Rhone

[NDG]

Our Contessa has a Yanmar 18 hp engine, and we would like to think about coming back from Med thru the Rhone at the end of this year. I think our 1.65m draught will be too much for the canal du Midi. I am a bit concerned about the flow rate in the Rhone when going upstream. Our cruising speed under engine is only about 4 kts when laden with gear, although we could do 5-6 kts if we push it a bit.

Are we likely to struggle going upstream in the Rhone in September/October time? I don't want to go flat out at a net speed of 1 knot, for obvious reasons!

I know this is sort of question is frequently asked, and I have done a search on it which suggests that the flow rates in late summer may not be too bad. Before deciding whether or not to attempt it, though, I would welcome a teeny bit more info from people who have been there if possible.

Much obliged!



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[Peter_the_Grate]

We considered going south to the Med but abandonned it because of the problems of getting back up the Rhone. There are regulations about speed, if you want to go upstream. If you can't do more than 7 knots you are supposed to get a tow. Try talking to the RYA, they know a surprising amount about the French Canals...

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[tcm]

well, several small Moody etc sailboats come back that way, and in late summer early winter there is usually not a ton of floodwater - spring is the main swoosh with the meltwater all coming down inside a few weeks.

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[LadyInBed]

@4 knots you stand no chance.
@6 you will make it if you do it before the Autumn rain.

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[Neal]

Re: Rhone October 2002

I came through from Pt St Louis to Le Havre in October 2002 (my fourth trip from the Channel to the Med or the other way round).

This time we were in a Carter 33, dratft 1.7 metres, with a Volvo MD7B of 18 hp.

We had no problems at all getting up against the Rhone stream. You see much smaller boats making the trip too eg Contessa 26, Invicta, Westerly Consort, Albin Vega, Folkboats, Sadler 26, Centaur, Contessa 28, Snapdragon 23 etc.

You'll need full throttle in some sections, and it'll feel like progress is really painfully slow at times. Generally, however, the current doesn't exceed 2 knots, and you'll get through at a steady rate.

It took us 27 days (Pt St Louis to Le Havre, and this inculded 2 nights rest at Rouen). We started at dawn every day and stopped at dusk. We still enjoyed the trip immensely, but it would have been good to take around 6 weeks. Remember we were travelling in the autumn, and it was getting dark at around 1630.

It is a wonderful trip. I will definitely do it again, and would not hesitate to make the trip in your fine boat.

Email me if I give any further information.

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[RichardPerou]

I came south down the Rhone in early October four years ago. The river was closed for ten days. It's a boat. Don't make any appointments.

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[kliever]

Shouldn't be frightened off however it would be better to go early rather than later.
Last year I ran aground in the entrance of the canal du midi from the etang du thau with a 1.5m draft.
Mid July last year I made a single handed passage from St. Gilles to Avignon whilst the Mistral was blowing. Good progress was made until joining the Grand Rhone where during one anxious period it took 45min to cover 1km., the 14km to the Ecluse De Beucaire taking 4h 25m, particularly strong currents were encountered at the bridges in Tarascon.
After the lock better progress was made so I decided not to stop at Vallabregues but go another 24km. to Avignon. About 13km. from the city of the popes I took on board a windsurfer who had been overwhelmed by the wind so the last stretch was completed with a passenger and a wind surfboard in tow.
My boat is 30 something ft., steel and fitted with an 18hp engine, comments from others were that I had picked a bad day. It appears that after heavy rain controlled discharges are made by the river system and this is possibly what I hit entering the Grand Rhone.
From my present vantage point at Valence many boats (all shapes and sizes) had been going north last year. I myself are returning south very shortly however have heard through a friend of a friend that earlier this year the pontoons at Avignon had been washed away and the boating community are currently tied up to the town quay.
John R

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[NDG]

Thanks for all the replies. From the general consensus it seems like its worth having a go.

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[mikewilkes]

If you are the John and Mary we met last year send me a pm please. Failing that the last pontoon, the one Claude was on, was the one that went. Pete and Eng were/are still there and are coming down to Barcelona to see us in June.
Mike and Eileen

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