transport of masts in france

[briananddoreen]

I posted on both liveaboard and scuttlebutt forums recently, about taking my masts from Calais to the Med via road transport and asking for addresses ,phone numbers or web sites and I still have no information as to any firms who do this.
As we are fast aproaching 70 I dont fancy either my wife or myself ducking under two masts and booms when tying up or in locks.
Somebody must know something, could that someone please help?
Thanks in anticipation.

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[Talbot]

my starting point would be to ask your local mast manufacturer who he uses/recommends, or a company that specialises in boat transport to see if they have any trips planned in the right direction, that you could add your masts/boom too.

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[simonfraser]

Hi,

according to a recent PBO article you should ask the harbour master of the port you use to start your journey down the locks.

Simon

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[Steve Clayton]

This might help.

http://www.sailingourdream.co.uk/contents.htm

In the "Marina" section there is information on mast unstepping and shipping



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[PeterStone]

Im not sure you need to worry too much about ducking under the mast in locks - you do need to tend only one side of the boat at a time. We carry our mast fairly high on a cradle so that we can stand upright beneath it in the cockpit and I can honestly say that the mast doesn't get in the way. In fact it provides a conveneint support for an awning. We did remove the spreaders though, as they obstruct the side decks. We are currently overwintering in Paris, having entered the system at Calais last year.

If you do decide to carry your own mast be sure to construct a very rigid cradle that holds the mast securely. It can get pretty rough, on the Seine in particular, with vessels moving fast and creating a considerable wash. I spoke to a couple who had had their cradle made for them professionally in Le Havre but they felt that they were in danger of losing the mast on a few occasions. I certainly beefed up the construction of mine en route.

I realise you are probably set on having your mast transported and it's obviously your choice but don't be put off the idea of taking it yourself. My wife and I encountered several problems on the canals, mostly relating to negotiating locks and depth of water. The mast, however, was the least of our worries.







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[caledonia]

The web address for "sailing our dream"did not open for me. Could you check it please?

 

[Sea Devil]

This French company who speak English and have a web site will transport your mast for you from anywhere to anywhere quite economically

AUGIZEAU TRANSPORTS
Tél : 02 51 55 54 07
Fax : 02 51 54 30 11
E-mail : augizeau@altead.com
http://www.augizeau.com This site is in English and French - Probably the largest boat transporters in France/Europe.
AUGIZEAU TRANSPORTS
LE FENOUILLER
B.P. 667

It is normally not a hassle to have your mast(s) on deck and do a bit of ducking but certainly it makes it even more comfortable - I have just completed a canal round trip in my Prout 33 - with mast on deck - Pix and log on my web site under canals or Eloise diary..