french canals

[ericflint]

What is the best book/map/chart to work through the canal system in France. Is it best to take the mast with you or have it transported by road (i have only heard of this option, never seen details). Is it worth going up the Seine or enter at Calais.
Any experiences or advise welomed. We will be going next year.
We are going down in October to try and find a good but quiet marina not too far from Perpignan that will be a good home for a 26 ft Westerly Griffon.

All comments apreciated.

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[Col]

I find the guide vagnon de tourisme fluvial the best. you can read them left to right & right to left much better than navicarte IMHO. Also comes in triple language format (English / French / German)

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[dk]

Eric
I think the Navicartes are unbeatable as they tell you metre by metre what to expect around the next bend.
Do yourself a favour - have the mast transported by road. Having a long pole precariously balanced on sticks and overhanging 4ft each end, with expensive nav lights etc point at the concrete walls does nothing for your stress levels - the locks will take enough concentration without worrying about your mast as well.
I think going up the Seine and stopping over in the heart of Paris is a treat not to be missed!

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[tony_brighton]

who are you using to get your mast transported and what do they charge?

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[ericflint]

Re: mast transport in france

Thanks for the info on guides through the canals. I am really interested in the option of transporting the mast.
Where do they start and finish, how much. Does the cost include un-stepping and stepping the mast?
Any contacts please.



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[Guest]

At the risk

of mentioning the dreaded BYM, the best person to consult on this matter is in fact the woman who runs that Board, Marian Martin, who is accepted to be one of the experts on inland waterways of Europe. I have a couple of her books - The European Waterways, a manual for first time users, and The RYA book of Euroregs for inland waterways.she can be found at : http://www.boatsyachtsmarinas.com/
sure she'd help you with advice.

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[Pelican]

Some 20 years ago I brought a 42 foot tsdy to Port St. Louis which took some 6/8 weeks from London to Nice. We entered the canal system at Calais and came thru the very lovely Canal du Nord, entered the Seine north of Paris - spent awhile in Paris and then continued thru the canal lateral de la Marne followed by the Saone to Lyon and the Rhone to the Med. We departed in April and the reason we did not join the canal system on the Seine was due to the river being in flood and despite some 400hp it was a hard shove against the current. We used the official French canal guides as well as Michelin road maps. Had no problems and lots of fun if not hard work on the many locks north of Lyon. We encountered quite a few sail boats with masts overhanging fore and aft and on many occasions the shouting between usually husband/wife crew was shocking on account of the turbulence in some locks and subsequence mast bashing against the walls. Expensive fun!
There are companies who will transport your mast Calais/port St Louis but I understand it is quite expensive, and unfortunately I cannot supply you with any addresses. Bon voyage!
Pelican

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[Neal]

I've been through 5 times now.

As others mention, the Navicarte guides are excellent.

I would always choose to take my mast with me, rather than having it transported: its cheaper, I always know where it is, it's useful for rigging up a sunshade cover, and the overhangs can reduce the risk of damaging your pulpit or pushpit.

Make sure its VERY securely tied down, including fore and aft 'springs' to prevent any possible longitudinal movement. Remove tricolour, anchor light, windex, vhf antenna etc and pad the step and top.

Have fun - its a wonderful trip that I'll definitely be doing again.

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[ericflint]

No luck so far on the contact for mast transport. Any advice/contacts??

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