Mast removal Rouen

[kliever]

Late May 2001(post the YM article) my mast was removed in LeHavre, no problems with the operation, however a delay of 4 days was experienced making lift day fall on a public holiday and me to pay a small amount of overtime.
The owner of a Welsh flagged nauticat decided not to wait and proceeded to Rouen.
He told me later in Paris that the removal posed no problems and that the operation went smoothly.
I wonder if any forumites can remember when the YM article was published and if anyone can update us with the current situation at Rouen.
John R

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[sailorman]

yes i remember it
thats y i posted last week

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[scarlett]

I was warned and glad I contracted a local mobile crane to do it for 850 francs in 1998. Afterwards while I was there some sad Belgian came over to tell me how the local dock workers had broken some fitting on his mast.

If you contract a local he may only speak French. It makes it very difficult to do a tricky job, as he will not be conversant with the nicities of masts. You need to be more conversant than me with the hand signals as the engine noise at his end will stop him hearing your detailed wishes. EG "please lift it and lower it again vertically and 5 mm nearer to the stern".

Wit hindsight, it might be worth doing it at Le Havre. [I didn't as I was wary of being at the sea with the mast on the deck. I'd not done it before. Now I would go to sea with it but choose my day with care. ]


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[Grehan]

Honfleur?

We were rafted up next to a very experienced pair of round-the-worlders at Paris. They had their mast removed at Le Havre. Something got broken in the process, can't quite remember what, not critical but annoying.

Our mast was unstepped at Honfleur. Boatyard through two swing bridges.
Friendly blokes but I'd reiterate all other comments.
They'll use their crane to pick up your mast and lay it on your supports. They won't tell you what to do, in terms of unscrewing your rigging etc etc. That's entirely up to you.
Charged us 90 euros, plus cost of an overnight stay.

However, a couple who had their mast re-stepped at Honfleur at the same time told us Port St Louis where they had entered the waterway world from the Med were highly experienced and professional and wouldn't let the 'clients' get in the way.

Is this others' experience too?



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Grehan ::<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.greyfox.ukhq.co.uk/index_grehan.htm> www.greyfox.ukhq.co.uk</A>

 

[kliever]

Yeah it was the post last week that prompted this. I wanted to know if the YM article was still relevant as I may return later this year(if a new boat materialises in the UK).
If worried about the sea crossing with the mast down you could always use the Tankerville canal.
Before I set off in 2001 advice taken on this forum discouraged the canal route however a year later I met an owner who had recently used the canal on his way to S.France,he had used it several times and said it was the best route.
John.R


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[mikewilkes]

Hi John,
You are obviously off again, but have you considered going into the canals at Calais? We did that in 2001 and enjoyed the run down to Paris - and through to where we met you in Valence. Seemed ok for masts there then.
Mike

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[paulrossall]

I went into Calais 4 years ago and had a very good experience. The harbour master got one of his assistants to work an electric derrick to support the mast whilst we undid all the fittings and he then lowered it onto the boat. Guy could not speak English but had no problem communicating. He took his time and allowed us to do so as well. Cost, including 2 nights berth was less than £25.

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

 

[chasroberts]

I agree with Paulrossall's comments re Calais. A friend we met in Calais last year had his mast restepped there after coming up from the Med. Incredibly cheap and a first class job according to him. Worth considering, depending on where you're sailing from of course.

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