Rotterdam to the Black Sea

[sonicseas]

Am starting to plan a trip through the rivers/canals from Rotterdam to the Black Sea next year in a yacht which draws approx 2.5m. From preliminary information I believe it is possible however I am looking for sources of information particularly charts of inland waterways and any pilots to allow me to check all depths and facilities. I have general large scale maps but have difficulty getting specifics.

Does anybody have any information on this route or can point me in the right direction for reference materials? Am trawling through the internet but its slow going.

[barnakiel]

2011 June | Fleetwoods Circumnavigation

You must browse back and forward for the journey's beginning and end.

This is the homesite:
Fleetwoods Circumnavigation - Jack Van Ommens Travels

You can contact Jack and ask him the things you will not find in the blog. He did it.

Cheers,
b.

[MacG]

2,5 mtrs draft will be a real challenge. It is on the edge of what' s possible and practical.
In spite of what people think, the inland waterways are quite shallow, at least in Holland.
It means that you have to follow the mid-riverbed and the pro-skippers with their 1200+ gross tons barges will definitely blow you out of the water. Their draft is same and they like to maintain their speed at a level of 10 knots +. In theory everything is possible but with a draft of 2.50 mtr you are looking for the extreme.
Experience in this case is wisdom that comes too late.

Concerning the inland waterways of Holland I can help you out. I can even help you planning a route. Regarding Main-Donau and Donau river you should confer with the pro-skippers traveling that route. The maximal draft for Rhine and Donau is about 3.00 mtrs, depending on waterlevel. This year, waterlevel is below normal.

The boat of Jack van Ommen did not have the draft of your vessel and according to my knowledge the Main-Donau connection is the bottleneck in your scheme.

[sonicseas]

Many thanks to Barnakiel and MacG. Have been onto Jack Van Ommen's site and will see what he suggests.

Appreciate the comments MacG and agree this is on the edge and I may have to shelve it or reduce my draft. Excuse my ignorance but how do I get in contact with you if I want to discuss this further regarding Holland.

[MacG]

You can send me a PM with your regular e-mail address and I will certainly contact you.
If you are staying in Holland presently, you can come and see what I have available.
My boat is moored about 20 trainminutes from Amsterdam.

[Joefloki]

2,5m draft: IMHO very, very.... difficult, rather impossible
...even the Danube is partly very shallow....

[jonnymartin]

Hello SonicSea,
My partner and I are planning a trip along the same route, we have a 100 year old dutch Tjalk (sadly without sail). Would be interested to find out how your planning is going. Sorry i cant be of assistance regarding draft question,

best

[Curmudgeon]

I am interested in that route also. I have shallow draft but a small engine. How bad are the currents in the Rhine against which I will be fighting?

[multihullsailor6]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I am interested in that route also. I have shallow draft but a small engine. How bad are the currents in the Rhine against which I will be fighting?

The typical currents in the river Rhine are about 4kmh / 5kmh, it depends also on the time of year as spring snow thaws in Switzerland etc bring along a lot of water. A small trick is to take the insides of courners in the river as the current's flow there is less.

After Koblenz the Rhine narrows into some ravines when the current can reach 10kmh or more.

In your situation I would envisage to be towed along by one of the large river barges, many are quite happy to accomodate a little yacht upriver for a trinket / crate of beer / bottles of wine. Just make sure you have a VERY STRONG towing rope and a VERY secure fixing point on your boat. In that situation you can expect a towed speed of about 6kmh up stream.

[Gianfranco]

I have interest on this route.
My problem is heights. with my mast up it is 16 m or about almost 60 ft ...
O do not think there is any bridge that high...
I am reluctant to take the mast down...
Any information is very much appreciated..
you can contact me : gian021246@gmail.com
Thank you very much
Gianfranco