I have a green light to go.......

[dunedin]

I don't think you need to do any course to get an ICC. You just need to pass an assessment - which can be done in an afternoon on your own boat, if I recall correctly (or at least it was with me).
I did a brief swat up on the boring stuff like lights and day marks beforehand for the knowledge tests

ICC should not be a showstopper

 

[Seajet]

This is pretty much what I've heard, CEVNI is not too onerous - I know someone who'd never been on a boat in his life and within a season was a ' pilot ' ( skipper ) of a 38metre hotel barge.

As for ICC my ex Father in law had one for charters in the Med', his only experience was sailing dinghies, almost completely on reservoirs; you are Sir Robin Knox Johnson compared to these people !

 

[VicS]

OK come across my first stumbling block. Seems that France requires me to proove I know what I'm doing in the way of and ICC, never had to show one in the past. Obviously obtainable from the RYA, but you have to produce proof in way of a certificate for one of their courses.
Now for sailing I've been doing it since a young age. I'm still here now and still sailing but, I've never taken any courses. I have certificates for power, it reduced insurance costs for the 8 year period I had a motor cruiser. Legacy of having a wife that didn't "do" sailing!!

So, basically need to get a min of Day Skipper to get the ICC. Any suggestions as to who offer courses at a reasonable cost? I don't really want "frills", just do the course and get a bit of paper. Obviouslt this will have a "coastal" endorsment, yet for CEVNI, they say am "inland" endorsment is required. Does that mean 2 course?

Why do the canal bit.

A few years ago i knew a guy who sailed a Sea Wych One year from Shoreham to the Isles of Scilly and the Bishop Rock and back.

The following year a good way up the east coast and back.

The year after that round Britain .

And then the next year out to the Med, round the outside, Stayed there for the winter and came back partly though the canals.
Apart from the Channel crossings I don't believe he ever sailed more than 30 miles at a time and certainly not in bad weather and very little at night.

Sadly drowned in Spanish marina a few years later.

 

[Sailingsaves]

As said, you can do an IIC assessment on your boat in a day for £40.
This chap does them near me:
http://www.yachtwise.org/marconi-members-area.html

Hopefullly you can find one near you too.

OK come across my first stumbling block. Seems that France requires me to proove I know what I'm doing in the way of and ICC, never had to show one in the past. Obviously obtainable from the RYA, but you have to produce proof in way of a certificate for one of their courses.
Now for sailing I've been doing it since a young age. I'm still here now and still sailing but, I've never taken any courses. I have certificates for power, it reduced insurance costs for the 8 year period I had a motor cruiser. Legacy of having a wife that didn't "do" sailing!!

So, basically need to get a min of Day Skipper to get the ICC. Any suggestions as to who offer courses at a reasonable cost? I don't really want "frills", just do the course and get a bit of paper. Obviouslt this will have a "coastal" endorsment, yet for CEVNI, they say am "inland" endorsment is required. Does that mean 2 course?

 

[Daydream believer]

It is a seed of an idea at the moment. Things at home and things marital are not good. I could, with the funds in the bank, up and go knowing that the mortgage etc would be taken care of, plus she earns a decent wage anyway.

Just a thought but:-
Do you not think it would be better if you faced up to life & pulled your finger out & dealt with working at the marital bit first instead of just grabbing the cash & abandoning the other half to sort out the finances, mortgages etc

 

[Aquarella]

I've been through the canals from the Baltic to the Med through 5 countries 3 times and nobody asked for a cevni or ICC. It's a wonderful trip whichever way you go. You need a handheld VHF to call the lock keepers. I can't speek french but learned to say: lock name - boat name- going upwards please or going downwards please. I never understood the answers I got but It was never a problem I just said Merci. You have to buy a vignette at the first lock you pass. The price of this is dependent on how many days you will be under way in the french canals, you don't pay for the days you are not on the move. Check vnf.fr for info.
You'll need extra jerry cans for fuel as tankstations are few and far between. A folding bike on deck is a great help to get to the nearest Lidl for cheap provisions.
Make sure you have a good insurance.
Just go for it, it'll be the best thing you ever did. Good luck!

 

[born2sail61]

Just a thought but:-
Do you not think it would be better if you faced up to life & pulled your finger out & dealt with working at the marital bit first instead of just grabbing the cash & abandoning the other half to sort out the finances, mortgages etc

i'm (as far as i can tell from what op has said) in a very similar situation. We are trying to get through it,but tbh it feels like we're just delaying inevitable.the bad days outnumber the good and compromises get harder and harder to achieve. Sometimes the spark just dies.....

 

[Seajet]

born2sail61,

I'm sorry to hear that.

After settling immediate finances mutually and hopefully avoiding acrimony, maybe a spell away on the boat might work as a trial separation and lifestyle taster ?

 

[born2sail61]

born2sail61,

I'm sorry to hear that.

After settling immediate finances mutually and hopefully avoiding acrimony, maybe a spell away on the boat might work as a trial separation and lifestyle taster ?

i have seriously contemplated that on numerous occasions but in all honesty,finances prevent it. I'm the major earner but on low wages though full time.we're in rented house and if i go,even temporarily,she'd lose the house through inability to pay rent.i also have 19yo daughter still at home who has to be considered.despite our major differences i'd find it very hard to walk away and leave them both in the brown smelly stuff! For my sanity i spend what time i can on board,but then i risk incurring her wrath and the cycle of arguments begin again.i truly feel a prisoner of circumstances,but hey ho,gotta keep smiling!!!

 

[BarryH]

Just a thought but:-
Do you not think it would be better if you faced up to life & pulled your finger out & dealt with working at the marital bit first instead of just grabbing the cash & abandoning the other half to sort out the finances, mortgages etc

With respect you know very little, apart from what I have mentioned, about my personal circumstances. This is not the place to air ones dirty laundry. It doesn't matter what the reason for me planning this trip. I asked, and got, some very good advice and pointers. Thats all thats required really. I don't see how you telling me to "pull my finger out" and sort out my home life is really any business of yours.

Peace out

 

[TQA]

Tyres as fenders is frowned on, so have plenty of good sized yottie ones, and a plank.

Go cart ones work well on a small boat. Get some kiddie stretch tops ar sleeves.

The rias of Spain are great cruising as is the Gulf of Morbihan,

 

[Seajet]

I think the point you and I are getting at is, tyres as fenders are unpopular as if they fall off / get dislodged somehow, the tyres can jam lock gates open which involves a lot of hassle and expense, not to mention danger to divers and delays to punters, to sort out.

I've heard that tyres with well fitting covers are let by, but why risk it ?

 

[Daydream believer]

i'm (as far as i can tell from what op has said) in a very similar situation. We are trying to get through it,but tbh it feels like we're just delaying inevitable.the bad days outnumber the good and compromises get harder and harder to achieve. Sometimes the spark just dies.....

I can understand that but can you imagine being unhappy & just going away. it does not solve the problems.
It sounds as if the OP wants to just desert his job & the other half & dump her with work & mortgages etc
I suspect that if he goes away on that basis he will be unhappy for most of the time & when he gets back the other half will not be standing on the pontoon with open arms saying " welcome back,- by the way I worked extra overtime every week & all the bills are paid whilst you went swanning off"

Things have to be sorted first because it can be lonely in a far off land with dwindling cash reserves & the knowledge you have to go back to work - which you currently hate- when you get back.

Life on the ocean waves is not all it is cracked up to be if you have not got your life in order first. For a start all friends get left behind & those you make on route are not really friends but people in the same situation or better , most of whom just want to brag about their " retired lifestyle"
By all means go on a long vacation but the aims have to be established first & you need a settled mind ready for the return

 

[Seajet]

I can understand that but can you imagine being unhappy & just going away. it does not solve the problems.
It sounds as if the OP wants to just desert his job & the other half & dump her with work & mortgages etc
I suspect that if he goes away on that basis he will be unhappy for most of the time & when he gets back the other half will not be standing on the pontoon with open arms saying " welcome back,- by the way I worked extra overtime every week & all the bills are paid whilst you went swanning off"

Things have to be sorted first because it can be lonely in a far off land with dwindling cash reserves & the knowledge you have to go back to work - which you currently hate- when you get back.

Life on the ocean waves is not all it is cracked up to be if you have not got your life in order first. For a start all friends get left behind & those you make on route are not really friends but people in the same situation or better , most of whom just want to brag about their " retired lifestyle"
By all means go on a long vacation but the aims have to be established first & you need a settled mind ready for the return

I agree with the gist of what you are saying, it would be miserable and lonely thinking about a relationship, if it were me I'd probably get on the first aircraft or ferry back; and get a door slammed in my face for my trouble ! Been there done that.

It may be a small point, but the fellow boat owners I met on the French Canals were how I like to think liveaboards are, they would help out with any problem boat wise if humanly possible and quite probably lend a shoulder for emotional snags too.

On hearing about the ties at home though I suppose short distance sailing as an escape and plan forming aid seems the only way, quite possibly with external advice like ' Relate ' ?

Hope it sorts out and happiness ensues.

 

[born2sail61]

despite all our issues/differences i couldn't just up and sail away.never been the sort to dump on people like that,though i've been on recieving end before! At the moment things are ok,for how long who knows? Walking away from 30 years of having someone there for you and to share problems with would not be easy(even if she is one of problems!).i did the 'for better or worse bit' with open eyes and i am committed to that.as long as i have the boat/shed/refuge i can get through things. Everyone néds a bit of time out/me time and the boat is mine.

 

[Nicholas123]

Barry's plan did strike me as that of the escapist.Not saying that he should'nt dump a wife that dos'nt make him happy but running away dos'nt solve the problems God knows I have done that often enough!The misery just goes with you.
My advice would be to get a decent wife before leaving on the trip.(my two pennyworth).

 

[longjohnsilver]

Barry's plan did strike me as that of the escapist.Not saying that he should'nt dump a wife that dos'nt make him happy but running away dos'nt solve the problems God knows I have done that often enough!The misery just goes with you.
My advice would be to get a decent wife before leaving on the trip.(my two pennyworth).

The problem with commenting on barryH's situation is that we have no idea what his actual situation is, and, therefore any comment made is pretty meaningless, however well intentioned it may be. His question is about the boating practicalities of his plan and it seems he's received some good advice regarding that.

 

[Nicholas123]

The problem with commenting on barryH's situation is that we have no idea what his actual situation is,

Yes we do,he said his marriage is breaking up.Post number 22

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes we do,he said his marriage is breaking up.Post number 22

So you know the reasons for the breakup, what they might have been through over the years, their personal financial situation, etc etc?

No, I thought not. My point is that unless you are intimately acquainted with Barry and his situation, then speculation is unlikely to help.

 

[ronmarson]

Can we please stop trying to Psychoanalyse him and start giving him answers to the sailing questions.
If he wanted help with his relationship he would have posted on a different site.
Capt. RoN