Thank you so much for the advice. I am feeling more confident about this adventure now that I have done some research and the advice you gave is most helpful!
I spent 10 years cruising all the waterways through Holland Belgium and France single handed with no help except for the Fonseranes lock flight at Beziers, so it is possible to do it alone, you just have to be organised and have all your ropes ready and have plenty of fenders.
très belle vidéo je n'ai pas eu la chance de naviguer sur le canal du MidiPar contre, j'ai navigué sur le Rhône de la mer jusqu'à Valencevoir (vidéo remontée du Rhône en bateau LC VIDEO)Je m'abonnesalutations Louis
I would not recommend this with only two people, please note any of the videos showing a easy lock experience has at least two people handling the ropes. We were two women over 60, noted out fears to LeBoat and they insisted we would not have any problems. I never wanted anything to end so much in my life. Le Boat does NOT provide adequate training, or preparation. It would have been so much easier if they simply provided a binder with photos and descriptions of each individual lock. As bad as it was for us, we actually saw people having more trouble. Thankfully we were off season, I cannot imagine how much worse it would have been if the locks were all crowded.
I have to agree. Three of us over 60 did a trip and we didn’t think it through and the Le Boat folks were not really that helpful. First of all, if you are not a skilled boat person, young, and athletic, this is a real chore and not the ride through an Impressionist painting as described. First, plan your trip to go down stream. Driving into a full lock is much easier than going into an empty lock. You drive in and can tie up and as the lock empties let the rope out as you lower. Then just drive out. Going up stream you must get out of the boat to guide and tie off. Big pain if no,easy place to get off the boat with your rope.if we had gone down stream it would have been a pleasure. However the place is beautiful, the people great and the eating at local restaurants wonderful. We did go in spring rather than summer and the traffic was not bad. So, take the train to a point up stream and travel down stream. Much better trip.
My husband and I are traveling on the Canal du Midi in France in October. I am concerned about the locks as I am the person who will be handling the ropes. We have rented a boat from Le Boat. Do you have any video/tips that will help me learn how to successfully deal with the ropes both going up and down the locks.
Unfortunately, I don't know of any. But if you're comfortable around boats in general, you'll be fine. It'll just take team work :). I do recommend getting a boat with bow thrusters. It makes it more maneuverable. Also, the boat will have lots of fenders/bumpers and that'll help. Most of all, have fun!
Janice Fluhr we did this a few years ago, so here is what I can tell you... first of all you have nothing's no to fear, the canal hosts people with all levels of skill, so you will see your share of people bumping into lock walls and what not. It will take two people working lines, but your skipper can be one of those. Going up lock the line handler will take n many cases get off the boat with both bow and stern lines in hand walk the boat into the locks. Shorter locks won't require this. As the boat passes the bollard the stern will be using loop the line around it and pass it to the captain. At the bow you will loop the bow line around a bollard and keep the slack off as the water rises. For single locks you can just step on the boat as it rises, and when up locked up simply take in the lines. For multiple locks you will need to repeat the process takes no the stern line from the skipper when that lock is complete. For locking down it is even easier. Just have each person wrap their line around the bollard and slack off slowly as the boat descends. When at the bottom just pull the loose end upon to the boat. Take your time at your first lock and just watch what other boats do before you try it yourself. The canal was one of the highlights of our lives and you will have a great time. If you are gong through La Redort, and Trebes make sure to eat at the restaurants right on the canal in both these beautiful towns. And give yourself some time to explore Capstang and Carcossonne.
J'ai utilisé Google pour traduire votre commentaire. Je ne recommanderais pas un voilier sur le canal. Le ou les mât (s) seraient trop hauts pour tenir sous beaucoup / la plupart des ponts.
Thank you so much for the advice. I am feeling more confident about this adventure now that I have done some research and the advice you gave is most helpful!
I spent 10 years cruising all the waterways through Holland Belgium and France single handed with no help except for the Fonseranes lock flight at Beziers, so it is possible to do it alone, you just have to be organised and have all your ropes ready and have plenty of fenders.
It looks super crowded.
très belle vidéo je n'ai pas eu la chance de naviguer sur le canal du MidiPar contre, j'ai navigué sur le Rhône de la mer jusqu'à Valencevoir (vidéo remontée du Rhône en bateau LC VIDEO)Je m'abonnesalutations Louis
I would not recommend this with only two people, please note any of the videos showing a easy lock experience has at least two people handling the ropes. We were two women over 60, noted out fears to LeBoat and they insisted we would not have any problems. I never wanted anything to end so much in my life. Le Boat does NOT provide adequate training, or preparation. It would have been so much easier if they simply provided a binder with photos and descriptions of each individual lock. As bad as it was for us, we actually saw people having more trouble. Thankfully we were off season, I cannot imagine how much worse it would have been if the locks were all crowded.
I have to agree. Three of us over 60 did a trip and we didn’t think it through and the Le Boat folks were not really that helpful. First of all, if you are not a skilled boat person, young, and athletic, this is a real chore and not the ride through an Impressionist painting as described. First, plan your trip to go down stream. Driving into a full lock is much easier than going into an empty lock. You drive in and can tie up and as the lock empties let the rope out as you lower. Then just drive out. Going up stream you must get out of the boat to guide and tie off. Big pain if no,easy place to get off the boat with your rope.if we had gone down stream it would have been a pleasure. However the place is beautiful, the people great and the eating at local restaurants wonderful. We did go in spring rather than summer and the traffic was not bad. So, take the train to a point up stream and travel down stream. Much better trip.
My husband and I are traveling on the Canal du Midi in France in October. I am concerned about the locks as I am the person who will be handling the ropes. We have rented a boat from Le Boat. Do you have any video/tips that will help me learn how to successfully deal with the ropes both going up and down the locks.
Unfortunately, I don't know of any. But if you're comfortable around boats in general, you'll be fine. It'll just take team work :). I do recommend getting a boat with bow thrusters. It makes it more maneuverable. Also, the boat will have lots of fenders/bumpers and that'll help. Most of all, have fun!
Janice Fluhr we did this a few years ago, so here is what I can tell you... first of all you have nothing's no to fear, the canal hosts people with all levels of skill, so you will see your share of people bumping into lock walls and what not. It will take two people working lines, but your skipper can be one of those. Going up lock the line handler will take n many cases get off the boat with both bow and stern lines in hand walk the boat into the locks. Shorter locks won't require this. As the boat passes the bollard the stern will be using loop the line around it and pass it to the captain. At the bow you will loop the bow line around a bollard and keep the slack off as the water rises. For single locks you can just step on the boat as it rises, and when up locked up simply take in the lines. For multiple locks you will need to repeat the process takes no the stern line from the skipper when that lock is complete.
For locking down it is even easier. Just have each person wrap their line around the bollard and slack off slowly as the boat descends. When at the bottom just pull the loose end upon to the boat.
Take your time at your first lock and just watch what other boats do before you try it yourself. The canal was one of the highlights of our lives and you will have a great time. If you are gong through La Redort, and Trebes make sure to eat at the restaurants right on the canal in both these beautiful towns. And give yourself some time to explore Capstang and Carcossonne.
Go down steam
Like your video. We are planning on going September 2015. Where did you start and finish please?
+Tom Dallyn Hello, you can start in Toulouse or in Carcassonne :) take a look on our channel
le canal du Midi en voilier est ce possible(bien sur avec le moteur)
Merci.
J'ai utilisé Google pour traduire votre commentaire. Je ne recommanderais pas un voilier sur le canal. Le ou les mât (s) seraient trop hauts pour tenir sous beaucoup / la plupart des ponts.
Little more salt on the meal please, hope you don't have high Blood Pressure .