Draft limits navigating European canals

[davil]

Are there limits or standards as to the depth on French canals?
Like we prefer shoal draft on our Eastern waterways?
thank you

[skipmac]

Yes absolutely. Different sections of the French (and other European canals) have different draft restrictions. Some can handle large, commercial traffic, some only very shoal draft boats.

[skipmac]

https://www.french-waterways.com/wat...rivers-france/

[davil]

thank you
imagine there will be enough cruising/navigating charts and guides.

[Tricolor]

As a standard rule maximum 1m80 for the locks in the North - South canal system in France, you find it all in skipmac's previous mentioned link.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

As a standard rule maximum 1m80 for the locks in the North - South canal system in France, you find it all in skipmac's previous mentioned link.

Haven't been to the French canals (yet) but I've read from several sources that the rated 1.8 M draft in the north/south and Canal du Midi is usually quite optimistic and varies depending on winter rainfall.

[Chuck Hawley]

I believe the Canal du Midi is 2m deep, and the maximum draft is 1.6m. Regardless of the depth of the canal, it's those hard parts of the locks that would be a real show stopper.

Chuck

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Chuck Hawley

I believe the Canal du Midi is 2m deep, and the maximum draft is 1.6m. Regardless of the depth of the canal, it's those hard parts of the locks that would be a real show stopper.

Chuck

Looking at the colored lines on this page https://www.french-waterways.com/pra.../canal-depths/ it looks like the southern part of the Midi is only spec'd for 1.5 M.

Assuming the canals are close to the rated depths on the map it looks like the only way to get deeper draft from the Med to the Atlantic is up the Rhone to Chalon-sur-Saone then cut through Loire to the Seine.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Looking at the colored lines on this page https://www.french-waterways.com/pra.../canal-depths/ it looks like the southern part of the Midi is only spec'd for 1.5 M.

Assuming the canals are close to the rated depths on the map it looks like the only way to get deeper draft from the Med to the Atlantic is up the Rhone to Chalon-sur-Saone then cut through Loire to the Seine.

Problem with the Canal Du Midi is that in a dry summer the level can be even lower with folk saying they bottomed out regularly.

It's on our plans, but then we draw 1.1m

Pete

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Problem with the Canal Du Midi is that in a dry summer the level can be even lower with folk saying they bottomed out regularly.

It's on our plans, but then we draw 1.1m

Pete

Yes, that's what I've heard many times about the Midi. Since I draw just a hair under 1.7 M (allowing for fresh water) the Midi is out for me, at least the southern end but should be able to cruise SE from Bordeaux that shows 2.5M

What about Canal de Briare? Does it also run low in the summer? If I wanted to cross France that would be my only possibility but even at max rated depth of 1.8 M that leaves me about 4" clearance. Not much room for error.

[Deltasailor]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Looking at the colored lines on this page https://www.french-waterways.com/pra.../canal-depths/ it looks like the southern part of the Midi is only spec'd for 1.5 M.

Assuming the canals are close to the rated depths on the map it looks like the only way to get deeper draft from the Med to the Atlantic is up the Rhone to Chalon-sur-Saone then cut through Loire to the Seine.

Did this route in an Endurance 37. 5'6 draft. No problems. Only problem was fuel as stations where few and far apart l. A bike is very useful for food and fuel.

[Tricolor]

For "me" and people from the north of Europe the Canal du Midi is not counted as a North - South connection but the 3 river Rhine connections are...

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Deltasailor

Did this route in an Endurance 37. 5'6 draft. No problems. Only problem was fuel as stations where few and far apart l. A bike is very useful for food and fuel.

Thanks. If you made it with 5'6" guess I could. No bumps or bounces?

How were the currents in the Seine and Rhone? Were you able to hug the side of the channel to minimize the effects?

How was passing through Paris?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Tricolor

For "me" and people from the north of Europe the Canal du Midi is not counted as a North - South connection but the 3 river Rhine connections are...

Well yes I can understand that. Though the Midi ends up in the south of France it does indeed run much more east - west than north - south.

[Grehan]

Just to clarify, the Canal du Midi is the eastern half of the east-west French waterway from the Atlantic via Bordeaux and Toulouse, to the Mediterranean. The western half is the Canal de Garonne which is a little younger (C19th) than its venerable sister (C17th).

The Midi notional depth is 1.5m but it can be less, particularly just outside locks where the waterflow tends to deposit silt. Canals are v-shaped and so what maximum depth there is, is in the centre channel. Bilge-keelers can have problems coming alongside to moor up to bank-sides.

We publish 100+ pages of free-to-view detailed, km by km, information about every navigable river and canal in France. Plus practical techniques, advice, regulations, through routes, depths, etc etc All based on our own 10,000km of cruising throughout the network since 2003.

Very pleased to answer questions - contact details on the website.

www.french-waterways.com