Chapter 7: Coastal Exploration in Piriac

On that day, Étienne Germain, a Delphia dealer at La Baule Nautic, went to sea with his family. On board the motorboat, the couple and their teenage children took advantage of a whole day out to fully enjoy the sea, the coastal waters and the clear sky. The programme is summed up in a few words: leaving Piriac in the morning, heading to Le Croisic for the first stopover, setting sail again for Hoëdic island, then prolonging the rest of the day at anchor off Houat island before heading back to Loire-Atlantique.

With this diary, we invite you to follow the family as they enjoy a very special day with the Delphia 12 Sedan as their living space, an invitation to slow down and a starting point towards various destinations.

Departing from the harbour in the soft morning light

In Piriac-sur-Mer that morning, the family’s departure aboard the Delphia 12 Sedan set the tone: Étienne, his wife and their children left the harbour without haste, in that special morning atmosphere where you take your time. On board the coastal powerboat, with the mooring lines cast off, the family watched the harbour slowly disappear behind the stern.

After a few minutes to get comfortable on board, they all found their place naturally: settled on deck, with one last glance towards Piriac, near the helm station for a discussion about the route to follow.

In Loire-Atlantique, to reach Le Croisic from the port of Piriac-sur-Mer, you need to sail for a distance of 16 nautical miles. The itinerary follows the coastline fairly closely, but it still provides a real sense of escape.
 

Navigation at a moderate speed on a calm sea

At the start of the day, Étienne and his family naturally opted for a leisurely cruising pace. Slowing down did in no way diminish the pleasure of being at sea; on the contrary: this choice allowed the coast to reveal itself. With a pleasant cruising rhythm on calm seas, the family took time to look out at the horizon, observe the changing light, admire the landscapes - and really enjoy the trip. Little by little, in the distance, the famous Le Croisic jetty came into sight.

The family arrived at a lively harbour in the heart of a charming historical town centre. In Le Croisic, they came ashore in the heart of a town full of character - with its docks, narrow streets and historical façades. About an hour later, the family returned to their Delphia 12 with the feeling of having already lived a full day. But that was without taking into account the rest of the trip.

Setting foot on a peaceful island, between the Morbihan and the ocean

Having often been on boat trip adventures in the area, Étienne and his family are very familiar with the navigation zone between Piriac-sur-Mer, Le Croisic and the South Brittany islands. Therefore, it was only natural that they returned on board the motorboat to reach a new destination.

This time, the crew headed west, towards the island of Hoëdic, a distance approximately equal to that of Piriac-sur-Mer to Le Croisic: 15 nautical miles. After another calm crossing, the family saw Hoëdic come into view, with Belle-Île-en-Mer in the background.

Shortly before noon, the arrival at the port of Argol marked a second milestone: the family moored the Delphia 12 Sedan there in order to go ashore comfortably and easily access this Morbihan island, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere.
 

A walk around Hoëdic, at the pace of the island

On that day of May, a few of the island’s inhabitants were gathered in the main square of the village. On Hoëdic, there are no cars and hardly any noise: nothing but paths, sandy beaches and the ability to do everything on foot.

Étienne and his family really enjoyed the island atmosphere. According to them, they will remember this day for a long time, when they were able to enjoy Hoëdic at their own pace, thanks to their trip on the Delphia.

A simple, convivial moment at anchor

Following the stopover in Hoëdic, it was time for the family to set sail again. The programme this time was a short crossing to Houat Island, just 4 nautical miles away.

On Houat, just a few metres from a deserted white sandy beach, Étienne’s children enjoyed exploring the surrounding area in the boat's kayak. Meanwhile, the Delphia 12 Sedan also unveiled another quality: which is to provide a pleasant environment on board to relax.
 

Return trip to Piriac in the late afternoon light 

Late afternoon, it was time to leave the anchorage. Navigating back to Piriac, the sea remained calm and the light gradually softened. Once again, the deck provided the perfect environment for family time, with an unobstructed view of the surrounding area.

Convivial space where one can get together during navigation

On board the Delphia 12 Sedan, the family soon found their bearings. Both parents and children quickly got used to the space layout and the way to move around.

The smooth and fuel-efficient navigation experienced by the crew is entirely representative of the Delphia spirit: more than just a means of getting to Le Croisic and then to the Hoëdic and Houat islands, the Delphia 12 Sedan was a fully-fledged living space for a few hours. Both in the interior and exterior of the boat, around the table in the saloon, everyone felt that the morning was a special time, during which they were able to enjoy a peaceful boating experience with the rest of the family.

This is one of the advantages of a liveaboard boat for coastal cruising, such as the Delphia 12. On board, the friendly atmosphere is created by the smooth flow of movement. During day trips, shared spaces also offer greater freedom.
 

A coastal cruiser designed for comfort and simplicity

On a family boating adventure, comfort doesn’t rely on just one piece of equipment: it is more about how easy it feels to step aboard, move around, settle in and enjoy the boat effortlessly. Thus, the Delphia 12 Sedan proved to be the perfect companion for the day, making navigation simple, user-friendly and enjoyable - for parents and their children alike.

That is Delphia’s philosophy: to offer boats designed for sustainable and accessible smooth navigation. Between Piriac, Le Croisic, Hoëdic and Houat, this family, used to cruising along the coast, wanted to enjoy a simple, comfortable and peaceful break. In fact, the crew shared this with us:  why not repeat the experience on a Delphia soon - perhaps over a weekend or on a longer cruise - sailing along the coast of Brittany? Setting off early, stopping off, sleeping on board, heading for another harbour - with a motorboat designed for long trips. There are many possibilities, as long as you extend the simple pleasure of life on the water.