Hi Ken
I’ve done the trip twice now. In 2008 we went as far as La Rochelle, effectively by-passing the Morbihan both ways so in 2009 we only went as far as the Morbihan and stayed in the area for a couple of weeks.
The ‘delivery’ trip? Well, it depends where you are starting from and whether you want any overnight passages. From the Solent area the route we used in 2008 (day sailing only) was St Peter Port (100nm), Trebeurden (65nm), L’Aberwrach (50nm), Camaret (40nm), Loctudy (55nm), L’Orient – Port Louis (35nm).From there I suggest Croesty (35nm) and into the Morbihan. In 2009 we went west to Salcombe and then crossed direct to L’Aberwrach (120nm – overnight with dense fog!). There are several other interesting stops on the way e.g. Benodet, Port La Foret and Concarneau round from Loctudy, Port Haliguen, Port Tudy, Belle Ile, La Trinite etc. If you like anchoring there are several other good stops en route (but we tend to ‘marina hop’ on passage).
Timing is important all the way to Loctudy to get through the various tidal gates (and to get most push from the tide). Once south of the Raz, timing is less important. Weather is also important (more than usual, to get a comfortable run ’round the corner’. There can be a big SW to W swell from L’Aberwrach round to Loctudy so it’s worth looking at swell forecasts as well as wind.
Places on the must see list, once in the Morbihan region, include Vannes, Roche Bernard and Piriac. There is also a pontoon in the Morbihan, just N of Ile aux Moines with water and power, plus a free taxi ride to the shore.
Regarding Pilot Books there are only 2 covering Southern Brittany and none covering just the Morbihan AFAIK. It is worth checking the publication date before buying – get the most recent. I can’t remember which one we’ve got as it’s on the boat
Regarding charts, I use Maptech on a laptop so bought the DVD for the Baltic down to Gibraltar – excellent with almost 1000 charts (including lots of detailed French charts as well as all the relevant UKHO ones). As back up we bought the Imray C series charts covering the route (I think it was 6 sheets). As you probably know, these include several detailed chartlets for the main ports and places of interest.
If you can do at least part of the trip in June or September, then you will save some marina fees – the French increase their charges by 50% or more in July and August!
If you want any more detailed info, please let me know.
Have a great trip.
Roger
