Wide beam barges/canal boats - France/Europe

[cliffb]

Hi all...
I'm actually a raggie - but I'm thinking of changing to a canal boat, starting off in France. I've a ton of questions about this but can't seem to find any sort of forum (active, that is) where I can get answers.
As a long shot I thought I'd ask around in here. Can anyone point me in the direction of one... or some other place where I can get info.
Thanks to all who reply

 

[albineer]

Try Eurocanals and there's a yahoo group of the same name where you can post questions after you've searched the posts. It's not particularly active but I've found it useful.

Grehan , Barging and Michael Briant have useful info. Grehan and Briant are both forumites.

 

[Grehan]

Yes, and Grehan may also soon be batting for the other team /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Michael Briant hasn't posted for a while, I've emailed him but no reply as yet, hope he's ok.
Not sure how active the DBA website/forum/mailgroup is . . but maybe I'll have to find out soon. ". . DBA The Barge Association, previously known as the Dutch Barge Association, is generally but by no means exclusively concerned with Big Old Boats from any origin converted for living afloat and pleasure cruising in Europe. Typically these are ex-commercial cargo vessels, often from the Netherlands or UK because those are the best sources of craft of a suitable size. . . "
If you've got any specific questions feel free to contact me - we know quite a few barge/peniche/luxmotor owner/liveaboards. We are currently berthed at one of France's main inland boat sales centres, St Jean de Losne.

 

[Talbot]

This is not really thread drift cause it is dealing with the same subject. Do you know what is the maximum width for vessels on the french canals (thinking of 15 ft width, and canals from Med to Le Havre. And how long would it take for the trip. Boat max speed 8 kts. I have posted this on Scuttlebutt, but as you are already talking about canals, perhaps you can assist.

 

[Grehan]

Quite a lot of information on our website - see http://www.tagweb.co.uk/grehan/_guidance.html#data and
http://www.tagweb.co.uk/grehan/_guide-vnf.html

Michael's website http://www.michaelbriant.com/french_waterways.htm has got suggested journey times, Channel to Med. Our advice is, take as long as you can. There's lots to see and enjoy along the way.

 

[Talbot]

unfortunately it is not my boat, and the person buying needs it as a live aboard as much as a sailing vessel.

Thanks for the links.

 

[hlb]

Deborah might be along, when she wakes up. She had a new barge built for the French canals.

But what is it you want to know??

 

[albineer]

Um, if you're giving up sailing Grehan wont you be batting for this team?
Correction to my previous post Eurocanals is here

 

[cliffb]

Have PM'd you.
And thanks to others for the links - most useful.