Mediterranean through the French canals
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Salty.savage
New Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Many thanks Michael , That's looks great
Many thanks Michael , That's looks great
yachtpilot
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
This has to be one of the longest running threads !
Huge amount of useful info though as the thread is now almost 8 yrs old it would be good to get updates. One aspect that doesn't appear to have been covered in detail is the return trip from the Med. My only experience of the French canals dates back to the late 70s during my days as a professional yacht delivery skipper when I had to bring a 38ft yacht with a 2 mtr draft back from Toulouse through the Midi.. The peniche were still operating back then so I had 2 mtrs of depth mid-stream. When a peniche arrived from the other direction I would gently put the boat off to starboard onto the mud and as his stern wave arrived lifting us off I would hit the power, wheel hard over and slide back into the center of the waterway..
My question now is just how tough is it returning up the Rhone ? I'm in the process of buying a motor boat that will be a long term project of investigating France by boat but eventually I'll be arriving at the southern end and then need to start back north. My guess is that I'll need something capable of 10 knts to make this a practical proposition.. coming back at 7 kts with a 4knt current against me would have me wondering if it might be better to get out and walk.
This has to be one of the longest running threads !
Huge amount of useful info though as the thread is now almost 8 yrs old it would be good to get updates. One aspect that doesn't appear to have been covered in detail is the return trip from the Med. My only experience of the French canals dates back to the late 70s during my days as a professional yacht delivery skipper when I had to bring a 38ft yacht with a 2 mtr draft back from Toulouse through the Midi.. The peniche were still operating back then so I had 2 mtrs of depth mid-stream. When a peniche arrived from the other direction I would gently put the boat off to starboard onto the mud and as his stern wave arrived lifting us off I would hit the power, wheel hard over and slide back into the center of the waterway..
My question now is just how tough is it returning up the Rhone ? I'm in the process of buying a motor boat that will be a long term project of investigating France by boat but eventually I'll be arriving at the southern end and then need to start back north. My guess is that I'll need something capable of 10 knts to make this a practical proposition.. coming back at 7 kts with a 4knt current against me would have me wondering if it might be better to get out and walk.
Old Thady
Well-Known Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Has anyone tried using weights to induce list to reduce draft for canal transits? You'd want to use something like small sandbags that could be fairly easily shifted around the boat.
Would the increased displacement caused by your sandbags negate any benefit from 'canting' the keel?
Would engines be more likely to go wrong with the boat permanently heeled?
Has anyone tried using weights to induce list to reduce draft for canal transits? You'd want to use something like small sandbags that could be fairly easily shifted around the boat.
Would the increased displacement caused by your sandbags negate any benefit from 'canting' the keel?
Would engines be more likely to go wrong with the boat permanently heeled?
jb267
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
No problem at all coming back up the Rhone - as long as you time it right and keep an eye on the water flows.
Try to avoid early season due to melt water from the alps, also peak thunderstorm time in central France.
I went early July and you only get a lot of current against you for very short periods as you go through the man made canal diverts approaching the locks (this is where the flow gets concentrated) and for a short stretch somewhere near Arles.
Maximum I got against was 5 knots, but only for about 1/2 mile. This can be reduced by hugging the bank and going as shallow as possible. I suppose the usual for the trip was between 1 and 2 knots against.
Lots of French people just go for it without worry with the mast and dog on deck and children playing below. Met a happy sailor motoring a 28 footer up with a 6hp outboard. He was happily heading all the way to Calais in 2 weeks and said he had done this several times before.
Just go for it - but do keep a weather eye on the water flow and definately stay in port if the river is high.
No problem at all coming back up the Rhone - as long as you time it right and keep an eye on the water flows.
Try to avoid early season due to melt water from the alps, also peak thunderstorm time in central France.
I went early July and you only get a lot of current against you for very short periods as you go through the man made canal diverts approaching the locks (this is where the flow gets concentrated) and for a short stretch somewhere near Arles.
Maximum I got against was 5 knots, but only for about 1/2 mile. This can be reduced by hugging the bank and going as shallow as possible. I suppose the usual for the trip was between 1 and 2 knots against.
Lots of French people just go for it without worry with the mast and dog on deck and children playing below. Met a happy sailor motoring a 28 footer up with a 6hp outboard. He was happily heading all the way to Calais in 2 weeks and said he had done this several times before.
Just go for it - but do keep a weather eye on the water flow and definately stay in port if the river is high.
yachtpilot
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Thank you for that.. makes a huge difference to the type of boat I thought I'd need..
much appreciated
YP
Thank you for that.. makes a huge difference to the type of boat I thought I'd need..
much appreciated
YP
westernman
Well-Known Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
No idea. But this company has boats in my town close to the Canal du Midi.
http://www.locaboat.com/fr/preparer-votre-sejour/informations-de-bases.html
In particular for where I live:-
http://www.locaboat.com/fr/votre-base-de-depart/lattes.html
A restaurant I frequent overlooks the places in the marina where they park their boats.
No idea. But this company has boats in my town close to the Canal du Midi.
http://www.locaboat.com/fr/preparer-votre-sejour/informations-de-bases.html
In particular for where I live:-
http://www.locaboat.com/fr/votre-base-de-depart/lattes.html
A restaurant I frequent overlooks the places in the marina where they park their boats.
yachtpilot
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Thanks for that.. checked the websites but nothing showing for sale. Out of interest what are you selling ?
Thanks for that.. checked the websites but nothing showing for sale. Out of interest what are you selling ?
westernman
Well-Known Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Sorry, if that was in response to my post, my post was on the wrong thread.
My boat which is for sale, is definitely not suitable for the French canals!
It is the pilot cutter in my icon - 2.5m draft and 20m air draft!
Sorry, if that was in response to my post, my post was on the wrong thread.
My boat which is for sale, is definitely not suitable for the French canals!
It is the pilot cutter in my icon - 2.5m draft and 20m air draft!
yachtpilot
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
One option for those with 1.8 or more draft that I've not seen proposed is to take the deep river route through to Paris or further south then opt for a relatively short truck ride on to Chalon, again on the deep river route. Has anyone any knowledge of that possibility with regard to costs and suitable trucking companies ?
One option for those with 1.8 or more draft that I've not seen proposed is to take the deep river route through to Paris or further south then opt for a relatively short truck ride on to Chalon, again on the deep river route. Has anyone any knowledge of that possibility with regard to costs and suitable trucking companies ?
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
You will find all the information you need from several channel ports down to the Mediterranean in my book 'French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean'... Sold over 2500 copies so far. it's at www.gentlesailing.com
You will find all the information you need from several channel ports down to the Mediterranean in my book 'French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean'... Sold over 2500 copies so far. it's at www.gentlesailing.com
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
When we were heading south a couple of year's ago, we met a German family in a marina just south of Lyons who had given up and arranged for a truck the rest of the way. They had a modern boat with a good engine for a sail boat. We also met a couple further south with a 25 footer And outboard who were waiting for the flow to ease before continuing. My impression is That you need a powerful engine to make good progress northwards.
yachtpilot
Member
Re: French canals - Wikipedia
Yes.. timing may be all important.. Thanks for that.. YP
Yes.. timing may be all important.. Thanks for that.. YP