40ft yacht - French Canal

[Cornishkiwi]

Hey all

I'm thinking about buying a yacht on the med side of France. I'd like to take it back to the UK as soon as possible, however January and February isn't exactly a favourable time to do so. Rather than waiting for fairer weather in spring I was wondering if I could take the masts down and bring it through the canals?

The boat dimensions are

Draft - 1.8m
Beam - 3.4m
Loa - 12m

From what I'm seeing the shallow depths are around 1.8m in which case this isn't going to be a plausible solution. Yet I was wondering if any one knew any further details and whether this was possible or not?

Thank you

Keiron

[Yellowtulip]

I think, at the very least, it would be squeaky with 1.8m. I’ve known people who’ve done it with drafts of 1.4m.

See this:

https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruisi...ute-med-123778

[Cornishkiwi]

Thank you for the reply, was a nice read.

But Yeah after going off from that article from that I think 1.5m is minimum to get through the canal de deux mers. And then the North/south route seems even less plausible :/.

Only just out [emoji1787]

[carlosproa]

Is trucking out of the question?

[skipmac]

Have read previous discussions on the French canals and from what is said by those with the most experience there, the depths listed are generally optimistic and the max one might see, not the minimum. With 1.8 M I think the odds of getting through are very low.

[Cornishkiwi]

To put on a truck is really expensive, waiting 2/3 months is more plausable I think but the canals is would have been ideal.

However yeah does seem to be the consensus.

Would the North to South passage be do able on 1.5m draft?

[hoolie]

We went north-south some years ago with a draft of 1.5m. It was quite dodgy at times ploughing through silt and mud. I don't think it has improved since!

Going down the Rhone in early September there was a lot of water! Currents at times were up to 6.5 knots - exciting for us but a real problem for the few boats trying to get upstream.

If you're still interested you should check the VNF website for info about closures. A lot of the canals close for maintenance during the winter and that will seriously limit your options.

[boatman61]

Well Marsaille to Burgundy is listed as 3.5 meters.. from there to Paris and on to the Channel is listed as 1.8m for a bit then goes up to 2.5m..
Taking into account there's been heavier rains this year and flooding, if you lighten the boat as much as possible and manage on bottled water bought at stops and any other trick and give it a go..
May be good to get updated confirmation..
https://www.french-waterways.com/pra.../canal-depths/

[Cornishkiwi]

Excellent thanks so much for the advice, if only a small amount at 1.8m then could be plausible, definitely toying with the idea thats for sure

[Jim Cate]

Hare-brained thought: would it be feasible to use floatation bags to reduce draft for the shallow bits?

Jim

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Cornishkiwi

Excellent thanks so much for the advice, if only a small amount at 1.8m then could be plausible, definitely toying with the idea thats for sure

I believe those are minimums.. tho' in dry years I understand it can be less.

[Cornishkiwi]

Hey Jim,

This is actually the what I'm looking into at the moment, for the sake of 2/300mm its plausible I think.

A company I work for has quite a few lift bags, so 4 half tonners are an ok size to place underneath, just supplying an air source really

[Stewie12]

Search for French Canal Cruising guides are your best bet. Totally surround your boat with tyres to protect it from other yachts and barges. There will be plenty of them around from boats who have come the other way.

[Clivevon]

Flotation bags - how deep is your prop?

[ozolli]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

Search for French Canal Cruising guides are your best bet. Totally surround your boat with tyres to protect it from other yachts and barges. There will be plenty of them around from boats who have come the other way.

Tyres are forbidden in French inland waterways. They can sink and seize lock gates.