Dutch Barge experiences?

[SeamanStaines]

That is a very light weight (J4?) kelvin, the ones I was referring to are K2 or 3 which tick over at 140 rpmish.

I used to have a J2 in a canal boat, I don't think you would describe it as very lightweight!

The old bolinders are two stroke Diesel engines with hit and miss regulators, a particular fun feature is no gearbox so to get reverse you stop and restart the engine running the other way using a side injector. This sometimes works but you normally just get silence (temporarily before the inevitable crunch). Kelvin J and K's are four stroke diesels with a separate petrol system to start them (with an entertaining governor that relies on being kept full if fuel or it fails with the engine racing until it blows up!). The K series is identical to the J's just everything is twice the size and four times the weight!

 

[SeamanStaines]

I would just like to say this is what happens when you are feeling mellow one evening and casually mention to SWMBO that, perhaps, one day, in many years time a Dutch barge might be fun instead of sailing and enable us to explore the European canals and rivers.

The catamaran is not for sale!

Rookie mistake

The thing that I do not know, is, is it practical to use a Dutch Barge in the Mediterranean, during he summer by picking your weather. I know that Blll and Laurel Cooper used to do it in theirs, but I don't know if their boat was particularly special and designed for offshore work?

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Slowly slowly catchy monkey....

 

[Steve 59]

Brons or Industrie were often original fit motors in dutch barges

http://youtu.be/SNdZzBFGhAM

http://youtu.be/4ybw7K6maZ8

or a nice English Gardner on a British barge:

http://youtu.be/n0DucYyt46k

 

[mjcoon]

... The K series is identical to the J's just everything is twice the size and four times the weight!

Errm, why not 2x2x2=8 times the weight?

Mike.

 

[mjcoon]

... Anyone know anything about them?

Not really, but have read a book by Roger Windle Pilkington who apparently wrote several about sailing small motor yachts to and around the continent, including how the bespoke boats were designed and built. Not very traditional except apparently based on an admiral's barge.

(See http://captainahabswaterytales.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/small-boat-through-france-book-review.html)

Mike.

 

[chrisbitz]

This is a friend of mine who hires out his barge in France...

http://www.bargeholidaysinfrance.co.uk/

 

[Bajansailor]

There is a very long (25 pages!) discussion about Dutch Barges on the Boat Design Forum here - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/dutch-barge-long-distance-cruisers-11316.html

 

[tokoloshe]

I had a girlfriend who was quite happy with her cap.

 

[FishyInverness]

Having a leisurely chat with the Skipper of the Ros Crana over a few jars on a hot summer's night in Hootenany's - 'twas mentioned that they are often open to unpaid helpers joining them for a cruise down the Caledonian - If you ever have a Friday-Friday free and are in this neck of the woods, might be worth asking to get some experience on a dutch barge:

http://www.caledonian-discovery.co.uk/vessels/ros-crana/