Loopy Suggestions...?

[rustybarge]

Hiya All,
In the states doing 'the loop' is a must do for motor boaters, and has immense bragging rites. Up or down the inter coastal waterway on the East coast, the Hudson, Great Lakes and then the Mississippi....(I think?)

How about a European loop?

would it take in the British Isles and Ireland?
Rhine and Danube or by canal?
Greek Islands?
Haul your boat by road over 'gaps' in the loop or go the long way around?

Really a 'bucket list' once in a lifetime cruise, and what type of boat do you think would be the best?

 

[rustybarge]

Here's the US loop....and the loopy club: http://www.greatloop.org

 

[rustybarge]

How about including Black Sea to the White Sea, is this northern loop through Russia actually possible?

 

[neale]

I'm not sure going through eastern Ukraine would be a good move at this time

 

[rustybarge]

I'm not sure going through eastern Ukraine would be a good move at this time

It could be pretty exciting!

...and what about Chernobyl, that has to be worth a boat visit surely? I hear that the water is totally safe to drink, apparently.

But out more seriously, the Euro loop could make a lovely cruise.

Anyone been on the Rhine or Danube? They look interesting with lots of cities and places to visit.

 

[rustybarge]

I'm based here in the midlands of Ireland on the Shannon, so I could head north to the beautiful lough Ernes and then get a lift to the coast and up through the west coast of Scotland, the great glen to visit Nessy, then head south again to head for the Baltic if the weather was good or by truck, and then the Rhine.


...or head south to Waterford and across via Fastnet, south coast England, France, Belgium, holland and the Rhine....

 

[david_bagshaw]

It could be pretty exciting!

...a
Anyone been on the Rhine or Danube? They look interesting with lots of cities and places to visit.

Rhine is fab along with the moselle. Doubs is very special as well..

 

[rustybarge]

Rhine is fab along with the moselle. Doubs is very special as well..

Those adds on the telly showing Viking cruises look great.

Ive never seen the Rhine, but I do know that there's lots of commercial barges in transit which are gigantic and seem to chug along quite fast; I wouldn't like to be in front of one, it must take ages to stop.

ive been to Austria skiing, and seen Salzburg which is very beautiful place.

I think the Rhine/ Danube could be a very very interesting cruise.

 

[piratos]

A European Loop

How about including Black Sea to the White Sea, is this northern loop through Russia actually possible?

The route from the Baltic to the med is used every year by russian coasters (3000/5000 DWAT) - so its a political question.
Also the route via Lake Onega and Belomorsk Canal to the White sea is possible - and from there via Nordkap and west norway back.

What about the loop via Rhone to the med and back via Biscay.
Or what about Donau to Black Sea and back via.....

Several boats take such extended inland cruises evey year, and only your own imagination is the limit.

 

[rustybarge]

The route from the Baltic to the med is used every year by russian coasters (3000/5000 DWAT) - so its a political question.
Also the route via Lake Onega and Belomorsk Canal to the White sea is possible - and from there via Nordkap and west norway back.

What about the loop via Rhone to the med and back via Biscay.
Or what about Donau to Black Sea and back via.....

Several boats take such extended inland cruises evey year, and only your own imagination is the limit.

I thought that there might be more interest in this idea with the 50% reduction in fuel prices. Most of us have been forced into day trippers, not because we don't like making longer trips, but because of the cost of diesel.

Please excuse these very basic questions:

is the the Rhine a pretty river and worth cruising?
I've heard that the Danube is a fast flowing river, is it easy and safe to navigate?

would you take this route down to the Black Sea/med, or go via the French canals; which is more enjoyable (speed is not important)

 

[Robg71]

The Rhine is always busy with traffic. The Europeans have not forgotton the canals and river networks for industrial traffic unlike the UK.
Some stunning cities on the Rhine, including Cologne. The Gothic Cathedral is something to see in its own right. Its beutiful.
Great nightlife and clean friendly cities.
I spent four years in Germany in Late 80s BAOR.

 

[BruceK]

I thought that there might be more interest in this idea with the 50% reduction in fuel prices. .....

Even with fuel reduction prices this working schleb simply could never get the time off to do such a trip. Sure does look like something I'd aspire to do though.

 

[rustybarge]

The Rhine is always busy with traffic. The Europeans have not forgotton the canals and river networks for industrial traffic unlike the UK.
Some stunning cities on the Rhine, including Cologne. The Gothic Cathedral is something to see in its own right. Its beutiful.
Great nightlife and clean friendly cities.
I spent four years in Germany in Late 80s BAOR.

My son has a German friends and I was surprised to hear how easy going and friendly they are, with a great sense of humor. Love nothing more than going down to the pub for a few pints.

the southern people seem to be very 'folksy' and still love wearing the traditional dress. ( maybe only at beer festivals?)

its an area I've never visited, and I was thinking that a boat trip might might be a very good way of seeing the sights, avoiding staying in horrid soulless hotels.

I'm wondering if you can just tie up to a tree on the bank of the river, or do you have stay in marinas?

 

[rustybarge]

Even with fuel reduction prices this working schleb simply could never get the time off to do such a trip. Sure does look like something I'd aspire to do though.

With Ryair flights being so cheap, it might be possible to leave your boat 'along the way' and return for Friday evening to Monday morning extended weekend jaunts.

cruising for two days at a time you could probably make good progress over a couple of years!

 

[BruceK]

I'll settle for a more manageable 14 day cruise, Ryan Air doesn't float my boat. There is so much to see in our own fair isles I'll console myself with them until then.

 

[rustybarge]

I'll settle for a more manageable 14 day cruise, Ryan Air doesn't float my boat. There is so much to see in our own fair isles I'll console myself with them until then.

The Euro loop has the attraction of the sunny Med as an incentive to get down south.....

whereas around Britain has only Sunny Margate to offer!:ambivalence:

 

[BruceK]

Oh rubbish. Plenty of sunny days here, they're just not as predictable is all.

 

[piratos]

Please excuse these very basic questions:

is the the Rhine a pretty river and worth cruising?
I've heard that the Danube is a fast flowing river, is it easy and safe to navigate?

would you take this route down to the Black Sea/med, or go via the French canals; which is more enjoyable (speed is not important)

Honestly, I have never been cruising on the River Rhine, but I take it for granted there are several beautiful parts of the river, as well as terribly industrial parts.
My boat would not be able to reach the med via the french canals (airdraft) - and I would have to check whether it would be possible via the Rhine/Donau. Personally I am not really interested in the Med. If the time after Putin gives a peaceful Russia, I would rather take the route to Baltic, via Lake Onega and up to the White Sea, then back via West Norway. By the way, 24 hour sunshine in the summer with 20° gives as much sunshine as 12 hours with 40°
You may read a lot of the US boats cruising Pudget Sound, Alaska as the their best of cruising. Norther Europe is as challenging and beautiful - Why dont we do it here ??

 

[rustybarge]

Honestly, I have never been cruising on the River Rhine, but I take it for granted there are several beautiful parts of the river, as well as terribly industrial parts.
My boat would not be able to reach the med via the french canals (airdraft) - and I would have to check whether it would be possible via the Rhine/Donau. Personally I am not really interested in the Med. If the time after Putin gives a peaceful Russia, I would rather take the route to Baltic, via Lake Onega and up to the White Sea, then back via West Norway. By the way, 24 hour sunshine in the summer with 20° gives as much sunshine as 12 hours with 40°
You may read a lot of the US boats cruising Pudget Sound, Alaska as the their best of cruising. Norther Europe is as challenging and beautiful - Why dont we do it here ??

There have been a couple of posts on here about cruising in Scandinavia, it looks totally gorgeous. I was thinking that doing an Euro loop would be a bit like crossing the Atlantic, but for whimps (like me ).

you could go down to the med via the west coast and Gib, then go around in circles taking in Turkey, Greece etc etc. but it's pretty tame and hundreds of thousands of people have done it already. im looking for adventure, (without the danger) or boredom of blue water ocean cruising. Being 100 miles offshore doesn't appeal to me at all; it's just boring old sea like you get on a ferry journey.

Around Britain would be a real adventure, but you would need a serious boat like a Mitchell or Lochin. I'm going to be taking a little sea angling Cat, so long rough sea passages are not on the agenda!

Looking st the Rhine/Danube trip to the eastern Med sounds like a real adventure for getting old quick geezers like me (nearly 60), then back through the med. Total distance about 5 thousand miles.

On a trip like this some iconic places to visit seem to be in the mix; especially by boat! A veritable bucket list bonanza .