Sailing Magic Carpet · video

What this video covers

The 28-foot sailboat Magic Carpet navigates the Grand Canal d'Alsace, a man-made section of the upper Rhine River, while traveling north from Switzerland.4:03 The crew, consisting of two owners and two guests, manages the vessel through three large-scale commercial locks, including Ottmarsheim and Vogelgrund.3:12 Navigating these locks requires coordinating with large commercial traffic, such as the vessel Nevada, and managing significant propeller wash that can buffet a small boat against concrete lock walls.8:35 The crew discovers that floating bollards are not present in every wall recess, necessitating quick adjustments to line handling and fender placement.11:43 Waiting for lock cycles often involves hovering in the river, though the canal sections lack current, simplifying the wait.7:44 The crew finds that entering the lock too soon behind commercial ships exposes the boat to dangerous turbulence, while waiting for the wash to subside provides a more stable entry.12:13 Having extra crew on deck significantly improves safety and efficiency during these maneuvers.12:35

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