Time to think about motor boat

sailaboutvic

sailaboutvic

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We been sailors for some 40 years , part of that full time livaboards and it's getting close to the time when we always said one day we buy a motor boat and explore the rivers and canals of Europe .
So here our problem , we know nothing at all about motor boats ,
Except they like to drink fuel .
So the question is , our interest would be in a good sea going motor cruiser ,
Most import,
12 mts or under that comfortable to live on full time ,
With good cruising speed and not going to bleed us dry when it come to fuel .
I know this is a bit like how long is a bit of string , but we have to start some where .
Thanks guy for àny Input .
 
Regards fuel on non tidal waterways/canals , my two previous boats, a Princess 33 and a 37 ft Broom consumed around 1- 1.5 gallons an hour at 8 kph.
Both had twin basic 130HP diesels and were perfectly capable on getting over Le Manche under their own steam.
Would suggest for long term cruising, interior volume would be the first priority.
Broom does come to mind along with some of the Dutch steel stuff .
 
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If you are looking for an inland waters boat that you leave permanently on the continent then an ex-hire boat are usually good value
 
For your intended use an aft cabin boat such as a Broom, Haines, Westwood etc would be ideal. Plenty of options if you go for a Dutch steel boat.

Noting that you say that you know nothing about motor boats, one thing to bear in mind is that they have different hull forms that vary from planing (no keel and props are the lowest point) to semi-displacement (usually have a keel that will be slightly lower than the props) and displacement (again, keel likely to be lower than the props). If you are doing mainly inland then semi-displacement or displacement is the way to go as there will be some protection for stern gear. Planing hulls combined with big engines give speed at sea. Semi-displacement hulls give some speed at sea but usually with higher fuel consumption. Displacement will not go above hull speed. As a rule of thumb if you want speed at sea you can work on getting circa 1 to 2 mpg. Obviously a lot better if you stay at or below hull speed. Overall, semi-displacement may be the appropriate compromise for your plans and Broom built many boats with people like you in mind.

Several examples of what might be suitable on the market at https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
 
Greg2 said:
For your intended use an aft cabin boat such as a Broom, Haines, Westwood etc would be ideal. Plenty of options if you go for a Dutch steel boat.

Noting that you say that you know nothing about motor boats, one thing to bear in mind is that they have different hull forms that vary from planing (no keel and props are the lowest point) to semi-displacement (usually have a keel that will be slightly lower than the props) and displacement (again, keel likely to be lower than the props). If you are doing mainly inland then semi-displacement or displacement is the way to go as there will be some protection for stern gear. Planing hulls combined with big engines give speed at sea. Semi-displacement hulls give some speed at sea but usually with higher fuel consumption. Displacement will not go above hull speed. As a rule of thumb if you want speed at sea you can work on getting circa 1 to 2 mpg. Obviously a lot better if you stay at or below hull speed. Overall, semi-displacement may be the appropriate compromise for your plans and Broom built many boats with people like you in mind.

Several examples of what might be suitable on the market at https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
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Thanks that helpful , it's more info like this would be great
 
sailaboutvic said:
You missed the important part , a good sea going motor cruiser , or are you saying there not a motor boat that will do both jobs ?
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Some motorboats aren't really suited to river use (e.g. deep v-hulls with a single outdrive, massive engines etc.).
Similarly some river boats will not fare well on the open sea (forward facing windows, small engines, seating that isn't fixed).

Some boats will do both reasonably well.
e.g. some Brooms are river-only, but many are suitable for sea use as well.
 
Brooms with bigger engines would be an ideal compromise, sea kindly and can get a move on if required, usually all the top hamper can be lowered for canals etc.Avoid old Perkins engines.
Crown or Monarch perhaps.
Steel needs careful survey and most not ideal for offshore, simply to slow.
 
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FlowerPower said:
Some motorboats aren't really suited to river use (e.g. deep v-hulls with a single outdrive, massive engines etc.).
Similarly some river boats will not fare well on the open sea (forward facing windows, small engines, seating that isn't fixed).

Some boats will do both reasonably well.
e.g. some Brooms are river-only, but many are suitable for sea use as well.
Click to expand...

People run some big old planning motor boats on the Thames. Many are at the end of my partners garden!

They will never get above idle and the general view is they probably coke up over time.

In one way they would be a decent choice. Possibly cheap, not under stress, they use little fuel at displacement speeds, comfortable etc.

But they are often tall and deep ( canals have height and depth limits) and if you do goto sea in them I suspect it is a slight lottery as to when it will go wrong.

If you know which canals and rivers this will automatically limit your choice to what will fit. Then apply budget and see what is left.

A rear cabin boat seems a good idea to me. A 12m boat is not that big if you want to live on it and you will need all the space you can muster.
 
Much of this forum is about different sized mobos zapping about at sea...there is a livaboard forum..I suspect it is mostly sail, but I can see the occasional mobo query. There is probably also a Broom forum of some sort that might have more canal related input for you, or suggest other places to check.
 
From your origial post you mention the vessel has to be seaworthy
'most Important' I think you typed
I too would put that Crireria at the forefront should I wish to do the same
In fact I am helping a friend on His search for a vessel with similar qualities

Our Travels on said search has recently taken us to Holland France Scotland and quite a few places on this Sceptered Isle!
Budgett is quite healthy
Let Me point out I am just the tyre kicker 'expert' here
He needs a boat that will cope with strong currents too, for various reasons
So 'displacement' craft will not suit
So that narrows down the Search
'Planing hulls' will not do at all
Therefore its will be a 'Semi'
Make/ Models looked at, inc the Southampton boat show last year
Botnia Targa
Nimbus (sea trialed}
Storebro
Dale Nelson (Sea Trialed)
Benneteua Trawlers
Various Sealine, Fairline, Princess, Sunseekers
All about 40 to 50ft
Sea Trialled some of the above just mentioned
I am the tyre kicker because during the last 20 odd years or so I have delivered loads of boats , taught people , handed over boats for Dealers etc
This experience I am able to pass on to my Mate
Finding 'The Perfect' motorboat for the Task in question is interesting and bloody impossible!
Cos 'They Aint' made it yet!
So as we all know there has to be a Compromise
His ideal vessel would do the following
Good at sea
Go through the French canals
Have a flybridge or a raised outer helm staion
Cruise at 12 kts minimum
Aft Cabin
inc berths for two more guests minimum
Heating and air con
Crane to lift two small motorbikes on for visiting the IOM etc for the TT!
Two Heads
Shaft drive
Not too much canvas with those dammed annoying popper stud things
Safe side decks for dogs and children
'Options'
Ice maker and water maker
Sprung mattresses
Bar (personally that would be at the forefront of My Specs)!
Range at least 1000 nautical miles at 9 kts
Not older than 2015
He does like 'shiney' stuff!
People
Anything out ther You know about?
Even as a semi pro boat tyre kicker
I am struggling here!
Sorry to intrude on your Thread 'sailaboutvic' but you never know
The Good People of this Forai might help both of us!
:D
 
Something like this?
Could do with cockpit re-furb and "un-purpling" the carpets, but you'd have £10k spare to smarten things up:

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1993/broom-33-3474717/?refSource=enhanced listing

Xy4Yw1.png
 
That Broom 33 looks lovely and seems to offer a huge amount of accommodation although its a bit marginal engine power wise for sea use. As it (and the larger 37) were part of the 'offshore' range however they would not have much, if any, of a keel to protect sterngear. Also my uncle has just bought a 37 for less than the (admittedly) advertised price of that 33.

Other broom options:
- Broom Crown 37. Try to get one without the lower helm and with Volvo's. Slower than others but almost perfect boat for the job.
- Broom 10/70. Older than the 33/37 but has a keel. Try to get one with Volvo 200's
- Broom Monarch. Expensive but fantastic, probably as large as you could go in a broom for canal work. Best with Volvo 306's.

Other manufacturers:
- Aquastar 33 or 38 oceanranger
- Neptunus 133 - Lovely layout. You can get some without flybridge, aft deck steering instead.
- Nelson 42?? - A bit narrow and possibly too old but well liked by ex-sailors.
 
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