Can you take a narrow boat across the English Channel?

Asked by: Joe Johnson

The short answer is Yes. A longer answer is Yes, but you you are advised to have an experienced crew, a properly-prepared and maintained narrowboat, and cooperative weather.

Can you sail a narrowboat across the English Channel?

Narrowboats are “Category D” boats which are intended only for navigating rivers, canals and small lakes; but some intrepid boaters have crossed the English Channel in a narrowboat.

Can you cross the English Channel in a boat?

Cross the English Channel with our routes connecting the UK and France. We offer two routes into Dover from Calais and Dunkirk, and another route from Dieppe to Newhaven. With regular departures in both directions, it’s easy to fit a ferry crossing into your holiday schedule.

How far can you travel on a canal boat in the UK?

How far can I travel? During the summer months you can expect to cruise for anywhere between four and seven hours a day. Travelling at 3-4mph for four hours a day will mean you cover around 80 to 100 miles in a week.

Can barges cross the Channel?

[178529] Given they cross the channel in small inflatables these days a Dutch barge should have no problem ona calm period of weather. Assuming you can cruise at seven or eight knots just pick a strong high pressure period. You might find the road option tricky with that length and weight.

Can you take a canal boat on a river?

Canal & narrowboats on a River. In summer, many canal and narrowboats venture onto the River Severn. They can be crewed by experienced inland canal boaters or newbie holiday makers – you may notice little difference if either is on a major river for the first time !

Can a cabin cruiser go to sea?

Downeast cabin cruisers will combine the comforts of home, with the ability to remain at sea for several days or even continuously. They can be great sleeper boats for day trips, weekend outings, overnights, and long-term leisure cruising.

What size boat can cross the English Channel?

But a 29ft boat should be perfectly capable of channel crossing in benign weather conditions: it’s a similar size to my previous Sealine S28 which went across several times, although that did have twin diesels.

How rough is the English Channel?

You also have to remember that the English Channel can become very rough in a blink of an eye, especially in the wrong conditions and so you have to choose a fairly short route. In favorable conditions, you can start from Needles or Poole and sail to Cherbourg.

How much does it cost to cross the English Channel?

Eurotunnel’s standard return fare starts at £106 per car, while with P&O the cost is from £60, with LD Lines from £58, and with SeaFrance from £50. Norfolkline often has the cheapest deals. Currently, its fares for a standard return for a car and four people are as little as £29 (travelling midweek before 20 May).

Can you take a narrowboat on the Thames?

“The tidal Thames can catch some narrowboaters off guard after traveling on the calm waters of the canals. It is best to have your narrowboat in tiptop condition when traveling on the tidal Thames as it is a demanding waterway.”

How fast can a narrowboat go on a river?

How to calculate travel time on a narrowboat. As previously mentioned, your canal boat is not permitted to travel at more than four miles per hour – and you also have to allow around 15 minutes for passing through each lock.

Is a Dutch barge seaworthy?

The Dutch barge is an extremely popular pleasure boat on canals and rivers. It is a small yacht that is available in various sizes ranging from 10 to 15 metres in length. This type of houseboat has a sturdy metal construction and the engine makes it very seaworthy.

Can Thames barges go to sea?

Thames sailing barges are ordinary workaday vessels but they are astonishingly seaworthy. They are among the most picturesque craft afloat and form a striking contrast to the power-driven vessels which are attempting to oust them from their trades.

Can Dutch barges go on canals?

Dutch barges are widest of all at up to 20 feet. This may be great for day-to-day living, but remember that the extra width can be hard to handle if you’re a novice and may not be suited to our narrow UK canals.