Tips


	Les Tips

EuroRegs for Inland Waterways by Marian Martin book is the syllabus for the RYA’s test for the International Certificate of Competence, with Inland Water endorsement.

Colin Watkins – principal of naval cadet training (London) and a pleasure barge owner – describes it as ‘A clear and unambiguous reference book for the safe navigation of rivers and canals from Russia to France – essential reading for anyone cruising through Europe.’


	Second UK edition from www. adlardcoles.co.uk US edition from www.sheridanhouse.com

European Waterways by Marian Martin is packed with advice for anyone who intends to cruise inland.

It starts by covering where to cruise, what sort of boat to choose and recommended equipment. It gives advice on cruising waterways large and small, negotiating locks, navigating in the company of giant commercial barges.

There are sections on signs, signals and regulations, communications, licensing, getting to the Med and much more.


	A stout plank outside your fenders gives extra hull protection and can be used as a boarding plank when moored.

Secondhand boat

10 mtr Bruys Vlet

A go anywhere cruiser for the sea, canals and great rivers.


			In the 1960s, Bruys started making pleasure cruiser versions of the vlet; a hull which had long been used for workboats. The workboat heritage shows in practical features, such as the protective rope fender, wide side decks and ultra strong steel construction; all of which are recommended features on an inland waterway cruiser.The sloping bow of the vlet hull makes it ideal for nosing into canal banks and the draft, of about 1.0 metre, allows access to virtually any French waterway. The vlet hull is noted for excellent sea keeping qualities, so crossing seas to reach canals is not a problem; especially as Bruys vlets were usually fitted with a powerful Daf engine. Vlets do have a tendency to roll, but this is reduced on the Bruys models by fitting small ship’s stabilisers. The davits on Bruys vlets can be swung in; useful for avoiding extra mooring fees.






	Today’s vlets tend to be very luxurious boats. The early Bruys models were more basic in layout, but there is a pleasing amount of mahogany, in Brunzeel ply, that has been very carefully matched. The 10 metre version sleeps 4 people - two in the aft cabin and two more in the saloon; a child can also sleep across the boat by the bow cupboards. There is a good galley area and, although the toilet compartment is quite small, the space is used cleverly as this pivoting basin shows. The storage space is excellent, as well as cupboards there are voluminous spaces below the bunks in the aft cabin, the saloon side seating and in the cockpit. The backs of the saloon side seating lift to reveal further storage and the ample water tanks are situated under the forward saloon seating. The cockpit is spacious and the saloon table can be lifted out, for al fresco dining.



	Ancient gate sluices can create turbulence many metres from the lock. To be sure of a comfortable night’s mooring, when ascending, keep well back from the lock, or pass through and moor in the upper level.

		Planning to cruise Flanders, Brabant, Brussels, Hainaut or the Nord-Pas de Calais?

			This tourist navigation guide for the western part of Belgium and the north of France is the single most comprehensive one of its kind and an absolute must. This issue by the Provinces of West Flanders and East Flanders was realised in association with the Regional Committee for Tourism of Nord-Pas de Calais and support of the European Union. As well as detailed navigational maps and tourist information, this practical guide is a treasure trove of information on subjects ranging from regulations and radio frequencies

to nature and the environment. There is an index listing every navigable waterway, with dimensions and operational details, as well as navigational tips and a description of the waterway. An extensive list of addresses completes this reference work.


	To order transfer €46,49 (incl. packaging and shipping costs) to bank account, IBAN BE32 4646 1506 2202 of Westtoer apb, 120 Koning Albert I avenue, B-8200 Sint-Andries (Belgium), with reference “Tourist Navigation Guide”. For further information contact Westtoer: tel. + 32 50305500, e-mail: info@westtoer.be

Lock ladders get coated with various slippery & filthy substances, so climbing them should be avoided.

Proficient cruisers, with the right equipment, dont usually need to get to the top of a lock, but there are occasions when it is necessary. It is then better to stop and put someone ashore, before the lock, so they can walk up steps, instead of slippery rungs.

Inexpensive boat Macgregor 26

If you want to keep all your options open and not spend a lot on a boat, to sail or motor on the more placid inland & coastal waters, this could be worth a look at.

This is a low priced, 8 metre water ballasted trailer boat which can be sailed, cruised under engine & even used to tow a water skier.

It is narrow enough & light enough to be legally towed behind most family cars, under most European countries’ laws.

The boat sleeps 6 & has full standing headroom in the saloon, where there is a toilet cubicle & galley area.

A MacGregor 26 floats in 9 inches (under 25 cms) of water, so it can go almost anywhere and is easy to launch. There is a good cockpit for alfresco evenings.

The hull has flatter than usual sides, for a sail boat, which is an advantage when mooring alongside.

The fibreglass finish to the interior makes this an easy boat to keep clean.

The MacGregor 26 has an open plan interior, so occupants have little privacy as the sleeping areas are only closed off by curtains.

There are no side decks and the coachroof slopes quite a lot, so this is not the easiest of

boats to move about on. It is not, however, difficult to improve this, when using the boat inland. A vertical support, mounted where the mast would normally be fitted, can be linked by a horizontal bar to the pulpit; thus providing a central handhold which can be used from both sides of the boat. The interior is functional, but a handyman can personalise this by adding individual touches, like the wooden shelves and other embellishments fitted inside this MacGregor.