French Canals 2.1m draft?

[peteandthira]

Hi all, does anyone know if you can get through the Canal route to the Med with a 2.1m draft? Plans at the moment have us going round the outside on the inshore route, but would like to consider alternatives.

Thanks Pops

 

[Norman_E]

Try looking here
I am sure Michael Briant's publications will give you all the info you need. I believe that the Canal du Midi route will be too shallow for you. (about 1.5 metre maximum), but there are others.

 

[chasroberts]

Hi

Unless they have dredged it the canal de Midi will be far too shallow for you. Friends of ours went through with a lift keel Southerly and reported problems and having to plough on one occasion. Their draught is under 1m!

Be very careful that you check depths on any other route through France. The rivers at either end are no problem but there are bits in the middle where I think you will have problems if the canal levels are lower than usual due to low rainfall etc.

That said, if you can do it then it's a fantastic trip and well worth the effort.

Good luck!

 

[Sea Devil]

There is no problem in the Seine, Saone & Rhone. If you follow the 'fast' route you will probably be OK but will sometimes run aground but with luck in soft (ish) mud. One solution is to have the mast shipped by lorry, reduce the level of water in the tanks to a minimum and do your best to reduce the draft by taking off heavy stuff.

The lorry solution of having the mast taken off to lighten the load could be between the channel port and the destination or simply between Rouen or Paris and the Saone from where there is stacks of water all the way to the Med.

Michael

 

[NealB]

Don\'t forget that fresh water draft is greater than in salt water. nm

*

 

[Guest]

I would not even consider it. After doing it in a 1.75m yacht through the deepest route they advised. Rhone Marne Saone.

It would be fine if you were the only user of the canal but you are not. If you trip the keel on the ground while passing the barges you have not got a hope. We saw a lot of boat damage including one without a bowsprit when he was impaled into the bank after hitting a peniche. We recorded zero under the keel on a few occasions while passing. Note that the barge forms a trough when it is moving forward that reduced the depth by up to a foot. Just watch the water level on the bank as they go past.

As for the abandonment every lunch time, when the staff go off duty, you are left in the middle of the canal with no hope of getting along side. Most lunch times we moored at right angles to the bank and stepped off the bow. Many times we stuck 3m posts in the canal bottom and tried to hold the boat. When the wind came up you had to drive hard for the windward bank to make sure there was a chance of getting off when they returned from lunch.

As for the rivers some of the new stopping places have little water. We hit hard about 3 boat length out from one of them.

In the words of the yachty that I sadly ignored "Your boat is too nice to go up the canals"

Take the outside: it is the best sailing in Europe.

 

[chrisc]

Not much chance ! I have done it with 1.85 M deep keel only touched bottom, softly, 2or 3 times . did meet a guy with 2M deep keel on canal de la est. don't know if he got through.Most of the barges are loaded to give 2M depth (illegaly)but they just push there way through the mud,they do keep the canal clear though.

 

[peteandthira]

Well that's that then! Thank you all above for the tips, I think I'll stick to the beach!

Pops

 

[capt_birdseye]

It is a nice trip 'round the outside', I've done it a couple of times. Take yor time and 'Day-sail' where possible and enjoy the good food and views !