Dutch barge hull shape?

[RAI]

What are the pros and cons of either chined flat bottom or V shaped hulls on a Dutch (style) barge?

 

[rustybarge]

What are the pros and cons of either chined flat bottom or V shaped hulls on a Dutch (style) barge?

I have a flat bottomed barge, square chine. Primary concern is the canal system, that will determine the hull shape.
Best option: flat bottom curved chine, can get in close to canal side without grounding. Expensive to make.
Or: flat bottomed square chine, will hit canal banks and ground. Very cheap to fabricate.
Dutch barge option: basically planked in lengths of steel. Bluff bow means you'll be going backwards in choppy conditions. Expensive.

Sea going barges....don't exist unless you are willing to tow them ie: lighter style, like the isle of man coal co. which tows one across the irish sea even in the middle of winter!!

 

[RAI]

Thanks Rusty,

I'm looking at a choice of two on the French canals. One has flat bottom and chined sides driven by 170 hp, the other a Branson designed V hull driven by 135 hp. Going up the Rhone against the current, which would be best.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Re Barge shape on the chine.

What was the shape / type of the chine on the Timothy Spall Barge that he travelled the UK Coastline?

I thought that it was a double or triple chine, but cannot be Shure.

 

[rustybarge]

Thanks Rusty,

I'm looking at a choice of two on the French canals. One has flat bottom and chined sides driven by 170 hp, the other a Branson designed V hull driven by 135 hp. Going up the Rhone against the current, which would be best.

What sort of length? You've got more than ample power with either of those engines.
My barge is 60' by 13' , about 30 tons, it's just got a transit diesel 2.5 and we do about 6 kts at 3200 revs.
Flat bottomed boats are surprisingly hydrodynamic, contrary to what modern designers would like you to think.

The idea of a v bottomed barge hull is a bit of a contradiction, in my opinion any sort of barge v bottom or not is definitely not seaworthy. A v shaped hull is only going to increase your draft.....

I'd choose the flat bottom out of preference, much more useful in a shallow canal, low water levels being the biggest problem in the summer season.

If it's a wet year there's a massive flow in the Rhone, i've only seen it from the shore, but it looks like 4-5 kts in places.

 

[RAI]

They are both 65 x 13 ft barges at around 30 tons. The Branson V hull is fairly sharp at the bow and flattens towards the stern. It's better for wave penetration I would guess.
With the Rhone ar 5 knots, it sounds like least resistance and highest power would help to crawl up river.

 

[RAI]

What was the shape / type of the chine on the Timothy Spall Barge that he travelled the UK Coastline?
I thought that it was a double or triple chine, but cannot be Shure.

I think it was a Branson design, must Google.

 

[rustybarge]

I think it was a Branson design, must Google.

I've crossed Lough Ree here in Ireland, it's about 25 miles long by 5 wide. It can get quite choppy. Worst iv'e been out in is about a 2'-3' short chop........scary in a flat bottomed barge. We're tiller steered, with a massive rudder and 12' skeg to give some directional stability.........feels like it's going to breach and swap ends at any moment......input rudder, no response from the hull.......boat starts turning beam on unbidden....short panic attacks and sweating .......this f****g boats not going yo make it....input bigger and bigger rudder movements......whew sheltered waters!!!

Now you know what Timothy Spall was feeling out on the sea in his barge........