Embark at Larmor-Baden to discover our Extreme 40 catamaran

The unusual thing here is the boat: a carbon-fiber Extreme 40 racing catamaran, one of only about fifteen in the world. You do not simply sit aboard while a skipper handles everything. After a safety and sailing briefing, you can steer, raise sails, trim lines, and move between four working positions on each hull.

I like the chance to explore the Gulf of Morbihan from the water, with more than 20 islands within reach. I also like the small group size, which gives you room to learn from skippers such as Antoine and Hugo rather than disappear in a crowd. The main drawback is simple: this is an active sailing trip, not a quiet cruise, and there are no toilets on board.

Key points to know before you book

• Rare carbon-fiber racing boat: Sail aboard an Extreme 40, a fast inshore catamaran with only around fifteen examples worldwide.
• Hands-on sailing: You can steer, hoist the mainsail, jib, and gennaker, and adjust sails with six winches.
• No prior experience needed: A qualified instructor stays close to the helmsman and the person handling the tacker.
• Small groups of eight: You can rotate through four positions on each hull and choose between active work and simple views.
• Flexible Gulf of Morbihan routes: More than 20 islands provide a wide choice of sailing areas.
• Bring practical gear: Wear closed-toe shoes, pack a fleece and windbreaker, and carry spare clothes since you may get wet.

Sailing an Extreme 40 from Larmor-Baden

The boat changes the whole character of the outing. An ordinary sightseeing cruise asks you to admire the Gulf of Morbihan from a seat. This trip puts you on a sleek, race-built catamaran where your hands can take part in the sailing.

The Extreme 40 is made entirely of carbon fiber and built for inshore racing. That matters because you get a more direct sense of wind, balance, and movement than you would on a large touring boat. The catamaran is sporty, open, and designed around the crew’s work.

You do not need sailing experience. The instructor explains each task and lets you learn at a sensible pace. Some people will want to handle lines and steer right away. Others may prefer to watch the sails, enjoy the scenery, and take a turn later. Both approaches fit the trip.

The boat has four positions on each hull, so you can rotate between jobs. This gives the outing a useful rhythm. You might start at the helm, move to sail trimming, then take a quieter position for views before joining another maneuver.

Meeting the crew at Larmor-Baden

You meet near the small port of Larmor-Baden, beside a discreetly marked black van. The port is small, so finding the meeting point should not be difficult, but allow enough time to arrive without rushing.

Free parking is available at the car park on Rue Gilles Rio. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the port. A shuttle then takes you from the slipway to the catamaran, which saves you from carrying your gear a long distance along the waterfront.

The schedule and full meeting details are provided ahead of time. Keep your phone accessible so you can check those instructions before setting out. The port itself is not the place to assume you can solve every detail at the last minute, especially during the busy summer months.

The transfer to the boat is part of the setup rather than a sightseeing ride. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, and do not arrive in bare feet. Closed-toe shoes are required, and they should be suitable for getting wet.

The weather, map, and tide briefing

Once you are equipped, the crew begins with a briefing covering the weather, map, and tides. This is an important part of the outing, not just a formality.

The Gulf of Morbihan is an inshore sailing area with many islands and changing water conditions. A tide briefing helps you understand why the crew chooses a particular route and how the boat will move through the gulf. The map also gives you a sense of the day’s possible sailing area.

You will receive instructions before the catamaran leaves. Pay close attention even if you have sailed before. The boat is a racing design, and the crew needs everyone to understand where to stand, how to move, and when to stay clear of working lines.

After the briefing, you help prepare the catamaran. This is where the trip shifts from a guided outing to a practical sailing session. You can see how the boat is organized before the sails go up, which makes the later maneuvers easier to follow.

Taking the helm and working the sails

The most valuable part of this outing is the chance to participate. You can be invited to steer, adjust the sails, and work with the boat’s six winches.

The main sail, jib, and gennaker are all part of the experience. Hoisting them gives you a hands-on sense of how the catamaran builds speed. Sail trimming helps you understand how small adjustments affect the boat’s movement.

You are not left to guess what to do. A qualified instructor remains within reach of the helmsman and the person handling the tacker. That makes this suitable for beginners, as long as you listen carefully and follow instructions.

The four positions on each hull also help balance different interests. If you want to learn, you can rotate through the working roles. If you would rather watch the islands and water for a while, some positions are better suited to quiet observation.

This is a good arrangement for mixed groups. One person can take the helm while another watches the sails, and a third can enjoy the scenery. You do not have to compete for the one interesting job on board.

Exploring the Gulf of Morbihan by catamaran

The Gulf of Morbihan gives the trip room to change from one outing to the next. More than 20 islands are available within the sailing area, so the exact route can respond to conditions and the time available.

The island tour is not a series of formal shore stops. You remain focused on sailing and seeing the gulf from the water. That makes the experience different from an island-hopping ferry, where the main goal is to get ashore.

From the catamaran, you are positioned close to the water and close to the working parts of the boat. You can watch the crew manage the sails while the islands pass by. The result is part sailing lesson and part coastal tour.

The route will depend on the weather, map, and tides discussed at the start. Do not book this expecting a fixed list of island landings. Book it if you want a flexible day on the water with a broad choice of sailing areas.

Half-day or full-day timing

For a half-day outing, allow about three hours on the water. The listed activity duration is about three and a half hours, which includes the preparation, briefing, transfer, and other time around the sailing itself.

In July and August, a full-day outing allows about six hours on the water, with the total activity time listed at roughly six and a half hours. That is a much bigger commitment and gives you more time to rotate through positions and cover more of the gulf.

The half-day option should suit first-time sailors who want a strong introduction without giving up an entire day. The full-day option makes more sense if you are eager to learn several roles, spend longer among the islands, or simply want a full sailing day.

Check the available starting times before booking. The exact schedule depends on the date and the sailing plan, and the tide is part of that decision.

What the $163 price means

At $163 per person, this is priced as a specialist sailing experience rather than a basic harbor cruise. The value comes from the unusual boat, the small group, the instruction, and the chance to take part in sailing tasks.

The price includes a professional skipper, fuel, life jacket, the shuttle from the slipway to the catamaran, free parking, instruction, catamaran piloting, sail trimming, and the island tour. Those inclusions reduce the extra costs you might face with a more stripped-down activity.

A second professional skipper is not included. That may matter if you expected two dedicated instructors for a larger group, though the group is limited to eight and a qualified instructor remains close to the active sailing positions.

Meals, water, photos, and swimming are not included. Bring your own water bottle and a small snack. Do not count on purchasing refreshments aboard, and do not expect a bathroom break during the sail.

The price makes the most sense for someone who values access to the boat and instruction. If you only want a calm ride with little involvement, a standard sightseeing cruise may offer better value for your priorities.

Clothing, safety, and comfort on board

Sailing gear is available to hire, but you should still bring a fleece, windbreaker, and a complete change of clothes. Even on a pleasant day in Larmor-Baden, wind and spray can make the boat feel cooler than the shore.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can get wet. Closed-toe shoes are required, while bare feet are not allowed. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, and a water bottle is essential.

There are no toilets on board. Plan accordingly before you leave the port. This is one of the small details that can make a real difference during a three-hour or six-hour outing.

The activity is not suitable for children under nine or people over 70. Pets, strollers, bikes, handcarts, crutches, alcohol, drugs, and explosive substances are not allowed. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed in the vehicle.

A deposit and credit card may be required, so bring both if instructed in your booking details. Keep your belongings compact. A sailing catamaran has limited sheltered storage compared with a large tour boat.

The teaching style and group atmosphere

The crew’s role is not limited to steering. Antoine and Hugo are identified as passionate sailing instructors who focus on clear teaching and good humor. Their approach is especially useful for beginners who want to participate without feeling out of place.

The small group limit of eight gives the instructors a practical number of people to manage. You can ask questions, take a turn at the helm, and switch positions without waiting behind a large crowd.

The experience is also built for mixed ability levels. Someone who has never sailed can learn the basic roles, while a more experienced sailor can stay active with sail trimming and boat handling. The crew can guide you at your own pace.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You are not forced to perform every maneuver, but you are given the chance to try nearly every part of the sailing routine.

English support and communication

Instruction is available in French and English. If you are not comfortable with sailing terms, listen closely during the first briefing and ask for clarification before the boat gets underway.

The most important communication involves safety, movement around the boat, and timing during maneuvers. You should be able to understand those instructions clearly before taking a working position.

Some information may appear in its original language, so do not assume every detail will be translated in the same way. The hands-on nature of the session still makes many sailing tasks easy to understand once the crew demonstrates them.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would choose this for someone who wants more than a view from a passenger seat. It suits active couples, friends, families with older children, and anyone curious about racing-style catamarans.

It is also a strong choice for complete beginners. You do not need a sailing certificate or prior experience, and the crew stays close during the technical parts.

You should think twice if you dislike wind, spray, changing weather, or shared tasks. The boat is built for performance, and the trip is not designed as a sheltered luxury cruise.

It may also be a poor fit if you need frequent bathroom access, want a guaranteed meal onboard, or prefer a fixed route with scheduled shore visits. The boat’s appeal is its movement and participation, not convenience.

Should you book the Extreme 40 sailing experience?

Book it if you want to feel how a serious catamaran works while seeing the Gulf of Morbihan from the water. The rare carbon-fiber boat, small group, hands-on instruction, and broad choice of islands make this much more than a standard cruise.

The half-day trip is the safer choice if you are new to sailing or unsure how you will handle the conditions. Choose the full-day option in July or August if you want time to rotate through the helm, sail controls, and quieter viewing positions.

Bring warm layers, spare clothes, water, a snack, and suitable shoes. If you can accept the lack of toilets and the need to follow active sailing instructions, the $163 price gives you access to a rare boat and a real role in the trip. That is the reason to book.

FAQ

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The activity is open to beginners and experienced sailors. A qualified instructor stays within reach of the helmsman and the person handling the tacker.

How long is the sailing trip?

A half-day outing allows about three hours on the water, with a total activity time of roughly three and a half hours. A full-day outing in July or August allows about six hours on the water, with a total activity time of about six and a half hours.

Where do I meet the crew?

Meet near the small port of Larmor-Baden beside the discreetly signed black van. Free parking is available on Rue Gilles Rio, about a 10-minute walk from the port.

What can I do on the catamaran?

You can help hoist the mainsail, jib, and gennaker, steer the boat, and adjust the sails with the six winches. You can rotate among four positions on each hull.

Is there a toilet on board?

No. There are no toilets on the catamaran, so use facilities before leaving the port.

Is the activity available in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in French and English.