What do I need to be able to tow a boat to France and use it when I get there ?

[MuckyDucky]

Im fairly new to boating, so would appreciate any help.

My parents live in Brittany and we go to see them often..

I bought a regal 1800 lsr and wondered what I would need to have to get it over there on a trailer and to use it either close to coast or on rivers...

Many thank.

 

[Tranona]

Suggest you look on the RYA site under taking your boat abroad.

 

[rafiki_]

+1. You might also have a look at Gov.UK on advice on towing.

 

[landlockedpirate]

The Regal is legal to tow in France, assuming its within your cars limits. Its relatively small so shouldn't be a problem. Euro tunnel is easier to access, especially if tide is at extremes on the ferry loading ramps.

If you are going to use it on the coast you need to have it UK flagged (SSR or Part 3 registration is fine) and thats about it. If you are going to use it inland you will also need a helmsman certificate such as a ICC with inland endorsement. I would also suggest you have at least 3rd party insurance.

Towing in France is easy, have a great time.

 

[MuckyDucky]

The Regal is legal to tow in France, assuming its within your cars limits. Its relatively small so shouldn't be a problem. Euro tunnel is easier to access, especially if tide is at extremes on the ferry loading ramps.

If you are going to use it on the coast you need to have it UK flagged (SSR or Part 3 registration is fine) and thats about it. If you are going to use it inland you will also need a helmsman certificate such as a ICC with inland endorsement. I would also suggest you have at least 3rd party insurance.

Towing in France is easy, have a great time.

Many thanks guys... Much appreciated... I think I need to look into the SSR Part 3... Looking forward to getting over there now !!!

 

[TSB240]

The Regal is legal to tow in France, assuming its within your cars limits. Its relatively small so shouldn't be a problem. Euro tunnel is easier to access, especially if tide is at extremes on the ferry loading ramps.

If you are going to use it on the coast you need to have it UK flagged (SSR or Part 3 registration is fine) and thats about it. If you are going to use it inland you will also need a helmsman certificate such as a ICC with inland endorsement. I would also suggest you have at least 3rd party insurance.

Towing in France is easy, have a great time.

If it has an engine of over 6hp you will need to have an ICC power minimum also.......

Cue a very long argument

I am towing a 24 foot trailer sailer there on wednesday...

Trust me I have done the research.....

 

[MuckyDucky]

If it has an engine of over 6hp you will need to have an ICC power minimum also.......

Cue a very long argument

I am towing a 24 foot trailer sailer there on wednesday...

Trust me I have done the research.....

Ah right... 3.0L volvo penta sx @ 135hp I think... so will have to look into that .... Just completed the SSR pt3 online though, so on my way !!!

 

[Solitaire]

If you are going to use it on the coast you need to have it UK flagged (SSR or Part 3 registration is fine) and thats about it. If you are going to use it inland you will also need a helmsman certificate such as a ICC with inland endorsement. I would also suggest you have at least 3rd party insurance.

Towing in France is easy, have a great time.

For a boat of the OP's size he would be best served doing the Powerboat Level 2 course which would then entitle him to apply for the ICC up to 10 meters.

 

[stelican]

Im fairly new to boating, so would appreciate any help.

My parents live in Brittany and we go to see them often..

I bought a regal 1800 lsr and wondered what I would need to have to get it over there on a trailer and to use it either close to coast or on rivers...

Many thank.

Hi
Done this trip several times, are you going to the south coast of Brittany and where from?

 

[Jim@sea]

I was very annoyed at Brittany Ferries when I was bringing my 24ft Boat back.
I had booked the crossing from Roscoff to Plymouth, an overnight ferry.
They emailed me saying that I could board 2 hours early. 6 pm instead of 8 pm.
So I turned up at 4pm and waited.
6 pm I go through the check in and wait again. And they park me with the trucks.
Still sitting there at 11pm and was the last vehicle to be loaded on.
Had the feeling that if they could not have squeezed me on they would have put me back to the following day.
And whats the point of emailing me to say I could load early.

PS. Every blue moon (once a year) The Ferry from St Malo goes 2 hours earlier than the stated time as on Spring Tides if low water is around when the Ferry goes it cant get out, so leaves early. Yes I did miss it and had to catch a later Ferry from Cherbourg.

 

[MuckyDucky]

Hi Stelican,

Finisterre region... round about Quimper area, so got lots to go at in terms of launch areas... probably looking for something around the Quiberon or Crozon area to launch.... Driving down from Leeds.

 

[MuckyDucky]

Hi Jim@Sea,

yeah, I wondered about the boarding, they seem to throw all the vanners on with the trucks too...

Have don the Plymouth Roscoff ferry 30 or 40 times now, and they have always been really good, but only usually had a car and bike rack on the back (which I have to say, I have never ticked the option to tell them you have a bike rack and never been charged for it when we get there .... saves £10 or so....).

Dropped a pic of the boat below...



Cheers

 

[MuckyDucky]

Thanks Solitare,

Looking into this for me and the Wife..

Much appreciated !

 

[stelican]

I would advise you to look at the Morbihan inland sea area which is south of Vannes.great area for boating and if the weather is fair some super islands 8 miles offshore.
We have taken a 21ft boat there several times and moored on the visitors moorings in Port Du Crouesty good trailer storeage, slipway or fast efficient crane launching less than 1 mile to the inland sea. No speed limits!
Have a look at the area on google I dont think you will find better in Brittany

 

[Seastoke]

WAch your trailer had bits nicked of mine in France also get aa motoring cover they flew bits for my trailer within 2 days

 

[Jim@sea]

WAch your trailer had bits nicked of mine in France also get aa motoring cover they flew bits for my trailer within 2 days

I have just insured my new boat. The Insurance Company tell me that if I leave the boat (on the trailer obviously) in a Motorway Service Area to go for a cup of tea I must put the Wheel Clamp on the Trailer otherwise it is not insured.
Having a House in Brittany (on ebay for sale cheap) it is easy to get complacent and relax your guard. The problem is not the French, there are many "Travellers" from various parts of Europe who would look at your Outboard as a quick €uros 1000 down the pub.

 

[MuckyDucky]

I would advise you to look at the Morbihan inland sea area which is south of Vannes.great area for boating and if the weather is fair some super islands 8 miles offshore.
We have taken a 21ft boat there several times and moored on the visitors moorings in Port Du Crouesty good trailer storeage, slipway or fast efficient crane launching less than 1 mile to the inland sea. No speed limits!
Have a look at the area on google I dont think you will find better in Brittany

Hi Stelican,

Yeah I had been looking at these, but on google it looked like some of the islands were privately owned (had houses on them), so didnt know if we could moor there... Now I have heard that, I think it will be top of the list.....

Cheers !!!

 

[stelican]

Hi
There are many private islands but these you can anchor off
Visitors pontoons serviced by launch at Ile Des Moines the largest island, lovely Island good beach pleasant walk to centre of village lots of eateries.
The pontoons are on the north end of island you can see them on google. The point on the north west corner is a great place for boat watching as to 10 knot tidal flow very busy channel
The other Island with visitors swinging moorings Ile Des Arz moorings in bay towards north east side of island short walk into village with good eateries
Also google offshore island of Houat good beaches