Opinions on use of my owd cruiser

[waynes world]

Hi all, this is the first forum i have been on that have serious power boat owners and the likes that know what they are talking about from what i have read on here of late, therefore i would like to throw this out to see what you readers think is a good and not so good.
It is the use of my boat, a quick bit on what i am on about, the boat, it is an old Buckingham 20 cabin cruiser, originally built for river canal and inshore sea use, that was from the sales add from back in the 70`s.
Now i was / am planning on using it on all waters as above, on the sea i would not leave the mooring/harbour if any sign of bad weather and no further than 1/2 mile out. It has been a 50/50 on if the boat is safe to go out to sea in, that is only from a dozen or so folks thoughts.
Next is the engine size for use at sea, i have had all from 15hp to 110hp, yes a bit OTT as i dont plan on dragging water skiers or netting a few ton of fish. I would settle at 30hp max. I have rebuilt the transom to take extra power so no problem there.

This is the boat, it is a long keel and 18 inch draft, i was, well i did start to make it a bilge keel so i could dry it out and may help with making it a wee bit more steady. I also thought on beaching legs but i dont like the idea on them so i came up with another idea which i will go into on my build blog i have.

Please excuse the boat, it will be in better nick than this when finished next summer

We are looking into a few inshore courses aswel if we decide to go to sea


So waffled on a bit, your thoughts please.

Wolly

 

[rafiki_]

You have done some splendid things with your boat, so you need to look after it on the water, and it will look after you. While some on here will say "go for it", and you can sail round the world in a bath tub, your boat looks like it was designed for inland waters, and estuaries, so I would be tempted to stick with that. Currents and winds can change very quickly at sea. Better safe than sorry, as the sea takes no prisoners.

 

[Danfarry]

Wayne, where are you located?

 

[waynes world]

You have done some splendid things with your boat, so you need to look after it on the water, and it will look after you. While some on here will say "go for it", and you can sail round the world in a bath tub, your boat looks like it was designed for inland waters, and estuaries, so I would be tempted to stick with that. Currents and winds can change very quickly at sea. Better safe than sorry, as the sea takes no prisoners.

I forgot to add that i plan on another bigger boat after this, so not a problem if i dont go to sea. Just dont tell T

Wayne, where are you located?

I am in Radcliffe Manchester. Would love to take it to Conway and the straights.

 

[Bouba]

You have done some splendid things with your boat, so you need to look after it on the water, and it will look after you. While some on here will say "go for it", and you can sail round the world in a bath tub, your boat looks like it was designed for inland waters, and estuaries, so I would be tempted to stick with that. Currents and winds can change very quickly at sea. Better safe than sorry, as the sea takes no prisoners.

I kind of agree, I would be reluctant to go out in a boat that wasn't certified for the conditions. It's not about what the seas are like on the way out. My worst sea ever was a super yacht wake.

 

[Danfarry]

Get it over to Menai. Conwy bay can be a bit choppy but once in the strait you will be sheltered. Shouldn't be a problem in your boat. Caernarfon harbour trust are advertising moorings in the river at caernarfon and also off port Dinorwic.

 

[waynes world]

I kind of agree, I would be reluctant to go out in a boat that wasn't certified for the conditions. It's not about what the seas are like on the way out. My worst sea ever was a super yacht wake.

Thanks for the reply, The reason i would never go out in more than a 12inch swell, and stay in cloooose lol.

What is the difference in my boat desgin and this Hardy Pilot, is it that the Hardy will be heavier. Only asking learning about boat design as i go.

 

[waynes world]

Get it over to Menai. Conwy bay can be a bit choppy but once in the strait you will be sheltered. Shouldn't be a problem in your boat. Caernarfon harbour trust are advertising moorings in the river at caernarfon and also off port Dinorwic.

Yes i do believe that Conway can be difficult at times, fast tidal flow, seen that few times sat with a bag of chips. Menai is fast aswell i believe, but a lot more sheltered.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks for the reply, The reason i would never go out in more than a 12inch swell, and stay in cloooose lol.

What is the difference in my boat desgin and this Hardy Pilot, is it that the Hardy will be heavier. Only asking learning about boat design as i go.

I think you'll find that the angle and shape of the hull will be the difference, and most will be fitted with a higher hp engine than you're planning so, if caught out, could get back to shelter rather faster than you and with much less slamming.

Fwiw I would stick to inland waters and sheltered estuaries. Far too often at sea conditions change in minutes, especially at the turn of the tide, and it can go from flat calm to quite unpleasant in minutes. Maybe ok if it's just you on board, but can be worrying for inexperienced family and friends. You don't want to be putting them off after all your hard work has been finished!

 

[BruceK]

The Menai is your best bet. It's a large stretch of water that will offer enough so you dont get bored with it and can sneak out on those millpond days. Conwy estuary will be limiting but doable. Conwy Bay will be taking a chance as with 30 hp on the back you couldn't get out of trouble quicker than it arrives. I am happy to give you a tour around both so you can see for yourself closer to the time. (or within the next fortnight before the boat gets lifted)

 

[jfm]

I must say that I think your boat would be fine on the sea Wayne, in good conditions and within a couple of miles offshore initially, as would be the case for many 20 footers. It is true that Buckingham marketed their boats at the river market but hey a hull with a bit of a V is a hull. All that said, I'd fancy 50hp at sea on that boat

 

[CX54WEK]

There is also the fact that you are heavily modifying this boat to take into account. You are adding weight where it wouldn't have been so it is a bit of a guessing game as to how it will actually handle once put back in the water.

Would I take it to sea?

No. We have been caught out enough times (this year alone!) in our own little boat that is built to head out onto the coast. It isn't pleasant, but we know that ours is built to with stand it. Your is a bit of an unknown quantity.

 

[Bouba]

Its not just the shape of the hull, how well does she shed water? How quickly does she right herself in a beam sea. Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't you increased the height of the superstructure? Most things are correctable, bigger scuppers or more ballast but you have to take that big green one over the side before you know.
You are a careful and methodical guy so I suspect you will take baby steps according to the sea state especially if you have easy access to the sea. It's usually those who went to a lot of trouble to get to the sea that are determined to go out come hell or high water. You'll be fine good luck

 

[PCUK]

I've heard all sorts of nonsense over the years from people who haven't done anything with their boats and don't know what they or their boats are capable of. It is you more than the boat that decides where it can go and how it will handle the sea. As the boat has a keel it is basically seaworthy and will probably have a semi-displacement performance. I've just bought a 20 foot river cruiser with a 40hp Suzuki on it (as a quick turnaround project) and I would think that something about that size would suit your boat. A friend of mine from years ago went to St Valery sur Somme from the Thames in a Freeman 22 along with a Freeman 24 at 6-7 knots without problems. You decide on when to go and when to stay; there is no shame in staying put when others are going out. Use your judgement and don't get bogged down by the thoughts of others and totally ignore anyone who starts talking about the classification of the boat for any particular use. I've "been there and done it" safely and in a seamanlike manner on a nothing budget so you can do the same.

 

[BruceK]

Which brings up another point. Even in a millpond sea a wake from a passing mobo can be horrific. I was at the Moelfre Life Boat day this year and the wake on the big life boat, beam on, 50 yards off took me right over to the rub rail. The following video the life boat was a good quarter mile off and still had a impact

 

[RobWales]

I've heard all sorts of nonsense over the years from people who haven't done anything with their boats and don't know what they or their boats are capable of. It is you more than the boat that decides where it can go and how it will handle the sea. As the boat has a keel it is basically seaworthy and will probably have a semi-displacement performance. I've just bought a 20 foot river cruiser with a 40hp Suzuki on it (as a quick turnaround project) and I would think that something about that size would suit your boat. A friend of mine from years ago went to St Valery sur Somme from the Thames in a Freeman 22 along with a Freeman 24 at 6-7 knots without problems. You decide on when to go and when to stay; there is no shame in staying put when others are going out. Use your judgement and don't get bogged down by the thoughts of others and totally ignore anyone who starts talking about the classification of the boat for any particular use. I've "been there and done it" safely and in a seamanlike manner on a nothing budget so you can do the same.

+1
In 40 plus years of boating in everything from a dingy to a 48ft sports fisher, I've never taken a green one over the side....talk about trying to put the fear of god into someone!

 

[BruceK]

You two are nice and gung ho. Kudos to you and praise to RNLI, Coastguard and other agencies that are there to fish idiots out the water. Nonetheless, where as the boat in question may well be able to handle the typical 0.7m, 3s period chop found there without going turtle, the question is would you want to in a river boat. It simply isn't fun and has no real place being there. Just because it could doesn't mean it should either. I've seen all sorts of inappropriate vehicles doing amazing things beyond their design limits. Sometimes I've even held Willis's beer while he did them. Can they do it? Well obviously yes. Now ask me for my opinion and advice.

 

[mlines]

It will all depend on conditions. We have come across inflatable kayaks, SUP boards etc miles out to sea. Ok, so the less capable the boat then the fewer days you will get out but pick wisely and it will be fine. As long as it has enough HP to overcome wind and tide and you have tried it on some inland waters first to assess its stability and watertightness then perhaps consider going to sea in the company of another boat first. Its always better to be on the land wishing you were at sea than being at sea and wishing you were on the land.

We started with an open bowrider with a low freeboard and ventured around the Solent and out across Poole bay and south of the Isle of Wight, but only on days when every factor was in our favour.

 

[BruceK]

You guys dont know Conwy Bay. He'll get out 3 maybe 4 times a year. Typically in early spring or late autumn. We normally have F3's with stronger gusts.

knock yourself out. https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/penmaenbach

 

[jfm]

I'm with robWales and PCUK. That Buckingham can go to sea. Obviously with a big dose of common sense including checking the weather and other conditions, and I'd prefer 40-50hp rather than 30. But with those caveats, if can do the sea very well imho