LE BOAT

What a sad outfit
We selected ‘Le Boat’ to travel the ‘Canal du Midi’ based on a pre-Covid recommendation from an acquaintance, but we regret not having researched their competitors before making our overpriced reservation. Our boat, a 2012 Bavaria, was a relic of a long ago past. Chipped gelcoat throughout, broken side bumpers (the ones attached to the hull), faulty doors and hatches, badly done renovation (the upholstery was crudely redone). Cheap kitchenware, including useless knives. Faulty Bimini (no shade), faulty BBQ (could not open it), clogged kitchen sink (we had to become our own plumbers), reversed refrigerator door (I know, too much effort to swing them around…). Zero supplies of any kind, not even dish soap. Plastic ropes (dock lines) that will chew into your bare hands and you must use them constantly at every lock. A few euros more and they could have bought soft ones. The most blatant shortcoming is the absence of a rudder indicator, so you will have to guess if you have it right (as in straight) or not. You will also have to guess your speed, or install an app on your phone, as we did.

Our boat had a forward cabin that was smaller than the aft one, and the shower – separate from the head (bathroom) – was a joke. The door opened indoor leaving minimal space to step in and then close it. The height inside the shower was, perhaps, 5’8’’ (1.7 meters), so if you are a tall person, you are out of luck. The shower is in the main cabin area; if you are prudish, that will not do for you.

The Le Boat facilities, especially Port Cassafieres, are in a state of abandonment. Broken down docks with loose planking, broken water faucets, garbage, dust and dirt everywhere. It gives an indication of a company that is going through hard times. Employees are all nice, and they probably all need their job, so they do their best despite the situation. When, upon our return, we were asked how the cruise had gone, I could sense the whole office screaming ‘incoming’ and waiting for a barrage of complaints to follow. I spared them. What is the point of harassing the poor employees who have almost no control over this sad state of affairs?

We went aboard boats from some of their competitors and they were much better. My recommendation would be to shop around before you make your reservation with ‘Le Boat’. Especially consider that Port Cassafieres is literally in the middle of nowhere with no shopping facilities nearby. Avoid the side trip to Narbonne because the port is closed and there is no water nor power anywhere along the way. Le Boat will only tell you just before leaving that the port is closed, not when you are making a reservation.

The glossy brochures (call it a sort of canal guide) provided by Le Boat are out of date and indicate water, power, and facilities no longer there. In essence, you need to assume that the water you have on board needs to last you for at least 3 to 4 days. Some of the small ports along the way will make you pay and will not give you more than a few hundred liters.

A final consideration. I had years of boating experience and I found handling this boat, the locks and the canals challenging, especially when the wind was fierce, as it often is in Narbonne. I have no idea how anyone without any prior experience may be able to enjoy it. We witnessed boats hitting docks, bridges, and locks just like bumper cars. Nothing dramatic, but I’m sure the various company made the captain pay for the damages (get insurance!). Moreover, it takes some advanced level of physical strength to handle the ropes. Did I mention that all the sewage is dumped straight into the canal and that often, while handling the ropes that filthy water gets on you?

Tout ce que je peux dire du boat ⛵ de Castelnaudary c'est que les sanitaires pour les vacanciers est d'une propreté irréprochable et le personnel très agréables

Super expérience très physique à 2 pour 5 jours en partant dans la direction de Carcassonne. Notre voyage s'est interrompu au port de Bram que nous avons bien apprécié, ainsi que la ville qui a pieds était à 1km5 où l'on a pu se ravitailler & se régaler au restaurant le petit Bramais que nous recommandons fortement pour son équipe très sympathique & chaleureuse, de très bon conseil, son beau décor & son excellente cuisine, bravo

À déconseillé le prix trop cher

Tres belle flotte de bateaux malheureusement les bateaux sont abîmés suite aux locations.