S/Y Belisama: Through the Draget Canal

Sunday 28 August 2016

Through the Draget Canal - 24 August 2016

The Draget Canal is a straight between the main land around Nynäshamn and the island of Järflotta. It is the small section heading north in the middle of the map, coming from Nynäshamn. I had long heard of the canal as La Malouine homeport was not very far, on the west side of the peninsula. However, being indicated as 1.5 meter deep was preventing the 1.8 meter deep "brise de mer" to attempt passing through.

The weather forecast for the morning was very light winds from SSW, right in the nose, meaning a couple of hours on engine to reach Öja. Engine for engine, we decided to go through the canal. The marina captain is not very optimistic about the success as the canal was last dragged 35 years ago... Being seven meters large does not allow reversing!

With Sweden rising-up almost one centimetre every year, it should be 30 centimetres shallower than by then.

Therefore, not a problem for an OVNI...

The approach is very nice, protected from all winds, and quite busy in such a nice summer morning.

Dragetskanal, east entrance.

I should admit being a bit nervous when approaching the east entrance of the 200 metre long canal. First, it is not straight, second, no chance to allow crossing by another boat, third, not very clear above the canals trees are leaning over the water.

Dragetskanal, west entrance

We start calculating that a seven meter wide canal for a 4.3 meter wide boat leaves 1.3 meter on each side of the hull when realising that we will have to turn a bit around. We have not touched down, neither on the sides, but passed very close to! We finish the 200 meters with three pine-cones on the deck.

Should you wish to get through, don't forget to horn a long blow before engaging in. We forgot!

On Wikimedia, to have an idea on how it looks...