Suggestions over European canals and rivers

[nikkac]

hi guys,

 

it would be really great to get some advice where to sail over 3 months of period

on European rivers and canals

If possible suggest what type of boat to rent or buy that could fit canals and maximum 6 people

on board!

Thank you!

[Tam & Di]

hi guys,

 

it would be really great to get some advice where to sail over 3 months of period

on European rivers and canals

If possible suggest what type of boat to rent or buy that could fit canals and maximum 6 people

on board!

Thank you!

 

 

The word "European" in the title immediately has at least two of us in France reading your post. The UK and the Continental mainland in 3 months would be a no no.

 

What is it you have in mind?

Edited November 1, 2012 by Tam & Di

[Albion]

hi guys,

 

it would be really great to get some advice where to sail over 3 months of period

on European rivers and canals

If possible suggest what type of boat to rent or buy that could fit canals and maximum 6 people

on board!

Thank you!

I can only speak about France but we took three months to do the following:-

Vermenton to Migennes on the Nivernais (part)and R.Yonne (part)

Canal de Bourgogne - Migennes to St Jean de Losne

R.Saône (small part) south to join the Canal du Centre

Canal Roanne à Digoin and return

Canal du Centre to Canal latéral à la Loire

Canal latéral à la Loire

Canal de Briare

Canal du Loing

R. Seine (small part)

R. Yonne and (part) Canal du Nivernais

 

We felt that we had slightly rushed parts of this route (the Bourgogne particularly, which took about a month) to do it in 3 months but it was OK.

 

As to the type of boat then the world is your oyster; that is a massive choice and subject. I'm not sure that hiring would be an option in France because of the sheer cost but there are many boats available and hire boats that can accommodate 6. Whatever boat you choose try to keep it to no more than about 15 metres ideally IMO because moorings for longer boats get more difficult to find the longer the boat.

Roger

Edited November 1, 2012 by Albion

[nikkac]

@Tam&Di, thank you for your comment! We have in our mind to see as much possible but with no rushing; it would be our first time on the rivers and canals so we would gladly go slowly than rushing to see so many things.We would have 3 months free in 2013, so as we are beginners on rivers and canals would like to start somewhere from Amsterdam as we know the city very well and than just go to sail...

@Albion, thank you very much for your suggestion, France and canals sounds great, and thank you about boat length suggestion too; but what about boats width!?

[Albion]

@Albion, thank you very much for your suggestion, France and canals sounds great, and thank you about boat length suggestion too; but what about boats width!?

Again I can only speak for France but the smallest typical locks on the French system are the Freycinet gauge ones which are just over 5 metres in width so any boat up to that width will be OK BUT I don't recommend a boat of 15 m x 5 m because it will be a rare/unusual size for starters but, more importantly, probably won't handle well due to the fact that it is very beamy compared to its length. My barge is 16m x 3.8m and my previous boat was about 4.2m and that would be the very widest that I would recommend to be honest. There is enough room in a barge of that size I reckon although whether you'll be able to get on between the six of you (your max requirement) for three months on the same boat is another matter.

Roger

[Mac of Cygnet]

Perhaps the best thing to do would be to find what's available to hire by googling boat hire followed by the country you fancy.

 

If you are new to boating, then buying one to use for 3 months is probably not on, as boat owners in several European countries (others will know which) have to aquire a qualification to navigate on the waterways. This AFAIK does not apply to hirers.

 

Hiring a boat for 3 months may be possible (you'd have to ask individual companies), but as has been said, is liable to cost a LOT.

Edited November 2, 2012 by Mac of Cygnet

[Tam & Di]

Perhaps the best thing to do would be to find what's available to hire by googling boat hire followed by the country you fancy.

 

If you are new to boating, then buying one to use for 3 months is probably not on, as boat owners in several European countries (others will know which) have to aquire a qualification to navigate on the waterways. This AFAIK does not apply to hirers.

 

Hiring a boat for 3 months may be possible (you'd have to ask individual companies), but as has been said, is liable to cost a LOT.

 

 

There is a handful of people who hire their boats out privately. One that comes to mind immediately is Nigel Orr who can be contacted via the DBA site. I don't think his boat would be comfortable for 6 people on a fairly longterm basis though. Unfortunately the OP can't be contacted via private mail until she makes 3 or 4 more posts. I did try to send one as otherwise my proposed post could be taken as advertising (we don't hire boats ourselves!)

Edited November 2, 2012 by Tam & Di