Guydickinson
regular
Reged: 21/08/2006
Posts: 123
Loc: Dorset, UK
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This, I guess, is a rather specialised question...but does anyone know much about navigating the River Tet to Perpignan in the S of France. Also any advice on whether it is worth considering the canals through France as opposed to sailing round (34 ft yacht with 4ft 6ins draft). I bought a book on canals once but it was a v expensive and v thin paperback with not much in it (lost it now - wasn't impressed!). Thanks. Got to get out of these non summers we have now!
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JamesFrance
regular
Reged: 24/10/2006
Posts: 242
Loc: Carcassonne & Sant Carles
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I don't think you would stand any chance of entering the river from the coast, as the mouth is extremely shallow.
Since you say Perpignan, there is the canal de la Robine from Port la Nouvelle passing through Narbonne, however your draught is probably too much for that also.
You could get through the Midi alright but not always at the edge and would have no problems with the main canal system which is deeper.
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James
Dolphin of Menai
Beneteau Oceanis 311.
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Twister_Ken
regular
Reged: 31/05/2001
Posts: 14661
Loc: k, stock & barrel.
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At 4'6" you'd get to the SoF passing many excellent restaurants on the way.
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If, at first, you don't succeed...
...don't try sky diving.
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Guydickinson
regular
Reged: 21/08/2006
Posts: 123
Loc: Dorset, UK
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Thanks - could you recommend any decent publications on the canals please?
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Grehan
regular
Reged: 11/06/2001
Posts: 1137
Loc: Inland France
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Modestly, I suggest you look at
http://www.tagweb.co.uk/grehan/_learnings.html
which has got links to book reviews and also useful web links.
As for exiting the system, my own recommendation is to get to Agde, then drop down to the Herault River, then go down a couple of kilometres for re-masting to Chantier Aleman who are first class, then a couple more kilometres and into the Med.
The alternative, which many people also do, is to go down the Rhone to the end (almost) then through the big lock to Port St Louis and go see Naval Service yard. They're also very professional. You exit further east than the Agde/Herault option.
Horses for courses.
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___ Grehan :: French Waterways information ___
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Guydickinson
regular
Reged: 21/08/2006
Posts: 123
Loc: Dorset, UK
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Thanks Grehan. I get the impression that "Through The French Waterways" might be the best one for this? (Great site by the way)
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SirSnoozalot
regular
Reged: 25/05/2008
Posts: 830
Loc: East Coast UK
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Don't be modest, that's a truly excellent cruise account. I have just spent the whole afternoon reading it. Brilliant.
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Grehan
regular
Reged: 11/06/2001
Posts: 1137
Loc: Inland France
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It's on the website, but, well unless any latest edition is better than ours (c.2003) I can't say it's that great.
You need to get Navicartes for the journey, them or the new A4 size colour guides (French, but with English and German translated bits) whose details escape me for the moment. I will try to remember to look 'em up and return to this thread in the next couple of days. They both detail every kilometre of the waterway, similar to a nautical chart, with brief notes about places and info. such as fuel, pontoons, shopping etc. (not always accurate or up to date). Some people use Guides Vagnon but I don't like them, they put the waterway details into an odd sequence that I can't get on with.
The best guide that tells you about the waterways, the history, the places, is undoubtedly Hugh McKnight's book "Cruising French Waterways". Not for navigation (although it is quite detailed) but should have you drooling and impatient to get floating through the French countryside, towns and villages . . . .
Oh, and thanks for the compliment. I've got a bunch more material that needs to be put on, and make some updates, which has prompted a re-think about the site, which means I haven't done the changes, which means the site is not quite as I'd like it to be, but I somehow need to put in the time to do the work, but other things get in the way, dee, dah, dee, dah, dee, dah . . . .
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Guydickinson
regular
Reged: 21/08/2006
Posts: 123
Loc: Dorset, UK
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Thanks a lot! Very roughly (and I know this is a bit of a daft question) but how long would it take a yacht going along steadily to get from the channel to the Med?
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Grehan
regular
Reged: 11/06/2001
Posts: 1137
Loc: Inland France
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hmm . . and length of your piece of string is?
I'm on battery power tied up in Avignon tonight. A great place but [--word removed--] for boats by the way. Done the first Rhone bit. Will think of an answer termorrer. 
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___ Grehan :: French Waterways information ___
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