Brittany vs. Italy. How to sail up there in the ocean REPORTAGE.

Back from her first Breton course at the famous Les Glenans sailing school, passionate sailor Erika Baffico calls us: “It was a crazy eleven days! I learned a lot of things, do you want an illustrated report of mine? Brittany and the Mediterranean, Bretons and Italians … everything is different up there.”

Brittany vs. Italy

The result is this fine report (also full of useful tips for cruising in our sea) where you discover how Bretons cope with their sea among the beautiful islands in northern Brittany, among breathtaking scenery and fearless Breton sailors, in a context where tides and currents are the main players. Indeed, it is essential to calculate the exact height of the sea in order to enter and leave ports without getting stranded or forced to wait outside the locks.

To plan the route and avoid the multitude of rocks, more or less submerged depending on the tide. And consequently predict the direction and strength of the current, which is also constantly changing throughout the day, so as to arrive at the right time at the most critical passages, such as passing Cap Fréhel. Brittany vs. Italy, as we titled. One thing must be said: the Mediterranean is a much more affordable sea!

01 – Alignments

Navigation by alignments uses two fixed points on land (e.g., the steeple and the tank) as references to safely navigate fairly narrow stretches of sea surrounded by obstacles.

The two points are identified on the nautical chart, and they must remain aligned to the view throughout the entire stretch of navigation.

02 – Tides

Tides in Brittany have significant ranges, which can range from 2 to 14 meters. They are periodic changes in sea level, and on average two high tides (and two low tides) occur over the course of 24 hours.

The height of the excursions and the time of day vary from day to day, making the calculation of tides an essential daily exercise.

03 – Double keel

In the variable bottoms of Brittany, to avoid the use of support crutches many boats are equipped with double keels.

It is very common to see similar boats laid “upright” on beaches during low tide.

04 – Tidal Current

We are stopped at the buoy, yet the boats are not oriented in the direction of the wind. What’s going on? The current is so fast that it becomes the dominant element.

Not to be underestimated when sailing! In fact, its speed adds (or subtracts) to that of the boat, with considerable differences. For example, in the Strait of Cap de la Hague the current can exceed 10 knots!

05 – Breton-style port

The architecture of Breton ports is a marvel, each with its own peculiarities due to the geography of the place.

In general, one always moors at fingers connected to the floating dock, which at changing tides slides on large poles, the only fixed elements on the seabed. To go ashore, one must paradoxically climb long gangways, which are also movable (sliding on the pontoon).

06 – Regulus Cras

The paper nautical chart provides a broader and more immediate overview of the surrounding area than the tablet, making it easier to plan navigation and identify landmarks.

The course should then be calculated using the ruler-have you ever tried to use it?

07 – Meda

Maritime signs indicate safe directions and submerged reefs, and may be on land or floating.

Essential for navigating the complex waters of Brittany, but also important in the Mediterranean, it is essential to supplement the reading of the nautical chart with the pilot book, a book that collects photographic representations of the mede in the area in which one is sailing.

08 – Better keep it!

Every good sailor knows that when you are severely heeled and the sea is rough, it is better to restrain yourself than to venture down the slope to the bath!

09 – Silence in the bays

Some people value discretion and some value emotional expression–better Breton-style or Italian-style?

10 – It makes good weather several times a day

The expression “Il fait beau plusieurs fois par jour” is an ironic way of describing Brittany’s unstable and changeable climate.

It reflects local humor in the face of unpredictable weather conditions, which change from sunshine to rain several times in the same day.

11 – Italian vs. Breton

Everyone equips themselves in their own way for “le crachin breton,” Brittany’s typical intermittent light drizzle. Temperatures remain mild, however, and in August range between 12°C and 22°C.

Who is the author of this report

Erika Baffico is an avid sailor. based in Milan. He combines his passion for the sea with his work, designing innovative lighting systems that recreate in the interior the changing color of the sky, long observed and admired from the boat(www.fulcrodesign.com).

She started sailing thanks to a course with the Les Glenans in their almost pirate-like bay near Bonifacio, a place reachable only by sea or on foot. Since then, sails have pursued her ashore as well, and she has designed collections of bags and backpacks for BolinaSail. She made this illustrated report for Il Giornale della Vela on sailing in Brittany, and looks forward to designing more. Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fulcro.design/!