The Seawind shipyard is located just a short hop away from some of South-East Asia’s best cruising grounds. Many are still hidden gems, but others like Bali grow in stature every year. While Bali itself is a great island to visit (though increasingly busy) the wider region is home to the iconic Raja Ampat area seen below, and of course Komodo Island, home to the eponymous dragon. Taking delivery at the shipyard affords an opportunity to see Asia before using our shipping connections to deliver your yacht elsewhere in the world. And for many Seawind owners, seeing South-East Asia before making that one-way shipment home makes perfect sense. That’s even more relevant if you’re buying one of our daggerboard boats like the 1190 Sport or 1600. The widespread shallow areas in Asia help to keep big keel boats away and give you a free run at the more idyllic spots.
Brittany, France
Here’s one for the 1160 and 1190 Sport owners: Brittany. Cruising France is top of the bucket-list for cruisers around the world, but if anything, cruising Brittany is underrated. Most of Europe’s big sailing yachts make annual pilgrimages to the South of France. And that’s just it – wide beam and big draft are not conducing to cruising Brittany, as you can see in the port pictured here. But an 1160 or 1190 Sport can just about squeeze into the tiny berths, and larger marinas like Port La Crouesty make for a nice easy first stop anyway. La Trinité is a huge sailing town – think Cowes, or Newport, Rhode Island. Many of the bays have dozens of small islands to explore, but be careful: your tidal knowledge will be tested and there’s a reason so many of the locals buy mini-keel or swing-keel boats that can dry out on the mud or sand. Speaking of sand, visit the island (Ile) d’Houat. Picturesque white sandy beaches and plenty of anchorages, what more could you ask for in Europe?
…Well actually we didn’t mention the food.
Brittany provides
stunning gastronomic
delights in ports aplenty and on
the
islands.
Though they tend to
be expensive
(everything’s brought
in
by small boat)
those island restaurants are often far away from the
maddening crowd. And if you’re looking at an 1160 or 1190 Sport, why not ship straight there? A big port of entry into Europe is Le Havre, just striking distance from the best cruising
in Brittany.
The English Riviera
No, this is not a joke. With sinister implications in the shape of global warming, UK weather is getting better all the time. Many places along what the local tourist boards call “the English Riviera” are getting the weather that Bordeaux had a few decades ago.But the seaward-looking Cornish have a long sailing heritage both for cruising and commercial purposes. And one look at Torquay, Torbay, Fowey, and many more such little harbours and you can see why. This is the perfect place to sail in temperate conditions, while stopping off for real ales and pub comfort food along the way – all in idyllic surroundings. Take a visitor mooring in Fowey and make day trips to explore the hidden coves nearby.
The Living Coasts zoo and sea life aquarium near Torquay is perched right on the water and not to be missed by families. The famous harbour of Falmouth is full of naval history and charm. Back toward Torquay, take a visitor mooring in Teignmouth and enjoy that pub food at the famous Shipwrights Arms Pub. This will forever change you view of the UK.
You can also find this article in our latest Seawind Cruising Club Issue 2 magazine. In this issue, we also cover a lot of stories from Seawind owners, sailing tips and the latest news about Seawind catamarans.
NEW CATAMARAN
NEW CATAMARAN
