owning/living on peniches

[lilianroyle]

Ive been thinking about buying a peniche or large dutch barge, around 25 meters, and I had some questions about regs. For instance what kind of certificate do you need to navigate one of these. What is the fuel consumption like. What is the 15 meter rule on the french waterways. are there particular rules for particular lengths. We have a sailing boat which Im not thinking of selling so we are thinking of a peniche as more like a moveable permanent home rather than a boat for travelling around on. Is there anyone who could answer a few preliminary questions or put me onto some appropriate sites. Thanks

 

[robind]

How about a Google search for the butch barge association DBA? members find themseves all over the European canal systems. I would be very surprised if none could help you.

 

[Grehan]

The D B A - "dutch barge" association (although more than just dutch barges) is a very good organisation and a great source of practical information.
Check out http://www.barges.org/
Although not a peniche owner, I have driven something similar in quasi dutch barge size - I believe you need to take various competence tests, which is only right since these craft are quite big - but great to live aboard and not - hugely - difficult to control . Well, in France, which is what I know about.

As for the <u> Butch </u> Barge Association, well . . . .

 

[Sea Devil]

I think the site you want to visit is http://www.h2ofrance.com/
These people are in Losne France and well worth a drive/fly to see. They always have several 'liveaboard' barges in their marina and there is another boat yard of really big barges - Peniche just round the corner. H2O is an English company and the biggest of it's type in Europe I think.

There are a couple of 'schools' in France run by English people who will get you a Peniche driving licence in a week I think... There are literally hundreds for sale in France of all shapes and sizes. In the UK the problem is finding a permanent berth for one but that problem exists to some extent throughout Europe. Much easier to find places outside of the UK.
If you intend travelling by barge - peniche then there is no problem in finding stopping places through out France or the Netherlands.

Michael