Canal de Nivernais

[John_d_Smith]

Just got back from a trip on the Canal de Nivernais for Migennes to Decize and thought I’d let you know a few of my finding for those of you who are considering this route. First bridge clearance. My air draught is 2.7 mtrs at a width of about 2 mtrs and several people on the way said they very much doubted that id get through. I usually helm from outside and I’m 6’3” meaning the air draught including me is getting on for 3.6mtrs. on only a couple of accasions I had to stoop for a bridge and never felt concerned that we wouldn’t get through. As far as draught itself is concerned. I draw 1mtr and never felt concerned about the depth of water and never suspected we were cruising through mud as it were, although on many occasions we did stir the water up behind and as we have twin props I was careful when coming alongside always going in bows first and if in doubt either using the outside engine or putting both in neutral and roping the stern in.
The Nivernais is very remote for most of the way but extremely beautiful. Many of the villages have little or no facilities and those that have shops are very often closed for large parts of the day if not all day (perhaps because it’s August).
Most of the cruising guides are very out of date and show facilities that no longer exist.
Despite being August it was very quiet in terms of other traffic.
It was hot! Reaching over 30 deg nearly every day.
If you are thinking of cruising this route and would like any further information let me know

 

[Grehan]

Thanks John. My book information (sadly we're too tall to do the Nivernais) is that the lowest air draft is 2.9m - sounds like your experience confirms that. Also the minimum water depth as being 1.2m. How long did the trip take?

 

[capsco]

Am I not reading properly? I understood John to intimate that at an estimated 3.6m he only had to stoop a little to have clearance

 

[John_d_Smith]

Nivernais end to end

Hi Jim, The trip took just over a week but we did have a couple of easy days in that. I guess if you wanted to push yourself you could do it in 5 but equally you could take a few weeks if you wanted. Auxerre is well worth a couple of days and you could spend some time in Clemacey and Chatel sensoir to mention just a few. I'd be surprised if you would be too tall considering you seem to be doing ok on the Midi. The 2.7mtrs that most books refer to seems to be at Peniche width as most of the low bridges are arched narrower boats have no problem. Capsco has read correctly, bridge height in the centre is around 3.6 mtrs. I'll try and find a photo of a typical Nivernais bridge to illustrate.

 

[Grehan]

Hmm interesting. My (printed) Vagnon Guide says (a) to Sardy 2.5m air height (b) Sardy to Clamency 2.9m air height, thereafter 3.05m to Auxerre.

 

[John_d_Smith]

yes thats what i expected to find but i can only assume those heights are at the maximum width ie a peniche. If it had been 2.5 on a flat bridge parallel to the water surface i would not have got through without removing my spot light, radar and various other bits and even then i think i would have struggled.

 

[blampied]

Air Draft on the Rance

Suspect that air draft on the Rance is similarly suspect.
Rance quoted Air Draft is 2.5m between Dinan and Rennes, with the lowest bridges towards the Dinan end?
My radar arch is 2.7m with a Raymarine radome on top of a foot high post above that.

While we haven't travelled the full distance of the canal, we have travelled up some way from the Dinan end. The lowest bridges we came across were all bridges over the entrance to many of the locks, most appeared to have an air draft around 3.4m. The lowest one we came across near a place called Evran was in my estimation around 3.3m, (well my boat went through with several inches to spare above the radome!)

Chatting to the lock keeper, he advised this is the lowest bridge on the canal.
We didn’t go much further so haven’t checked for ourselves, but assuming the lock keeper's correct, that indicates half a meter or more, air draft than the official 2.5m figure would have you believe.

Paul

 

[brendad]

Low bridges

Saw a lovely tip for getting under low bridges in the Fluviale magazine. Fill several large strong bin bags with water and load them onto the boat. Also fill your water and fuel tanks. Providing there is enough depth this will settle the boat lower in the water!
The depths in the canals (and therefore bridge clearance) does tend to depend on the amount of rain that area has had, and the amount drawn off by farmers for watering their fields. Varies almost from month to month.
We agree, the Nivernais is lovely. My favourite mooring is Gurgy and there is absolutely nothing there.
Brendad

 

[Jegs]

Nivernais

We have recently travelled down from Auxerre & managed to leave the screens up - approx 3.1 metres - v close in places. Draught 1.17 m did touch in places.

John G