Moving a barge for convertion

Sixpence

Sixpence

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At last I have found my future home. It is not far short of ninety foot long , with a seventeen foot beam , and ideal for converting to live aboard. The only problem is she is a seven hour round trip to get to her. So the obvious answer would be to move her closer. As I live not far from the river Welland, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get her from the river Hull to Welland. The engine is part rebuilt but no way would it be reliable for going into the Humber estuary without a tow , but now I can't find anyone to tow her . All ideas welcome. Cheers . Dave
 
Rather than spend a lot of money (£1000s)on a tug why not finish the engine rebuild and fit a clean tank (temporary if necessary) and drive it down yourself. Oil lamps for navigation if necessary. plenty of bargemeisters about, to come with you for a couple of hundred quid. Has to be cheaper? and still moving the project forward.
Regards
Rob
 
Now that is definately my sort of answer , you could be a friend for life , any ideas where I can find someone qualified to do it . The nav lights etc are not a problem , I'm electrical type bod , and the engine could be finished by father in law who is the engine bod , so any ideas for a qualified bod most welcome , thank you
 
Have a word with your local British Waterways office, they will have a list of all the current qualified people in the area and I have found in the past more than happy to help. 90 ft by 17 ft in the wrong hands could mean a slot on the 6 oclock news!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
At last I have found my future home. It is not far short of ninety foot long , with a seventeen foot beam , and ideal for converting to live aboard. The only problem is she is a seven hour round trip to get to her. So the obvious answer would be to move her closer. any suggestions as to how I can get her from the river Hull to Welland. All ideas welcome. Cheers . Dave

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A couple of points related to the moving and the mooring, both BW and the Enviroment Agency will require, for anything longer than a visitors licence, a certificate showing compliance with the Boat Safety Scheme requirements. Full details of the requirements and examination checks are on www.boatsafetyscheme.com and as the boat is required for residential purposes and because of the Gas Safety Installations and Use Regulations 1998 you will need a CORGI registered examiner if there is any gas systems on board. Details of our South Yorks / East Yorks based examiners can be found on the same website.

As you are from that area you have probably already sorted out potential moorings, but if not you may find your options limited due to the size of your craft. You may have noticed that waterscape.com lists the dimensions for the river as being max length 62ft. No doubt you will have done your own research though.

Regards
 
Thanks for the last two entries , re boat safety scheme , I am aware of the regs re gas etc , but at least anyone else thinking of doing the same is too now , re those qualified , good idea and yes , a lump of steel that big would make big time news without the right person behind the wheel , I stick to my little 25ft , at least if I hit someone in another plastic the chances are we wouldn't do too much damage , but I wouldn't want to hit the narrowboats I keep avoiding , more ideas and all comments welcome folks
 
Safest bet would be to get a tug company to tow it down for you. Sounds expensive? you might be supprised, many tug companies have small 'tuglets' designed for this type of work. Most will work on the theory thats its better to have a boat at sea for £10.00 a day than tied up against the wall earning nothing.

Don't forget they will insure the barge while its in transit as well, one less worry. The other thing its thier job, they do know what they are doing.
 
The two boats I mentioned are about 100 YO Humber boats both with diesel engines and sails. They used to be moored at South Ferriby on the Ancholme and maybe are back there now. Google 'Humber Keel' and you'll get all the info you need. [ I have sailed both of them as a tourist crew member!]

If you have no luck with them there are some other guys and girls with similar inclinations in Beverley. They may have what you seek.
 
Hi Dave, I'm 'local' to you, and could probably help you with everything.

I motor a 50ft barge frequently - and have taken her from London to York, by sea, of course. I've also prepped (engine work and electrics) and crewed a 70footer sailing barge from Holland to York. That's my fiance's boat, she's very experienced. I know what needs doing to get them through the BSS, having done it a couple of times.

Busy atm, but I'm sure we could help you sometime - if the engine is sorted, the rest is navigation and weather! I even have fairly up-to-date charts for the humber.

You will need a VHF - handheld might do, and girlfriend is a RO.

Gotta dash, will write again. Glad to hear you've found a boat.

PS, you don't need a fuel tank in yet, it can be done from drums, main thing is to make sure the engine is running reliably and steering gear is sound. Tyres are the best fenders for barges - get loads from a local garage.
 
Absolute star ,, many thanks ,, PM when you can and we can discuss in more detail , , don't suppose a 140ft trawler would be within your scope , now I've found one I've been offered another one , problem is it's GOT to be moved , and the engine is now non runner ,,, Ideas anyone ?
 
Holyhead towing, Anglian towing(?), both used have tugs in your area. I worked with both when we were involved in building sea defences at Withensea. Have a look in the phone book under towage & salvage.

140' trawler, definatley a tug job. You could on the other hand have word with some of the local trawler owners (Hull or Grimsby), and see if they would tow it for you. Possibley cheaper than a tug. Just remember fishermen, although good boat handlers, are not tug crew. A bit like asking a taxi driver to reverse an artic'.

A 140' trawler will have been hard worked, and you'll have a mamoth job in getting rid of the smell of fish/diesel from her. But I've seen cracking conversions over the years.
 
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