French Canals

[Martinjub]

I have a motor cruser and I am planning to take it from the UK to Malta. I have 2 options: by sea around the Bay of Biscay or through the French Canals. I would like to hear from anyone to has done either of these trips. I need to decide which route to take, how difficult either may be. Can anyone help.

 

[jimg]

What size motor boat are we talking about?
Air draft and beam make a difference. I guess depth of water is less of a problem?
If you are considering a sea route I guess it is not that small?

 

[skpt]

suggest you do a google search for french canals and you will no doubt get michael bryant and grehan popping up. they are both very informative and often appear on these fora with links to their websites

 

[Skysail]

There is lots of info here:

http://www.michaelbriant.com/uk_to_med_routes.htm

 

[PlanB]

We have done the Biscay route, port hopping all the way (Princess 435). We took five months to get to the Med and had a fantastic time.
Blueglass will doubtless be along shortly, he did the canal route at the same time (Atlantic 39 - I think).
Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

 

[blueglass]

you still haven't said what your boat is. you will need an air draught of less than 3.5 metres and water draught of less than 1.7 or any further discussion is irrelevant and you need to focus on Biscay and talk to plan B

 

[Grehan]

Further information here - http://www.tagweb.co.uk/french-waterways/-medroutes.html and also in the rest of the comprehensive Grehan website. Any particular questions, just ask.