Mudisox
Well-known member
Well it was a thought.
And what were the authorities' views/ actions?
And what were the authorities' views/ actions?
Has anyone been and stayed on french canals?
- Thread starter Mudisox
- Start date
Ningaloo
Well-known member
Do you mean permanently / live aboard?
I went from Bordeaux to Toulouse several years ago. Very enjoyable.
I went from Bordeaux to Toulouse several years ago. Very enjoyable.
cherod
Well-known member
there have been a few youtube vis recently , they seem to enjoy it , mostly .
NealB
Well-known member
Jos and I have taken several boats through from Calais to Port St Louis (and/ or vice versa).
We've taken a very relaxed 6 weeks(ish) each way, and always really loved it.
A twin engined Comanche would be perfect.
Though Ningaloo (post #2) asks a possible vital question ......
We've taken a very relaxed 6 weeks(ish) each way, and always really loved it.
A twin engined Comanche would be perfect.
Though Ningaloo (post #2) asks a possible vital question ......
Mudisox
Well-known member
I really wanted to find out the current situation. We've been in the canals quite a lot in the past, especially Brittany and have been offered a free mooring at Arzal/ Roche Bernard.
reefknot
New member
Twin props are No No
NealB
Well-known member
Thanks: I'm intrigued!
We saw loads and loads of TSDYs on our travels.
They didn't seem to be experiencing any particular problems.
Indeed, their easy manoeurvrability, especially in locks, often looked very 'handy'.
Are the props perhaps more vulnerable to grounding damage, or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?
nortada
Well-known member
Why are twin props a No No and what is the maximum beam?
Mudisox
Well-known member
I've been quite happy, with no problems with twin props, and 4.2m beam on a 1m draft boat. Running on one engine needs a little more skill and attention aiming at locks and needing to remain out of gear until in the lock itself.
reefknot
New member
Having lived on the French canals for a few years on a barge. Boats such as Catamarans were always having difficulty because of sloping banks.
Laminar Flow
Well-known member
Same goes for twin keel designs for the same reason.
boyblue
New member
If you look on the Dutch Barge Ass. forum, there are many blogs of folk living in the EU on their barges, narrow boats, dutch steel motor cruisers and replica dutch barges, most with single screw.
With a twin screw boat in narrow French canals, moving to the side to let a laden barge pass, the starboard screw will most likely be spinning in mud and shingle as the canals are shallow towards the edges. Dutch canals are much wider and normally deeper.
There is no restriction for EU members (us Brits) living on boats anywhere in the EU until December 31st, then I expect we will be limited to 90 days in 180 or hopefully 180 in 365 without a visa. Some live all the time, summer and winter, some only the warm months and boy does it get warm, 40+ degrees. Many books on the subject including author Keith Harris with his entertaining series of four books.
With a twin screw boat in narrow French canals, moving to the side to let a laden barge pass, the starboard screw will most likely be spinning in mud and shingle as the canals are shallow towards the edges. Dutch canals are much wider and normally deeper.
There is no restriction for EU members (us Brits) living on boats anywhere in the EU until December 31st, then I expect we will be limited to 90 days in 180 or hopefully 180 in 365 without a visa. Some live all the time, summer and winter, some only the warm months and boy does it get warm, 40+ degrees. Many books on the subject including author Keith Harris with his entertaining series of four books.
Grehan
Well-known member
We've been living on, and exploring, the canals and rivers since 2003. 10,000+ km so far. What d'you want to know?
cherod
Well-known member
hi ,, what is the minimum draft st malo to marsailles please ( need 1.6 min )
sailaboutvic
Well-known member
If it's any help we did port St. Louis to Calais in 2008 in 1.6 draft , we did touch a few times but only soft mud and it was late Oct so there wasn't much water about I think it was because they where lowing it at the time .
Grehan
Well-known member
That passage is not possible - using the waterways.
There isn't a connection between the Breton network (St Malo) and the rest (i.e. Calais to Paris to the Med).
Navigation Information | Canal Routes to the Mediterranean
There isn't a connection between the Breton network (St Malo) and the rest (i.e. Calais to Paris to the Med).
Navigation Information | Canal Routes to the Mediterranean
cherod
Well-known member
Thank you , i really meant from the Med to anywhere along the english channel . Any ideas ?
Grehan
Well-known member
Follow the link I gave - one of hundreds of pages of free detailed information about travelling the rivers and canals of France -
As Vic says, you should be ok drawing 1.6m but you are heading towards the limit (1.8m max) and I'd recommend the Marne-Saone option rather than the Bourgogne canal or the Loire canals.
As Vic says, you should be ok drawing 1.6m but you are heading towards the limit (1.8m max) and I'd recommend the Marne-Saone option rather than the Bourgogne canal or the Loire canals.
cherod
Well-known member
Thank you very much ?