Europe has lots of options. We sailed the east coast of Ireland after arriving from Connecticut and had a great time visiting little harbors and exploring the towns they come with. Kinsale, Crosshaven, Wickford, Rosslare, DunLaeirghie (sp?), Howth and Strangford Loch come to mind. We had problems in Rosslare because of the ferries, and the harbor being rather tight. We continued up to Dunoon, in Scotland, where the customs inspectors came aboard from a boat that was bigger than we were. The Isle of Man is fascinating, with stone walls all over, and the Scillies entirely different - more wild and sandy. We continued down to Royan, at the mouth of the Gironde in France, where there is a Chagall chapel worth visiting, and then on to Arcachon, where the huge sand dunes protect miles of oyster beds, conveniently close to Bordeaux... There are extensive marina facilities in Arcachon as well. St. Jean de Luz is another quaint fishing port, just north of the Spanish border.
The French canals are another story entirely. No tides, negligible current (as opposed to places like Strangford Loch, where the eddies have centers two feet deeper than their edges, and Arcachon, where a tide can run at 8 knots too.) The main caveat on the canals might be draft. Many of the smaller and older canals that are the most interesting aren't too deep. Some canals may also close on short (read: no) notice due to drops in water level tied to rainfall, and/or maintenance (dredging). The Canal du Bourgogne, one of the major North/South thoroughfares for barge traffic, and its large tie-ins will be deep enough for a keeled sailboat, but will also carry hefty commercial traffic that you will need to keep clear of. All those péniches on the quai in Paris have to get there somehow. The big canals also go through industrial centers in big cities that are not as picturesque. It is still France, however, so there is likely something prettier just around the next bend, and the restaurants (of course) are not to be beaten.
Another item of concern would be filling LPG gas tanks, since their nozzles are different. You might want to look for an adapter nozzle, or getting European tanks might be simpler (and possibly cheaper, if you re-sell them upon departure?). Also, some canals close for maintenance (dredging) Take several American flags. We wore out at least one, and you might give them as souvenirs to new-found friends. (Or in case it gets stolen and burned...) The present of a club burgee can also be a nice token, but after two seasons up with the others in their collection, no one will know it's from an American club unless it's something like the NYYC.
Have a nice trip. (Let me know if you need crew!
Linear Mode
