French Canal Questions

[boatmike]

Getting to the passage planning stage now folks. Days getting longer, and May departure for the Med getting nearer. Intending to take PEREGRINE through the canals for the first time, which with 6" clearance though the locks should be interesting..... Questions for those who have gone before are, should I have the mast down in the comparative comfort of Le Havre marina or leave it until Rouen?
Any thoughts or experiences either way out there? Also do I go through the hassle of contacting VNF by post to get a permit or simply forget it and get one at Le Havre en route? Is this difficult or will the capitanerie at Le Havre sell me one?
Also at the other end there appears to be a place called Bayles Boatyard just outside the lock for Canal St Louis where there is a crane that could be used to re step the mast, should I stop here, or should I go through to the basin on the other side, or perhaps go into Napoleon marina to re-step? All contributions gratefully received as always!
Anyone else going my way in May?

 

[mainshiptom]

From my experince on canals (power) I took cash with me and checked places out before doing things rather then book !

Some places had realy good attitude which I used but others where not bothered?

Have lots of time and you will find lots of friendly people about !

Also very useful to talk to locals at boat yards first !

Tom

 

[boatmike]

Had not intended to "book" But its good to pool experience don't you think? Agree service is not consistent everywhere. That's why I asked for advice. Or do you suggest one should find out all the places not to go to by personal experience first? Tiny bit late then is it not?

 

[mainshiptom]

Just think the pace on canals is very slow and you have to take time and get into it !

I remmber first time arrived in Calais from London and it drove me mad, Only after a three week period I understood that it was my london pace that is expecting too much !

Once got into the slow pace I was fine and great time had by all !

so what I am trying to say if you find a place which is not quite right, you just keep going to the next !

Tom

again we stayed in towns we dis not plan to stay in, and it was a lerning experince !

 

[scarlett]

There are many tales of the dockers of Rouen damaging masts including when I was there in 1998. I got a private light crane at £85 to do mine. And Napoleon put it up again.

Cash is king.

VNF was also in Rouen in 1998

Don't book and don't plan to meet anyone on route. Take it easy and enjoy.

 

[Sea Devil]

I have always found le Havre to be helpful and the crane is well operated - good place to get things as well....

There is almost certainly a VNF office in Le Havre - ask at the capitainery or the chandelry - take your ships papers, and driving permit with you when you go to the VNF office...

I have used Bayles a couple of times and found them helpful....

Certainly in france sometimes you can re-negoitate the price by offering to pay cash so the recipient does not have to pay VAT or tax - bit like the UK really.

You will find it tricky getting into the locks sometimes with a little cross wind - make sure there is something around your bows to protect them from scratches..

Very very good experience but remember the river up from Le Havre is quite serious with strong tides - quite a long way to go to the first parking place so it needs a moment of planning....

some canal info on my ws

 

[saskia]

Although a newbie I'm daring to offer a view - I crewed a cat through the Canal du Midi many years ago with similar clearance: the biggest problem came from the overflow sluices that shoot a stream of water out at 90 degrees just as you are on final approach, throwing your bows way off. By the time you've corrected, the stream hits the stern, so you overcorrect! We had a few narrow scrapes and one big bang - fortunately with the owner on the helm! However after a while, anticipation and juggling of the throttles made it possible to approach with reasonable confidence. Best of luck on your trip - it's a great journey.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks for that Scarlett. I was favouring Le Havre anyway. Just the sort of input I was looking for.

 

[boatmike]

As usual Michael, your experience is valuable and I take full note. I have been to Le Havre before and think this sounds better than Rouen especially after Scarletts input. Don't see any real advantage in having mast up for the trip to Rouen anyway so that's what I will probably do. As far as bow fenders are concerned I have already organised what I hope will prove to be a cock-up proof pair of bow fenders high on the bow and another pair down at the waterline to take into account entering full locks on the way down. I have also noted the need to start out from LH at the right time to get to Rouen on one tide, but as this is something I have not done before I am crossing all my t's and dotting all my I's before I go. There are old sailors and bold sailors but no old bold sailors......

 

[boatmike]

Thanks Saskia. The locks on the Midi are actually wider than the ones on the Loire route and of a different design but I will look out for the sluices anyway. Good tip. Thanks for the good wishes! I am sure I will learn to enjoy it after the first few locks......

 

[anglo_saxon]

i did the solo thing in 91 through the canals.
used a old suspended bridge in rouen to take down mast with help from a local worker there, cost me a couple of beers.
must haves are
small tyres covered in layers of brown packing tape(dont use your fenders)
small ladder/gang plank(uesd to keep boat away from bank when moored up also as fender board).
timber for holdy masty thingy(cant remember name).
good metal stakes 2`long

envy you have a graet trip.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks Tom but having now retired from the rat race I already run at a geriatric pace. If I slow down any more I will be going backwards! Thanks for the input though. Appreciate your point.

 

[boatmike]

Metal stakes now on list! Thanks....... Think I will use the crane in Le Havre though.....

 

[Col]

Tyres not allowed now.
If they fall off, they sink and jamb the lock mechanism.

If you click the link below and go to "Cols picture album" and look at No:3, You will see the arrangement we use.

 

[jackf]

The best place for VNF is Rouen Y M North France & Belgium has a chapter on Le Havre V good. Will be leaving the north east end of May for Le Havre but will go in to Honfleur on way it might make your trip up to Rouen better hope this helps

 

[anglo_saxon]

honfleur is a must such a beutifull place but tides and lock opening times mean that you have to realy bomb it up to rouen.
i didnt make it and tied up to a barge (big mistake)
big ships and big wakes made this rather dangerous.

 

[wildcard]

Hi Mike like you, we are leaving Le Havre first week of April and going into Honflur,we had our mast taken down in Le Havre by Stephan Reiset. (www.cnhm.fr). Our boat is with him now, has been all winter, he owns a small boatyard, just up past the ferry terminal. I can give you his phone no if you want it. Have a good trip .

Stephan Reiset phone no : +33 (0) 235253051

Tony

 

[Sea Devil]

anglo-saxon is right - you will have a problem with Honfleur - The river must be started just before low water or you will really struggle to find somewhere for the first night. Look at the locking times for Honfleur......................

 

[boatmike]

Quite right Michael. Honfleur is a lovely place and worth a visit but as much use as a chocolate teapot for starting out up the Seine to Rouen. You need to be outside Honfleur (or thereabouts) at LW to run up with the flood. Lock gates at Honfleur are closed until about 1/2 tide.... If you want to see Honfleur do it before going to Le Havre.

 

[jerryat]

Hi Mike,

I don't understand the comments re half tide locking in Honfleur. When we had our mast raised there for the trip back to the UK about 5 years ago, the lock gates were opened about an hour before low water (and just about any other time as far as we could see) 'cos that's when we left!!

When we had arrived at Honfleur from upriver (from anchoring the night before) a few days earlier, it was hour or so before low water. We prepared to anchor outside the lock gates and wait, when just a few minutes later, the lock gates opened, a few small French fishing boats came out, and in we went!!

Perhaps it's all changed now, but it's worth checking,as there was no doubt then that you could leave before low water and get the 'lift' upriver at the very beginning of the flood.

Cheers Jerry