Canal Boating in Northern France - Advice Appreciated

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First time I've posted in this forum. Seriously thinking of buying a 1/5 th share in a motor boat that is in North East France. I, and the partners in the boat, live in Australia but I'm sure that is not an issue given the partnership haste been going for some time.

Boat is about 32 feet long. Basic but serviceable and built in early 1970s, I think. We each put in $600 a year, that's about £350, and pay $25 a day when we use it into the kitty. Not everyone uses it every year.

What issues, concerns or pitfalls should I be aware of before I purchase this share? For example, can I moor anywhere on the canal, is there a cost to moor alongside town wharves etc. Are there any specific regulations I need to be aware of? You get my drift.

Any advice gratefully received. Ta.
 
Check the black water/holding tank is big enough to give you some freedom away from pump out stations. To completely evacuate the bowl and pipes into the holding tank you'll use about a gallon per flush with a manual pump toilet and about 50-60% of this with an electric/macerator toilet.
 
Generally free to wander at will, although some moorings may have a charge if a commercial marina. The boat needs a VNF permit and you will need to get an ICC with a CEVNI endorsement which is a test of knowledge of the "Rules of the Road" in the canal system. Some canals are still heavily used commercially with big barges rushing back and forth, others are almost completely empty and meander through rural areas. Bikes useful as you may have to leave the canal vicinity to shop. Presumably your fellow syndicate members will have experience they can pass on to you.

BTW, enjoyment of wine, cheese and other good things is compulsory!
 
bumpy_the_dog said:
Check the black water/holding tank is big enough to give you some freedom away from pump out stations.
Click to expand...

Maybe it depends on the canal, but when we hired a boat on the Midi and Robine it had no holding tank, and I don't remember seeing any pump-out stations. The loo was the trapdoor type, dropping straight into the water - very French.

Pete
 
prv said:
Maybe it depends on the canal, but when we hired a boat on the Midi and Robine it had no holding tank, and I don't remember seeing any pump-out stations. The loo was the trapdoor type, dropping straight into the water - very French.

Pete
Click to expand...

That's right. I travelled through the whole system from Channel to Med without seeing a single pumpout station - and I did look!
when in Rome......
 
Tranona said:
Generally free to wander at will, although some moorings may have a charge if a commercial marina. The boat needs a VNF permit and you will need to get an ICC with a CEVNI endorsement which is a test of knowledge of the "Rules of the Road" in the canal system. Some canals are still heavily used commercially with big barges rushing back and forth, others are almost completely empty and meander through rural areas. Bikes useful as you may have to leave the canal vicinity to shop. Presumably your fellow syndicate members will have experience they can pass on to you.

BTW, enjoyment of wine, cheese and other good things is compulsory!
Click to expand...


The enjoyment of wine, cheese and other good things is now I believe a legal requirement!

GL
 
Indeed there is currently no requirement to have a holding tank in France, and very few places to pump out. After a dozen years or more cruising the waterways I would encourage anyone to try it. You can moor up almost anywhere on the non-commercial canals, and marinas are not very pricey -typically 10 euros or so a night including shore power and water, and often showers too. The challenges of boat handling in confined spaces is always interesting, and locks can always catch you out - no room for complacency. The French magazine Fluvial has a helpful website, as does Grehan of this parish. I used to describe it as navigation by the Red Michelin guide, but sadly restaurant prices have escalated. The wine is cheap, though. Another thought: canalside fuelling stations are few and far between - plan ahead.
Saskia
 
[QUOTE Another thought: canalside fuelling stations are few and far between - plan ahead.
Saskia[/QUOTE]

Yes, almost as rare as pump out stations. Never Ever pass one without topping up.
Have to say also that the gourmet canal side restaurants are also very hard to find. We sometimes travelled days on end without finding anywhere to eat within walking distance. Usually closed when you do find one too in rural France!
We ate a lot of pasta and tinned rubbish in despration.
 
French canals - navigation information

There is quite a bit of discussion about holding tanks / pump outs down on the Canal du Midi, which is pretty jam-packed in July and August. But, as folk have said, pump out places are thin on the ground although that is changing as port facilities get updated. I think that many hire bases have them, ditto their more modern hire boats. However, for most, it's a non-issue - there's comparatively few boats and lots of water.
http://blog.inlandwaterwaysinternational.org/?p=411
On the canals one should always take any opportunity to water-up and fuel-up. Whilst mooring is possible almost everywhere (with exceptions) it is certainly not practical everywhere.
Hundreds of pages of French waterways information on . . . www.french-waterways.com !
 
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