barge for home

[Sixpence]

Does anyone know where there is a large 'floating' abandoned barge in the U.K. . I missed out on the bricks and mortar home when the prices went stupid so I am looking for a floating home where I can use my boat as a tender . Any help appreciated

 

[Grehan]

Abandoned, I dunno, but you might look at
http://www.barges.org/

 

[Sixpence]

Thanks but they are usually barges that have already been worked on , whereas I have the ability to do most of the work myself so dont really want someone elses ideas already there. I am electrical/electronics man with access to weld man etc. so I (or mostly SWMBO) am after an empty hull.

 

[mainshiptom]

There are some around the swale and Medway but you will need to tow away at night and be very quite !

Tom

 

[Grehan]

Ja, understand, but they're a helpful bunch at the DBA and may know a source of 'project' barges. ;-)

 

[Sixpence]

Thanks Tom , if you let me know exactly where I'll put my sneakie suit on and start my super silent engine . Nice thought though . Cheers and seriously , if you let me know where , I could make more enquiries

 

[Sixpence]

I messed up the last reply but thanks Tom and Grehan , I have e.mailed the DBA and I'll keep my pinkies crossed , all suggestions welcome

 

[mainshiptom]

Around fav there are lots of them, I will make some noises?

Tom

 

[Sixpence]

Thanks Tom , much appreciated , any other suggestions ?
Dave

 

[jubilada1947]

Hi,
Have you tried 'Ebay'? They often have barges/canal boats/narrow boats on offer.

 

[Sixpence]

Yes I have thanks , the problem is they are always either part done or completely finished . The wife is an interior designer and I am a multitasking electrician doing marine and everything else so we are after a bare hull to start from scratch , but thanks for the suggestion . ANY OTHERS ? PLEASE TELL over 200 people have looked so surely some have an idea
Chears
Dave

 

[boatone]

I think there is a good chance you may be looking for something that doesn't exist in the form you wish.

It is possible to buy completely bare hulls from builders but I think it unlikely that anyone, having done so, would then be likely to sell it on in that state.

You may be better off contemplating doing a rip out job on a suitable hull.....more work initially but you would then have what you are looking for.

Here is probably not the best place to look. Have you read the various inland waterways magazines? Perhaps a call to British Waterways themselves might provide some leads...who knows what lurks up some murky canal backwater? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

I have had a couple of leeds from those directions thanks , but I am trying all sources I can think of and so far the DBA have had the best ideas ,apart from Toms which so far beats all.Thanks
Dave

 

[Forbsie]

You might want to have a look Here.

 

[Sixpence]

Just had a look thanks , another direction for my enquiries and very much appreciated . All suggestions welcome (except "BUY A HOUSE")
Thanks
Dave

 

[boatbuilder]

What area of the country are you looking , that might be a help

 

[Sixpence]

I'm looking everywhere at the moment , being adventurous you might say , but the most likely for me would be East coast from Yorkshire , round to South coast . I am self employed and travel all over so location is not really a problem , thanks by the way
Cheers
Dave

 

[charles_reed]

You may be looking for a hen's tooth, but if you want a large, cheap steel barge your best bet is looking in the areas they're still working.

That's the Rhine, Netherlands, Danube and some French waterways.

UK waterways are purely recreational and in any case the 6'6" beam limitation makes for a fairly limited accomodation.

In any case good luck - you're best off going there to hunt it out, not relying on "For Sale" signs.

 

[boatbuilder]

Motor barge or dumb lighter (no motor) ?

 

[Sixpence]

Thanks for advice re. the continent , and ideally looking for a motor barge (mechanic in back pocket so running engine not vital as long as its there)