Moving from sail to motor questions, Nelson 32

[boatmike]

I'm thinking of getting a motorboat which will double for sea and French canal use.
There is a Nelson 32 on the market which has twin 145HP engines. It would be a great sea boat but somewhat overpowered for canal use.
Can I have opinions on the Nelson (any other recommendations) and a realistic estimate of what the fuel consumption would be in the two areas of operation.
Thanks

As usual there are a mix of sensible and silly answers on here. I moved from sail to power and bought an Aquastar 33 for a mix of sea and canal use. Nelsons are skinny and wet. Avoid. The Aquastar is much nicer but for reduced air draft in the canals you need to avoid flybridge versions. If you ONLY want to do canals twin screws are not ideal but if you want to go to sea then the reliability of twin engines is a big plus. In the canals you will progress at a tickover and have very low consumption. OK if you intend to go to sea afterwards and blow out any carbon but not ideal otherwise. Consumption at speeds over about 8 knots will rise significantly and at 18 knots expect close on a gallon per mile. Consumption generally is a function of horse power consumed and up to hull speed will be acceptable. Remember that very few boats stay in canals that long. When in the med that turn of speed is a wonderful security when required...... The conditions can change very quickly and running to harbour in a well found sea boat with two nice big diesels pushing you along is a happy feeling! Good luck with your search!

 

[Firefly625]

hopefully, since thread is from 2014, he's found something....

 

[boatmike]

hopefully, since thread is from 2014, he's found something....

Well spotted! I missed that.... How did it suddenly go back up the list?

 

[Croftie]

Well spotted! I missed that.... How did it suddenly go back up the list?

Post #20 revived it, cannot think why...................

 

[burgundyben]

Looks nice, hopeless accommodation for us, been for sale for a loooooong time..

Still is!!

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2006/Aquastar-38-2693936/United-Kingdom#.VrZkjLKLTIW

 

[MYStargazer]

Post #20 revived it, cannot think why...................

Nor can I!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172089883782

Nelsons are skinny and wet.

Which is why they developed the Weymouth derivative. At over 10’ wide it’s at nearly a 3:1 length to beam ratio.

In the canals you will progress at a tickover and have very low consumption. OK if you intend to go to sea afterwards and blow out any carbon but not ideal otherwise. Consumption at speeds over about 8 knots will rise significantly and at 18 knots expect close on a gallon per mile. Consumption generally is a function of horse power consumed and up to hull speed will be acceptable. Remember that very few boats stay in canals that long. When in the med that turn of speed is a wonderful security when required...... The conditions can change very quickly and running to harbour in a well found sea boat with two nice big diesels pushing you along is a happy feeling! Good luck with your search!

We found it impossible to engage both engines and stay within speed limits. With only one engine runnning, she was a handful in the canals.

She used a lot of fuel compared with coastal 10-knot ‘off-the-hump’ cruising, and she was completely clogged with soot by the end (4 weeks of endless tickover, although we did go full chat into Paris just for laughs).

Contrary to popular belief, the Med is not for the feint-hearted. Conditions can change within minutes. We were probably on the limit of the Weymouth’s capabilities when doing what one should never do – pressing ahead to meet deadlines.