Huge Engines on inland waterways

[Bigplumbs]

In fairness the southern broads aren't so bad, or weren't , also the hire boats do not have any thrusters or other aids as far as I know, only a single engine and yes max 20 mins tuition if that, always used to amaze me that they actually used to get anywhere ? , Plus they think all boats are hired and fair game, if your going to do your boating in a holiday hot spot for hire boats ,especially the Northants broads have to expect a little bumping ?,
Mind you there's lots of that in marinas on the south coast

You are correct the Southern Broads are not so bad. This is where our boat is and we generally don't venture north in the Summer. Many of the hire boats crews simply don't understand that bumping into another boat is not the done thing

 

[Greg2]

In fairness the southern broads aren't so bad, or weren't , also the hire boats do not have any thrusters or other aids as far as I know, only a single engine and yes max 20 mins tuition if that, always used to amaze me that they actually used to get anywhere ? , Plus they think all boats are hired and fair game, if your going to do your boating in a holiday hot spot for hire boats ,especially the Northants broads have to expect a little bumping ?,
Mind you there's lots of that in marinas on the south coast

Whilst the southern rivers are a lot better than the north we have still been bumped several times by hire boats. The northern rivers are so bad that we haven’t been up there for years. Bow thrusters are now a thing and it isn’t uncommon to see a hire boater steering with the thruster!
,

 

[fred247]

BIGPLUMB

So I surpose my Question is why are there so many sea boats with monster worrying and expensive engines on inland waters.

The answer is its down to individual choice !!
on another tread on this forum your at great pains to promote an Englishmens home is his castle, and things should not be over regulated.
if someone wants a big boat with worrying expensive engines then that's there choice " Their castle"

 

[Bigplumbs]

BIGPLUMB

So I surpose my Question is why are there so many sea boats with monster worrying and expensive engines on inland waters.

The answer is its down to individual choice !!
on another tread on this forum your at great pains to promote an Englishmens home is his castle, and things should not be over regulated.
if someone wants a big boat with worrying expensive engines then that's there choice " Their castle"

You seen to be suggesting that I thought it was wrong. Not at all I was just asking the question. Of course it is choice. I never once suggested this should be regulated. I just wondered why

 

[oldgit]

Happenstance ?

 

[The Q]

Some of the yards on the broads are now fitting bow thrusters to the larger hire boats...
So you now hear the tourists driving down the river steering by bow thruster..

 

[Momac]

I am sure there are various reasons not only why people buy a boat but also where they keep their boat.
I suspect a lot of people like the idea of going to sea but some never make it.

A lot of people live locally to the marina and the majority probably live within an hour or so, of the marina.
For me the marina being half a mile from home was a factor when we bought our first boat in 2008 and remains so. I upgraded the boat in 2014 but retained the same mooring.

 

[bowler]

Our boat is on a river but we try to get a few sea passages each year for a week or so at a time. So the big engines are a must, even if not pushed most of the time. When the river is in flood the slower boats don't do out as they cant get back against the flow.

 

[The Q]

All I can say to them is ....

Read the Tide timetables..

 

[Portland Billy]

We try to get out to the tidal Thames and thence to the coast several times a year.
Also the style, fit- out and general design of sea going boats is generally more appealing than most river options.

 

[oldgit]

We try to get out to the tidal Thames and thence to the coast several times a year.
Also the style, fit- out and general design of sea going boats is generally more appealing than most river options.

.........and usually a great deal less wibbly wobbly when you clamber aboard or try to go forward along the side decks.
Blokes might take pride in having the genetic agility of mountain goat, ladies tend to be less enamoured on risking ankles/life with the indignities of bum shuffling over boat superstructure.

 

[Chris_d]

All I can say to them is ....

Read the Tide timetables..

On the non-tidal Thames?

 

[The Q]

On the non-tidal Thames?

Sorry you didn't specify the NON tidal bit...So I mixed up the going to sea bit with not making head way against the river, something I've seen many times. I sail mostly 19 miles inland these days but even then the tide can be a couple of mph coming in and four or five going out

 

[dunedin]

Our boat is on a river but we try to get a few sea passages each year for a week or so at a time. So the big engines are a must, even if not pushed most of the time. When the river is in flood the slower boats don't do out as they cant get back against the flow.

Clearly you need one of these Hardy 42 Hybrids then - Cockwells | Hardy 42 Hybrid | The first hybrid yacht Cockwells

The £800k needed is a mere detail. Lovely dual use boat though

 

[QBhoy]

I read a lot of posts on here about people who only boat on inland waterways but they seem to have a sea designed planing boat with monster engines. The largest of my boats a little Sealine S24 is on the broads and also fits this category but I Never intended to keep it on the Broads where we bought it but that just seems to have happened.

I see many ’River designed boats’ that are the same size as my Sealine with a nice layout with low air draft and a hassle and worry free little 20 or 30 hp outboard on the back And I think that is what I should have but then I love my S24 and will get her on the sea sometime.

So I surpose my Question is why are there so many sea boats with monster worrying and expensive engines on inland waters.

when you come to Loch Lomond, you'll be amazed at some of the boats land locked in the loch. there are a few 50 footers in here. at one point there was even a Grand Banks 50+ thing. there is a sun seeker 50ft and a couple of monster princess and sealines too. Nice place to have a big boat, but some are definitely on the verge of being too large to be really useable here. There has on occasion been a few boats damaged by their wake in certain areas. My family bought a 42ft princess that was in the loch. They moved it to the sea. even the wake off that can get embarrassing in close quarters to smaller boats.
I also think that when in smaller waterways like canals and rivers, some of these larger engined diesel boats will suffer, with not often getting the chance to be opened up. They will surely carbon up and not be burning the fuel efficiently. That said, I am aware that some boats get their props re pitched to suit the conditions.

 

[Alicatt]

Some of the yards on the broads are now fitting bow thrusters to the larger hire boats...
So you now hear the tourists driving down the river steering by bow thruster..

Same thing happening in Holland, your quiet afternoon sojourn by the canalside is interrupted by the sound of cavitating bow thrusters on full chat on the hire boats followed by the answering call of the lesser fitted stern thruster

 

[Alicatt]

when you come to Loch Lomond, you'll be amazed at some of the boats land locked in the loch. there are a few 50 footers in here. at one point there was even a Grand Banks 50+ thing. there is a sun seeker 50ft and a couple of monster princess and sealines too. Nice place to have a big boat, but some are definitely on the verge of being too large to be really useable here. There has on occasion been a few boats damaged by their wake in certain areas. My family bought a 42ft princess that was in the loch. They moved it to the sea. even the wake off that can get embarrassing in close quarters to smaller boats.
I also think that when in smaller waterways like canals and rivers, some of these larger engined diesel boats will suffer, with not often getting the chance to be opened up. They will surely carbon up and not be burning the fuel efficiently. That said, I am aware that some boats get their props re pitched to suit the conditions.

Even last November there were still some 30ft+ cruisers plying up and down the loch
Seen a few 28ft or so Bayliners for sale on the loch too
Just wait until the Maid is back sailing again

 

[PilotWolf]

Some of the yards on the broads are now fitting bow thrusters to the larger hire boats...
So you now hear the tourists driving down the river steering by bow thruster..

Spent many years in UK marinas hearing that, including one CBP craft trying to free himself off the mud in Southampton!

I never really had that luxury other than one vessel so when I was training here people could never understand why I rarely used it.

W/

 

[bowler]

Clearly you need one of these Hardy 42 Hybrids then - Cockwells | Hardy 42 Hybrid | The first hybrid yacht Cockwells

The £800k needed is a mere detail. Lovely dual use boat though

She is a beut! We'll ignore the detail as you say.

 

[bowler]

All I can say to them is ....

Read the Tide timetables..

On the non-tidal Thames?

It's the river Bann in NI. When Lough Neagh water levels get too high after rain they open flood gates and the lough empties into the river. The river can rise by a couple of meters and stay that way for some time depending on rain. The flow can be 5 or 6 knots easy. Glad of my big diesels then!