French Canals- Depths

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I am considering going down to Med next year - 32ft yacht with fin keel and 1.650m draught. Pilots say 1.800 max - 150mm spare - will I make it without a nervous breakdown
 

johnsomerhausen

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The "standard depth" of the old French canals is 1.80 meters (except for the Canal du Midi where it is 1.50 meters). The newer ones have greater depths.
But the actual depth is liable to be less in some of the canals, like the Canal de Bourgogne, which are no longer used by commeercial barges. IMO, you ought to be able to get through, as the bottom will mostly be mud through which your fin will drag a bit... The only ccanal you'll definitely not be able to use is the one from Aigues-Mortes to le Grau du Roy where there's a water pipe that crosses the canal and leaves a depth of only 1.60 meters (I was able to use it as my boat draws only 1.48 meters)
john
 
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