Experience Report: 29 Yachtline Rhine and Rhine/Marne Canal

From Ludwigshafen in May, when the weather was still cool, we set off on Friday afternoon (with a full diesel tank of about 350 liters) and continued towards Baden-Baden.

There we were very well received as guest boaters. Thanks to the quick support with the mooring maneuver, we managed to discover a separate, particularly remarkable sanitary area next to the restaurant.

We spent a very nice evening at this dock.

On Saturday we went through the big Iffezheim lock, it was very easy. After the meeting with the very nice lock master, he asked us to wait for the freighter and the cruise ship, after which we were allowed to hold on to the floating bollard and were directed to the mountain. We were lucky with the 2nd Gambsheim lock and were immediately directed to Berg and then continued to Kehl. In Kehl we anchored at the club and stayed there overnight. The next day we went to see Kehl on folding bicycles, already an interesting city, we also went to Strasbourg and that evening we had a nice dinner in the Kehler clubhouse.

On Sunday we refueled in Kehl to be on the safe side (it was only 90 liters of diesel and we only drove against the current), first we continued through the Strasbourg lock to the Rhine Marne Canal.

Then we passed the European Parliament. You can hardly hear the diesel engine, it is extremely quiet and economical. Except for a few locks that you operate yourself, we passed very well. In Waltenheim we moored for free, you only pay for electricity and water with a credit card. The bikes are great for exploring the area. In the evening we had a delicious tarte flambée (very cheap by French standards) in the small restaurant next door.

On Monday we went to Lützelbourg and stayed with nice people at the charter base. Unfortunately only the hotel on the bridge was open as many restaurants are closed on Mondays.

Then we went to Niderviller through two tunnels 2306m and 475m. It is advisable to have a headlamp with you because the lamps in the tunnel do not always work properly.

In Niderviller-Tannenheim we stayed at the Kuhnle Tours rental base where we were welcomed by very good staff.

Then we finished with “Katz”, very good but not cheap, you can treat yourself to something.

We thought our fuel gauge wouldn’t work, because after about 25 hours and 8 kilometers of canal at about 132 km/h it hardly moved at all. The next day we did another big tour, we went to Offendorf. It was great again at the club, we also have some friends who visit us occasionally in Ludwigshafen, we had a great evening with them.

The next day, when it was raining, we drove home through the Iffezheim lock, which we just passed fine, a little wet, but as is known, there are only bad clothes and no bad weather. We drove home in one piece to Ludwigshafen.

The next day we rested, the fuel gauge was still showing half full, we were very surprised how little diesel we used. Another great trip with our 29 YACHTLINE – we look forward to more adventures.

Best wishes

Hubert and Gudrun