North Sea To Black Sea

[graeme_caesar]

We are planning to puchase a Macgregor 26M in the UK and cruising from the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Rhine, Maine and Danube Rivers before heading back to France via the Mediterranean and spending a few years cruising along the canals and rivers there.

Doe anyone have any experience of either of these cruises?

[MMNETSEA]

Graeme

The completion of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in 1992 joined the Rhine-Main and the Danube to create a single waterway from the North Sea to the Black Sea. The waterway is navigable by large barges for its full length, and ocean going ships for part of its length.

With the Macgregor only drawing 12 inches with the board up and a 50 hp O/B engine to get you out of trouble - especially in avoiding barges, their tows and ocean going ships, the Macgregor should not encounter serious difficulties. When tying off for the night - consider the wash from passing ships.

As there will be many times when it will not be possible to sail - consideration should be given to mounting a small fuel efficient outboard to cruise with. As far as the return trip is concerned taking the mast down to clear bridges should be part of the specification options. Again the shallow draft and 8 foot beam will allow passage on French canals that are short of water.

Also to be considered is the question of fenders - take plenty ! Think about how you will get ashore when the river or canal bank is 8 foot higher than the boat's deck.

Lots of History - sometimes boring - sometimes white knuckles.

Planning >> Planning >> Reading up >>> planning Set Sail.

Good luck

[substandard]

Originally Posted by graeme_caesar

We are planning to puchase a Macgregor 26M in the UK and cruising from the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Rhine, Maine and Danube Rivers before heading back to France via the Mediterranean and spending a few years cruising along the canals and rivers there.

Doe anyone have any experience of either of these cruises?

graeme_caesar:

It has been 2-1/2 years since your posting. Did you make this passage? How was it? I am planning a similar trip for next year (2011). My biggest concern is the Shengen Visa - good for only 3 months while the passage could take 6.

Anyone else have experience crossing Europe like this?

[saxon]

Anyone else have experience crossing Europe like this?

[/quote]

Hello Substandard. If it's of any help to you, an English couple, Bill and Laurel Cooper made the voyage from Germany down to Turkey via the old 'viking route' the Rhine- Danube etc: and wrote a very comprehensive book about the voyage. " Back door to Byzantium" (authors as above) I haven't read it, but I'm told it's basically the definitive book for anyone contemplating the same voyage. Bill and Laurel have been liveaboard cruisers since the late 1950's and are still cruising today. I can't help you with any information re the visas etc:

[substandard]

Originally Posted by saxon

Anyone else have experience crossing Europe like this?

Hello Substandard. If it's of any help to you, an English couple, Bill and Laurel Cooper made the voyage from Germany down to Turkey via the old 'viking route' the Rhine- Danube etc: and wrote a very comprehensive book about the voyage. " Back door to Byzantium" (authors as above) I haven't read it, but I'm told it's basically the definitive book for anyone contemplating the same voyage. Bill and Laurel have been liveaboard cruisers since the late 1950's and are still cruising today. I can't help you with any information re the visas etc:

Thank you Saxon. I have read the book and found quite interesting. However, their trip was in 1995 and a few things have changed in Europe since then. There is only one more recent book that I am aware of. It is "Die Danube" by Haselhorst and Dittmann. It based on a passage taken in 2007 and covers the Danube from Kelheim to the Black Sea. The authors are German so Schengen did not apply. Although the book is very well done, it is a slow read for anyone who does not speak German.

As I gather information, I am posting it to the Cruising Tips website for the benefit of anyone else planning such an adventure.

[magwas]

Originally Posted by substandard

As I gather information, I am posting it to the Cruising Tips website for the benefit of anyone else planning such an adventure.

I am willing to help figuring out informations about the Danube part, especially Hungary, as I live here (sadly landlocked).

Just ask your questions.

[Lighthouse]

There is some information on the Cruising Wiki - HERE (near the bottom of page). Please add more information to the Wiki.

This topic is also discussed on the CruiserLog forum - HERE

[Solero]

[QUOTE=name='substandard' date='Jan 10 2010, 04:57 AM' post='39744']

graeme_caesar:

It has been 2-1/2 years since your posting. Did you make this passage? How was it? I am planning a similar trip for next year (2011). My biggest concern is the Shengen Visa - good for only 3 months while the passage could take 6.

Hi Graeme,

we are hoping to cruise in Europe and have the same Schengen visa issue.

We have been told that some countries will grant an extension. But like you we will be moving from country to country and the second (or third) country doesn't have to respect the extension given by the first one.

Have you found any more information or ways around that ?

cheers

Denise