How quick to the Med?

[ChrisE]

I'm a raggie but have a stinkie friend who is contemplating taking his mobo down from the East Coast to the Med through France rather than via Biscay. He has asked me to ask you about how quickly he could make the trip allowing for locks, speed limits, etc. The trip would be in September. Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

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[Swampyhotdog]

I've heard a week is normal. (Haven't done it myself, but that's what I've heard)

SD

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[jfm]

I have not done it but I heard several weeks was normal. My dentist did it over 6 weeks. It is 700ish miles and I doubt you will do 100miles/day (=10knots avarage) thru canals rivers and locks.

Much easier to use a commercial shipping or lorry firm. I have done this twice, and others here (Deleted User and tcm come to mind) have too. Can give more info if needed

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've got a friend who did it in 3 weeks but its vital to check bridge heights and depths on the route you intend to take. Its highly unlikely you could do any route with a flybridge boat
My advice would be to stick it on to a truck and enjoy an extra 3 weeks in the Med

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[ChrisE]

jfm and Deleted User,

Thanks for the trucking advice, that's what I said to him but he's keen to do the trip on the water.

So, anyone done it?

Chris

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[Pelican]

Four to six weeks! Depends on which route is choosen, The Marne route or the Canal du Centre. Then if we have another hot summer like last year one would have to allow for eventual low water levels. Then you have hire boat users which could mean delays at locks, priority way of working barges, speed limits (you can only go so fast on the canals due to wash) and fatigue! One would need a fit crew too. Some years ago I did it on a tsdy via the Marne and it took all of six weeks from London to Nice. We were a crew of four to six. Feeding/watering such numbers takes organisation too!
Best of luck
Pelican

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[itsonlymoney]

Have you noticed that the figure increased on every post. We started at one week now were on four - six weeks. I havent got a clue but I am going to say eight - ten weeks just so the thread carrys on numerically correct.
Ian
ps
Legal clause - Please be advised that the above opinion is not guaranteed to be correct nor has it been based on any fact or knowledge howsoever caused. Neither the writer or any other member will be held liable.



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[jhr]

Someone I know did Poole - Antibes in September about 20 years ago in a 40 ft rag 'n stick. It took him 4 weeks and, drawing 5 ft., he nearly got stuck through lack of water at one point (can't remember where) - bear in mind that September will be the end of a long, hot summer (we hope.....) and water levels will be at their lowest.

He was going as quickly as he could, so for a more leisurely passage I'd suggest 6 weeks. Frankly, I don't think a mobo would be able to complete the passage much faster than a raggie.

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[Col]

I have done Mallorca to Hamble, it took four and a half weeks via canal du Midi. Having said that, I could have done it in a week less if it wasn't for repairs and weather. There again, your friend may have the same problems.

We treated it as a passage making trip, Du Midi is shortest route, and we didn't stop for sight seeing, so 4 weeks is probably realistic.

Holiday makers will slow you down through the locks from now till end of Sept. We did it in March, and were mainly able to go straight through locks without waiting for oncoming traffic etc:

Air draught is about 3.3mtrs, and draught is about 1.8.

PM if you require more info.

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[tcm]

I am en route at the moment, though going the long way to gib, then a ship, and then er back down.

Numerous articles in the mags, most spending at least a month on the trip - any faster and you are just doing a delivery trip. The way t do a fast longtrp is (i am finding out) to go out to sea a long way, on a sailing boat. A neighbour "roulette" did it on an oyster 55 in 3 weeks, of which 10 das at sea, long way again, took 3 weeks. I belive if you really pushed it then 3 weeks is doable.

But (and it´s a big but) there is far more to go wrong on a powerboat, and (even bigger but) if you do a long stint there´s a tendency to phew have a rest at the next port - cos every single leg is about as far as you´ve ever been in one hit. Our legs so far 100 miles, 190 miles, 180 miles, 70 miles, but these are at sea at 25 knots, not bimbling along at singles figures with lock after wait after lock after lock. It would be a heap of a slog doing long runs on successive days so we´ve stayed 2 nights at each stop, still feels far too quick and we´re being lucky with mechanicals.

Finally, regarding going thru france, needs a robust boat for the crucning in canals and locks. I have seen some very bent boats. Alright, perhaps robust not as important as it beingh a bit old and trudgy, cos after 800 miles driving alomng a sewer next to some of europes main highways the boat is gonna look a bit used.



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[ChrisE]

Thanks all, for the info and those who PMed as well.
Chris

perhaps you stinkies aren't quite as bad after all. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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