European canals

[Franklin]

Talk of European canals on a different thread made me think of question I've been pondering. I figure in 2 years from now I should be entering into the med sea. I've heard some take a canal from the med sea to the north sea through France. I know I would have to drop the mast and I know motoring through canals with a dropped mast can be difficult, so what do you who know about the European canals have to say about motoring a 37' sailboat that draws 5' with a 54' mast tied on deck would be like? Or should I plan a train trip up and then charter a power boat down the canal?

 

[jssailem]

Franklin
I've heard of sailboats in the lower sections of rivers in England, but as you move upstream the available passages get narrow and shallow in spots. Suspect Europe would be much the same.

The Canal boat we rented was 30 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 30HP diesel. All of the amenities of pressurized water, 2 heads, 3 cabins plus a Salon were included. This was in 1966. Suspect they have even more elaborate options should one want more than a basic system.

Thinking about your boat with the mast on deck, you might be mistaken for a Knight ready to joust.

This video has been around for several years. Maybe you could keep the mast up and try this technique.

 

[Franklin]

Charge

 

[Stu Jackson]

Franklin, there are many posts on other boating forums, most likely www.cruisersforum.com, that discuss the realities of this. As you may know the canals have depth and height restrictions. The bridges over them are usually a century or two old, and not too high, so positioning the mast on deck is quite the exercise in keeping it low.

We've done many, many canal trips in France & England as vacations, thoroughly enjoyable.

Good luck.

 

[rgranger]

This video has been around for several years. Maybe you could keep the mast up and try this technique.

I've seen that video several times before and I still clench when it gets near the bridge. Actually I clench in my boat every time I go under a bridge even when the chart says I have several feet of clearance. I don't like bridges.... :-(

That guy has serious ice for nerves.

 

[jssailem]

Yes RG.
Know your feelings. Came up to a couple of bridges with a 3 knt helping current. Knew the one combination bridge was charted at 75ft and the 5ft train bridge was generally open. I got a bit nervous and grabbed the charts from the salon just to check as I approached them. The channel through the train bridge is on the left (east) side of the swing train bridge. Happy no tugs with a log raft were in the channel.

All is well that ends well. This was my first trip down this channel and it was at a plus 1 foot low tide. Friends had stated the plus 1 ft tide was ok for passage, but there were first time jitters.