advice re cruiser for narrow beam canals

[skpt]

A recent thread concerning the sea going capabilities of certain inland cruisers is almost the opposite of my quest. I am looking for a cruiser to be able to access the narrowest of the inland waterways(6ft 10in):the dudley canals as this is where mrs skpt hails from and we first met by the delph locks. It would need to be ok for weekends and seaworthy enough for benign weather on the Hamble and Cardigan bay. It would be nice to get to the head of river navigations and then access the canal network(Oxford,Stourport etc)
A small ancient Shetland looks about right but I would hope there might be others.

 

[boatone]

Norman, Viking, Freeman, Buckingham to name but four for starters.

Our first boat on the Thames was a Norman 32 narrow beam jobbie with a Mercedes OM636 diesel. Had five very happy years with her, first on the Wey Navigations and then on the Thames itself including the obligatory trip to Lechlade and back "just because we had to"!!

Try a google with "narrow beam fibreglass cruisers".

 

[byron]

The Shetland 610 was specifically designed just for this.

 

[TrueBlue]

I would have suggested something solid like a Freeman; and with a shaft drive.

But then your post suggests that you would want to tow the boat to some of the further flung destinations (Hamble), which suggests a Shetland - as mentioned by Byron.

Be aware that the canals are full of rubbish which can do awful things to an outboard propeller. The Oxford is relatively clear, but the BCN????

The B&F is particularly bad followed by the Dudley, and because the bottom is quite near the top the trolleys / wire baskets do get picked up quite easily.

It fills me with horror every time I see a little cruiser dicing with 20tons of steel - the former look very vulnerable.

However, there are a few intrepid souls around, and once you get on any river navigation they are more in their element.

A small Sea Otter is towable and a bit more rugged, but not very seaworthy, and of course quite expensive.

Canals are not very conducive to day boating - lack of launching facilities is one challenge, ad you should consider a bit of comfort (loo, cooking, beds)for extended cruising.

 

[skpt]

thank you for your prompt replies. The 610 is too wide for the very canal network I would like to visit as mrs skpt's grandfather was a collier on it. The Viking 19,Freeman 22 mk2 nb and Shetland speedwell look suitable as they appear to be towable and seaworthy as well. There is a reasonable priced speedwell in Brecon which I might look at on my way to West Wales this week and more to see in St Ives where I am going next weekend.

 

[byron]

thank you for your prompt replies. The 610 is too wide for the very canal network I would like to visit as mrs skpt's grandfather was a collier on it. The Viking 19,Freeman 22 mk2 nb and Shetland speedwell look suitable as they appear to be towable and seaworthy as well. There is a reasonable priced speedwell in Brecon which I might look at on my way to West Wales this week and more to see in St Ives where I am going next weekend.

I am a Dimbo. I didn't mean the 610 I meant the Speedwell which was specifically designed to be able to go on any UK Canal.

 

[Steve Clayton]

......The Viking 19,Freeman 22 mk2 nb and Shetland speedwell look suitable as they appear to be towable and seaworthy as well.......

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Not sure I'd take her to sea though

PM me if interested; she is in Oxford
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[Andrew_Fanner]

Norman 20 has more of a semi-d to planing hull than some of the others and with a bigger engine has some grunt for use in estuaries and other reasonably sheltered areas. If you are serious about the Dudley Canals you may also want to think about air draft although I dont't think BW will let you into the Dudley Tunnel without a lot of palaver anyway.

 

[TrueBlue]

Norman 20 has more of a semi-d to planing hull than some of the others and with a bigger engine has some grunt for use in estuaries and other reasonably sheltered areas. If you are serious about the Dudley Canals you may also want to think about air draft although I dont't think BW will let you into the Dudley Tunnel without a lot of palaver anyway.

Aha Jim Lad, you'll be talking about Dudley No:2 canal, nobody going is from ParkHead is ever seen again, Arrhh.

I think the OP is talking about the other Dudley canal, that is twixt the Stourbridge and the New Mainline via Windmill End and Netherton Tunnel. Should be enough headroom there.

Still a lot of junk in the cut, though.

 

[macnorton]

Freeman 22

A lot of the Freeman 22 / 23 boats are too wide for canals (they built narrow beam 6ft 10" and wide beam versions 7ft 6") also you would need a 4x4 or van to tow it.
http://www.freemancruisers.com/boats/classic/

I would go for a 16 - 19 ft with an outboard which can be towed behind a saloon car.
I know of a nice Mayland 16 which would do the job?

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Aha Jim Lad, you'll be talking about Dudley No:2 canal, nobody going is from ParkHead is ever seen again, Arrhh.

I think the OP is talking about the other Dudley canal, that is twixt the Stourbridge and the New Mainline via Windmill End and Netherton Tunnel. Should be enough headroom there.

Still a lot of junk in the cut, though.

I admit that for many years I have wondered how viable it would be to go down the Black Delph wiers on a doughnut or even a well found hovercraft The idea occurred over strong drink (Original Dark Ruby Mild) and faltered a bit when looking at the numerous 8' drops From aged 23-33 we had a canal holiday every year, first as lads, then lads and g/fs and then drunks and family boat until school holidays made it too pricey for the families. Stoking or Non Stoking.

 

[skpt]

thanks for you further comments. sad that the canals are mistreated up there. at least the droitwych loop appears to be nearly complete according to my MIL perhaps i'll do that one instead. would like to do the netherton tunnel though as i was married on top of it!

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

thanks for you further comments. sad that the canals are mistreated up there. at least the droitwych loop appears to be nearly complete according to my MIL perhaps i'll do that one instead. would like to do the netherton tunnel though as i was married on top of it!

Netherton is good. You can, as I have wanted to for years, spend a week on the BCN proper by staying on the Main Lines and doing Thame Valley and W&E properly. I know that the Tuesday Night Club have managed to get permission to go through Dudley Tunnel (and made the draught modifications so to do) and wish I could do that too some day. Custon low air draught Josher might be the way forward, being short that's tolerable elsewhere! I've been in the other end a couple of times.