Sailing Britalyvideo
Goodbye Belgium: Hello FRANCE! ⛵Sailing Britaly⛵
February 6, 2026 · 18 min · 3K views · Dinant
What this video covers
Sailing Britaly's boat, which draws 1.65 metres, crosses from Belgium into France via the inland waterway system, departing Dinant and mooring overnight in Givet, just below the Pont des Américaines.14:30 Departure from Dinant uses a single midship spring line with the river current to swing the bow clear before casting off.2:03 At the first French lock, the lock keeper warns the crew that the maximum permitted draft on their intended route to the Mediterranean is 1.4 metres — 25 centimetres less than the boat's draft — citing low water levels.11:25 Chris had verified the route that morning using the VNF route calculator with the boat's draft entered, and the VNF website showed no depth restrictions.11:48 The primary route is confirmed unavailable; an alternative route remains open, though a further diversion may be required depending on rainfall.13:16 The crew buys a French vignette at the border lock.10:25 In Givet, they moor free of charge on the non-service bank and run the boat's first barbecue, fitting a €7.50 stainless-steel grill into the existing barbecue bracket.14:54 The next leg will include the crew's first inland tunnel passage, described as narrow and unlit, where the depth sounder reads 1.5 metres against the boat's 1.65-metre draft.18:02
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