Only the boats of less than 30 meters can sail on the entirety of the Canal. The classification in 1996 with the inheritance world of UNESCO prohibits today any enlarging of the 40 locks limited to 30,90 meters.
The part from Toulouse to Castet-en-Dorthe can accomodate boats of less than 39 meters (locks with 39,90 meters), the Toulouse part to Villefrance-de-Lauragais being also adapted to this size.
From the Mediterranean sea, only the locks until Bézier are to the Freycinet standards.
Canal's Old boats
Canal du Midi
bateau ponté
L = 26,50 à 27 m
width = 5,3 à 5,4 m
Tunnage = 120 à 130 Tonnes
This type of boat makes up the greater part of the trade fleet on the Canal du Midi.
Gabarres
bateau ponté
L 20m
l 5 à 6 m
T 50 à 60 tonnes
This boat was specialized in the transport of half -hogsheads in the port of Sete and its region.
Sapine
L 29 à 29, 5 m
l 5, 30 à 5, 40 m
T 145 à 170 tonnes
Frequent boat navigating on the canal lateral to the Garonne.
