Seawater boat into fresh water canals

[Guest]

We have a Fairline Targa 33, 10 years old that has spent all its time in seawater, apart from laying up ashore. Next year, when we leave Malta we are planning to spend time on the French canals on our way to the UK. Does any one have practical experience or knowledge of any problems that I may experience when using the boat for an extended period in fresh water? The local shipyard guru is full of gloom and doom of taking a boat from salt to fresh water.

 

[Guest]

What problems does he forsee? Apart from running aground and other such difficulties it shouldn't cause the boat any problems, if anything it will help flush the salt from the engines and kill any fouling on the hull.

 

[Guest]

Re: French canals

The main problem, IMHO, is the more commercial nature of fr canals. Expect large metal barges alongside etc, so get lots of ancient horrid fenders all around the boat, all the time, and tyres.

 

[Guest]

The only changes which come to mind are slight differences in the anodes and anti fouling but these are applicable only to vessels spending most of their lives in fresh/salt and certainly are of a bit of a 'nit picking' nature. Certainly no cause for doom and gloom. Have a good trip.

 

[Guest]

Not a problem at all. You'll love it.

Things to bear in mind are,

Given that fresh water is less dense than salt water, the boat will sit slightly lower in the water - maybe an inch.

The anti-fouling you currently have is fine against salt water fouling, but will find it hard to reject fresh water fouling, although the amount is very small.

Ensure you have the CEVNI regs all understood, and that you've passed the test. You can't use the French canals & rivers if you haven't.

In the same vein, check you have all your boat's paperwork with you.

Know the speed limits and don't even think of breaking them!

Finally, given the engines will be at very low power for long periods, I sometimes run on one engine at a time at more throttle, just to try to prevent what's called 'bore glazing' - a hard build up of residue within the cylinder that can happen if engines are run at low power for extended periods.

End of the first epistle - have huge fun.

Piers

 

[Guest]

What problems does your Guu foresee? Boats using the Thames have no problems.

 

[Guest]

Change your anodes from zinc to magnesium. zinc is inadequate for prolonged freshwater use and magnesium is used too quickly in sea water. They are a standard Volvo part.

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Please dont put any tyres on.

It's against the regs because they can jam lock mechanisms. The pragmatic French are unlikely to tell you to remove them but, if one of yours falls off and jams a lock they wont hesitate to present you with the diver's bill. I met someone it happened to.

Dont worry about barges either, they can be very useful mooring places - so long as you ask first. Also bargees know what they are doing. The biggest 'traffic' problem you'll have, on the more touristic canals, is hirers who've never been behind a wheel until that morning.

Dont worry about fresh water, just take it slowly and enjoy it. Some people have set out for the Med and never got there, because they found canal cruising so rewarding.

 

[Guest]

Re: Please dont put any tyres on.

Thanks for responding and your advice