Overview

Several hundred boats use the French inland waterways each year as a route between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. While there are challenges to be overcome, for yachts of moderate draught (under 1.8m) and able to unship their masts to reduce air draught to a maximum of 3.5m, the inland routes offer not only a convenient way to avoid the perils of the outside passage via Biscay and the Atlantic but a unique opportunity to sample the attractions of French landscape, history, food and culture. This guide, produced by the European Inland Waterways Section (EIWS) of the Cruising Association, includes details of all the main access points to the waterways from seaward as well as the preparations necessary for travelling on them. It covers the four principal routes by which vessels can reach the Mediterranean, together with information on boat preparation; recommended equipment; licences and regulations; navigation; practical aspects of boat handling and managing locks; moorings and nearby facilities and sources of further information. The contents are regularly updated by Cruising Association (CA) members actively cruising the French waterways.

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9781470993696

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Gordon Knight spent 25 years in the public relations industry, latterly as joint founder and managing director of a top 10 UK PR company (floated in 1987, sold in 1991), then as an independent issues management consultant 'until it got in the way of cruising'. A Cruising Association member since 2013, Gordon has spent 40 years cruising under sail, mostly in his Oyster 435 ketch Athene of Lymington in Northern European waters and throughout the Mediterranean. During that time he has been an active administrator on the World Cruising Wiki, largely creating several Mediterranean sections as well as contributing to CA Cruising Reports. In 2015 he purchased a Nowee 38, Cheyenne of Lymington, and now spends much of the year cruising the inland waterways of France and Belgium with his wife Soophy. He is a member of the CA's European Inland Waterways Section (EIWS) and writes or edits all the Section's publications. He is also author of 16 full-colour photo guides to the French waterways.

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