rivonia
Well-Known Member
Gooday, I want to know if it will be safe to take a yacht with a 5ft draught through the canal system to the med. Any info or advice appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
French Canals/rivers
- Thread starter rivonia
- Start date
Grehan
Well-Known Member
At 1.5m I think you'd be ok, maybe tight to get bankside in some locations on the Marne a la Saone or the Canal du Centre (depending on which route you took). Grehan draws a lot less than that and we were obliged to touch bottom a few times nonetheless. No problems on the rivers - Seine, Marne, Saone, Rhone.
Take a look at Samwise's blog http://kalessin-of-orwell.blogspot.com/ , as well as our own site, which has the 'official' (theoretical) depths, widths, etc. http://www.tagweb.co.uk/grehan/_guide-vnf.html#dims Things are not always exactly as those figures 'on the spot' for various reasons.
Take a look at Samwise's blog http://kalessin-of-orwell.blogspot.com/ , as well as our own site, which has the 'official' (theoretical) depths, widths, etc. http://www.tagweb.co.uk/grehan/_guide-vnf.html#dims Things are not always exactly as those figures 'on the spot' for various reasons.
alandee
Well-Known Member
Yes. You will be fine. We did the trip 2 years ago, Our Beneteau is 1.53 draft - almost 1.6 fully laden in fresh water.
chrisc
Well-Known Member
we have done the trip Amsterdam -port st louis with with a keel depth of 1.85M no major problems ;-touched bottom somewhere on the Saone and went through mud at entry to a few locks but nothing to slow us much.
Worst problem was coming back via mosel and Rhine ;-aground at Cochem and enormous amounts of traffic on Rhine.
Even so I am amazed that no English boats go down the Rhine from Koblenz it is about 2 longish days to the Channel with 5 knots behind you and no locks.
Worst problem was coming back via mosel and Rhine ;-aground at Cochem and enormous amounts of traffic on Rhine.
Even so I am amazed that no English boats go down the Rhine from Koblenz it is about 2 longish days to the Channel with 5 knots behind you and no locks.
chrisrog
Member
[ QUOTE ]
Yes. You will be fine. We did the trip 2 years ago, Our Beneteau is 1.53 draft - almost 1.6 fully laden in fresh water.
[/ QUOTE ]
Hi which canal route did you take?
Yes. You will be fine. We did the trip 2 years ago, Our Beneteau is 1.53 draft - almost 1.6 fully laden in fresh water.
[/ QUOTE ]
Hi which canal route did you take?
walto
Active Member
We came through the River Seine from Le Havre onto the River Yonne and through the Canal de Centre 18 months ago - April through to August. We had no difficulty and draw 1.5metres.
It depends when you wish to travel. In July and August the River levels are down and this can be a problem if you draw more than 1.5m We did have a few occasions when we touched the mud and had to use the bow thruster to get us off the shallows but otherwise not a problem. When are you intending comeing through for this is the impo /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gifrtant bit
It depends when you wish to travel. In July and August the River levels are down and this can be a problem if you draw more than 1.5m We did have a few occasions when we touched the mud and had to use the bow thruster to get us off the shallows but otherwise not a problem. When are you intending comeing through for this is the impo /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gifrtant bit
rivonia
Well-Known Member
Hi Stargazerlilly, were not 100% sure of exact dates but we shall probably set off Nov this year all being well
baggypipes
Well-Known Member
check your route carefully as some of the canals close for the winter maintenance. also the rhone may be in spate so take the time to investigate, good luck
blueglass
Well-Known Member
we only draw 1.3 so no problem but we travelled in convoy through the bourbonnais route Le havre - Port St Louis with several yachts drawing 1.7 all of whom got through with the odd minor contact. many boats made a sign to place on their bows saying 1.7 in large numerals so oncoming boats would give them elbow room to stay mid channel.
Grehan
Well-Known Member
Don't rely on "1.8 SVP" signs!!!
Many boaters don't know what that means, or can't see the 'request' until too close, or themselves can't move out of the way (to the degree that might be wished-for).
Many boaters don't know what that means, or can't see the 'request' until too close, or themselves can't move out of the way (to the degree that might be wished-for).
