Off to the Med - Any advice?

[chasroberts]

In common with many others, apparently, my wife and I are about to throw off the bonds and bid Tony and his cronies farewell for a while and head for the Med. We are planning to go through the French canals via Honfleur, Paris et al.
Although we're avidly reading everything we can get our hands on there is no substitute for experience so any help with tips, advice etc would be greatfully received. We own a Southerly which has a draught of under three feet with the keel up and we want to carry our mast with us, unless anyone has a better idea about transporting it which I've heard can be a bit hit and miss?
If we're the last ones out of the UK we promise to turn the lights off!
Many thanks in advance.
Chas+Julie Roberts

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[HenryB]

Have you seen this site

http://www.greyfox.ukhq.co.uk/index_grehan.htm

They have a similar boat and are doing much as you have planned.

Have a good trip

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[MedMan]

Have a look at my website - link below - you may find the odd nugget that is helpful.

Good luck, and enjoy.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtretreat.com>http://www.yachtretreat.com</A>

 

[sailorman]

BE VVVVVVERY CAREFULL IF U TAKE MAST OUT IN ROUEN.
CHECK WHOSE INSURANCE COVERS??????????.
A REPORT IN YACHTING MONTHLY WAS SAD READING.
Have fun & think of the rest of us when u paddle ashore to the beach bar

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[chasroberts]

I found this site yesterday purely by accident. There's no substitute for experience, is there. Will be keeping a close eye on their adventures. Many thanks for the reply.
Chas Roberts

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[Anonymous]

I'm a newcomer to this site myself and agree about the experience of those here. But another benefit here (and in newsgroups) is that all postings are peer-reviewed. If someone says something silly or questionable, people will jump in.

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[johnneale]

Get your mast down in Le Havre - Also you must have Insurance and a CEVNI ticket. Buy your carnet at the VNF office near the marina at Le Havre. Good pilots & charts can be bought in Paris in the Port de Paris Arsenal marina by place de la bastille.
Plan on 5 to 6 days to get to Paris from Le Havre - After that it gets much better

Have fun - we all have.


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[PLEK]

We completed this trip last october and enjoyed it.We took 35 days of which about 22 were travelling and we went through the Marne purely because all others were closed.We are now in Port Napoleon.
Be prepared to do a lot of the work yourself when the mast comes down in Le Havre,they basically provide a crane and you will have to go up the mast and fix slings etc.Also have your mast supports ready.Good fendering is essential and we used 4 ball fenders,8 tubes,4 tyres with boards outside them and were pleased that we did,we had no damage but the fenders were battered.
Also tie your mast down very securely as we had ours knocked off its support in a lock and also saw other boats in difficulties with dislodged masts.Fuel was scarce on the Marne so fill up in Paris if you take that route.That apart we had a good time and met some lovely people on the way.If you want any more detailed info please email me.

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[summerwind]

Slightly off thread I know but is there a canal/river route to the med for a boat drawing 2 metres?

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[bbilly]

Look for posts by Colin_Jones there's a pointer to a web site with detailed log of passing through the canals.

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[Grehan]

Thanks for the signpost towards our site.
Please feel free to email us for any particular pointers.

You'll see from our site that we had some 'interesting' experiences (= some rather worrying) at least up until Rouen.
If your mast is anything like ours, don't discount its weight - bloomin' heavy. We're now in St Jean de Losne, planning to take off again early in April.

good luck
regards

Jim and Ruth Newcombe
"Grehan" Southerly 115

<font color=purple>Grehan ::<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.greyfox.ukhq.co.uk/index_grehan.htm> www.greyfox.ukhq.co.uk

 

[chasroberts]

I'm sure that it's possible but I haven't looked into it in any way. Lots of yachts do the trip and they're not all bilge keelers. Your draught might restrict your choice of routes slightly especially if rainfall is low and the canals are shallower than normal. Why not put it up as query in it's own right? Somebody out there will know the answers.

Good luck and 'a donf!' (go for it!)
Chas

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[chasroberts]

Many thanks Medman. Got that one saved onto my PC and studying at leisure.

Chas

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[Richsquest]

Look up Mediterranean_Liveaboards@yahoo/groups.co.uk lots of interesting pointers and advise

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[PLEK]

There is no route to the med through the canals for a boat drawing 2 metres the maximum is 1.8m in most and 1.5m on the canal du midi.Even these can be tight at certain times.

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[davidbains]

Rich, drawing a blank with that link. Can you confirm it!?

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[MedMan]

Go <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtretreat.com>http://www.yachtretreat.com

 

[LadyInBed]

You could also have a look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kahawi.co.uk/Baker/> here </A>

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[lilianroyle]

We did this two years ago. I wouldn't rush from Rouen to Paris, the Seine is rather attractive. The Port de Plaisances at the Bastille is great but if you are going to stay a while it might be worth making a reservation. We didn't much like the canal de Bourgogne but the locks and Peniches are no problem. The Saone river is beautiful as is Lyon and the Rhone towns like Avignon and Arles. Once in the med I guess it depends on where you go and for how long, but last summer we found July and August unbearably hot. Also costs rocket in high season. Corsica is fantastic, Castel Sardo in North Sardinia a cheap place to leave a boat in Winter but too dull to stay with the boat.

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[chasroberts]

To all who have responded

Many thanks for all the advice and tips. I will take it all under advice and plan accordingly.

Chas Roberts

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