hurkur
New member
We are planning a trip through French canals next April and trying to find out about dismasting costs and transporting mast down to Port St Louis. Has anyone got any info on this please?
Getting mast down in LeHavre and transportation
- Thread starter hurkur
- Start date
farquart
Member
We had our mast re-stepped at Honfleur in Sep 2005, I think it was about 100 euros. There is a guy in the outer marina with a crane.
Sea Devil
Well-known member
You can use the 'club' crane in Le Havre. If you want to get it transported to St Louis have a quick look at my web site under canals - several of the larger French haulage companies who specialise in boats are listed there...
I have always carried mine on deck but friends have used the lorry solution and been pleased
Michael
I have always carried mine on deck but friends have used the lorry solution and been pleased
Michael
Hoolie
Well-known member
Earlier this year I was quoted 58 euros by the Capitainerie at Le Havre for lifting the mast, including half an hour of crane driver time! It's spelled out in their booklet of tariffs.
alandee
New member
Hi. We did the trip last year. The mast was taken down in Le Havre by Stephan Reiset of Chantier Naval Havre & Manche. The marina and port cranes were unavailable due to repairs and silting. He will need a few days notice as he does three or four boat masts at a time which are transported to Pt Napoleon on a flat bed truck. His price includes taking the mast off by crane, wrapping in bubble wrap, storage at Le Havre, transport and storage for as long as you need at the other end. Most of the cost is in the transport. Be prepared for a long days work on your own boat and helping others. We were charged 1100 euros for a 36 foot boat. Putting the mast up at the other end was an extra 100 euros. You can talk to him on 06 19 46 46 23 or fax on 02 35 24 44 18. I hope this is of help. P.S. When wrapping the mast DO NOT put any tape on the mast only on the bubble wrap as in the hot sun you will never get the residue off.
jerryat
Active member
Strewth!! At those prices I'm glad we've taken our mast with us on our trips through the canals. Luckily we've had absolutely no problems at all. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
hurkur
New member
Thanks for everyone's input so far - very interesting, and thanks alandee for the prices and phone numbers. We thought it was going to be pricey, and have considered taking the mast with us but a bit concerned about the overhang: 9 ft in all. Also wondered if it might affect mooring at overnight stops along the canals making life difficult aboard.
jerryat
Active member
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for everyone's input so far - very interesting, and thanks alandee for the prices and phone numbers. We thought it was going to be pricey, and have considered taking the mast with us but a bit concerned about the overhang: 9 ft in all. Also wondered if it might affect mooring at overnight stops along the canals making life difficult aboard.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well we have an overhang of 8 feet at the bow and about 5 feet at the stern, but experienced no problems on our trips, just had to be a bit careful if being crammed into a lock with other boats close ahead.
Unless you are intent on using the 'marinas' on the canals (very few and far between) you will have no difficulty in finding LOADS of space to moor. Our problem was more one of getting close enough to the bank/wall and the mast had, of course, nothing to do with that.
I'd save the not inconsiderable sum on transport and take your mast with you. Just strip as much of the rigging as you can and, preferably, the spreaders, to make moving round the boat easier, and off you go. Three friends/aquaintances of ours had damage of varying degrees done when their masts were transported by road,and whilst the risk of this seems to be much reduced these days, in simply isn't worth either the worry or the cost IOHO.
Thanks for everyone's input so far - very interesting, and thanks alandee for the prices and phone numbers. We thought it was going to be pricey, and have considered taking the mast with us but a bit concerned about the overhang: 9 ft in all. Also wondered if it might affect mooring at overnight stops along the canals making life difficult aboard.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well we have an overhang of 8 feet at the bow and about 5 feet at the stern, but experienced no problems on our trips, just had to be a bit careful if being crammed into a lock with other boats close ahead.
Unless you are intent on using the 'marinas' on the canals (very few and far between) you will have no difficulty in finding LOADS of space to moor. Our problem was more one of getting close enough to the bank/wall and the mast had, of course, nothing to do with that.
I'd save the not inconsiderable sum on transport and take your mast with you. Just strip as much of the rigging as you can and, preferably, the spreaders, to make moving round the boat easier, and off you go. Three friends/aquaintances of ours had damage of varying degrees done when their masts were transported by road,and whilst the risk of this seems to be much reduced these days, in simply isn't worth either the worry or the cost IOHO.
scarlett
New member
Panteanius [sic] said that if I didn't carry my mast on my deck ie I had it transported and stored, it would not be insured.
I was also surprised that my insurance dropped by just a couple of pounds a month when I moved from sailing in the Med to drifting in the canals.
But they know best.
I was also surprised that my insurance dropped by just a couple of pounds a month when I moved from sailing in the Med to drifting in the canals.
But they know best.
BrendanS
Well-known member
The cost of replacing your boat doesn't decrease, just the odds of them paying out.
chamac
Member
We carried ours on deck. One day I was in the capitanerie in Port Napoleon there was a guy organising to truck his mast to Le Havre. They were quoting him €600. That was 2006. Demasting was €100 doing all the work yourself. The crane drivers have a desperate attitude problem.