New Boat, New Challenge

[jamie N]

"Mostly reds"? Does that mean "Most reds" without prejudice, or "Most reds" in "The" European Wine Lake context?

Congrats!

 

[Blueboatman]

I thought the Brittany canal was very shallow. What draft are you?

Some years ago now. It was a very small boat , 22” draft. ( Well, 23” in fresh water and just-draining cockpit).

Are you thinking of exploring?
It is a delightful mini canal network with few commercial barges and only the occasional difficulty getting a bilge keel against the bank iirc.

 

[SimonX]

Some years ago now. It was a very small boat , 22” draft. ( Well, 23” in fresh water and just-draining cockpit).

Are you thinking of exploring?
It is a delightful mini canal network with few commercial barges and only the occasional difficulty getting a bilge keel against the bank iirc.

We were in Northern Brittany last year and I have been near Carnac many years ago on land and the area looked lovely. I had in mind that we would do a huge loop tour of France over a couple years going along the Seine to Paris, canal lateral, down Saone,Rhone, along the Med coast to Canal du Midi, up that and canal du Garonne, up Atlantic coast a bit then through Brittany and home but I think the stumbling block was Brittany where the draft was only ~ 1m in parts.
Still a distant dream and right now we can’t even agree on what boat to buy! We’ve just finished looking at the third Linssen this week but are leaning back to Brooms!

 

[Blueboatman]

We were in Northern Brittany last year and I have been near Carnac many years ago on land and the area looked lovely. I had in mind that we would do a huge loop tour of France over a couple years going along the Seine to Paris, canal lateral, down Saone,Rhone, along the Med coast to Canal du Midi, up that and canal du Garonne, up Atlantic coast a bit then through Brittany and home but I think the stumbling block was Brittany where the draft was only ~ 1m in parts.
Still a distant dream and right now we can even agree on what boat to buy! We’ve just finished looking at the third Linssen this week but are leaning back to Brooms!

Good luck, sounds pretty good plsn to me and you can migrate with the seasons hot cold, north south , or even wine regions!
I think you would need much more up to date draft advice on the Brittany legs..

I have bought 2 boats in times of political and economic uncertainty respectively and they were good boats not desperados with sellers realistic enough to bring things on with a bit of encouragement.
The Dutch do seem to cosset their boats .

 

[SimonX]

Good luck, sounds pretty good plsn to me and you can migrate with the seasons hot cold, north south , or even wine regions!
I think you would need much more up to date draft advice on the Brittany legs..

I have bought 2 boats in times of political and economic uncertainty respectively and they were good boats not desperados with sellers realistic enough to bring things on with a bit of encouragement.
The Dutch do seem to cosset their boats .

All three boats we have seen have been immaculate- a 2011, 2012 and 2020. The latter was much too expensive but we looked at just to get a feel for the size (it was a 45ft). My wife felt the saloon on the smaller (42ft) was cramped compared to the Broom 42. In fairness I think she was a bit tainted by the poor weather and the fact there were seven of us ( the three couples who are going to buy plus the broker) . We are going to revisit a Broom when we get home

 

[jonic]

She looks great! Well done.

Knowing you two you'll have her set up perfectly.

I hope first mate is ok now.

I have had my fair share of medical adventures over the last few years too, but back on my feet now and re-launching soon.

We also have a new boat.....

......but looks like we won't be re-naming her after all

I would usually say fair winds now, so what does one say in this situation?

 

[Stemar]

I would usually say fair winds now, so what does one say in this situation?

May the banks of your canal never burst?

 

[rotrax]

She looks great! Well done.

Knowing you two you'll have her set up perfectly.

I hope first mate is ok now.

I have had my fair share of medical adventures over the last few years too, but back on my feet now and re-launching soon.

We also have a new boat.....

......but looks like we won't be re-naming her after all

I would usually say fair winds now, so what does one say in this situation?

"Clear propellers!" might be appropriate John.

Diving down the weedhatch was a regular event. The prop's get fouled from everything from weed to old bicycle wheels!

No problems on our six day delivery trip, but I'm expecting some!

First mate was advised that IF she was to make some recovery, it could easily take two years. 11 months on, remarkable improvement but she still has fatigue and loss of stamina. The consultant will see her soon, so we will know more then.

As I have always maintained, it is better to be born lucky than rich.

We have been lucky, very lucky.

 

[Stemar]

As I have always maintained, it is better to be born lucky than rich.

We have been lucky, very lucky.

And, most important, able to appreciate your good fortune.

I could say the same. It's been a bumpy road at times, but no other road would have got me where I am now.

 

[barca nova]

Having made the joint decision to pack up ocean sailing after First Mates frightening medical incident 11 months ago we sold our wonderful 12.5 Metre Motorsailer and purchased a 57 foot high quality Canal Narrowboat.

We started boating on inland waterways 55 years ago and have lots of canal experience.

Our new boat, named "Duchess of Atholl" is now at Enslow Wharf after a six day cold, wet and muddy delivery trip.

We love her! Proper engine room, furnished with a 35HP low reving three cylinder Beta Tug engine. A proper Boatmans cabin with the traditional range, cupboard bed and folding table, proper shower and heads with a huge holding tank. Morso 'Squirrel' woodburner in the lounge area with a dinette and galley. Dinette and sofa bed give two double beds for guests. We slept in the boatmans cabin during the delivery, that was fine.

Oak ceiling and walls, T&G, thick, well engineered oak, full length. Only iffy bit is the galley, but we were REALLY spoiled with the Island Packet in that respect. No doubt we will get used to it.

Sorting a few things, adding 400W of Solar and changing the internal lamps to LED's.

Pic shows her at Stowe Hill Wharf the day we collected her.

Click the pic if you are interested enough to enlarge it.

Duchess of Atholl ? Bet you had the base Hornby OO train set as a kid! I still have the eponymous engine.

 

[jonic]

"Clear propellers!" might be appropriate John.

Diving down the weedhatch was a regular event. The prop's get fouled from everything from weed to old bicycle wheels!

No problems on our six day delivery trip, but I'm expecting some!

First mate was advised that IF she was to make some recovery, it could easily take two years. 11 months on, remarkable improvement but she still has fatigue and loss of stamina. The consultant will see her soon, so we will know more then.

As I have always maintained, it is better to be born lucky than rich.

We have been lucky, very lucky.

Thanks for the update Mike, have sent you a PM.

Wishing you clean, bicycle free props and firm banks.