French canals.

Allan

Allan

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During my recent thread "A quicker get away" (I am extremely gratefull to all those who contributed!) someone mentioned Spain as being a good source of cheap boats. If I were to find one down there and decide to bring it back via the canals can anyone give me any ideas on what I would need? For instance, if no holding tank, would I need to have the sea toilet sealed and use a porta potti for the trip?
Thanks again for your help on the previous thread, it could be life changing!
Allan
 
There are no requirements for sewage holding tanks on european canals just use normal toilet (preferably not in a Harbour)biggest problem seems to be carrying fuel although with a 100 litre tank and two 10 litre cans I have never had a problem. biggest problem is if you go up the Saone through central france in the central area the fuel gets more difficult to find. This depends on what boat you buy
most sailing boats are too deep for the Canal du Midi (variously stated at 1.4M and 1.5M deep).It is possible to take a 1.8M through the Rhone- Saone -canal d la est south and north through to north sea (i know I have done it)there are realy no major problems but you must have a reasonable motor for the first part up the Rhone ( with 4 knts against you for three or four short streches)it costs about 100 pounds in canal fees from the north sea to med.A very pleasant trip and one not to be rushed.
 
We draw 1.4 metres and got through the Canal du Midi in May last year, just. Grounded fairly heavily twice, once in a lock. We then failed to get into the Med at Port la Nouvelle where the depth was less than 1 metre. Returned all the way back up and emerged at Agde instead.

At that time we had no holding tank, since remedied.
 
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..."A quicker get away"...

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...does not involve holding tanks. Spanish buckets cost very small money and come in any colour, as long as it's blue (the coloured ones are brittle don't buy them).
 
Thank-you for your input so far. I'm not sure if the lack of need for a holding tank is a good thing or not! It must focus your mind not falling overboard!
Apart from the ships papers is there anything else required? In particular I have heard about the need for licenses in some countries. I sailed for 3 years off the Normandy coast and was never asked, but I'm concerned the canals are different.
Any other tips from people who have done it would be useful. Allan
 
Hi Allan
Did the canals from north to south last year they are nothing to worry about you will need a CEVNI inland waterways certificate to be legal (14 easy multiple choice questions that can be done in loads of places inthe UK) but nobody checked mine and I know people who have done it without and a VNF boat disc which you can buy along the way - our 36ft moody cost about 200 quid if you draw more than about 1.5 meters you will touch bottom but as it is mainly mud this isnt a problem(WE MANAGED FINE WITH A 1.72 METER DRAUGHT).
you certainly dont need to go to the expence of holing tanks but a hand held VHF is useful for locks.fuel is no problem if you keep a couple of gerry cans stocked. The most important piece of advice would be to take your time and enjoy, it is a fantastic journey !

www.sailingbambola.com
 
Yes, you do need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) WITH the 'CEVNI' endorsement. (a simple enough extra paper test on the canal regs). I believe you are fairly likely to be asked for these. As others have mentioned you must also buy your VNF 'vignette' (canal dues) and carry registration docs and VAT status docs.

Vic
 
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...I'm not sure if the lack of need for a holding tank is a good thing or not! It must focus your mind not falling overboard!

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Going overboard isn't something to be relished but may be unavoidable. I had to do it to clear a plastic mesh sack that was wrapped around the prop. I had to dive under the boat several times before the task was completed. I wore a face mask initially in the mistaken belief that I'd be able to see what I was doing but that was pointless - the water is far too murky.

The odd thing about the water is its taste - extremely bitter. A finding that was later confirmed by my wife who managed to fall in but that's another story.

Incidentally, we met an English family who swam in the canals every day!

As far as papers are concerned, we have been asked occasionally for our cert of registration but never for the ICC. We met a few people who had unregistered boats and, when asked by lock officials, said that the documents were being processed and not available at that time - which seemed to satisfy them.
 
Many thanks again. I have my RYA Dayskipper theory and I will look out for somewhere locally to take the CEVNI. That way if I'm asked I have something to hand over. Do you think that (and the ships papers) will be OK?
Allan
 
Allan

I believe you need Day Skipper practical, which gives you an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) which is then endorsed with the CEVNI for inland waterways.
 
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...this might be a good get out clause for your insurance company.

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Agreed, and who knows how heavy and how many will be the books that are thrown at you by the French should you be involved in an accident. You might get away without an ICC but why build in that stress?

Incidentally, I saw Bambola on the pontoon at Tournus last year whilst visiting some Dutch friends who were tied up at the quay. She looked thoroughly impressive, festooned with all the usual clobber that you see on all the best dressed liveaboards. I took a picture of her that Michael Briant subsequently put on his website.
 
I would endorse posting about going slow and enjoying canals. Swimming in rivers very enjoyable(Saone for example). And make sure have good access to cooling water intake filter as it will often get blocked in canals. We reduced blockage by turning off engine inside locks where stuff often accumulates.
 
The point about filter blockage is well made. We found this to be the biggest problem where our draught was concerned. Running aground necessitates using revs to get off, which stirs up the leaves on the bottom and allows them to be sucked into the coolant inlet. This happened every time we grounded, which was many, even with only 1.4 metres.
 
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