Advanced coastal sailing in Morbihan

You begin the day with technical sailing in the heart of the Gulf of Morbihan . You learn to navigate the powerful tidal currents when passing Port-Navalo or the Jument channel . By combining observation of landmarks with nautical charts (both paper and electronic), you refine your route calculations. The narrowness of the water provides an ideal setting for synchronizing the crew through a rhythmic series of tacks and gybes .

The afternoon focuses on active safety and the feel of the helm. You'll practice emergency procedures with training in man overboard (MOB) maneuvers, performed both under sail and under power. You'll then take turns at the helm of your monohull to refine your trajectories and fine-tune the trim, from close-hauled to downwind .

At the end of the day, you reach a sheltered cove for a night at anchor , near Île-aux-Moines or Île d'Arz .

You leave Quiberon Bay to begin your crossing to Belle-Île-en-Mer . This offshore leg allows you to delve deeper into offshore navigation : you learn how to take a GPS fix, plot your course on a nautical chart , calculate tides, and anticipate cross currents . At the helm of your monohull , you optimize sail trim to gain speed and stability in the swell. The afternoon is dedicated to the technical approach to Sauzon or Le Palais . You learn the tricky maneuvers involved in entering a lock-equipped port and managing a large tidal range . Your stopover extends into the night, moored alongside the quay or to a buoy, with a debriefing of the crossing to analyze the day's strategic choices.

From the morning, you set sail for the islands of Houat and Hoëdic . This downwind leg is the ideal opportunity to hoist the downwind headsails: you experiment with hoisting and adjusting the symmetrical spinnaker , the asymmetrical spinnaker or the gennaker to exploit the speed potential of your monohull .

The afternoon is dedicated to mastering the boat in more challenging conditions. You'll practice reefing maneuvers, practicing how to reef in a breeze , both independently and with a small crew. You'll then sail to Erer Bay on Houat Island to anchor . The day concludes with a night at anchor, close to the elements, perfect for stargazing from the deck.

The morning is dedicated to managing autonomy and life on board . You will learn how to control freshwater consumption, plan provisioning, and optimize electrical energy between the solar panels and the alternator . You will also cover dead reckoning and positioning techniques in reduced visibility, using electronic navigation or astronomical landmarks.

In the afternoon, you'll set off on a coastal sailing trip along the Quiberon peninsula , rounding the Pointe de Conguel towards the Côte Sauvage. This route will allow you to practice reading maritime navigation markers, identifying cardinal buoys and isolated hazard marks.

As night falls, you begin a night navigation session in Quiberon Bay. Organized into watches , you learn to maintain an active lookout, to decode the navigation lights of other ships and to navigate using the light signals of lighthouses and beacons .

After your night sail, you begin a gradual return to Morbihan . You enjoy a restful sleep before sharing breakfast at anchor .

The afternoon is dedicated to perfecting your harbor maneuvers . To consolidate what you've learned during the week, you'll practice berthing in a beam wind as well as the technical management of mooring lines and buoys . Once alongside the quay, the crew will organize a complete cleaning of the monohull , from the deck to the cabins, including the saloon.

The day concludes with a final crew dinner. This convivial moment provides an opportunity for an individual review of the nautical skills you have developed. Your skipper then presents you with your logbooks and training certificates . You spend this last night on board, moored in the Port du Crouesty .

You share a final coffee in the boat's saloon before the final tidying up and inventory of equipment. Your skipper assesses your skippering skills and provides personalized advice to help you continue improving on future cruises . You then enjoy a final sail in Quiberon Bay to validate all the technical skills covered during the week. At 5 p.m., you leave your monohull , marking the end of your advanced sailing course at Port du Crouesty .