Mrnotming
Well-Known Member
1.8m draft
Hi Stromboli, and all OP's!
We did the champagne route (Marne, Saone Rhone) beginning in Le Havre, as we sailed originally from the Irish Sea.
With our bulb keel at 1.8m we often skated through soft mud, but this was not a problem.
What you need is time,its a not to be rushed experience.
We did it in early May and level were good then.
As regards Grehan's remarks about meeting peniches,yes it happens, in the narrow bits usually!
Through some miracle of hydrodynamics the peniche inserts a sort of wedge of water between your boat and the advancing steel. and the two do not touch.
As he departs in a welter of foam and turbulence, your boat will sit on the mud, quite firmly.
Best make a cup of tea, as the water he has pushed ahead of him will return after about 10 minutes or so depending on the length of the "pound" etc.
At this stage you will float again with less fuss!.
Some of the dutch folk used to have long thin sausage fenders, which they half filled with water, then air.This had the effect of protecting the bilge in some of the locks which have been overbuilt, and in which one's vessel tends to oversail the edge especially in crosswinds.
Also in preparing their planks they drilled sideways through the wood to protect the rope attachment from chafing, as it frequently does from contact with lock sides.
We found two planks were necessary, and if deep draft there is a probability that the longest one will prove too short!
As regards carrying the mast, if it is put on two equal height stout trestles, working the forward deck is easier, if one can duck under the mast at foredeck.Use lorry straps so you can ensure complete safety of your load, and beware of oscillation which can build up if open water has to be traversed before reaching inland, such as at Le Havre/Seine entry.
If the mast does start to do this, go in gentle circles till it stops, and hastily tighted the fastenings,its a bit frightening if it begins to act this way.
A tyre at each end will help take the shock out of occasional contact with the lock walls.
Your VHF has to have some mod or other to identify you, is it AISM? Perhaps I have it wrong, it did not exist at the time of our trip in 2003.
Because you will admit to your deep draught to the VNF staff, they will be anxious for you to transit swiftly to avoid complications if levels are falling.
Be prepared to work their hours as far as possible, to make progress to the Saone more quickly, where water is not such a problem.
The lockkeepers French is sometimes a local Patois, so be sure you are understood, before proceeding.
Sand barges on the Seine may not turn off their props in the lock, depending on only a stop rope to hold the in position. Do not enter the lock until the lock keeper has made them shut down power, as the swirling will have you sideways in the lock and you will be helpless.
Instead wait in the open gate gap and gesticulate /VHF your requirement for still water to tie up.
Hope all this helps the other transitos as well!
Hi Stromboli, and all OP's!
We did the champagne route (Marne, Saone Rhone) beginning in Le Havre, as we sailed originally from the Irish Sea.
With our bulb keel at 1.8m we often skated through soft mud, but this was not a problem.
What you need is time,its a not to be rushed experience.
We did it in early May and level were good then.
As regards Grehan's remarks about meeting peniches,yes it happens, in the narrow bits usually!
Through some miracle of hydrodynamics the peniche inserts a sort of wedge of water between your boat and the advancing steel. and the two do not touch.
As he departs in a welter of foam and turbulence, your boat will sit on the mud, quite firmly.
Best make a cup of tea, as the water he has pushed ahead of him will return after about 10 minutes or so depending on the length of the "pound" etc.
At this stage you will float again with less fuss!.
Some of the dutch folk used to have long thin sausage fenders, which they half filled with water, then air.This had the effect of protecting the bilge in some of the locks which have been overbuilt, and in which one's vessel tends to oversail the edge especially in crosswinds.
Also in preparing their planks they drilled sideways through the wood to protect the rope attachment from chafing, as it frequently does from contact with lock sides.
We found two planks were necessary, and if deep draft there is a probability that the longest one will prove too short!
As regards carrying the mast, if it is put on two equal height stout trestles, working the forward deck is easier, if one can duck under the mast at foredeck.Use lorry straps so you can ensure complete safety of your load, and beware of oscillation which can build up if open water has to be traversed before reaching inland, such as at Le Havre/Seine entry.
If the mast does start to do this, go in gentle circles till it stops, and hastily tighted the fastenings,its a bit frightening if it begins to act this way.
A tyre at each end will help take the shock out of occasional contact with the lock walls.
Your VHF has to have some mod or other to identify you, is it AISM? Perhaps I have it wrong, it did not exist at the time of our trip in 2003.
Because you will admit to your deep draught to the VNF staff, they will be anxious for you to transit swiftly to avoid complications if levels are falling.
Be prepared to work their hours as far as possible, to make progress to the Saone more quickly, where water is not such a problem.
The lockkeepers French is sometimes a local Patois, so be sure you are understood, before proceeding.
Sand barges on the Seine may not turn off their props in the lock, depending on only a stop rope to hold the in position. Do not enter the lock until the lock keeper has made them shut down power, as the swirling will have you sideways in the lock and you will be helpless.
Instead wait in the open gate gap and gesticulate /VHF your requirement for still water to tie up.
Hope all this helps the other transitos as well!
