ell]

Michael

I'm not sure now, since it's a four hour pull from here and my wife isn't keen on just doing that for a weekend. I'm more tempted with Rutland at 2 hours, or even Llyn Clywedog or Bala at 2 and a half hours.

I really think we're doomed at ever getting a class meet.