French Canals

[gilbertM]

Hah a quick search through the archives but couldn't really find what I wanted.

Looking to take a J105 through the canals to the med next June/July and was looking for some advice:

What's the best route?
How long does it take?
What qualifications are required? (I'm an ocean master but doubt that that would help too much)
Any other tips/advice?

Thanks,

Gilbert.

 

[waterboy]

I suspect that you will find the draft of a J105 to be too much, especially in mid summer. I have never used the canals myself but have concluded that any boat with a draft of more than 1.5 metres is likely to encounter problems.

 

[KevB]

Here's an excellent web site. Will tell you all you need to know.


http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing

 

[gilbertM]

Had a quick look - it looks brilliant - thanks very much,

All other tips greatfully received.

Gilbert.

 

[tillergirl]

Have a look at this:

http://www.home.zonnet.nl/mouringh.marga/index_eng.htm

 

[farquart]

Hi Did the midi on the way down and came back through the centre. We have 1.4m long keel touched the botom a couple of times in the midi. Comming back the cannel du centre was very shallow. navicarte said max depth 1.85 We met boats drawing 1.8m and they touched bottom, but we did come through beginning august. You will need ICC inland waterway endorsement. did the midi in 2.5 weeks 2 months is better. Yachting monthly ran an article on the midi couple of years a go. came back in 6 weeks had 1 week at Paris Arsenal. excellent right in the centre 20 euros a night. If your not in a rush take the seine stop in Paris. 3-4 months is good time for the centre and leave the boat at Port St Louis at the bottom very cheap come back next season start fresh. You will need four mooring lines 20m, as many fenders as possible, a plank for getting ashore when in the cannals, fold up bikes, jerry cans for fuel supermarkets are 20 cents cheaper, fold up trolley to carry every thing, 3 large spikes and a mallet for mooring at night. we got all our kit from boat jumbles. Navicartes are cheaper in France we managed to trade med charts for Navicarte so if you need the full set PM me. we traded for charts and stuff with anything from marmite to English teabags.

 

[LadyInBed]

This is an account of a round trip that I did in 95. I enjoyed it so much that I did it again in 98 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PeterStone]

We came through the centre drawing 1.6m without too many problems but I looked up the draught of a J105 - 1.98m! - rather you than me.

The French authorise a maximum draught of 1.8m and although it is frequently deeper than that there are many places where it's shallower in my experience - especially where there are leaks. It was down to 1.2m for several kilometres on the canal lateral a la Loire between locks 5 and 6 last year due to leaks. We were lucky to get through as we were ploughing mud all the way.

 

[chrisc]

went from amsterdam to med via Meuse, canal de l'est and Rhone ,back via Rhone Mosel ,Rhine with boat of 1.85 M no problems . although any deeper than this might be a problem.t