french canal's

[bogart]

french canal\'s

is it possible to navigate from north france, ie english channel to the med, and if possible , what would the maximum allowable draft be.

 

[Guest]

Re: french canal\'s

Max. length 39 metres, max. beam 5.1 metres, max. air draft 3.5 metres, max. draft depends on the route but 1.8 metres at the most.

 

[bogart]

Re: french canal\'s

thank you very much, the_bargee, great info regards

 

[Col]

Re: french canal\'s

Try "cruising French waterways" by Hugh McKnight available to order from your local bookshop ISBN No:0-7136-5005-2
This will give you an insight to various routes and the legal requirments (cevni rules etc
If you are thinking of going soon,the canals are shut for approx 6 wks from beginning of Nov: Details from VNF (Voies navigables de France)++0033 326857595
Happy cruising

 

[bogart]

Re: french canal\'s

thank you col regards

 

[tony_brighton]

Re: french canal\'s

I heard draft depends on what time of year - rain filling canals etc. My draft is 1.35m - what would be a good time?

 

[Guest]

Re: french canal\'s

Just to chip in with some 'local' knowledge, it might be useful to remember that the Canal St-Martin, which cuts through Paris, has now been drained and is undergoing major works. So, forget cruising through the capital for a year or so!

 

[Col]

Re: french canal\'s

Feb -March is flood season on the rivers,best avoided.Certain canals run out of water near summit(Bourgogne?)Try the afore-mentioned book, also Marion Martin has written a couple of books.Don't forget,if your a yotty type,your mast will have to be un-stepped and places that can do this are listed in these books.

 

[bogart]

Re: french canal\'s

explain un-stepped, if you read my profile you will understand why i ask this question, thanks col

 

[Guest]

Re: french canal\'s

Wouldn't think that 1.35m should be a problem any time of year on the more major routes. Canal levels will not vary that much and flooding is more of a problem on the rivers these days than drought.

 

[Col]

Re: french canal\'s

Un stepped-Take your mast down,otherwise you won't get under many bridges.