Cruise on the LOXO 40: a look back at five weeks of sailing between Ireland and Scotland

After five weeks of sailing between Brittany, England, Ireland and Scotland, Christian and Monique Bouroullec are back in Sainte-Marine. Having covered over 1,400 nautical miles and made 31 stops, the IONA TOUR has more than lived up to expectations. This cruise also provided an opportunity to test the LOXO 40 in real-world sailing and living conditions. Their verdict is clear: a boat designed for travel, combining simplicity, comfort and the joy of sailing.

Scotland, an ideal destination for a cruise

Setting sail from Sainte-Marine on 16 May, Christian and Monique first headed for Cornwall before crossing over to the south-east of Ireland. They then sailed along the east coast of Ireland to Dublin, continued on to Northern Ireland, and finally reached Scotland whilst exploring the Inner Hebrides.

Scotland particularly captivated them. The short distances between the islands, the numerous anchorages and the small marinas mean you can plan your itinerary as the weather permits, without any constraints.

There is no shortage of memories. Among the most memorable are the thousands of seabirds spotted at sea, the warm welcome from the Scots, and the island of Gigha, with its white sandy beaches and peaceful atmosphere.

Despite the often chilly weather – alternating between drizzle, wind, sunny spells and long summer days – every stopover was an opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture. From enjoying a Guinness in an Irish pub with live music, to visiting whisky distilleries, cycling through the Scottish countryside and chatting with the locals, Christian and Monique explored the region at the pace dictated by its traditions.

After a five-week cruise and having covered 1,442 nautical miles, they undertook a final long crossing of 380 nautical miles in 32 hours to sail directly to Brittany, at an average speed of 12 knots, non-stop and with more than enough range.

The LOXO 40, designed for travel

As seasoned sailors on long-distance cruises, Christian and Monique discovered a different way of sailing. “Everything was enjoyable and easy. You know when you’re setting off and when you’ll arrive, and it’s easy to make the most of short weather windows to make steady progress. ”

Once the LOXO was moored in a marina, they would set off to explore the surrounding area by bike, bus or ferry. Their days thus alternated between sailing, hiking, meeting locals and discovering the countryside.

“Before, we mainly visited places near the sea. This time, we set out to discover every aspect of the region and to use every possible means of transport! With a motorboat, you spend less time actually sailing. You can make the most of your time on land, plan your route and organise your stops. ”

For over a month, the LOXO 40 became their real home. Heating, an on-board kitchen, plenty of storage space and self-sufficient electricity made daily life particularly comfortable. In the Scottish climate, the heating proved invaluable for starting or ending the day in a warm cabin and quickly drying clothes after a slightly damp hike.

The inboard helm also played a major part in making sailing comfortable. Well sheltered, Christian and Monique were able to sail whatever the conditions. “We’re facing the sea, warm and well sheltered,” sums up Monique.

In the end, we found ourselves choosing marinas more often than we’d expected. With the weather being so changeable, they offered extra comfort whilst being small, plentiful, accessible and readily available.

Encounters made possible by the POGO community

The IONA TOUR was also marked by some wonderful encounters, facilitated by the community of POGO owners. In Scotland, Christian and Monique were warmly welcomed by the owner of a POGO 12.50, moored on a private island. It was an opportunity to share a convivial moment and to realise that POGO owners can be found everywhere, united by the same love of travel.

In Ireland, it was at the yacht club, on the eve of the start of the Tour of Ireland – where a crew were racing aboard the POGO RC – that they rediscovered this sense of community. They were immediately welcomed into the group with great warmth and simplicity.

“These encounters are also part of the journey. They forge bonds that sometimes only sailing can create,” sums up Christian.

This stopover in Ireland was also an opportunity to cheer on the crew of the POGO RC, led by Géry Trentesaux, who put in a superb performance by taking first place in IRC 2 and second place overall after five days of racing.

“You just have to set off”

For Christian and Monique, this experience confirms that a long-distance cruise is more accessible than one might imagine. “Many boaters are still hesitant to set off in a motorboat like the LOXO 40. Yet it’s much simpler than you’d think. You’re in control of your itinerary: you know exactly how long it will take to reach the next stop.”

After five weeks on the water, one thing is clear: the LOXO 40 has allowed them to travel differently. Easier to manoeuvre, comfortable for everyday life and self-sufficient enough to tackle a series of crossings, it has, above all, given them more time to explore the regions they’ve passed through and make the most of every stopover.

The IONA TOUR is coming to an end, but one thing is certain: Christian and Monique would happily have stayed in Scotland for several more weeks. This is clear proof that the LOXO 40 is a boat designed for long voyages… and one that makes you want to set sail again.

Fancy discovering the LOXO 40? The boat is available for test sailings in Brittany throughout July before heading to the Mediterranean for the boat shows in Cannes and Genoa.