canal du midi air draft

[claudine]

we are trying to find the air draft of bridges in the canal du midi. So far our searches have revealed 2.50cm for the smallest bridge but we are told a 3m boat can go through. Which is correct? Will a boat with a coach roof 2.9m high and 4m wide go under the arch. Does the level of the water vary much?

 

[gtuson]

combination of air draught and beam is difficult to work out. We went through no problem with air draught of 2.7meters and beam of 3.2....

 

[Sea Devil]

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Does the level of the water vary much?

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No - it varies very little - because of the locks - the biggest problem is the shortage of water so you are more likely to get less water than more.

Just read your post again - the problem is that lots of the bridges are curved arches so although the highest point has got the clearance on either side of the bridge the clearance can be a lot less.... All depends how wide your deck-house is - does it stretch the width of the boat? If it stretches 4metres you could have problems.
Michael

 

[TonyBri]

Capestang is reckoned to be the smallest bridge. In the centre yu have a max airdraft of 3.6m. At a distance of 2.5m from the centre-line, this reduces to 2.6m.
Your dimensions sound rather tight - have a look in Guide Vagnon number 7, page 44 which gives pictures abnd dimensions of the smaller bridges.

In our exprience, the canal drops as much as 10cm at the end of summer so you miht have a better shot at it then. Whats your draft?

 

[lilianroyle]

sounds crazy but

I was told by one of the lock keepers on the canal de midi that water levels are frequently lower when there is a lot of rain expected. This is because the canals are deliberately kept lower to prevent flash fooding.