Cruise French Canals by sailboat HOW? DON'T make the sailing mistakes we did in France!

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Episode 8: So many locks! How do we handle them in a sailboat? Food and water? Licenses and qualifications? What about the toilets, fuel and the big one - lock handling? This is part 2 of a 2 part "How" video.
What do you need to know before cruising the canals and rivers of France in a sailboat?
We had a thought - take a sailboat from Hull, England to the Mediterranean Sea through France, via Paris and some very small canals. Research material to prepare for this journey included websites, books, RU-vid and Facebook. In all of this we found lots of information scattered across the different platforms, searching unsuccessfully for one pivot point providing a central star around which all the planets fell into reliable orbit. We had questions; we wanted answers; and greatly appreciated the experienced postings and videos presented by like minded people. But, we felt there was a gap; where were the visual experiences linked with offering answers?
I'm not sure how this video will be received, if at all, by people with a desire to take a sailboat through the inland waterways however, this is our attempt to fill the gap we thought existed. If you have more essential, relevant questions that you're not able to find an answer to from the links below, then please ask and we'll try and answer it for you. The next video will answer the remaining 6 questions of the 12 we asked.
Here are the links to the information we found useful to answer the 6 questions in this video:
VNF Main Site: www.vnf.fr/vnf/
VNF vignette: http:www.vnf.fr/vnf/achat-de-vigne...
French Waterways Main Site: www.french-waterways.com/
Competence details: www.french-waterways.com/prac...
License detail: www.french-waterways.com/prac...
Fuel, water & toilets detail: www.french-waterways.com/prac...
Lights & rules detail: www.french-waterways.com/prac...
Locks detail: www.french-waterways.com/prac...
RYA Main Site:www.rya.org.uk/
CEVNI test: www.rya.org.uk/training/cours...
Burgundy wines: www.burgundy-tourism.com/disc...
Nivernais wines: www.europeanwaterways.com/blo...
RU-vid Music:
Blue Danube: Strauss
Can-Can: Offenbach
Thank you to all those people who helped us along on our dream journey - you know who you are and we are eternally grateful. The journey continues . . .

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3 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 48

@valentynsabulis2858 2 месяца назад

Thank you!

@chrischamberlaine4160 12 дней назад

How satisfying to see one of my designs being used for its true purpose. I worked for Dick Carter in the early 70's but after a few adventures, joined Northshore as design director in '81. The 115 was my first project using the 110, extrending it and 'inventing; the low aspect ratio rudder and the later 'B2' keel configuration. These mods transformed the handling and sailing characteristics as well as giving a much better aft cabin as well as better aeshtics. Pretty much an ideal cruiser. Sails OK - parks on beaches and ties to a lampost by the pub. Basically it saved the company. Unlike other designers I've spent a few tours in the French canals and really love trundling through France at walking pace buying stuff from the lock keepers and dreaming of the little restau for the evening. Magic. In retirement I've designed a follow on using later technology with a view to having it built in La Rochelle (used to live there working for Micky Dufour) and sailing in to the Med down the Midi. Keep posting - it's inspiring. All the best Chris Freer - Best canal moment was arriving in Auxerre (Nivernais) in the middle of the Montegolfier balloon festival. Spread the message !!!

@sailingoptions 12 дней назад

Hello Chris, first of all thank you for watching our video. Second - thank you for commenting and your involvement in bringing the original 115 to market. It must have been a hugely exciting life event. So we thank you for the Mark 1 in 1983 and later the Rob Humphries influenced MK2. The design is still strong, as is the build. Ours is a 1994 model and people often comment on how it still looks younger than a 30 year old boat. This year we crossed from Sardinia to Sicily in strong winds and always felt safe. I hope you enjoy watching some of our other videos as we continue to on our life journey learning and growing. Long may it last! Best regards, JnS

@chrischamberlaine4160 11 дней назад

@@sailingoptions You mention Rob. In the early 70’s we all lived in Hamble trying to be world famous yacht designers. Rob was the Y&Y journalist who did the sail test on my first production yacht, the Europa3000. Bryan Moffat of Northshore didn’t like designers very much and had a history of non payment of royalties. He thought he was doing them a favour. When I joined him in ’81 he was in legal dispute with Dick Carter, the designer of the original S105. Before this I had designed a 34foot cruiser at Bryan’s request called the Nordfarer. Without asking he gave my drawings to Eddie Meyer - but as the project was still born I didn’t complain. When I joined Northshore it was practically bankrupt and needed new product. The Southerly’s were difficult to control because the triangular keel stalled easily and, in turn, the outboard rudder stalled and the boat broached - and they went their own way in reverse under power. I came up with the barn door low aspect ratio rudder and this solved all the steering problems and allowed the hull to be extended losing the sawn off look. I won the two handed Round the Island Race in the in the first production boat. Your boat is the old 105 mould extended because we had no money to make a new design. The 115 saved the company. I also modified the tooling of the 135 so that we got another cheapo product that sailed properly. As a further exercise I saw that we could change the keel shape by simply adding chord to the existing mould (which also added stability) and I gave Bryan the drawings. (I still have them) Another cheap and successful mod. He then told me that he was not going to pay royalties on the 115. I left and he gave all my drawings to Rob. My father in law is Don Pye of Holman & Pye. - before his death we used to share betrayal and ‘royalty’ stories. You should get my book - I picked up the phone and said yes - dial it in to Amazon. May see you in the canals soon. Cheers C.

@sailingoptions День назад

I had no idea about the way in which designers were treated! In my business if the designer was employed by the business, the design belonged to the business. If the design was not “in house” but worth investment to produce and sell, then we bought the design. No royalties. However we were an “appointed” manufacturer of a product designed in Sweden and royalty agreements were based on sales values. This opened doors (literally! It was a marine fire door) for other products in our range to be packaged for a vessel. You have experienced an interesting life Chris and I hope health and wealth extend that pleasantly. We won’t be meeting you in the canals, although I would like to meet you. Right now we are home in the UK for summer and Options is moored up in Marina Bar, Montenegro. Our adventure journey continues in September heading north to Venice. Stay safe and keep in touch. Jonathan

@user-xv2eh5ks3x 10 месяцев назад

Thanks for this two part series, it is the most thorough and well presented treatment on the details of canal boating I’ve seen, besides having such an attractive yacht to watch is not hard to take. All the best.

@sailingoptions 10 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching our videos and for your very kind comment. Enjoy cruising and stay safe. JnS

@Mikeandlucy1 10 месяцев назад

Another site, (I can't remember which) made a great suggestion about number 2s. Place a bin liner inside your toilet bowl, with an absorbent gel pad inside. When you need No2, just do it, bag it and dump it. This may sound a bit yuk, but Mums dispose of nappies in the bin all the time so what's the difference. We tried it while in the Marina and did find that you need to put something like a towel or cloth under the plastic bag first otherwise the bag can split, it worked fine after that, fitting a holding tank is fine if you have the space but we dont so the do it, bag it, dump it method works fine for us.

@sailingoptions 10 месяцев назад

Hi Mike, there’s always the possibility that the holding tank may be full and so alternative measures must be taken. We have had to improvise similarly - pump out stations are rare in some regions. Thanks for watching and commenting. Safe cruising JnS

@GrahamSwan-yi5gw 2 месяца назад

Brilliant vlog so professionally edited and very informative. We are building a widebeam canal boat with launch ETA of May 2025 and after a season in the UK intend to take her to France and spend a few seasons there. So now I’m looking forward to sitting back and watching a few more of your videos and becoming more knowledgeable. Cheers from downunder.

@sailingoptions 2 месяца назад

Thanks for your positive feedback Graham. I really appreciate that. You have a very exciting project with the boat build, and we wish you every success in your desire to boat through the canals of France. I’m intrigued to know if you are building the boat in Oz or in France. Best wishes.JnSxx Ps. The smaller canals have narrow locks and can be very shallow - especially during and after summer.

@GrahamSwan-yi5gw 2 месяца назад

@@sailingoptions sorry should have said we are having the boat built in the UK by Bluewater Boats. Have had the most enjoyable afternoon watching about a dozen of your videos - have laughed out loud at some of your “adventures” and also recognised those times when you were challenged. keep in touch, cheers Swanny PS where are you now?

@sailingoptions 2 месяца назад

@@GrahamSwan-yi5gw those Bluewater wide beams are stunning and we met people on the rivers and canals who invited us aboard to stay - very different to our life living on the tilt! Right now we’re in Montenegro, heading today for Tivat area. I should think you’ll be biting at the bit to get your new floating home on the water. I hope you enjoy the UK canals especially the centrals. The channel crossing will be “interesting” ! Have you read “Narrow dog to Carcassonne”?

@GrahamSwan-yi5gw 2 месяца назад

@@sailingoptions will read the narrow dog - sounds intriguing - I have sailed extensively around Croatia & Montenegro - enjoy - keep in touch.

@iainsproat2250 11 месяцев назад

Thanks so much. Very imfomative

@sailingoptions 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching and commenting Iain. I hope our other episodes on the channel prove at least entertaining if not a little bit helpful 😀

@stevez5252 Год назад

Fantastic videos I found your channel yesterday and I’m working my through them absolutely loving them many thanks 🙏 Steve

@sailingoptions Год назад

Hi Steve, thanks for watching, subscribing and liking - feedback and sharing is always welcome. Stay safe JnS

@AndrewBulmer Год назад

Great job , Well done

@sailingoptions Год назад

Thank you for your kind comment Andrew. JnS

@potoole1953 Год назад

excellent video - very informative.

@sailingoptions Год назад

Thank you Patrick - we'll see you on the canals!

@andrewmellon5072 10 месяцев назад

I have cruised in my 33 ft princess extensively in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I have grey and blackwater tanks. I have never used and rarely have seen a pumpout. In harbours and marinas, I usually use holding tanks and pump out as I go along canal or river as far as I know this is the practice. I have had 2 very thorough inspections both in Belgium all sorts of things were on the inspectors checklist but not holding tanks or anything to do with them. I would not go without them just the same.

@sailingoptions 10 месяцев назад

Thanks for commenting Andrew, we found the pump out choices lacking which is concerning for the water quality. Holding tank use is the responsible way. Stay safe JnS

@andrewmellon5072 10 месяцев назад

You are completely right. I've seen adults swimming in crowded inland marinas. Thank you for replying. I have only just come on Sailing Options and look forward to watching all the episodes.

@billycosta3203 8 месяцев назад

Excellent video guys! thank you!

@sailingoptions 8 месяцев назад

Thank you for watching and liking our video! Stay safe and enjoy cruising!

@craigs1710 Год назад

Excellent video. Very well done and informative...I learned a lot. May I ask what the depths were? Or more specifically, how accurate are the reported depths on VPN?

@sailingoptions Год назад

Hi Craig S, thanks for watching and for your positive comments too. The depths vary in different canals, so choose your route to suit your boat, also the depth for a canal may vary through the season, which is why VNF publish a "maximum authorised draft". Check out Episode 7 for some more explanation: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-f9M9KVIivn0.html Cheers, stay safe JnS

@julesschollum5641 Год назад

Hi, appreciate the information. I have a small (6.9m) boat im bringing from Southampton and are looking for a boatyard in Dunkirk or closeby to do some final prep before setting off, can you recommend one you saw or used there? - thanks

@sailingoptions Год назад

Hi Jules, thanks for watching the video and I’m glad it helped in a small way. The boatyard we used was Bleu Marine near the Yacht Club de la Mer Nord. The details for it are in episode 9: “Demast”, also we include the web links in the description. Hope that helps. Be safe and enjoy cruising!

@sailingoptions Год назад

Here’s the link Jules: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vGZnPt6ly_k.html

@Arthur-sj9oj Год назад

Fantasic video just started watching. Very informative I've learned a lot. May I ask what was the book you was using with the charts in, entering Paris. Stay safe and keep going?

@sailingoptions Год назад

Hello Arthur, Thank you for watching and your comments. The chart book we used is published by Fluviacarte, but these are becoming increasingly difficult to find. We cover the route planning and chart choices in Part 1 of the 2 part video, check it out on our channel and I hope that helps you. Stay safe. JnS

@centric1206 11 дней назад

hi guys, thank you so much for all your wonderful information, it has been so detailed and useful. Question: have you recorded anywhere the costs of moorings along the way, particularly long-term moorings, where you can leave a boat for 3 months or so at a reasonable price...any information would be most appreciated, Karl

@tralaralaaaa1 11 дней назад

very interested in this info too! 🙂

@sailingoptions 2 дня назад

Hi and thanks for watching this video, we hope you might find some more useful information in some of the others we have uploaded. Providing costs is not advisable because prices can be out of date quite quickly and be a cause for disappointment if higher than expected. What we do recommend is planning your route and researching the places to moor up. Estimating where you might stop over for a long period is well worth the time spent. We have links to helpful websites in the description of this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CrvBGmrcgCA.html There are links in all of the videos, so I hope these will be more helpful to you. WE really hope you get on to the canals and enjoy the adventure as much as we did. Stay safe and enjoy cruising JnS xx

@centric1206 2 дня назад

@@sailingoptions thank you guys

@ianmcdonald1066 9 месяцев назад

Thanks for prompt reply J&S is the stepped mast factory fitted or is optional.was the spreaders able to take the weight of that chap sitting on them ? look forward to watching your videos from the beginning

@sailingoptions 9 месяцев назад

The mast on our 1994 model is the original from Northshore. There’s a compression post taking the thrust through to the keel grounding plate. The mast is very robust to take the forces exerted by a gale - which I haven’t tested yet 😀 but we’ve sailed in F7 well reefed down.

@ianmcdonald1066 9 месяцев назад

HI Just discovered your Channel and already learned so much I noticed you have a Southerly 115 which just happens to be the boat I am currently saving up for, with the intention of open water sailing and river cruising I noticed your mast has been removed was this detached and sent ahead ready to install again at the end of rivers.forgive my ignorance but what type of mast would be suitable for this type of venture. Kind regards Ian

@sailingoptions 9 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching and commenting Ian. The S115 is a great boat. The mast is stepped to the deck on a shoe and lifts away by crane after derigging. We stored the mast in Dunkerque for transport to our destination by lorry. Alternatively you can take it with you on the deck supported on A frames. We really hope your dream is realised. Fair winds. JnS

@wendydee3007 8 месяцев назад

Fantastic video, can you tell me how long it can take to get from the Gironde to the Mediterranean? Thanks.

@sailingoptions 8 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching and I hope you liked and subscribed to our channel Wendy. How long these canal journeys take depends on how quick you want to do it: slow or fast? The inland section starts at Lormont and finishes at Grau d'Agde. According to Fluviacap that's 90 hours minimum for 122 locks over a distance of 500km. Take a look at this website: www.fluviacarte.com/en/fluviacap which allows you to input your boat details too. Best wishes, stay safe and enjoy cruising. JnS

@wendydee3007 8 месяцев назад

@@sailingoptionsThanks, that's v good info x