The European Inland Waterways Section of the Cruising Association (CA) has published a new comprehensive guide for yachts planning to reach the Mediterranean through the inland waterways, entitled ‘Through France via the Inland Waterways’.
Edited by Gordon Knight with map illustrations by David Edwards-May (author of the Imray guide Inland Waterways of France), this new guide is aimed at owners of moderate draught vessels (1.8m or less). It contains a wealth of information on the four principal routes to the Mediterranean and the preparations needed to undertake them, including boat preparation; equipment; licences and documentation; sources of navigation and other information; practical aspects of boat handling and managing locks and even obtaining supplies en route. It also provides details of all mooring locations along the routes, with first-hand insights on facilities, depths, prices, nearby shops and restaurants and other attractions.
The guide, which is available in both print and downloadable PDF format, also incorporates over 100 hyperlinks to port, marina, boatyard and other websites for readers using the guide online. In the digital PDF version (free for CA members to download from the CA website), CA members can additionally benefit from further hyperlinks to the CA’s proprietary CAptain’s Mate app for the very latest updates on the various mooring locations. The digital guide will also be updated annually via the CAptain’s Mate reports submitted by CA members actively cruising the waterways.
“Hundreds of boat owners use the French inland waterways every year as a route between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean,” said Lucy Gray, CA General Manager, “This brand new guide is essential reading for everyone planning the trip, as it describes the practical aspects of travelling to the Med and also uncovers the delights of the French rivers and canals.”
For vessels with a draught of 1.8m or less and able to unstep their masts to reduce air draught to a maximum of 3.5m, the inland routes offer not only a convenient way to avoid the challenges of the outside passage via Biscay and the Atlantic, but a unique opportunity to sample the attractions of French landscape, history, food and culture.
The 136-page guide, which is A4 size and full colour throughout, is available now in printed form from the CA’s online shop as well as the Lulu.com bookstore at a price of £17.50 plus p&p. It will also be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and independent book stores by March 2022.
The digital version can be downloaded as a PDF from the CA’s Shopify webpage. The print and digital guides also include a 25 per cent discount offer on the first year’s CA membership to anyone joining by 31 December 2022.
In addition to the new guide, the CA’s European Inland Waterways Section also produces five further guides to Cruising the Inland Waterways of France and Belgium, Through the Netherlands via the Standing Mast Routes, 50 Great Cruising Routes in the Netherlands, The River Moselle/Mosel and The German Rhine.
Further information is available at: www.theca.org.uk/public/sections/eiw.
