Experience report SR30 YACHTLINE: French Atlantic Coast

Decision for a boat with trailer

We took delivery of the SR30 YACHTLINE in April. As home port we found Marina Lässig in Kahl am Main, the last corner of Bavaria, about 25 km from the Frankfurt gates. After our first trips up and down the Main, we went on the “Sauerkrauttour” in Whitsun, via Mainz, Koblenz, Trier, Saarbrücken, Strasbourg and down the Rhine. This classic between inland trips was a lot of fun for us despite the tight time frame of two weeks. We continued to settle in with 3-4 people on the boat. At the end of the tour we were sure that we had made the right choice of boat with the SR30 YACHTLINE.

For us, it was important that the boat was still towable, because due to family ties, every August we take the shortest route of 1,100 km by road to La Rochelle on the French Atlantic coast. Arrival by water is possible, but would easily take six weeks. And who, as a non-retiree, has that much time?

The biggest boat that can be towed – excitement at the weigh-in

Before going to the Atlantic for the first time in August, the question arose for all SR30 YACHTLINE owners whether the boat would exceed the permitted trailer load of 3,500 kg. Our boat is equipped with a diesel engine, electric windlass, camping hood, etc. for the trip. The swimming platform for the dinghy has only just been prepared. The ribs are still missing, but we are already equipped with fenders, sheets, grill and stove, plates, linens and towels, etc.

The scales were later finalized: We came in under 3.5 tons! We also kept the 150 kg nose weight of our Range Rover in the green with intelligent loading. The permissible towing weight could still have taken a few kilograms more.

Arrival on the French Atlantic coast

We had planned the trip over three weeks to make the long journey worthwhile. We estimated 16 hours on the Route Nationale just for the round trip. We probably could have gone 2-3 hours faster on the motorway, but we managed to save money across France. We preferred to invest these savings in diesel and wine stocks.

Surprisingly, you quickly get used to driving almost 3,5 t behind. If you look anxiously in the rearview mirror when there are some bumps in the road, you immediately calm down. The caravan lies as calm as a board on the street. Sure, some tight intersections are annoying. But over time you have the necessary calm and peace of mind for it. Already without an extra exterior mirror we could not see the cars behind us or the traffic jams, and in front of us the streets were wonderfully empty.

Arrival in La Rochelle

We used the boat as a camper van and after a night’s rest, we arrived in La Rochelle with its impressive harbor entrance. This part of the Atlantic coast is a great motoring and cruising area because of the offshore islands. The Regatta Vendée Globe or the Volvo Ocean Race starts here. Accordingly, the ports also have capacity – La Rochelle alone with 4,600 berths! Even in high season, you won’t go empty-handed.

Seaworthiness of the SR30 YACHTLINE

The first trip took us to our cottage in L’Aiguillon s/Mer, just 20 nautical miles north. We managed to fully test the seaworthiness of the SR30 YACHTLINE – through wind (power 6) and waves (2 meters)! The boat withstood all the loads, even on a mostly rough ride. But it was also the only uneasy trip. Because for the rest of the vacation the weather calmed down.

Lying among dolphins at right angles to the current at a depth of 4 meters at the mouth of the Lay River was more troublesome. If in the big ports there are mostly tide-independent pontoon piers, you will often find buoys or dolphins in the small ports of the French Atlantic coast – and you inevitably fall into the silt. After 3 meters this was the case at our place. Thank God we were almost on the same level and the boat did not tilt. So we could spend the days completely on the boat in the “main harbor”.

Trip planning according to the tide schedule

The tide schedule was an integral part of the whole trip planning. After all, we had no water under our keel for about 5 hours. The destination therefore had to be not too far away to be able to anchor there with the same tide. But over time you get used to these “rest periods”. Lines suitable for dolphins should not be missing, unless the owners prepare the place in advance with tires or similar plates. We were lucky that the pier neighbors all went hand in hand and helped with advice, action and material.

Tours along the Atlantic coast

Over the next few days, we made several trips along the coast to Les Sables d’Olonne, on the Ile de Ré, where the picturesque ports of Saint Martin, Ars and La Flotte are located, or simply tied up in a bay for a swim. Unfortunately – as always – time passed too quickly and the end of the vacation and the crane appointment were approaching. As the routine increased, everything went well and after 3 weeks we returned home safe and sound.

The largest towable boat – our result

After the whole touring process we are even more convinced that the SR30 YACHTLINE is the right choice for us. Our initial concern about silting up is not a problem. The ship also handles rough seas with ease. Four people can live on board wonderfully. But all the compromises we made by buying this SR30 have suddenly disappeared. Already today we are looking forward to the next trip!

Family K from Alzenau in Lower Franconia