Canal cruising

[bbee0001]

I've recently been contemplating a sailing stint in the norther hemisphere , and have been reading with interest some of the threads on canal cruising.

For a kiwi lad that has never had the pleasure of sailing canals or evening laying eyes on one, I have a couple of burning questions.

There are bridges over the canals, and yachts have masts - masts under low bridges dont work. can someone enlighten me how we get around this one. I'm assuming you dont lift the mast out and lay it on the deck each time you encounter a bridge!!?? and then just pop it right back up again on the other side.

And the second question concerns the big heavy bits dangling under the yacht. I'm guessing there are draft restrictions in some if not all of the canals. Hence fin keel yachts are better for canal sailing??

I've been looking in the book shops for "Canal Cruising for Dummies" but I dont believe its out yet!!





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[elenya]

depends on the canal, some have local designs with a easy lowerable counterweighted mast ( norfolk broads ) but most canals you take down the mast, motor and stick it up again at the other end. ( or just go fast at the first bridge and problem solved!!)
yep its only so deep, canal du midi was 1.4m in1989 and we had to empty water tanks, put half of our gear in the dinghy and still ran aground with a 1.25m draft!! all part of the fun?

but it is great cruising and i 100% recomend.
if your in nz still drop us a line if you wish to chat about it. we are in auck at present.
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by elenya on 24/05/2003 06:12 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jax]

Hi If you are contemplating canals in the Uk a sailboat just isn't on They are shalow, narrow with many bridges and locks - but with a proper narrow boat, usualy steel, (a copy of the old commercial boats) it can be great fun, best to try one of the hire fleets. And bring wet gear 'caus it will rain! Regards Jax

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[scarlett]

You can cruise with your mast up in Dutch canals as they open the bridges at set times [even motorways] or on request. Very pleasant. The depths are usually plenty. In France you take your mast down on entry and carry it or get it carried by others. The depths are less obliging varying between about 1 and 2 metres depending on the canal, time of the year, etc.

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[bbee0001]

It all sounds like a bit of fun, tho the 'fast at the first bridge' idea doesnt have a lot of appeal - probably get stung for repairs to the bridge - u know what these europeans are like!!!

How accurate are the guides when it comes to canal depth? Is one any more or less reliable than others?

Thanks for the feedback

bb

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[ccscott49]

THeres a huge difference betwenn canals in UK and mainland Europe, and a difference between countries in europe. For instance, there are route
s through holland that you can sail mast up, but not in some of the other countries. There are some experts on here, who know the systems, but one is for sure cruising right now, there also must be quite a few books around, good luck, by the way, I'm an offshore cruiser and know very little about the actual systems, depths etc.

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[Starspinner]

Both the Crinan and the Caledonian canals in Scotland are deep water mast up canals with spectacular scenery with monsters laid on as well.

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[Twister_Ken]

Depth

Unfortunately, depth is not a constant. Water levels do go up. but more often down. Blame long hot summers (but not in Scotland!), heavy usage which drains water from summit pounds, silting - especially downstream of locks where they can be a scouring action which deposits the muck a bit further along, and abandoned Citroen 2CVs. The depths given in the guides are the maximum you are likely to find, not the minimum.

BTW - your boat will draw a little more in fresh water (although taking the mast out might compensate for some of this.

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[Grehan]

Out of curiosity . . are there any Spanish canals?
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If not, why not?

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[Gunfleet]

Don't be rude. Jocks aren't that ugly.

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[Twister_Ken]

Spanish Canal cruising

Well there's always the Guadalquivir River whioch is navigable as far inland as Seville.

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