Locating a specific boat

[Just starting out]

Hi all
I'm just starting to take a serious look at barges for sale with a view to buying. I've always had a bit of a pipe dream about one day buying the barge my grandad converted back in the 60's, which is currently moored somewhere on the Thames. I know that it's incredibly unlikely it would be for sale right as I'm looking to buy, but it doesn't hurt to find out. Even if it's not for sale I'd still like to find out more about it because of the family connection, and have lots of old photographs and history which may be of interest to the owner. Without publicly naming the boat in question I was wondering if anyone has any advice for locating a specific Dutch barge that's on the Thames. Is there a registry or likely owners club I could contact? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
Ed

 

[DT42]

Try the DBA (Dutch Barge Association}

 

[Big John]

Try https://canalplan.org.uk/boats/boats.php

 

[oldgit]

Hi all
I'm just starting to take a serious look at barges for sale with a view to buying. I've always had a bit of a pipe dream about one day buying the barge my grandad converted back in the 60's, which is currently moored somewhere on the Thames. I know that it's incredibly unlikely it would be for sale right as I'm looking to buy, but it doesn't hurt to find out. Even if it's not for sale I'd still like to find out more about it because of the family connection, and have lots of old photographs and history which may be of interest to the owner. Without publicly naming the boat in question I was wondering if anyone has any advice for locating a specific Dutch barge that's on the Thames. Is there a registry or likely owners club I could contact? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
Ed

Finding it and buying it might well be the easy part.
The really hard bit could be the search for somewhere to keep it .
Very few places to keep anything large and residential moorings at a premium.
The bigger the craft more difficult and mooring charges will reflect this.
Vital that that any prosp ective purchase come with long term mooring .

 

[No Regrets]

Why would you spend precious time looking for a 'Lost Ark' instead of simply seeing whats on the market!?

I remember my old mans Ford Zephyr 6 (NAR647D) fondly, but have no doubt it's a piece of festering shyte if even in existence. Just another dead piece of mass production, like most boats :ambivalence:

 

[Just starting out]

Hi all
Thanks for all the tips, I'll be contacting the DBA in the next few days. It is listed on the canalplan website but I don't know if the info on there will help me get any closer to the owners. I have been keeping an eye on what else is on the market for a few years now, I very nearly bought a narrow boat last year. I'm aware this is a pipe dream, but I'd hate to get settled on a different boat and have this one pop up for sale not long after, just for lack of asking. With regards to the mooring you're absolutely right, it's something I need to do a fair bit more research on.
Many thanks again
Ed

 

[Brayman]

Why would you spend precious time looking for a 'Lost Ark' instead of simply seeing whats on the market!?

I remember my old mans Ford Zephyr 6 (NAR647D) fondly, but have no doubt it's a piece of festering shyte if even in existence. Just another dead piece of mass production, like most boats :ambivalence:

Not very helpful, John, especially from a man of your standing!

 

[Old Crusty]

Not very helpful, John, especially from a man of your standing!

+1

 

[elton]

The ITU MARS database might be of use https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/mars/Pages/default.aspx

 

[Parabordi]

+1

-2

 

[No Regrets]

I'm just another forumite, so no more or less valuable than any other forum dweller.

I always thought people posted stuff on public forums to see what replies they got, even if they didn't actually like the responses!? :encouragement:

 

[elton]

MARS vessel search, direct link: https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list

 

[Just starting out]

Fabulous, it is listed on that last link. I think it may even have produced an owners name, although it's just a single word which is a pretty common surname. Thanks to a kind member of the DBA we might be able to narrow down to a specific region of the Thames too. Getting closer, thanks again all.

 

[No Regrets]

You would probably be better buying the best barge your money will allow, rather than chasing a pipe dream.

I say this because you appear to know very little about boats. I may be wrong, but just reading your post would suggest this.

Never put your heart before your head when it comes to boats. They are cruel things. :ambivalence: