Has anyone taken an Albin Vega through the French Canals? I'm looking at going from Port-St-Louis on the Mediterranean up to Apach on the River Moselle, on the Luxembourg border. The one resource I can find suggests that I will might, but some legs are stated at 1.5 - 1.8 metres deep. Think I'll be able to squeak through?
Canaling.
- Thread starter thehats
- Start date
46 inches = 1.17 meters. I've got a fantasy to visit
www.midicanal.fr
Midi Canal – Votre source d'informations
www.midicanal.fr
Whilst we've not been through ourselves, I've just asked some German friends who've just arrived for a beer: They navigated that exact route in a Contest Ketch which draws 1.4m (in salt water) and report that you'll have 'no trouble anywher' with a Vega.
Bob
Bob
I took V1030 all the way through from Calais to Port St Louis. Depth in the centre of the canals weren't an issue but towards the edges could get a bit silted up. You'll more than squeak through it's a great trip.
Adam, did you write it up? Have you any suggestions for reading up on this route. We intend to take Beowulf to the Mediterranean next year and will be planning it this Autumn. We have been debating between going round Spain and Portugal, or taking the Canal du Midi. Your suggestion is very interesting, though I'd rather sail than motor, even along the north coast of Brittany. Tom Fenton
We traveled down the Canal du Midi on a canal boat rather than a sailboat, but there were many deep hulled boats on the canal with drafts deeper than the Vegas. The only caution I have is when you enter a lock going down stream, make sure the stern of the boat is at least a meter or two from the lock gate, as there is a stone step that extends into the lock from the gate, and it is possible to catch the rudder on the edge of it as the water in the lock drops...even on a boat with a shallow draft.
Otherwise, it's all good, and lots of fun.
Sheila
Otherwise, it's all good, and lots of fun.
Sheila
Tom, if you want to sail, the Canal du Midi won't be much fun. Your mast will need to be dropped and lashed to the cabin top. Because of the low bridges over the canal, height is actually more of an issue than depth. An entertaining memoir about traveling the canal with good info on things to see, places to stop is Narrow Dog To Carcassonne by Terry Darlington.
Sheila
Sheila
Thanks for the Darlington book recommendation. It was genuine fun. The
sequel "*Narrow Dog to Indian River*" was fun too.
Alan
sequel "*Narrow Dog to Indian River*" was fun too.
Alan