Advice on UK Boat Cruising in the EU

[HBrew]

If you are mostly going to be in France, get a long stay visa, which can be renewed annually. This will also allow you to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days (which as a Brit you can do anyway). So plan your trip using France as a hub.

[goboatingnow]

The situation regarding long stay French tourist visa is

“
Stay of more than 3 months

► Your situation

You wish to stay in France, on a private basis, for more than 3 months without exercising a professional activity during your stay.

► Your visa

You must apply for a long-stay “ visitor ” visa . The procedures vary depending on the length of your stay:

Between 4 and 6 months, you will be issued a temporary long-stay visa that does not allow any extension of your stay in France;
Between 4 and 12 months, you will be issued a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit. This visa is subject to a validation procedure after your arrival in France .
► Your supporting documents

They are specified in the visa wizard and can be adapted to your country of residence or your nationality. You must justify your socio-economic situation (on leave, retiree, etc.), your resources, accommodation and medical coverage in France. You must also formally undertake not to exercise any professional activity during your stay in France

“

[Rickit]

Originally Posted by bobgarrett

You need to look to the Cruising Association. They have done huge amounts of work and lobbying on VAT, access, 90/180, visas etc. and have a very active Inland European Waterways Group who have studied this in detail and many members who can advise.
Some information is public but most you need to be a member for.
https://www.theca.org.uk/news/rats/brexit_webinar_video

I am both an RYA and CA Member and can say that the CA information is much more comprehensive. As mentioned above if you can't find the information on the web site, often actively cruising members can help you. There is also a wealth of information about ports and places to stop.
Because the new Brexit arrangements are still bedding in there are regular updates on what is or is not possible. If you are interested in the CA a member recommendation will get you 25% off your first years membership so worth trying. PM me if interested.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Rickit

I am both an RYA and CA Member and can say that the CA information is much more comprehensive. As mentioned above if you can't find the information on the web site, often actively cruising members can help you. There is also a wealth of information about ports and places to stop.
Because the new Brexit arrangements are still bedding in there are regular updates on what is or is not possible. If you are interested in the CA a member recommendation will get you 25% off your first years membership so worth trying. PM me if interested.

Originally Posted by Markh9

My wife and I currently live full-time in the UK aboard our 70ft Wide Beam Canal boat. We would love to be able to transport the boat to France or Netherlands and cruise the European waterways for a few years.

Yes but the CA in this area , is largely focused on the needs of sailors sailing the EU coasts , the OP is interested in European inland waterways. This is a whole different ballgame for several reasons , so one must be careful to not read too much onto the CA info.




As I and others says

You have several areas that need to be covered

(1) competency certs , CEVNI , cruising licenses and misc things like ATIS

(2) Schengen restrictions on the crew

(3) EU VAT situation on the boat and the issue of resetting the vat clock.

(4) if the U.K. boat remains outside the U.K. for more then 3 years , you have U.K. RGR VAT to deal with.

(5) if the boat is trucked to the Eu you need to ensure the Temporary import permissions are confirmed.

[bobgarrett]

Don't jump to any conclusions.
The Cruising Association is very active on inland waterways of Europe.
Its CAptains Mate App has member reports on over 1000 locations in inland waterways.
Issues like certification, VAT, papers etc are all covered by it Regulations and Technical team and the CA, including the inland waterways section is very active in documenting visa arrangements and lobbying for better access within the EU.

[Alita49DS]

@goboatingnow has given the core advice.

The sadness is that there remain so many people out there who either fail to understand or simply cannot believe the full extent of the disaster that is Brexit. Despite all that has been written about it before and since in the yachting press.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Note that transporting the boat by truck to the EU may expose you you to vat as the importer ( ie the trucking company ) is legally responsible for ensuring the correct import processes are followed.

If you go down this route it’s worth getting confirmation from the relevant customs authority that Temporary import relief is granted ( this is not required if you personally sail in )

The OP has stated their canal boat has a 70 feet wide beam. I'm thinking that truck transport is likely not an option.

Such wide beam vessel will be constrained from navigating many canals.

I believe when one gets to 70 feet in beam that the noun "boat" may no longer be an accurate term. There is a size when the noun ship becomes applicable.

References for size constraints on canals.

Link: https://www.canals.com/size.htm

Snipet: Mainland Europe
All of the canals in mainland Europe are categorised as follows -
Category Tonnage (T) Length (m) Beam (m) Depth (m) Headroom (m)
I 300 38.5 5.0 2.2 3.55
II 600 50.0 6.6 2.5 4.20
III 1000 67.0 8.2 2.5 3.95
IV 1350 80.0 9.5 2.5 4.40
V 2000 95.0 11.5 2.7 6.70
VI >2000 >95.0 >11.5 >3.0 >6.70

Armed with a large scale map of Europe showing the canals and their categories, one should be able to workout what routes are available. Be warned, as many French and Belgian canals may be only good for a depth of 1.8m not 2.2m. Usual problem of them not being dredged due to lack of money. (Thanks to Michael Clarke for supplying the above information.)


https://www.french-waterways.com/pra.../canal-depths/

[goboatingnow]

No it’s 70 foot long “ wide beam “ a term used in the U.K. to distinguish it from conventional ( U.K. ) narrow boats of around 6’10”, beam wide beam being around 10-12 feet. Quite straightforward to truck.