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
: