Unstepping masts at Le Havre

[HelloSailors]

Hi. Does anybody have any advice on unstepping masts at le havre, ready for the canals? Are there possible companies to consider? I feel like I’ve hit some kind of wall trying to find anything!
many thanks

 

[HelloSailors]

… or I’ve heard Rouen is a good bet too. Could we still get to Rouen with the mast still up? What is the point they would have to come down?

many thanks
- total newbie to France.

 

[mattonthesea]

I'd be happier with mast up to Rouen just because I know how the boat manoeuvres that way and there are no lines and wires hanging around. It's a serious run up the river with plenty of commercial traffic keeping their speed on order to keep steerage.
Not difficult but the less distraction the better.

 

[edsailing]

Big ships go up to Rouen....your mast would be no problem.

 

[Hoolie]

Some years ago we had our mast unstepped against the quay in the Le Havre marina as at the time there were no suitable facilities at Rouen. The Seine estuary can be very choppy and challenging for a sailing boat with the mast off so we were relieved to have calm conditions following the tidal flow up the river. I certainly would agree that Rouen is your best bet as apart from anything else you will appreciate the normal handling of your boat going upstream!

 

[HelloSailors]

Thank you all! Much appreciated

 

[MontyMariner]

Do it at Rouen. They are very helpful and good facilities.
Useful sites:
Page d'accueil - Port de plaisance de Rouen
Sommaire 1
French Waterways in Detail //Lower + Tidal Seine (Seine Aval)

 

[Sea Hustler]

I have been looking for a thread that is not from the 1970s on this subject and this one appears the latest I can find. I have a question, next year 2024 we plan to take our boat across to France and explore the canals. We are very familiar with the country having toured for over 20 years by motorbike and sports car. Now moving on to adventures new, we have bought a 24ft motor sailer and plan to continue exploring on water. I don't really have a great desire to 'do the Med' too many people, too many boats and too expensive. We like getting away from people so the canals look really inviting. I can find lots of information about unstepping the mast and transporting it down to the Med but that is not what we plan. My intention is to de-mast, leave it in storage and return to pick it up again at the end of the trip. Does anyone have an idea of cost for unstepping and storing rather than transporting. I cant find anything on any site for this option.

 

[MontyMariner]

Does anyone have an idea of cost for unstepping and storing rather than transporting.

Contact Rouen marina (see #7) and ask.

 

[Sea Hustler]

Thanks