{"id":4670,"date":"2026-04-23T15:32:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T21:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northernbreezessailing.com\/?page_id=4670"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:45:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:45:06","slug":"france-ireland-uk-adventure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/northernbreezessailing.com\/index.php\/france-ireland-uk-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"France, Ireland, UK Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

France, Ireland, Wales, UK Adventure<\/h1>\n

Brand New Excess 14.0 Catamaran, Noquisi Nort\u00e9<\/em>, Sailing Adventure from France to Ireland, to Wales and Plymouth, England<\/h2>\n

Six Crew-Three Private Cabins!<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tThe Excess 14.0 really moves even in light winds! | Photo from Excess\n\t

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Register France, Ireland, UK – Sailing Adventures<\/a><\/p>\n

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One Big Challenge<\/h3>\n

In order to safely and comfortably leave the Bay of Biscay a favorable weather window is critical. With a new crew and a new boat which has never ventured offshore in potentially challenging conditions both the crew and the boat, Noquisi Nort\u00e9<\/em>, need familiarization. Where is all the safety equipment? How do the systems work? How do we execute reefing? How is the navigation plan set-up? When do we want to arrive? Where are the commercial fishing grounds? Where are the traffic separation zones? How to run daytime watches? Nighttime watches? It is NOT possible to have a series of day hops.<\/p>\n

Why Embark on an Adventure Like This?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Les Sables d’olonne where Noquisi Nort\u00e9<\/em> is currently located is also the home of the Vend\u00e9e Globe around the world race. This is the premier, single-handed, non-stop and unassisted round-the-world sailing race which is held every four years. The race even has a local connection to Minnesota. Mike Plant from Deephaven, Minnesota competed in the first edition aboard Duracell. Mike was enroute to France when he perished when Coyote his new boat capsized when the keel broke off.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Noquisi\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tNoquisi Nort\u00e9 with Code Zero on Bowsprit, Genoa and Full-Battened, Square-Topped Mainsail (covered)! | Photo Thom Burns\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Large\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tLarge aft cockpit with great visibility from either helm station! | Photo from Excess\n\t

Where are we going first?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Captain Thom Burns, Captain Cindi Schmitt and Captain Bill Moore will be doing a thorough shakedown cruise during relaunch April 27-May 2, 2026. Anything which needs attention will be scheduled in preparation for the first offshore to Ireland, which is scheduled for the first week of August. Noquisi Nort\u00e9<\/em> may be up the coast twenty to forty nm at her temporary summer home still on the Bay of Biscay.<\/p>\n

From here the new crew and Captain Thom Burns will prepare Noquisi Nort\u00e9<\/em> for her first offshore passage of 400-450 nm to Kinsale, Ireland. The bailout will be one of the Spanish ports across the Bay of Biscay. After arriving in Kinsale, Ireland, the crew and Thom will rest up and enjoy dinner ashore, Kinsale is known for it’s many fine restaurants and pubs. Thom is flexible to crew preferences which possibly means exploring other parts of Ireland.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Aft\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tWide open main salon. Notice the visibility which extends to the helm stations! | Photo from Excess\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Notice\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tNotice the shelf and the canyons in the Bay of Biscay. The Atlantic swells coming from much deeper water can cause very rough seas in conjunction with opposing winds and currents. | Credit: eoceanic.com\/sailing\/routes\/europe\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Sailing\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tSailing Ports on South East Coast of Ireland. | Credit Maxine Heath\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Kinsale,\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tKinsale, Ireland to Swansea, Wales will be the longest leg of week two. See the legs below for some great cruising before arriving in Plymouth, Noquisi Nort\u00e9’s winter home! | Credit: Wikipedia\n\t

Week Two<\/h3>\n

If the crew is new or partially new, some familiarization with the boat, systems, safety, weather and navigation will be in order. The nearest landfall in Wales is about 120 nm. It can be tricky with tides and currents as well as commercial shipping.<\/p>\n

After arriving in Wales at either Swansea or Penarth Marina, the crew could set-up a direct 24 hour sail around Lands End and east to Plymouth, England. Captain Thom’s initial preference would be to take this in four or five legs and “see some great sights”.<\/p>\nA cruising guide suggested route is:<\/strong>
\nLeg 1: Bristol Channel Exit (Penarth\/Swansea to Lundy Island)
\nA. Timing: Depart Penarth or Swansea on the ebb tide to “carry the gate” out of the Bristol Channel.
\nB. Stopover: Lundy Island (approximately 40-60 nm) offers a good anchorage in South Easterly or Westerly winds (landing at Jenny’s Cove or the main bay).\nLeg 2: North Cornwall Coast (Lundy to Padstow or St. Ives).
\nA. Navigation: This stretch can be choppy with few all-weather shelters.
\nB. Stopover: Padstow is a popular refuge but is highly tidal; check your draft for the “Inner Harbour” or stay in the Pool. Alternatively, St. Ives offers a scenic anchorage in settled weather.\nLeg 3: Rounding Land’s End & The Lizard.
\nA. Land’s End: Timing is critical here to avoid the Pendeen Race and lumpy seas. Use the Inshore Passage inside the Longships Lighthouse if conditions allow, as the tide turns earlier there.
\nB. The Lizard: De-couple this from Land’s End by stopping in Penzance or Newlyn to wait for a favorable tide to round the Lizard.\nLeg 4: South Coast Arrival (The Lizard to Plymouth).
\nA. Once around the Lizard, you enter the English Channel. It’s a relatively straightforward run past Falmouth and Fowey into Plymouth Sound.\n

There’s good transportation out of Plymouth to extend your vacation adventure or fly to your next destination!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Aft\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\tAft Steering Stations on both hulls. Notice the visibility through the main cabin! This is demo model at the Annapolis Boat Show. Noquisi Norte has dodgers on both aft steering stations. | Photo Thom Burns\n\t

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\n<\/strong>Pricing<\/h3>\nWeek One<\/strong> (Aug 1-7, 2026) Full<\/strong>
\nDouble Cabin (2): $4,995
\n Couple’s: $4,995
\n Single in Double Cabin: $4,195
\n Single in Shared Double Cabin: $2,995 (If possible)\nWeek Two<\/strong> (Aug 8-14, 2026) Short-Notice Discount:<\/strong>
\nDouble Cabin (2): Sale Price $3,995<\/strong> $4,995
\nCouple’s: Sale Price $3,995<\/strong> $4,995
\nSingle in Double Cabin: Sale Price $3,695<\/strong> $4,195
\nSingle in Shared Double Cabin: Sale Price $2,495<\/strong> $2,995 (If possible)\nBoth Weeks<\/strong> (Aug 1-14, 2026) Full<\/strong>
\nDouble Cabin (2): $8,995
\n Couple’s: $8,995
\n Single in Double Cabin: $8,195
\n Single in Shared Double Cabin: $5,995 (If possible)\n

You you may choose Payment Type “Other” and write in the Notes\/Comments to contact us to pay Half now with balance due by June 1st for the Aug 1-7, 2026 Adventure, or due by June 8th for the Aug 8-14, 2026 Adventure.<\/p>\n

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Other Expenses<\/h3>\n

Provisions for this trip for food and non Alcoholic drinks will be covered by Northern Breezes after consulting with crew. Alcoholic Beverages will be paid for by kitty so that non-drinkers are not contributing to consumption. No smoking, vaping or drugs are allowed on any boats!).<\/p>\n

Dockage, Moorings, Fuel and Boat Water are included and paid for by Northern Breezes.<\/p>\n

Transportation: You are responsible for your own airfare, taxis, rental cars, ashore food and lodging.<\/p>\n

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Airfare Logistics<\/h3>\n

Various routes are available to Nantes, France (NTE). Some use Amsterdam or Paris with connections or even a train from Paris. Currently Flights are variable, but not out of sight.<\/p>\n

The return routes vary between leaving from Ireland (first week) or leaving from one of the London area airports.<\/p>\n

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What to Expect on a Northern Breezes Sailing Vacation<\/h3>\n