Mediterranean through the French canals

[Grehan]

We then went around the outside to Honfleur . . .some friends who were dismasting there.

Interesting info. Jim - could I ask a couple of subsidiary questions . . . ?
a) Having had immediate (within days) experience of 'masting' at Le Havre and Honfleur, which would you rate 'best'? Pros and Cons. We've used both (some years apart) but I'd welcome others' comparisons.
b) I wouldn't fancy 'going round the outside', Le Havre and into the Seine, if I was carrying a mast (irrespective of the other mast related comments). But probably ok if not - did you find the experience very 'rolly' or did you use a particularly calm day? How long did it take?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sea Devil]

Interesting info. Jim - could I ask a couple of subsidiary questions . . . ?
a) Having had immediate (within days) experience of 'masting' at Le Havre and Honfleur, which would you rate 'best'? Pros and Cons. We've used both (some years apart) but I'd welcome others' comparisons.
b) I wouldn't fancy 'going round the outside', Le Havre and into the Seine, if I was carrying a mast (irrespective of the other mast related comments). But probably ok if not - did you find the experience very 'rolly' or did you use a particularly calm day? How long did it take?
Thanks in advance.

I did the Tarkenville canal because I did not fancy the 'outside' passage with the mast on deck and had a dreadful time.. It is a very busy commercial canal system with tugs and barges moving at considerable speed. It was a frightening experience which I have never repeated. better to wait a couple of days in Le Havre for calm weather I think.
Michael

 

[Grehan]

The Tancarville Canal is very much a curate's egg. When it's busy it's not that big compared to the size of the big commercial push-tows - e.g liquefied gas tankers and Renault car transporters - that use it and must get pretty hairy. I suspect this traffic and its timing directly relates to the window of opportunity for them to get to the end and through the lock onto the Seine whilst the tide is right. And vice-versa.
On the other hand, if you can take your time and avoid dicing with them all the way along then it's surprisingly quiet and peaceful. We locked through from the Seine with a bunch of commercial vessels. Both the waiting around to get into the lock, and being in the lock, with these big fry was disturbing (literally, they really kick up the lock). Once we had got through we moored and let them get on with it. Our own passage, some time later, and after HW, was actually delightful.
It's all in the timing.

 

[capsco]

Got to agree with Grehan, when I "did" the Tankerville, I did not see another ship[moving] and it was a pleasant passage.

Did not see a lock keeper or a bridge operator either!

 

[IanJackson]

We took our mast on deck. On three cross trestles and well lashed. It was just uder the 3.5 m height restriction and so didn't cause us any difficulties on deck indeed it provided useful handholds and shelter from the sun with a large tarpaulin over it. It is vital to have the cross trestles well lashed. We did have a nasty turn in the Seine halfway to Rouen in a large ship's wake when the original lashings became loose and the mast began to 'move about'. But after resecuring the lashings properly no problem. No problems in locks with strategically placed round fenders and scaffolding planks. Our mast overhung about a metre at the bow and 1.5 astern. ALWAYS use a centre cleat if you have one for mooring in the locks.

Note in 2009 Stephan Reiset quoted approx €1000 to have the mast lifted and taken to Port napoleon and stored (but not raising, I think). It cost us €80 to lift in Honfleur (Frederick Challe) plus €60 for the cross trestles and then €80 to lift back onboard in the Med at Le Grau du Roi (Spano) = €200.

 

[Grehan]

That pretty much matches our own experience regarding de-masting, re-masting and carrying a mast through the French waterways.

You do have to be careful about supports and lashings, it is a bit awkward but you get used to it, it is cheaper to carry it, but it's also undoubtedly more convenient to get it transported. You pays your money . . . .

 

[Barcas]

Low water level

We would like to start our trip this weekend from Dunkerque but I’m afraid with this hot weather and lack of rain that we will have to postpone it or look for another option.
I’m afraid that the water level in the canal between Marne and Saone will be too low.
What do you think?

 

[John_d_Smith]

Water levels

France has had a very wet winter and spring. Where i moor in Valence has had wet weather right up until the last few weeks so i suspect the levels wont be too affected but all will become clearer as you get further south.

 

[charles_reed]

Though I have a lift keel, I'm glad I did the scenic route round Iberia.

Lots more interest and slightly quicker than the (thoroughly boring) canal route which most seem to choose.

 

[Grehan]

(thoroughly boring)

This view is, of course, completely mistaken.

 

[osmanaktuna]

French canal

Next year I would like to do same way with a Wibo 930 from La Havre to Med. Thanks for all info.

Osman

 

[nimbusgb]

We are going to do the uphill route at some stage and I have been thinking about trailering the mast across France. On reflection however it seems like the perfect opportunity to refurbish the stick and paint it white as I have been wanting to.

If/When we go I think keeping it aboard will be the way I go.

 

[magdalena]

Too deep

Please may I add one further question to this thread?

We draw 1.9m, so much of the canal system is closed to us.

Does anyone have experience of travelling up the Saone, lifting out and being transported by lorry over the "shallow" bit, and being put back in on the upper reaches of the Seine?

Is this a viable idea?

Are there facilities to be lifted at the right places?

Regards,

Robin

 

[Grehan]

Lifting out on the Saone would best be done at Saint Jean de Losne, at Blanquart's yard just through the Canal de Bourgogne lock. They have a crane and lift out many boats. Contact David Blanquart.
Lifting back in . . . hmmm . . . you'll need to contact one of the harbour marinas downstream from Paris. For example Port Saint Louis near Villennes or Port de l'ilon at Mericourt. Details on the Grehan website.
For boat transport we have used Augizeau/Altéad - after some research - and they were fine, very professional.

The last question would be - re-masting (what's your air height?). Boils down to Honfleur or Le Havre, with Honfleur probably the easiest. Again, info on the website, including about mast transport.

 

[John_d_Smith]

Avoiding the middle bit

Following on from Grehans post about lifting out at St Jean, you could get taken to Migennes and be craned in at Joe Parfitts yard although id get a price first. From Migennes its river all the way and should be no problem with depth. If i remeber right theres a boatyard at Sens which could also crane you in.

 

[Grehan]

Malheuresement

The River Yonne (Migennes and Sens) is 1.8m T.E (draft) . .

 

[MrCramp]

Following on from Grehans post about lifting out at St Jean, you could get taken to Migennes and be craned in at Joe Parfitts yard although id get a price first. .

"I'd get a price first."

Yes I agree with that. But I would do that at any yard.

I was very pleased with the French engineer there who did a job for me.

 

[binch]

Dunkerque southward

I Have spent the last two winters in the Douai-Cambrai-Pont l'Eveque region, and I would advise you to think hard before taking the Canal du Nord Route.
In the last two years the larger Dutch fast barges have become a pest on the Canal du Nord and their numbers are increasing. They occupy a whole lock so that it is impossible to share with them.
Through Douai, the locks have two chambers and waiting time is reasonable. It is at Arleux that problems arise.
There is heavy big barge traffic coming from Douai, and more coming from Belgium via La Sensee grand gabarit.
These two main routes meet at Arleux and the congestion there is serious, and there are no good waiting places. (There is a plaisance mooring right on the junction at the NE end, away from the lock, and out of sight.) Given the absolute priority of barge traffic, your only chance is to share a lock with a smaller commerce. If you are lucky enough to get such an offer, and we have known pleasure boats wait there for 3 days, then you have to keep up with your chum because all the locks are now single chamber. If you want to stop the night en route before the tunnel you may have a job restarting as the lock traffic will be geared to the through traffic, and you will be unpopular.
The voyage down the Can de St Quentin takes longer, is more pleasant, and you can stop when you need to. The tunnel at Riqueval is no problem. At the bottom of this canal you turn right for Pont l'Eveque and the Oise to Paris
Before you get to P l'Eveque you can turn left and proceed direct to the south, Berry-auBac and Reims, and then on to the Marne a la Saone. This will be the more relaxing way and you have the advantage of fuel being available at Cambrai. (where I am at present moored.
Why do I prefer the Marne-Saone? I find it a lot less trouble, less hire boats, and I can avoid the Paris area and a longish plug against the stream. Also, one is sooner on to the Saone with a fair current and fuel at St Jean-de-losne. After that you go south like soot from a goose all the way.
Anyway Bon voyage.

 

[Grehan]

Thanks for that. Very useful.

 

[binch]

canals

Grendan, you maintain a good advice service to traversers. Where are you based?
I am stuck at Cambrai for some time for medical reasons and we get the gossip. if you have any need of some local Pas de Calais info you could e-mail me, seago @blueyonder.co.uk.
I am increasingly concerned about the arrogance of the new generation of big Dutch cargo carriers. There has been a polemic correspondence in the DBA about this.
in addition they travel very fast, do not rallentare for the little wave sign, nor for speed limits. I have seen children fishing on the bank washed into the canal.
By contrast the French and Belgian barges are considerablu better mannered.
Are you aware of any developments (arrete de navigation) on the Canal de Vosge?