Useful Information
The Piloting :
On your arrival, a base technician
will come on board with you and deliver you your first
lesson to show you
how to steer the boat. We will take the time that is
necessary to show you how all equipment works and how
to drive and moor the boat.
You can see how simple it is, the boat is driven using
two controls: a two position accelerator lever (forward
and reverse) and a rudder to steer the boat. That is
all.
Locks :
Along the French and European inland waterways,
the lock crossing is free. Generally, locks are operated
by a locker and are automatic (except on Lot, Baïse
and Charente rivers).
The lock crossing is easy but requires a little bit of
agility, you will be given all useful explanations by
our base staff.
Lock manoeuvring is simple and not dangerous at all if
a few elementary rules are respected. Generally, the
manœuve is controlled by the lock-keeper who will
appreciate a helping hand from a crew member to handle
the lock doors and sluices when these are not automatically
operated.
Meet :
Apart from lock-keepers and other people on a cruising
holiday, you will be able to spot a variety of waterside
birdlife such as herons, kites, ospreys, wild ducks,
kingfishers and wagtails. Above all, you will meet barge
people and anglers.
Barge owners, who have practically disappeared on certain
stretches of water, are friendly people but they do this
work to earn a living. So there is one golden rule :
they always have priority.
Anglers do not always appreciate holidaymakers, who,
in their opinion, stir things up a little too much, so
if you leave enough leeway so as not to cut their lines,
slow down a little and ask them the traditional question "Any
bites?", then you'll make some new friends.
Moor Your Boat :
Thanks to a mooring peg, you can moor your boat wherever
and whenever you want, this is the freedom of fluvial
tourism for freely cruise holidays.
You are fully free to stop the boat where you like, in
the heart of a city, close to a village or in the middle
of the countryside…
Free
:
France
Passion Plaisance Canal Boat Hire in France
