Ship Spotting

Heading out of Brest, we sped down the coast on a beam reach while still seeing the remaining swell from the storm. Upon reaching the Pointe du Raz we changed course to continue southeast down the French coast.  Finding ourselves bumping in the waves as we tried to make our way downwind, we decided to set the spinnaker and raced a regatta of modern boats equipped with black mainsails and gennakers as we headed toward the Glénans archipelago.

Approaching the islands we were once again greeted by dolphins. This time of a smaller species which we had learned in Brest were typical to this area and thus aptly called the "dauphin commun." Arriving at the largest of the islands we were suprised to see how busy this anchorage was being that there is little more than a sailing school on the islands. Opting for a slightly quieter bay we raised the number 1 foresail which was still on deck to make our way round the Île de Penfret to anchor for the night with a few less boats and a large French navy vessel.

Having little wind the following morning we were able to get some much needed rest and enjoy a relaxed breakfast before setting off with the wind from southwest on a close reach. With less waves and light but steady wind we were able to have a great training day for our new crew. We were lucky to view several old timers enjoying the great sailing weather as well as racing boats for which this area is well known.

Taking a mooring buoy in the outer harbour of the Belle-Île-en-Mer, we packed all six of us into the dinghy to visit this appropriately named island. Enjoying a seafood dinner on land and returning to the boat in the dark we were delighted to see dense bioluminescent plankton lighting up the water around us. This put us in the mood to brave the cold and jump in the water to swim surrounded by these magnificent creatures.

With good wind forecast the next day, we once again set off in the afternoon making a 7kt average to sail the 54nm to the Île de Yeu. While still shelterd by the Belle-Île-en-Mer we experienced much less wind than expected and also coming more from behind so we considered setting the spinnaker like a fellow sailor approaching quickly behind us.

However, we were lucky to have only finished setting up all the lines for this colorful beast of a sail by the time we had made it far enough past the island to experience the real wind which came from at its predicted halfwind direction and strengh of 4 Beaufort with gusts of 5. Perfect conditions for the number 3 foresail we already had up and too much for the spinnaker which we saw causing great problems for the boat on our starboard side.

With waves around 2m we were very glad to have enough wind to cut smoothly and quickly through them and to be treated to another viewing of a lovely old timer along the way to another beautiful island. Entering the harbour we discovered it to be very busy for the weekend and just found a space to become the 5th boat in a package of boats going alongside the jetty.

With the wind increasing in the afternoon once again and only a short trip to Les Sables d'Olonne we spent the morning exploring the Île de Yeu's old castles and fortresses.

Light winds and a downwind course pushed us slowly to this famous sailing port. Putting up the spinnaker about halfway to the mainland with the dying wind, we were able to maintain our pace. However, when shifting the spinnaker, a task requiring a lot of crew coordination, we ended up with a cracked spinnaker pole which got bent around the still attached babystay.

Hoping to not add insult to injury we opted to take down the spinnaker and were lucky that the wind increased enough for the last 6nms to allow us to arrive with a beautiful sunset.  Making one more short hop between the islands the following day to arrive in La Rochelle.