Getting a Grand Banks 36' from Southern France to Northern Europe

[rolf.nielsen]

Hi all,

We are looking at a Grand Banks 36' Europa located in Southern France. Since we live in Denmark, we figure(d) that we would buy the boat in France and make the journey home an experience in itself. To our surprise, however, it turns out that the rivers especially in Central France are too small for the GB - her air draft with collapsed mast is 4m and that rules out all but the largest rivers. According to maps we can make it up the Rhone to Lyon or a bit further to Chalon-sur-Saone, but the canals from there are limited to 3.5m height which means we can't reach the Rhine which would otherwise bring us the rest of the way to North Europe.

We have asked a reputed yacht road transport company for a quote for moving her over land from Lyon to Basel, but they say they can't do the road transport given the boat's height (draft of ~1.2m + air draft of ~4m = total height from keel to fly with collapsed mast of ~5.2m).

Sailing her all the way around Spain and across the Biscay is not an option as we don't have the time. I'd really rather not even consider having her sailed by a crew.

Did I miss any obvious alternatives in terms of rivers through France and/or does anybody know of road corridors and companies that are able to move a boat of the size indicated such that we can get her to Northern Europe? Any advice and tips are appreciated!

 

[Jegs]

Can you take 0.7 metres off the air draught by removing the mast?

John G

 

[rustybarge]

Isn't the draft restriction 1.5mtrs on the french canals.........add a few tons of ballast, concrete blocks are cheap and easy to load into the bilges.

 

[Frankie-H]

Seems to me that you have 3 choices :

Round the outside

Angle grinder round the wheelhouse under the fly bridge

Buy one in Denmark

 

[Spi D]

Hi Rolf,

I did the same calculations and reached a conclusion: No go.

Ended up buying a boat in the UK, transporting in by road via Harwich/Esbjerg to Sealand, Denmark. It went on trailer, unaccompanied on the ferry, and was picked up by a Danish transporter in Esbjerg. On this height was no issue.
Alternatives via road through Europe proved not viable due to costs concerning special routes, police escorts etc.

You need to calculate the total cost - a low price on the boat alone doesn't justify the deal. Boats from Sweden or Germany should be considered.

If you do not have time for the whole trip yourself it might be a solution to take it as long as you can and get a crew to do the rest.

 

[Wino]

A few years ago saw a boat with same problem at Chalon sur Saone. The owner had calculated it would be much cheaper to remove fly bridge - in his case he had this delivered by road - and then motor the boat the rest of way via canal/river.
When I saw him he was very busy in both removing the control wires etc and securely taping up those controls he could not take off.
I was subsequently told he had no real problems and every thing had been replaced much easier than he thought and that he and his lady had enjoyed the trip.

 

[TimBennet]

The owner had calculated it would be much cheaper to remove fly bridge - in his case he had this delivered by road - and then motor the boat the rest of way via canal/river.

Yes, cutting the fly bridge might seem drastic, but shouldn't be too daunting (or expensive). It was probably moulded separately anyway!

Find someone who will do the restoration of it in Denmark and then take them down to the boat to do the cutting. That way they'll do it how they want and will have 100% ownership of the task.

 

[TamT]

No need to "cut" off the fly bridge. I think you will find it is built to be removable. (although not a 5 minute job) It certainly is on my Grand Banks classic 36. The details for removal are in the maintenance and operation manuals.

Colin

 

[david_bagshaw]

Road transport from rhone to near Toul in france and then down the moselle & Rhine?

 

[Grehan]

Toul might be the answer. Lowest bridge on the Moselle 4.40m
But I'd concur about the flybridge - road transportation cost would pay for an awful lot of removal and reinstatement even if this was tricky.

 

[Mudisox]

? Up the Danube, and down the Rhine, although Black sea bit is a little precarious at present. Length of time either clockwise or anti clockwise should be about equal, and similar in terms of fuel costs.

 

[rustybarge]

? Up the Danube, and down the Rhine, although Black sea bit is a little precarious at present. Length of time either clockwise or anti clockwise should be about equal, and similar in terms of fuel costs.

not sure if it's true, but there's a current of about 5 kts on the Danube even in the summer, but should not be a problem for a S/D boat.

 

[Colvic Watson]

? Up the Danube, and down the Rhine, although Black sea bit is a little precarious at present. Length of time either clockwise or anti clockwise should be about equal, and similar in terms of fuel costs.

Freind did it from Monaco to Amsterdam via the Danube/Rhine route.

 

[Grehan]

. . Monaco to Amsterdam via the Danube/Rhine route . .

I am seriously envious ! I Hope it went as well as I dream it could. Is there a blog?

 

[rolf.nielsen]

Thanks for the many tips - I've been asking transport companies and now have 3 workable options:

1: Truck from La Grande Motte to Cherbourg. This is possible with the height of the GB '36 without removing the fly. Price around eur 6,000.
2: On deck of container ship from Valencia to Felixstowe. Price around eur 6,000.
3: Yacht transport ship from Genoa to Ijmuiden. Price around eur 10,500.

I've been warned against messing with the flybridge - it's possible but can be complicated I'm told (by the Danish importer of GB - he should know?).

So, it is actually possible and the first two options are within a reasonable budget when buying a boat that anyway costs eur 150,000+.

Cheers