Offshore sailing, heading for Scotland
In summary
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Sports
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Duration18 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationLorient / Scotland
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AgeFrom 18 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions857.84 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Departing from Lorient in Southern Brittany, embark on an offshore cruise to Scotland aboard a 21-meter sailboat with crew. This sailing program to the Inner Hebrides takes place over 18 days. It combines open waters with the discovery of islands and less-traveled destinations. They all share a common thread: they are Celtic , like Brittany, our homeland! To name just a few you might encounter along your route – Scilly Isles, Isle of Man, Islay , Jura , Mull – they all possess an air of authenticity and unspoiled nature . Ireland should also be on the itinerary, depending on the weather conditions and sailing times.
Approximately 800 nautical miles separate Lorient from the west coast of Scotland , the destination of the first part of the sailing program. For this first leg, you might sail directly for the Fastnet Rock? Or perhaps you'll pass by the Fromveur Islands, or via the Isles of Scilly. These first few days will allow you to learn basic sailing techniques, including a Channel crossing.
Taking weather conditions and forecasts into account is an important factor. Throughout your voyage, they will influence your route and port of call choices. This will be the case whether you are sailing up the coast of Ireland or sailing down the coast of Scotland via the St. George's Channel, between Ireland and England.
The highlights
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At the heart of a maritime adventure far from the beaten track
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Challenging navigation and exceptional stopovers
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Wild cliffs, deep lochs and secret anchorages
Photos
Sport
Level
Sailing
The expert's opinion
This is an 18-day offshore sailing course, with watch navigation.
Everyone actively participates in the smooth running of the ship and life on board.
Therefore, crew members must have a minimum level of experience at sea.
In figures
Sailing
- Average duration/day: 9h30
Management
French
English
On board, a crew of two professional sailors supervises the crew members.
The skipper and the second mate are qualified and certified as Captain 200 Sailing and State Diploma holders.
They are there for supervision, safety, training and onboard entertainment.
It is a wise and serene choice to train with the expert and personalized advice of experienced professionals.
Program
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Home & Equipment
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 60km
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departing from the port of Lorient La Base, customer reception at 08:30.
Snack and introduction of the crew.
Round table discussion with introductions and expectations from each person.
Discovering the boat: deck plan and interior.
Presentation of the navigation program according to weather conditions.
The goal is to be able to reach the Scilly archipelago with one or two stops beforehand, giving everyone time to get their sea legs.
Setting up the sheets and headsails.
Rigging and hoisting the sails.
Coastal navigation towards the Raz de Sein.
Preparation and lunch at sea according to departure time from the home port of Lorient.
Anchoring at Glénan or in Douarnenez Bay depending on tide and weather.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 1 -
Four Passage and Channel Tunnel
- Transportation Boat - 23h - 200kmper day
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 23h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early wake-up and breakfast at anchor.
Organizing the shifts for the next 48 hours.
Resumption of navigation with passage through the Chenal du Four, Ouessant, etc.
Day and night navigation in watch mode.
Cross-Channel with night navigation, TSS zone, AIS, cargo lanes, etc.
Days 2 to 3 -
Sailing from the Isles of Scilly to the Inner Hebrides
- Transportation Boat - 12h - 150kmper day
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 1h per day
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Taking weather conditions and forecasts into account is an important factor. Throughout your voyage, they will influence your route and port of call choices. This will be the case for the passage through the Irish Sea and the St. George's Channel.
Similarly, stopovers and anchorages in the islands of Aran, Islay, Jura, or Mull will be discussed with the crew, under the authority of the Captain (Boatmaster). Who knows, perhaps you'll even meet the distillers… “Come for the whisky, return for the island,” as the locals say.
Days 4 to 12 -
Navigation back to South Brittany
- Transportation Boat - 08h - 100kmper day
- Activity Sailing
- Duration of the activity 8h per day
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The final six days will be dedicated to the return journey to Lorient. Depending on weather conditions and the stops made on the outward voyage, the sailing itinerary and stops will take place between the Isle of Man, the Isles of Scilly, and Brittany. Here again, we prioritize consultation with the entire crew regarding the sailing pace and stopover times, including visits and meetings ashore. A Channel crossing will conclude the trip, with day and night sailing on watch.
Arrival at the port of Lorient La Base takes place in the mid/late afternoon.
Crew members tidying up and disembarking.
Days 13 to 18
Note
The navigation program is defined according to the forecast weather conditions but also the navigation pace desired by the crew.
From 4 to 8 hours per day during stopovers between the chosen islands, sometimes in 24/7 mode when longer connections are chosen to travel from one island to another.
The 24/7 watch navigations generally take place during the "ascent" to the Inner Hebrides and during the return to South Brittany, the idea being to favour stopovers and discoveries on land.
Accommodation
An active cruise aboard a 21-meter monohull with crew.
Oriented for racing and cruising, it can accommodate 10 people in double and triple cabins.
The crew has its own cabins.
Sleeping arrangements are in a single bunk.
Two toilets are available.
A large living area and a kitchen complete the comfort.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Boarding a 21m monohull with a crew of two professional sailors departing from Lorient.
- Single bed in a double or triple cabin
The price does not include
- Full board, consumables, fuel: Mandatory (€720)
- Bedding kit
- Possible stopover in a port
- Personal expenses on land
- "Electronic Travel Authorisation" required (English waters, outside the EU).
Options
- BEDDING KIT : CHF56.72 / unit
- NIGHT ON BOARD : CHF32.02 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Valid passport and "Electronic Travel Authorisation" required (English waters, outside the EU).
More information is available from our Lorient office.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- PFI (life jacket) with 3-point tether and individual AIS beacon.
Equipment to bring
- Pair of tennis shoes (rubber sole, not plastic)
- Pair of boots (or a second pair of deck shoes/tennis shoes)
- Sleeping bag
- Bath towel
- Wipes
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
Clothing to bring
- Sails jacket
- Quarter overalls
- Polar
- Thermal clothing
- Glove
- Cap
- Cap
- Shorts or Bermuda shorts
The Valdo team
Based in Lorient, our local partner, École Française de Croisière, offers the opportunity to embark on exceptional 21m sailboats with crew for coastal, semi-offshore and offshore courses, as well as offshore races (Rolex Fastnet Race, Caribbean 600, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers…).
His professional team accompanies crew members to Brittany, the Isles of Scilly, Ireland, the Caribbean, or New York. He offers a variety of experiences, from training for novices to transatlantic crossings, as well as tailor-made corporate events (team building, seminars) on legendary monohulls.
