French Canals

paulrh

paulrh

Active Member
Joined
29 Jan 2009
Messages
60
Location
Lowestoft
www.smallandco.co.uk
Hi
I am thinking of taknig my sealine F330 dowm the french canals to Paris and my be down to the med, I have been trying to find out if other boat owners with fly bridges have done this trip, as what i have read the max air draft is 3.5 m and that is close to what the F330 is.

Any infomation or problems I may look out for would be very helpful

regards
Paul
 
If you are travelling up the Seine you can do it with up to a 5 metre air draft. If you really mean canals then you need to check the particular route in one of the many guide books.
By far the easiest way and also scenic is to use the Seine.

Have you any idea on the route that you are thinking of?
 
Hi jim
I live in Lowestoft and have been told that la havre is the best port to get onto the canal system. I got the F330 last year and since nov its been in one of my work shops, completely serviced and ready to go, apart from the bow thruster which is being installed next week. A mate took his Trader down to the med three years ago but I havent heard from him for a year. i would like to try and get into Calais but not sure if that would be a good idea. If any one can tell me the best and the easy route i would be greatful.
 
Hi Paul,
I brought a Princess 410 from the Med to Southampton via the canals, had to remove the radar arch for the canal section, but otherwise no problem.
 
Capsco

Thank you for that info, sounds like this trip could be happening, just read some links that Goochie passed on to me, how was your trip when reading some of the reports it sounds fraught with danger, locks blocked, sea filters and large barges, etc but on the other hand something to get your teeth into.

thanks

paul
 
we took three weeks off and left from London via queenbourgh, Dover, Calais, get into Canals and back.

There are really good guides in Stanfords, I think you can get them on web or ebay.

Once inside Canals it is very peacdful and slow going..
 
Thank you very much for that, sounds interesting, I did promise the girlfriend a trip to france but think she she had it in her head a flight and 4 star hotel. still never mind its me me me time

regards paul
 
Paul, the trip was great, I do not recall anything that could be called dangerous [except falling into the water], all I would say is do not rush it, allow as much time as you can.
One problem, is that the water level in quite a few of the smaller locks, commes right to the top of the chamber walls, and your fenders will float out, leaving your gelcoat exposed.
 
Thanks again.
Im glad I am having the bow thruster fitted now. so the secret is plenty of fenders high and low. Did you need as been mentioned in some of the links i have read to tie a plank to some fenders. the boat has been in the work shop all winter being polished and legs and engines overhauled so i dont want to damage her to much. fair weather saylor and it ture Ignorance is bliss.

paul
 
Hi Paulrh.
We did the Paris trip over 10 days in 2002.
We was also on our F33 then which we kept at Gillingham on the Medway then.
The route was first to the Hamble to meet the rest of the cruise. Across to le Havre and re-fuel. Into the seine from Le-havre. Next fuel stop was Rouen. Then into the Arsenal Marina @ Paris which is right by the Bastille.
We had no problems with height at all.
There is plenty of places to stop en-route - so don,t rush it like we did in 10 days.
You do need to buy a Vignette to travel on the Seine.
The best charts are "Navicarte 1 - La Seine Aval du Havre a Paris.

Your paperwork needs to be in order for the boat in case you do get asked for it. Don't forget your own "ICC" + Cevni + VHF Certs.

Hope that shines a bit more light for you.

The actual trip is magnificent!!!
 
Tut tut Goochie, you've missed one of the best MoBo blogs, 'Petrolia to Paris', very encouraging.

In addition to the Navicarte guide for the Seine Aval you'll find Featherstone's North France Companion most informative tho' written for raggies.
Don't overlook the new marina on the outskirts of Rouen which opened last year.

I cruised the Seine from Le Havre in September so glad to contribute -do PM for more.
 
Thanks for the infomation splosh and malaprop, this site is very good and i owe everyone who has helped a thank you, its a pity the dry dock i run is far to big for the pleasure market.
I was the trip to paris 10 days total or one way.
I cant wait to get the f330 back into the water, I have to say it was a good job I took her out, not having much history with her when i removed to port leg i put a finger though the rubber belows stbd one was ok but changed the lot. like i said earlier Ignorance is bliss and i little bit of knowlage is danger.
You have made my mind up its a trip that i must do this year
thanks

paul
 
We came up from the Med and had a Princess 415 follow us (I think it was) and he got stuck quite a few times and the boat did get knocked around a lot.

Be prepared for scraping up and down 200+ walls of green, slimy goo with sharp bits. The boat gets filthy and there is plenty of opportunity to get the hull scratched.

Take your old mooring lines as these get knackered pretty quick on the lock walls, get some side skirts made up to put between the hull and the fenders and buy a load of second hand fenders that you can bin after.

Simba stuck under a bridge ...

1759888381_1178600225_o.jpg
 
The trip was 10 days from the Hamble and back to the Hamble.

As other say here, do take a scaffold board to go on the outside of your vertical fenders for some mooring places / locks.
Simply drill a hole at each end of the board and using 2 x pieces of rope you can raise and lower the board as you do your fenders.

Enjoy the trip
 
Hi
Ive done it a couple of times the shortest time 16 days the longest 5 weeks
The trip to paris is fantastic going past the eiffel tower the louvre brill
The canals are ok thou wouldnt do it again very slow and 190 locks from le harve to med
The locks are a bit rough on the boat get a few scratchs
Pm if you want to chat i will give you my no and tell you what I know


regards

Mark
 
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