Cruising Companions France 2017

[Biggles]

Hello All

 

Due to pressing family commitments (elderly mother in law) my wife will almost certainly not be able to commit to cruising with the very selfish me next year.

 

I am perfectly capable of single handing my boat so I'm not really looking for crew so I can cruise. What I think I want, and here's where I need advice and opinion.

 

Cruising alone is OK but it's better when it's social and believe me from the 2 months solo cruising I did last year, an apparently single man cruising alone isn't made very welcome by couples which is very much the norm in France.

 

So I am thinking about offering time aboard my boat in small 1 to 2 week blocks to convivial people. I'm not sure how this would work so need to explore options and experiences of others.

 

I don't need experienced crew nor do I need useless freeloaders just along for the ride. Who ever came it would be on the basis of shared living expenses, chors and mooring fees, but not running costs such as fuel or repairs.

 

What do you think?

[Athy]

.

 

 

 

an apparently single man cruising alone isn't made very welcome by couples which is very much the norm in France.

 

.

 

What do you think?

I think this is an extraordinary statement.

[Guest]

Hello All

Due to pressing family commitments (elderly mother in law) my wife will almost certainly not be able to commit to cruising with the very selfish me next year.

I am perfectly capable of single handing my boat so I'm not really looking for crew so I can cruise. What I think I want, and here's where I need advice and opinion.

Cruising alone is OK but it's better when it's social and believe me from the 2 months solo cruising I did last year, an apparently single man cruising alone isn't made very welcome by couples which is very much the norm in France.

So I am thinking about offering time aboard my boat in small 1 to 2 week blocks to convivial people. I'm not sure how this would work so need to explore options and experiences of others.

I don't need experienced crew nor do I need useless freeloaders just along for the ride. Who ever came it would be on the basis of shared living expenses, chors and mooring fees, but not running costs such as fuel or repairs.

What do you think?

Do you snore?

 

I would only share a boat with someone that doesn't

[bargemast]

Hi Kevin,

 

sad to hear that Debbie won't be able to join you (much) next year.

 

You've had several bad expériences with people on other boats that didn't want to socialise with you, because you were on your own.

 

Because of that, and knowing what a welcoming person you are, I can understand your idea.

 

Having people visiting for a chat, a drink and/or a meal isn't the same as sharing your space with them, and it may look nicer from a distance than it will be in reality.

 

Even more with complete strangers that you may be stuck with for a week (or longer).

 

If you continue with your idea, make a sort of contract which says that you can end the sharing of the trip at any time, and for any reason, just to protect yourself.

 

That's always easier than having to clean the blood of the carpets

 

Peter.

Edited December 8, 2016 by bargemast

[Dalslandia]

I know a pair of blond twins with good pumped bow fenders

 

If I wasn't working it would be fun, I don't mean the twins now.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Dalslandia

[Biggles]

Hi Kevin,

 

sad to hear that Debbie won't be able to join you (much) next year.

 

You've had several bad expériences with people on other boats that didn't want to socialise with you, because you were on your own.

 

Because of that, and knowing what a welcoming person you are, I can understand your idea.

 

Having people visiting for a chat, a drink and/or a meal isn't the same as sharing your space with them, and it may look nicer from a distance than it will be in reality.

 

Even more with complete strangers that you may be stuck with for a week (or longer).

 

If you continue with your idea, make a sort of contract which says that you can end the sharing of the trip at any time, and for any reason, just to protect yourself.

 

That's always easier than having to clean the blood of the carpets

 

Peter.

Peter. Once again your words are full of wisdom. I am just musing the idea just now.

 

See you next year sometime I guess.

I think this is an extraordinary statement.

Well maybe but I can assure you it's very much the case. I am not alone in noticeing this in France. I even have one brested up boat last year untie and move off while I was chatting to his wife.

[Dalslandia]

Isn't there swing bridges in france?

the french is known for there swingers, but just don't talk about it.

 

Maybe is it something in the wine, making it sensitive.

 

Strange problem, but real I am sure. I can think, old rich captains with young wife ... scared to loose her

[Athy]

Well maybe but I can assure you it's very much the case. I am not alone in noticeing this in France. I even have one breasted up boat last year untie and move off while I was chatting to his wife.

Ah well, that does introduce a new element! But then, perhaps he had intended to continue his journey anyway.

Since the majority of leisure boaters in France seem to be foreigners, I'm not sure that we can attribute this behaviour pattern (if it exists) to the French.

[Dalslandia]

if someone untie because someone is talking to his wife he is unsecure.

[terrdil]

We think it is a great idea to offer blocks of time to potential crew. Of course we would like to be one of those chosen so we may be biased! Originally looking for British canal time but we are not totally anglophiles. We could manage some time on the French canals also. In a practical sense although your credentials are impressive it really is safer to have at least one additional crew member. With modern media it is a bit easier to vet potential crew (If you have figured out how to use the darn sites). Our basics are on the later posting on this site for a narrowboat crew.

Terry and Barbara

[Capt. D]

Here’s a suggestion that worked for me on the French Canals.…

I would go to the nearest railway station and look for backpackers. Kids in their 20/30s touring and out having fun!

And just ask them… “Hey, I need crew, do you fancy a couple of weeks on a canal boat heading to….”

Some were terrified and outright NO!

Some were very suspicious!

But some were overwhelmed with excitement at the suggestion…!!

A free canal boat trip, brilliant!

I had two English girls that were fantastic company, even kept in touch for a few years after, a great German lad that had been in a mining accident, another French lad who was great crew and great company. I only had one bad experience with an English lad who got on my nerves, everything was too much trouble, I was pleased to see him go, but the rest were fantastic and certainly better than being alone..

Risky???  Maybe!

It’s all up to your judgment!

at least you can see up front who they are and you could kick 'em off if it didn't work, unlike the replies and the commitment of an ad for crew.

[Biggles]

I don't want to get arrested! Sounds fun though 

[Phil Ambrose]

On 10/12/2016 at 21:26, Biggles said:

Peter. Once again your words are full of wisdom. I am just musing the idea just now.

 

See you next year sometime I guess.

Well maybe but I can assure you it's very much the case. I am not alone in noticeing this in France. I even have one brested up boat last year untie and move off while I was chatting to his wife.

Now that's just weird..

Phil 

[Capt. D]

"I don't want to get arrested! Sounds fun though  "

 

I’m not sure why you think you could get arrested?

Maybe I’m just old. When I was a kid hitchhiking and backpacking was a way of life.

I toured all over Europe thumbing lifts on the roadside.

The thought of getting a ride on a canal boat would have been mind blowing.

 

Has the world really changed that much that everybody is afraid to give somebody a lift.

 

As an old man in this modern climate I’m terrified of even telling a woman that’s she’s pretty without having the police on my doorstep.

The world has gone mad!

[Boaty Jo]

The idea of clearing the decks so your wife can look after her mum interrupted is selfless indeed. 

We did find that a good proportion of continental boaters (French / Dutch / German) were pretty insular, or at least wishing to associate with their own nationalities.

In fact some of the Dutch we encountered wouldn't have got off their boat at all if it wasn't for having to go and knock a spike in. 

Finding crew at random does seem a bit risky. Better maybe to try and find someone with whom you have something in common.

[Peter X]

Having done quite a number of trips (in England) as crew for various forum members over the last few years, people who only knew me through what I wrote online followed by a brief phone conversation, I've never had a problem with anyone, and I like to think this is because I'm good at getting along with people and fitting in with what they need doing. I can see that a crew member who's not prepared to get stuck in and do things would be a bit of a burden; often I'm mainly there to operate the locks for someone experienced who has health problems such as a dodgy knee and/or would be single handed without me, but sometimes I'm teaching boating to a beginner, or helping with cooking and chores. If the owner is steering for hours in the rain the least I can do is make them a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea.

France might be a bit different, as locks are mostly (always?) operated for you, so perhaps you could end up with crew expecting a lazy time aboard.

[Athy]

5 minutes ago, Peter X said:

.

France might be a bit different, as locks are mostly (always?) operated for you, so perhaps you could end up with crew expecting a lazy time aboard.

Well, yes and no. On some canals they are electrically operated but you have to trigger them by twisting a sort of saucisson which hangs over the water on a wire. It is not possible* to reach the saucisson while steering a boat from inside the cabin. So you still need a second person to do this.

 

*Well it might be, but you have have to leave the controls and the boat could drift off course so you still couldn't reach the saucisson.

[Peter X]

Thanks, I've never boated on the continent so did not know that. It sounds like a lot less work than a typical K&A lock.