friends dutch type barge

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nedmin

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One of my friends is having a Dutch type barge built in the UK. Beam 12ft.Length 50ft.Wt.20 tons.The builders are fitting a 45hp. engine,this doesnt seem half big enough for size of boat .Any one out there with some experience. He will be using it on tidal R.Trent,R.Ouse and the Humber,as well as canals.

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20 tonnes seems light for those dimensions. Imho 45hp is ok for canals but not tidal river. Dunno how fast these barges are meant to go, but if you wanted say 10knots out a 50footer you need 2x160hp diesels or suchlike. However, the 12foot beam is narrowish so it might do 10knots with say 2/3 of that horsepower. Either way, 45hp is small. To put it in context a 58 foot fairline can be ordered with a 25hp bowthruster!

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Agree with JFM

Tides in this area can reach 8 Kts so need plenty of power. And 20 ton seems very optimistic for a 50ft boat presumably built from steel. Maybe empty hull could be built at 20 t but when finished and fitted out I would expect much more.

BTB

One of the big oil barges lost power in the Ouse near Goole. Tide washed one end onto sandbank, swung across tide and jammed other end against bank. Tide then washed clean over the barge and the 2 man crew had to be rescued by helicopter.

Not a place to mess about with.

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Forget comparisons with planing boats.
Think of the comparable commercial barges. Most are single engined and with very modest horsepower from a large capacity slow revving slogging engine.
I am surprised it is quite as low as 45 hp, but around 100 hp may well be in order.

I have a friend with a 70's Super van Craft at 48 feet and 22 tons, with 2 x 100hp diesels. It handles beautifully, but don'e expect to do things quickly.

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Power plant is very low...................you should be looking at 100hp min, buying a 60ft barge at the moment with 105hp which has a top speed of 8 to 10 knots. He won't be going anywhere fast with suggested power plant and tidal would not be advisable.

Baz

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Power plant is very low...................you should be looking at 100hp min, buying a 60ft barge at the moment with 105hp which has a top speed of 8 to 10 knots. He won't be going anywhere fast with suggested power plant and tidal would not be advisable.

Baz

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Knowing the cruising area you state very well, I have to agree that 45hp looks a problem. Twin of the same perhaps much nearer the mark.

If it was just a case of the tidal Trent down to Keadby, and then the Ouse up from Selby, perhaps it would suffice. But by adding the Humber, it looks like the expectations are far greater.

Of course with careful timing and fingers crossed, anything is possible, but if it's supposed to be fun and relaxing, then it is unlikely to be such on the Humber etc. with the 45hp engine.

They are reconstructing the tidal defences around the Humber at the moment, to allow more flooding of lowland in the estury. This should of course reduce the severe tides that do occur, however if it's not too late, a bigger engine would be preferable.

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Many thanks to all .This reinforces my thoughts.I have a Pedro Solano 38 with a Perkins 135hp which I use on R Trent,Ouse,& Humber. This copes admirably. Thats why 45hp seemed very low to me.

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