Brittany beckons!

Tim P, Technical Director, writes…

Board approval has now been confirmed for Elfida to be taken to France for the 2026 cruising season (and possibly beyond, should demand dictate). She will be based in Port de La Roche-Bernard, a sheltered marina located at the southern limit of the department of Morbihan, in the upper reaches of the “stunningly scenic” river Vilaine. The town (or ‘commune’, to be culturally precise) is a designated “Petite Cité de Caractère” and (perhaps of more attraction to some) described in nautical blogs as a “gourmet stopover”.

La Roche-Bernard offers access (through the Arzal lock) to the delightful, extensive, diverse and iconic cruising areas of Southern Brittany, including the Golfe de Morbihan (an ‘inland sea’), and the Baie de Quiberon – also well protected from the prevailing Atlantic elements, as well as off shore islands with good anchorages, and even the possibility of a canal trip to Vannes. Given this, once she is at her base, ‘local skipper check-out’ rules will apply.

We are in the process of securing a berth, which may at first be monthly, becoming seasonal or annual as soon as availability allows. In any event, the mooring fees in France are significantly cheaper than in Port Solent, so the opportunity arises for a saving to club funds. An additional advantage will be that once we have a seasonal or annual contract, these come with a ‘Passeport Escales’, which allows up to two consecutive nights berthing at a variety of ports within the accessible cruising areas, at no charge.

As you will be aware, Jocalia returns to Port Solent in September, currently with no room at the inn. The intention therefore is for Elfida to re-locate to Brittany this Autumn, probably in the first half of October, so releasing her berth for the incoming Jocalia. Her winterisation preparation (including fitting new standing rigging and Furlex) will be done before she leaves (or maybe some elements of it as soon as she arrives), and she will remain in the water at La Roche-Bernard. This means that there will be no constraints on booking her for use, should anyone fancy some out-of-season or last minute.com sailing en France, once the cruise pattern is established.

Access to La Roche-Bernard is easiest by car (parking is available at the marina), using the cross-channel ferries (St Malo being the closest French port). Flights to Nantes or Rennes are available from various UK airports, through Easyjet or Ryanair.

Much is therefore to be done between now and October to get this plan off the ground and work successfully for the club.

First and foremost we need hard commitments to bookings for 2026. While these will eventually be posted on and operate through the usual bookings page on the web-site, in the first place please would you contact me (see contacts in members’ login) with your requirements, to include name of skipper, crew (if known) or whether a family exclusive is wanted) and preferred dates (ideally with options). Assuming we reach the threshold for viability, I will then construct the base diary. For present purposes please treat the start of the cruise as Saturday 4th April 2026. Change-overs can of course be personalised to taste between consecutive crews as usual.

Secondly, we will need a delivery crew prepared to take Elfida to La Roche-Bernard in the first half of October. This requires at least one off-shore checked skipper. It will be a fun adventure, do-able in a week, depending on weather of course. Sailing fees will not be charged for days lost to bad weather. Please also let me know if you can help this cruise plan by volunteering for the delivery trip, again with your availability dates.

If none of the above convinces, ask around of members who partook of the pleasures when Elfida last visited this area, in 2014 and 2015, for first hand evidence of its unanimous popularity.

We look forward to hearing from as many members as possible, as soon as possible.

ALLONS TOPS’L – WE CAN DO THIS!