Sailing in the Bay of Biscay and night sailing plans
August 30, 2024 · 8 min · 291 views · Santander
What this video covers
Leon Schulz, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor and author of the Praxis-Guide Fahrtensegeln (published by DINES-Klarsing-Verlag), speaks from his anchored boat in Santander on Spain's north coast during a second cockpit-conversation session with a sailing companion.2:11 He describes the Bay of Biscay's notorious reputation as a product of winter sailing in the pre-forecast era, not its summer character, and explains the specific hazard that forced an overnight passage: the lee shore between La Rochelle and the Spanish-French border offers no shelter, with shallow breaking water and many wrecks on the bottom.4:49 That stretch — roughly 180–200 nautical miles — required sailing straight through the night rather than coast-hopping as planned.5:47 Schulz notes anchoring is free except in marine reserves or designated harbour zones, and the crew redirected marina fees toward pintxos, tapas, and wine ashore.0:52 The companion plans a first overnight passage from Cuxhaven to Vlieland near full moon with a southeasterly Force 3–4, and Schulz advises having a Plan B and C ready, warns that a harbour can look tempting but the open sea is often safer in bad conditions, and stresses the value of an experienced crew who knows the Wadden Sea tidal waters.6:18 Celestial navigation with a sextant — without formulas or calculators — is flagged as the session's closing topic.2:25
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