French Canals

[Rob_Webb]

Apologies if this one has been done before but does anyone have experience of routing down all the way from the top (Channel) to the bottom (Med)? I'm sure that there are various guides (suggestions appreciated) but can anyone briefly advise me on the typical entry/exit points and whether a 5ft fin keeler would give me trouble with draft. With this weather can you blame me for thinking about it?!

Thanks
Rob

 

[tcm]

Not done it myself, but this has been discussed a lot here. You need loads of skaggy fenders, and aren't allowed to us tyres for the same purpose (cos they can jam the locks). Hereabouts, use the "search" button above, and put in keywords of "french canals", search criteria "and" and find posts "from all dates". The people who have done it ...are down there in the sun this time of year, i bet...

 

[Guest]

There was an excellent series, updated on the web by a couple who do the trip every year. Colin Jones(?) in Albemara(?) make the trip around Brittany, across Biscay to the Canal du Midi and through to Sete. I think the yacht is a Colvic style motor sailor. He is a regular contributor to PBO. This may touch off a few helpful postings.
Good luck on the trip.

 

[LadyInBed]

MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS (IN METRES)
The quickest of the four routes between the Channel and the Mediterranean is via
Le Havre-Paris St Mammés, canal du Loing, canal du Briare, canal Lateral a la Loire, canal du Centre, and then Saóne and Rhóne.
There are 182 locks in the 1.319km between Le Havre and the mouth of the Rhóne.

Waterway English Channel to Mediterranean
(and most waterways):
Length Beam Draft Headroom
38.50 5.00 1.80 3.50
Canal du Nivernais
30.00 5.00 1.20 2.70
Canal de Bourgogne (the tunnel at Pouilly-en-Auxois)
38.50 5.00 1.80 3.10 2.20 at sides
Gironde to Mediterranean: via Garonne to Castets
-Canal Lateral a Ia Garonne (Castets-Toulouse)
Length Beam Draft Headroom
38.50 5.80 1.80 3.50 at centre 2.50 at sides
-Canal du Midi (Toulouse-Sète):
Length Beam Draft Headroom
30.00 5.50 1.60 3.00 at centre 2.00 at sides

Brittany:
Equipped for pleasure navigation only; some locks are operated by the yachtsmen themselves.
For information, please contact:
Monsieur l’lngOnieur,
Subdivision de Ia Navigation,
29190 Pleyben.

Waterways between the Channel and the Atlantic:
Length Beam Draft Headroom
25.80 4.50 1.20 2.50
Western Loire (Basin of Maine)
Length Beam Draft Headroom
30.00 5.00 see below 3.00 or 4.00 depending on section

Brittany and Western Loire the draft varies from one waterway to another:
-Nantes to Redon 1.20 -on the Mayenne river 1.40
-Redon to Josselin 1.40 -on the Sarthe river 1.40
-Josselin to Pontivy 0.80 -on the Oudon river 1.40
-on the Blavet river 1.30 -on the Maine river 1.60

SPEED LIMITS
River limits 16 mph/25 kmh
Canais and certain junctions on canalised rivers: 3.7-6,25 mph/6-10 kmh

FENDERS
Boats passing through locks must be equipped with fenders
(not tyres which can drop off and foul the lock-gate machinery).

CROMAGES (STOPPAGES)
The list of annual closures of canals for repairs and for other purposes,
can be obtained for the current year (from the END of MARCH onwards)
by sending a SAE to:
French Tourist Office
178 Piccadilly
London W1V 0AL

 

[Rob_Webb]

Nigel - many thanks once again for your incredibly detailed reply! I have sent you an email as well.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Twister_Ken]

I've never done it so the comments below are just hearsay:

Published draft figures can be optimistic, especially mid summer when water levels drop, and on summit pounds.

Boats draw more in fresh water, so add a few centimetres to your draft.

Max draft is usually in the centre of the canal, and you may not be able to get alongside the bank (for mooring or for collision avoidance).

Canal weed and sea-going raw water intakes don't go well together, so have a routine for regular inspection and cleaning.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Depth at sides

To check the depth near the bank I use a graduated line with a fishing weight on the end suspended from a longish pole.
If it is a tad on the shallow side you can nose in at 45 degrees. I have a couple of fold up grappnels on lightish lines that I can sling onto the bank to ease me in.

Weed in the filter can be a problem, especially when 'they' have been mowing the bank, as is weed round the prop, but more so on the midi.

God - I wish it would stop raining!