Month: March 2021

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Aurec-sur-Loire to Barrage de Grangent

Distance: approx 11 NM

Aurec-sur-Loire is as far upstream as we have dared sail Jomano. Above here, the water is shallow, with plenty of sandbanks, exposed rocks and small rapids. Fine for an inflatable kayak or canoe, but hard work and damaging for anything else. You can launch from the north bank, 25 metres downstream of the Aurec-sur-Loire footbridge.

A lovely scenic route. You will likely have the water to yourself, passing through the impressive Gorges de la Loire. This is a section we have sailed and paddled many times in Jomano as well as the Lugger, Canoe and Kayak. There are a number of secluded beaches and opportunities to stop for a break, lunch or to camp. Saint Victor sur Loire is a small pleasure boat port and public beach where you can stop for an ice cream, if you wish! It is built on the site of the old village that was flooded to make way for the barrage a few kilometres downstream.

Be sure to circumnavigate the small Île de Grangent. In the background you can see the Château d’Essalois.

You can tie up to the bank and climb the quite steep hill on foot to the Château.

Then turn around. To the of left of the Île de Grangent is the Barrage de Grangent (just out of shot)

The barrage de Grangent.

The portage from the barrage is not particularly easy. You need to leave the water from the north side and then walk along the road for approx 1km (you cannot enter the EDF hydroelectric station) and then down the bank to the river side. There is an interesting diversion from the barrage – the 44km long Canal du Forez to Montbrison and towards Feurs. The next section of river from the barrage, all the way through Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, Veauche, Montrond-les-Bains (Roman spa town), Feurs and Balbigny can be shallow in places, with a number of small rapids and plenty of rocks waiting to damage the hull, rudder and leeboard in spring and summer months. Even in winter, it may not be possible. We have only covered this section (Barrage de Grangent to Boisset lès Montrond) by two person inflatable kayak.

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Anchoring, Sleeping and Cooking

Anchoring

Jomano is very easy to pull onto a beach or tie up alongside a river bank. This significantly reduces the need to anchor. It is sometimes still useful to be able to anchor in a bay or inlet for a peaceful lunch though, or even necessary sometimes for the night. In a small boat it is important to securely stow anchors and chains when sailing – you certainly do not want it to fly or deploy in a capsize. With that in mind, as well as the waters we typically explore, we have a 3.2 kg grapnel anchor with 2 metres of chain and 30 metres rope in a heavyweight PVC bag (with securing loops). We also have a “FOB Light” aluminium alloy anchor in its own padded bag (2 kg, but according to the manufacturer is equivalent to a 6kg steel anchor). This is a French version of the Fortress design.

Deploying an anchor from the bow can be tricky in a sailing canoe, so we have rigged a continuous loop line with a carbine attached for the anchor rode to pass through. This means we can easily drop and raise the anchor from within the cockpit. 

Sleeping and Cooking

Boat Tent

With just the Skipper onboard, accommodation is in the boat with a camping mat on the sole. During fine nights, this will be under the stars with just a blanket, also a bivvy bag if additional warmth is required. Where greater protection from the weather or mosquitos is needed, or for privacy, Jomano’s boat tent is deployed. This is an australian canvas swag that happens to be a perfect fit, with a section of the floor cut out. It can be erected and packed away while on the water. With Crew, a small two man hiking tent is used on shore. All camping equipment is stored in the forward stowage locker.

The Galley

An ancient but ultra-reliable Trangia stove is used for cooking. Originally it came with the alcohol burner, but we added the gas burner option to make it a bit more user friendly, working with screw on gas cartridges available in Decathlon or supermarkets. The stove, crockery, cutlery, matches and washing up gear are secured in the camp kitchen box (a plastic storage box bought from the local supermarket).