black sea to english channel

[[27631]]

Hi...is it feasible to bring a 35 x 11 1/2 x 6 ft yacht,mast 50 ft water level to tip,50 hp engine...up the danube/main/rhein route...any links welcome regarding air draught etc..obviously the mast will probably have to come down!!Any cruising guides..in english.I realise that east to west will be difficult....will I be able to get a tow on some of the faster stretches of water from a suitably backhanded tug/propelled barge...???

 

[HinewaisMan]

A fellow Aussie yacht Sahula did that trip E->W last year with no great problems.

His blog can be found at

http://djhaigh.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Ludd]

Hi...is it feasible to bring a 35 x 11 1/2 x 6 ft yacht,mast 50 ft water level to tip,50 hp engine...up the danube/main/rhein route...any links welcome regarding air draught etc..obviously the mast will probably have to come down!!Any cruising guides..in english.I realise that east to west will be difficult....will I be able to get a tow on some of the faster stretches of water from a suitably backhanded tug/propelled barge...???

Met aGerman couple in Seville last year who did the Danube/Black Sea route,back through the Med. They had a Rasmus ,like mine.
LOA 35FT
BEAM 10FT 2IN
dRAUGHT 1.33m (probably nearer 1.5 in full cruising mode in fresh water
50hp engine
Boat was called "Helgoland".

Don't have contact details,I'm afraid.

 

[satsuma]

http://www.umwege.de/

Kenneth and Melanie came from Hamburg through the black sea to the Aegean. Last contact I had with them (2010), they had written their own pilot book on the trip, and were now editing others pilot books.

Realise the site is in German, but they are both excellent English speakers and always willing to help. Their contact details are on the webpage.

 

[Grehan]

A fellow Aussie yacht Sahula did that trip E->W last year with no great problems. His blog can be found at
http://djhaigh.blogspot.co.uk/

Fascinating - thanks for that.

 

[AndrewB]

I read Bill & Laurel Cooper's Backdoor to Byzantium some years ago and talked to them about their passage down the Danube which I had also been considering. At that time they didn't think an ordinary sailboat could make it UP because of the strength of current at certain spots. Of course, there may well have been improvements since their passage, but then again, whether it is possible might depend on water levels at the time.

Bill occasionally visits these forums, you might try a pm (username Binch).

 

[[27631]]

danube...main....rhine

Many thanks for the responses...especially the 2 links,both the german and australian ones have given me food for thought!!!