Sailing Magic Carpet · video

What this video covers

Navigating the Rhône river in mid-November, the crew of a 28-foot sailboat faces cold temperatures and the Mistral, a violent northerly wind capable of generating two-meter waves in the river.3:33 The vessel averages 40 kilometers per day while traveling upstream against a one-to-two-knot current.11:11 Planning relies on Navionics for dock locations, Windfinder for wind forecasts, and Google Earth to scout mooring options.12:35 The crew transits the Écluse de Boulogne, a 23-meter-tall lock, and stops at the winter-closed harbor of Vivier.7:00 To manage the cold, the crew uses a diesel heater, wears full weather gear, and maintains a routine of daily diesel refueling and early-morning departures to maximize daylight.2:17 The journey highlights the logistical challenges of off-season inland waterway cruising, where wind conditions and limited infrastructure dictate daily progress and safety.

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