continental canals with a small towed m/boat

[lenten]

this year we towed my 15 foot 15 hp outboard powered open boat up to arisaig---then motored to eigg muck soay and elgol on skye and finally hauled out at mallaig---camping where we stopped. We had planned to go at midsummer but the weather looked bad so we post poned till last 2 weeks of august. Next year thinking of launching at lochaline---round mull + treshnish isles and coll. We were lucky that my wife was allowed to change her holiday time at very short notice this year. Might not be able to do it again. So as a back up plan i am thinking of 2 weeks on canals/rivers of maybe france or belgium or holland or germany----any thoughts --difficulties----thanks lenten

 

[lenten]

anybody??

 

[landlockedpirate]

That is impressive cruising in a 15 footer

Good plan to take it to the continent. You will need to make sure you have all your paperwork including SSR, Reciept for the boat and insurance docs (Check your coverage). You will also need an ICC and possibly a inland waterways endorsement for the French canals. Be aware that the ferrys and tunnel can be very expensive for the trailer if you dont book well in advance.

Cheaper and less hassel options closer to home could include the Thames or the Norfolk Broads. We use these as standbys if the weather turns iffy on the coast (Ended up on the Thames twice this year thanks to the fantastic summer we had )

 

[lenten]

thanks for reply--driven to luxembourg twice this year and the rivers and canals i have passed looked very inviting. I was hoping that a 15 foot boat might be exempt from some of the paperwork. Recipt and insurance are easy enough but not keen to take any competence exams.----regards lenten

 

[TQA]

Have a look at the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany.

Lots to do and see. Just watch the tidal currents.

 

[stelican]

Have a look at the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany.

Lots to do and see. Just watch the tidal currents.

2nd that,Done it a few times
Also look at the Rance in Britanny

 

[Tranona]

thanks for reply--driven to luxembourg twice this year and the rivers and canals i have passed looked very inviting. I was hoping that a 15 foot boat might be exempt from some of the paperwork. Recipt and insurance are easy enough but not keen to take any competence exams.----regards lenten

You won't be able to avoid it in most of the inland waterways in Europe. The RYA has the detail on its site - there are some variations so you need to look at the general rules and then the specifics for each country.

 

[lenten]

thanks for replies morihan looks great but probably too popular and crowded for me. From what i saw going to luxembourg, the canals and rivers were pretty empty with the ocasional pleasure boat. I will check the rya site but i do not want to get bogged down with silly regulations. The le boat website says i can hire a 6-8 berth cruiser, have an hours tution and off i go and i am obviously considered as competent as anybody from this forum with a fistful of paperwork. regards lenten

 

[Tranona]

thanks for replies morihan looks great but probably too popular and crowded for me. From what i saw going to luxembourg, the canals and rivers were pretty empty with the ocasional pleasure boat. I will check the rya site but i do not want to get bogged down with silly regulations. The le boat website says i can hire a 6-8 berth cruiser, have an hours tution and off i go and i am obviously considered as competent as anybody from this forum with a fistful of paperwork. regards lenten

That is just one of those quirks that the French love - ignoring their own legislation when it suits them! The canal hire business would die if they enforced the same requirements on hirers. As a private individual you comply or face the consequences (although enforcement seems pretty hit and miss).

 

[lenten]

looks like easy going west coast of scotland again---no unecessary rules and some of the friendliest fun people you could meet---Last trip we were given a couple of fine mackeral one day and a ling and a lot of squat lobster tails another day by perfect strangers. Also invited to a 21st biirthday party rave even though one glance would tell you that 21 and raves were long behind us. Our one and probably only rave not even spoilt by the 4 mile damp walk home.----regards lenten