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Nick Bamford · 09-12-2021, 04:42

I have a Sigma 362 which I would like to bring home via the French canals in spring '22. The usual draft is 1.8m, but I intend to transport the mast separately so hope to reduce this a little.

The route I am planning is:
Port Napoleon to Chalon via the Rhone
Chalon to Conde via R. Saone & R. Marne
Conde to Le Havre via R Seine.

Has anyone done this recently? And if so, how reliable are the depths, particularly in the middle section - Saone/Marne?

Thanks,

Nick

goboatingnow · 09-12-2021, 05:44

I have a friend who did it( in reverse ) 2 years ago Pm me your contact details and I’ll pass it on

**GordMay** · 09-12-2021, 05:45

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Nick.

Here's just a few, of the many earlier threads, that may interest you:

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ft-240796.html

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...an-258637.html

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ls-254296.html

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ay-220080.html

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...nd-242835.html

➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ft-232652.html

anthea · 09-12-2021, 06:38

Hello you can use this website

Fluviacap, Outil de calcul d'itinÃ©raires fluviaux - Fluviacarte
Do the trip in 2 time with a stop un Macon . In one time it is maybe too much for the software. Lt me know if you have to understand the page in french

goboatingnow · 09-12-2021, 06:40

note I believe 1.8m will be a major challenge . talking to a few people over last year 1.6m seems to regarded as "do-able", 1.4m is fine

Nick Bamford · 10-12-2021, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthea

Hello you can use this website

Fluviacap, Outil de calcul d'itinÃ©raires fluviaux - Fluviacarte
Do the trip in 2 time with a stop un Macon . In one time it is maybe too much for the software. Lt me know if you have to understand the page in french

I tried the site but it says I couldn't do the trip even with, say, 1.4m draft! Am I missing something?

anthea · 10-12-2021, 10:24

Hello
I first did Macon to Dunkerque. With 1.8 mt it works. Then I change from Reims to Le Havre it also works, but in many place the deep is 1.8. For the first part Port St Louis to Macon I did it this October. You have to be careful with the current in the first part (around Beaucaire). I am now in Macon.

https://voilieranthea.com/
https://www.dilamar.ch/

Stewie12 · 10-12-2021, 17:42

There are many pilot books on this route, best you read them,

Nick Bamford · 11-12-2021, 02:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie12

There are many pilot books on this route, best you read them,

Could you recommend the best ones? Michael Briant's seems to be out of print.. :-(

Yellowtulip · 11-12-2021, 02:28

One of the things I’ve picked up from many threads on this subject and people who’ve experienced it, is that the minimum depths in the French canals vary quite a lot for many reasons, I.e. seasonal/non-seasonal rainfall, maintenance work, time since last dredged etc. So because someone’s done it this year and found at least 1.8 everywhere doesn’t mean that will necessarily happen next year.