Trailering a SSR boat across to Brittany and back.

[Muddy32]

I plan to tow my boat on its trailer across to Brittany and use it, April to june this season.
What beaurocracy is needed, other than Insurance, and where does it happen?

 

[Muddy32]

Using Brittany Ferries Plymouth Roscoff.

 

[Plum]

I plan to tow my boat on its trailer across to Brittany and use it, April to june this season.
What beaurocracy is needed, other than Insurance, and where does it happen?

If over 750kg gross you need to register your trailer to take it to most EU countries. The rules on this were updated in August 2025. Register your trailer to take it abroad

 

[coveman]

I think load width limits are different in the EU - worth checking.

 

[dunedin]

If over 750kg gross you need to register your trailer to take it to most EU countries. The rules on this were updated in August 2025. Register your trailer to take it abroad

Interesting wasn’t aware of this. But is this only able to be done for modern trailers with VIN and weight plates ?

You need:

• the name of the trailer manufacturer
• the trailer type - for example, box trailer, container trailer, horsebox or caravan
• the trailer’s vehicle identification number (VIN) (usually 17 characters) or chassis number - this is usually on a metal plate fitted to the trailer or stamped into the chassis
• the gross and unladen weight of the trailer

RYA are a very good source on towing boats from UK to Europe - especially RIBs as they take so many coaching RIBs back and forth.
In Les Sables d’Olonne at a dinghy European Championship the French issued warnings for any coaching RIBs which were not displaying an ensign. Some countries had their flags printed on outboard covers to act as an ensign.

 

[TSB240]

I can give you some feedback having actually done this with a 2.8m wide lift keeler on a trailer I built myself.

Are you insured for France as your UK insurance may not cover check and get an e mail which you can print and keep with your boat documents.

If you are towing legally in the UK you meet all the needs from Roscoff to Brittany.

Remember your boat is a load not a trailer.

Many get caught up in trailer weights and widths when they are just totally irrelevent.
Your load must be attached properly and extremities correctly marked.. Your trailer and hitch must be capable of carrying the load.

But.....
I would recommend that if you are fully legal you actually CAN SEE past your load with your wing mirrors....
You need big extensions on these to see down the side of your load EVEN IF YOU TOW WITH A 4*4

Add side marker lights to your load to give yourself and others an indication of your width. Quite usefull on narrower roads and in the dark!

Add a rear marker light to any overhang at the rear greater than the tail lights on the trailer. Eg MAST or Rudder

We launched at Foleau in freshwater on river Villaine a short trip from Roscoff. Roads are way better than UK
Slip launch was free, you can get a lift in at cost if you prefer not to soak wheel bearings.
Parking and security on site was free for our holiday duration.
Slip launch was a doddle but I used a 4*4 with a front towbar and an extension drawbar avoiding bits of string.

Boat requirements taken
SSR and Ensign.(have Breton and French visitor flags)
VHF license boat and operator.
Insurance
Proof of vat/purchase in UK

Documents checked
All of above when boarded by customs in Sauzon who thought we had sailed across channel!
Passports.

Remember your Gilet Jeaune and drink driving test

NB at Roscoff on return we were put in lane with all the caravans. We had to get the load through width restriction posts that were only mm wider than the load. We then were put in a lane with the trucks!

4 weeks cruising River Villaine, Morbihan, Hoat, Hoedic and Belle Isle. If you need more info PM .

I am hoping to return this year but new boat is much too big!
Sailing rather than driving from North Wales will take a lot longer.

 

[dunedin]

I can give you some feedback having actually done this with a 2.8m wide lift keeler on a trailer I built myself.

Are you insured for France as your UK insurance may not cover check and get an e mail which you can print and keep with your boat documents.

If you are towing legally in the UK you meet all the needs from Roscoff to Brittany.

Remember your boat is a load not a trailer.

Many get caught up in trailer weights and widths when they are just totally irrelevent.
Your load must be attached properly and extremities correctly marked.. Your trailer and hitch must be capable of carrying the load.

But.....
I would recommend that if you are fully legal you actually CAN SEE past your load with your wing mirrors....
You need big extensions on these to see down the side of your load EVEN IF YOU TOW WITH A 4*4

Add side marker lights to your load to give yourself and others an indication of your width. Quite usefull on narrower roads and in the dark!

Add a rear marker light to any overhang at the rear greater than the tail lights on the trailer. Eg MAST or Rudder

We launched at Foleau in freshwater on river Villaine a short trip from Roscoff. Roads are way better than UK
Slip launch was free, you can get a lift in at cost if you prefer not to soak wheel bearings.
Parking and security on site was free for our holiday duration.
Slip launch was a doddle but I used a 4*4 with a front towbar and an extension drawbar avoiding bits of string.

Boat requirements taken
SSR and Ensign.(have Breton and French visitor flags)
VHF license boat and operator.
Insurance
Proof of vat/purchase in UK

Documents checked
All of above when boarded by customs in Sauzon who thought we had sailed across channel!
Passports.

Remember your Gilet Jeaune and drink driving test

NB at Roscoff on return we were put in lane with all the caravans. We had to get the load through width restriction posts that were only mm wider than the load. We then were put in a lane with the trucks!

4 weeks cruising River Villaine, Morbihan, Hoat, Hoedic and Belle Isle. If you need more info PM .

I am hoping to return this year but new boat is much too big!
Sailing rather than driving from North Wales will take a lot longer.

How up to date is your experience quoted above?

For example I believe the drink driving test kit rules were changed in 2020, so no longer required.
And the rules Plum referred to in post #3 I think he said changed in 2025.

So is your guidance still valid?

 

[Plum]

Interesting wasn’t aware of this. But is this only able to be done for modern trailers with VIN and weight plates ?

I can find nothing that says that older or DIY trailers without a VIN plate are exempt from the August 2025 rule about trailers taken to the EU needing to be registered, but I expect you can think of a workaround!

 

[st599]

The RYA guidance also used to say the lighting bar had to be beyond the end of the boat and attached to the trailer, not the load.

 

[TSB240]

Apologies all

Seems like the op needs to register his trailer first.(£)

Good luck If it is old or home built as IVA is probably required(£s)!
Wouldn't surprise me if a vin number and mot is next?

Hope the rest of my post is of use!

Glad I am sailing there.
Oh bxxxxr Do I need an ICC before I go to France?

 

[MontyMariner]

Glad I am sailing there.
Oh bxxxxr Do I need an ICC before I go to France?

You can sail to France without any paper qualifications but I was told that trailing a boat there you should have an ICC as it is sometimes requested by a launch site operator. I don't know if that is dependant on engine size.

 

[Jim@sea]

I towed a boat 8 meter Cabin Cruiser back from Roscoff. Brittany Ferries mislead me. I booked it in advance and was told that I could arrive early and be loaded first. That did not happen, I was the first vehicle to arrive in their loading car park. I was parked there for over 5 hours waiting to be loaded. My car and boat was the last vehicle to be loaded. I had the feeling that trucks had priority and if there had been no more room we would have to get the next ferry.

Even though I lived near St Malo, I chose Roscoff as the Ferry arrives first thing in the morning and as I had to tow over 250 miles I was doing it in daylight whereas the St Malo ferry arrives in the evening so it would have been a night time tow.

If you ever use St Malo you should be aware that 4 times a year their departures are brought forward by over an hour due to tides.,, I was moving furniture and arrived at St Malo in time to be booked in, only to see the back of the ferry disappearing in the distance, I had to drive to Cherbourg to catch a later ferry.

 

[TSB240]

You can sail to France without any paper qualifications but I was told that trailing a boat there you should have an ICC as it is sometimes requested by a launch site operator. I don't know if that is dependant on engine size.

That is because any Rib or Boat with more than 10hp power needs an ICC for power.

Nobody interested in this level of detail at Foleau! I wonder how many sailing boats are carrying ribs with upwards of 10hp? 15 seems to be the norm now.

 

[MontyMariner]

I wonder how many sailing boats are carrying ribs with upwards of 10hp? 15 seems to be the norm now.

I did comment that it might be size dependent.
I'm a bit confused by your comment above. Is it a typo
Another thought has struck me. Launching into canals/rivers controlled by VNF an ICC is required to navigate them. Launching into the Villaine or Rance an ICC is not required to navigate them as they are not controlled by VNF, but that's nothing to do with engine size rules.