Cruiser for river, canals, and channel?

[RMW124]

Hello all…. This is a my first post, after seeing the excellent advice offered while researching my 1st boat.

I am not sure such a boat exists, but Iam looking for guidance/recommendations for a vessel that will allow access to the Grand Union Cansl, The River Gt Ouse Network, TheThames, and potentially able to cruise the South Coast.

Needs to accommodate me and a jack Russell. Length between 23-30feet? Diesel Engine(s)……

I have been looking at Fairline Mirage, Shetland 4+2, Viking 23 etc. Budget is upto20k with a 5k reserve for survey, insurance and work.

Thank you in advance

 

[oldgit]

Provided you forget the South Coast you should be able to find something to fit your requirements but in todays market where"if it floats it will sell" you will almost certainly have trouble keeping within that budget.
...and finding a diesel powered boat will be even harder.

 

[gordmac]

Canals and rivers generally have different boats to sea. Are you happy to travel everywhere at 5 or 6kn even at sea?

 

[Gumpy]

To go from GU/Thames to Gt Ouse the boat will need to be less than 7ft beam as the Nothampton flight of locks are narrow locks.

 

[RMW124]

Hi thanks for all your replies so far. Ok..so the sea is the lowest priority and somewhat ambitious. Although the possibility to travel further afield is something that really appeals to me, my immediate plans are to explore as much of the country as I can by boat.

I realise I need a narrow beam vessel to explore canals, but I am a bit worried about spending a huge sum on my first boat.....after all my only experience to date was a week cruising the Ouse on a hire boat. I have seen one boat that seemed to tick all my boxes Waverider Narrowbeam For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYH100118 and would be grateful if anyone has any commments on this vessel, or any recommendations?

 

[RMW124]

Provided you forget the South Coast you should be able to find something to fit your requirements but in todays market where"if it floats it will sell" you will almost certainly have trouble keeping within that budget.
...and finding a diesel powered boat will be even harder.

Thanks...yes ive noticed many boats are now running petrol outboards which is not something I want to consider.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Hi thanks for all your replies so far. Ok..so the sea is the lowest priority and somewhat ambitious. Although the possibility to travel further afield is something that really appeals to me, my immediate plans are to explore as much of the country as I can by boat.

I realise I need a narrow beam vessel to explore canals, but I am a bit worried about spending a huge sum on my first boat.....after all my only experience to date was a week cruising the Ouse on a hire boat. I have seen one boat that seemed to tick all my boxes Waverider Narrowbeam For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYH100118 and would be grateful if anyone has any commments on this vessel, or any recommendations?

That is a lovely boat at a very good price

 

[Greg2]

I have seen one boat that seemed to tick all my boxes Waverider Narrowbeam For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYH100118 and would be grateful if anyone has any commments on this vessel, or any recommendations?

Soemthing like that would suit much of your river and canal requirements but would not be suitable for cruising at sea.
.

 

[madabouttheboat]

The only way you will get a sea going hull on a boat with a sub 7ft beam and a low air draft is to get something under 20ft in length.

 

[RMW124]

That is a lovely boat at a very good price

Hi and thanks for the reply. I cannot find any other examples of this boat at all. Is that a cause for concern do you think? The only results from a google search is the same boat a year ago on cheapboats.com with a current price of under 3000!?

 

[Gumpy]

My only comment on that boat is I wouldnt want an outdrive/sterndrive on the canals way to much muck to collect on it

 

[Bigplumbs]

Hi and thanks for the reply. I cannot find any other examples of this boat at all. Is that a cause for concern do you think? The only results from a google search is the same boat a year ago on cheapboats.com with a current price of under 3000!?

just make sure it is not a scam

 

[stelican]

Ancient engine and sterndrive even if new when installed.
Obviously been smartened up inside but seating looks very spartan and upright.
Hull also needs checking for osmosis.
Gut feeling is over price and would need very DIY owner

 

[Momac]

Outboards are more usual on cruisers used on the canals , but invariably they run on petrol which is excluded by the OP.
Narrowboats do not use canal water for cooling ad have a well protected prop and weed hatch . There must be a reason for that .

 

[surfury111]

Hi and thanks for the reply. I cannot find any other examples of this boat at all. Is that a cause for concern do you think? The only results from a google search is the same boat a year ago on cheapboats.com with a current price of under 3000!?

I have one of those boats (kept on a canal) and agree with other comments that it isn't suitable for sea passages. I've no idea how many were made but I've only seen about 4 others on different canals. I get an impression not that many were sold compared to other makes.
You shouldn't have any problem finding a boat for use on just canals and rivers within your budget.

 

[RMW124]

I have one of those boats (kept on a canal) and agree with other comments that it isn't suitable for sea passages. I've no idea how many were made but I've only seen about 4 others on different canals. I get an impression not that many were sold compared to other makes.
You shouldn't have any problem finding a boat for use on just canals and rivers within your budget.

Thanks, thats very interesting to hear from an owner. Can I ask how long youve had her, and are you happy with performance? Any issues with layout and type of propulsion/mechanics? I would be really interested to hear any details you think may help me decide whether or not to travel and view?

Thank you for all replies

 

[Bigplumbs]

Go and view at least looking in the flesh as it were is never a wasted experience as it helps assemble your thoughts and it is a trip out at the very least

 

[surfury111]

Thanks, thats very interesting to hear from an owner. Can I ask how long youve had her, and are you happy with performance? Any issues with layout and type of propulsion/mechanics? I would be really interested to hear any details you think may help me decide whether or not to travel and view?

Thank you for all replies

I've owned her 7 years now and in the process of very slowly refurbishing the cabin. Mine has a Yamaha 9.9 hp petrol outboard which being honest is a bit under powered (in my view) for a boat that size especially for use on a river but I've been happy enough with her out and about on the canal.
I'm not an expert on that make of boat but would hazard a guess that most are driven by outboards...all the ones I've seen are, so that one in the advert does appear to possibly be a rarity for that model given it's diesel engined.
I find the cabin spacious for a boat her size (4 berths) and very light with those big windows. She's nowhere near being the prettiest boat afloat but is practical for her size. There is a shower in the heads, reasonably sized galley and a deep sided cockpit which is a bonus if young children aboard.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

 

[INT QRK]

I've owned her 7 years now and in the process of very slowly refurbishing the cabin. Mine has a Yamaha 9.9 hp petrol outboard which being honest is a bit under powered (in my view) for a boat that size especially for use on a river but I've been happy enough with her out and about on the canal.
I'm not an expert on that make of boat but would hazard a guess that most are driven by outboards...all the ones I've seen are, so that one in the advert does appear to possibly be a rarity for that model given it's diesel engined.
I find the cabin spacious for a boat her size (4 berths) and very light with those big windows. She's nowhere near being the prettiest boat afloat but is practical for her size. There is a shower in the heads, reasonably sized galley and a deep sided cockpit which is a bonus if young children aboard.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

I wouldn't bother it appear that the OP has been biined.

https://forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/covid-vaccinations.570766/page-5#post-7764238

RMW124 said:
Mods, how do I remove myself from this account and website please!

You don't, we do, you're gone (back to QAnon?).