Canal du Midi Mediterranean Mast Stepping

[luckybeanz]

Hi I am looking to do the canal du midi this season and trying to plan where to step the mast before entering the canals. Has anyone got any recommendations on the best place to do it, with access to the materials needed to build an a frame? Options I know of:
Sete
Meze
Marseillan

Has anyone got any comments / recommendations? Also if you know of any good digital guides, I have already bought Through the French Canals: The Complete Planning Guide to Cruising the French Waterways eBook : Jefferson, David: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store and Canal du Midi: The Ultimate Guide eBook : Hoffmann, Andrea: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store though both are a light on real details such as maps and bridge heights, so before I go ahead and waste money on more, I'd like to know what I'm getting.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Grehan]

Hands On Expertise // Waterways in Detail and Practical Guidance Complete resource
Practical Navigation //Masts, Transportation and Trailer Sailing The place to unstep your mast (assuming you're coming from the Med) is at Navy Service yard, Port St Louis, or Port Napoleon marina nearby.
Navigation Guides //Waterways Maps, Charts, Guides and Pilot Books You'll notice that we don't feature either of the two publications you mention. Breil paper guides are the best for navigation, I would say, essential.
French Waterways in Detail //The Waterways of France by Region Our own web pages and PDF download guides for every navigable waterway in France - but they're not intended for 'at the helm' navigation.

 

[luckybeanz]

Thanks for the response and handy info. I have have already spent a lot of time on the waterways site, a great resource indeed and I will likely order some of the guides to the boat in Spain. unfortunately I am currently in SA and as the website says:

** Orders arriving in South Africa have an unfortunate history of often then becoming lost or otherwise undelivered (please note that we have no liability in these circumstances). The tracked option (selected when purchasing) may provide greater certainty (but not a guarantee) – even then it does depend on a deliverable, signed-for, address, not a Bag.

With regards to stepping in Port St Louis, I did think of this, but I was concerned about then having to head up the Rhone to get to the canal du midi, French Waterways in Detail //Canal du Rhône à Sète and the Etang de Thau. My boat is electric and I only get about 30 - 40nm per charge, since it will be early in the season I am concerned about the current and lack of possibility to tie up and charge. I watched the video below and they seemed to struggle with their little engine. While I have the power, I am not sure I have the endurance. If I was sure about it, I would actually be considering a longer route through the canals and coming out into the channel...

 

[Grehan]

The Rhone, from Port St Louis up to just past Arles (and hence the Canal Rhône à Sête and then the Midi) is usually not too bad, current-wise although Mistral winds can be a problem at times. PSL is the best location to unstep but you also have the option of coming in at Sête and unstepping there but the facilities etc. are not as good.