WE'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

[Guest]

WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Our Broom passed its survey and it's ours - so we'll be away by mid-end April. Very excited - just thought I'd share it!! Anyway, I'll go back to work now.......

 

[tony_brighton]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

where are you going away to?

 

[Guest]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Congratulations, exciting isn't it!

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

C'mon now, dont give us half a tale!

Where are you going?
Whats the boat like?
How long are you going for?
Anything else we should know?

 

[Guest]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Hello all - she's a 12m Broom Monarch called Weecherie, 3 berths, 2 baths, nice and roomy. Tom (hubbie) and I are going away mid-end April across channel, through French canals/rivers, popping out in Med, turning left for Southern France, then Italy (can we get through Italy on canals/rivers rather than going around?), Croatia, Greece, then maybe northern Africa home... we're complete novices and we haven't really got a clue! - we've never been on a boat on our own, but we've both done our ICC with a skipper, passed our radio course and I did a first aid course last week. We're hoping to be away for a year - depends on how much diesel we burn and how much we can syphon off big boats ;-) It's very scary and very exciting! Any hints and tips gratefully received! Mx

 

[tcm]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Hurrah!

Get some big tyres (as fenders) for the frenc canals to fend off steel barges, and a bicycle cos some of the places are miles from food.

If the boat can take a generator, it's a good idea. You'll get more practical use from that than radar or too-fancy chart plotters whih together might cost about the same. Genrators mean you can stay out of the hot marinas (hidden from the wind) into nice airy and cheapy anchorages, and plug in 240 creature comforts like a fan, a decent fridge, proper lights and so on. You also need a dinghy of some description, and a spare (decent anchor sowhen at anchor the boat stays pointing into the waves.

There is ONE visitor berth in Cassis on the south of framce, ideal for your boat and a fab spot. Be there before lunchtime to make sure of it!

Whatever you do, you'll have a fab time.

 

[cynthia]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Good for you. Enjoy every minute!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Tyres

A good idea, try to get ones with a nylon rather than the usual steel re-inforcement, won't leave rust stains.

 

[chrisc]

Re: Tyres

If you put tyres on the side of your boat on french canal
they must include inflatable inner tube ,this is a specific law.
due to the fact that there were too many dropping of and sinking to bottom.
and filling canal (well reducing draft by at least 220mm)

 

[tamise]

Re: WE\'VE GOT A BOAT NOW!!

Congratulations!
It's a good idea to wrap the tyres in white tape to avoid having black marks on the GRP.
Have you planned a route through France yet? You will find that the bridges on some routes will be too low for your Broom Monarch.
Bon voyage

 

[Guest]

Do not use tyres as fenders in French locks!!!!

Tyres can sink in the lock and cause paddles (sluices) and gates to jam. Use normal inflatable fenders. You do not need to festoon your boat with fenders, planks and so on: just take the locks nice and gently, there is no need to rush at them. After the first 100 you'll feel confident. And above all don't worry about big steel barges: they are almost invariably well handled, very predictable due to their size and weight, and as long as you respect their size and status you should have no problems. Have a good trip!