A Cruiseing boat for Europe

[Sundowner 39]

Can somebody point me in the right direction for information on things such as air draft ....draft ....and suitable boat types to cruise in European waterways for the next few years.

We are currently sailing in the Caribbean / USA but are returning in May looking for a new adventure.
Thanks

 

[Tranona]

french-waterways.com is a good place to start as it will give you all the information about their system, which is arguably the most popular.

Generally speaking the most suitable boats are displacement cruisers with no fly bridge (because of height restrictions) and shallow draft because typically anything over 1.6 m is too deep. There is a wide range of boats available, either new or from an active S/H market, particularly in Holland where most dedicated inland waters boats are made. However many of the hire boats are built in the UK and retired charter boats can be attractive. If your interest is more in Holland or Germany, googling terms like boats for Dutch canals will throw up lots of leads.