What boat

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dawnsall

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Hi i'm considering a move from sail to motor, I'm looking for a boat that is sea worthy but also ok for canal and river something workman like with good accommodation and sensible fuel consumption. My present boat is 40 ft so i would envisage similar size. We spend long periods of time aboard and travel far. I know my sailing boats but honestly have little idea about motor boats any pointers to which type of s/h boats and reading material would be much appreciated. Oh i guess in the price region of £80.000. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I'm looking for a boat that is sea worthy
Ok for canal and river
Something workman like with good accommodation
<span style="color:blue"> Sensible fuel consumption </span>
Spend long periods of time aboard and <span style="color:blue"> travel far </span>

Now I know I'm biased but'.....
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Look very closely at Grandbanks, you should be able to find something in your price range and being a sailor you wont be too worried about bouncing around but will enjoy the cruise!

OK come on all you medallion men lets have something else that will tick all the above boxes.

Tom
 
For canals & rivers you need a single,protected prop powered by a pretty basic engine that's happy at 4 knots sll day long. Draft less than a metre and air draft <3 metres. You could start by looking at Dutch build, some designs are quite elegant and not at all barge-like.

GREHAN is going down that path - he's just sold his Southerly - so contact him for an update.

Seaworthy? Difficult to meet this requirement - depends on whether you want to cross Biscay or just pop over to Calais. Personally I would consider a single-engined Nelson 34; they're cheap but easy to refurbish.
That's my current thinking do PM for more.

Oh dear, seem to have written off that Grand thing . . .
 
Re: What boat?

Another thought is a Mk II Mitchell 31, but not turbocharged of course.
Assuming mention of rivers and canals was serious then start with European waterway guides that specify draft and air draft. They will give you specific parameters which limit your choice.

Yes you can visit Holland with a superstructure like a block of flats but expect to spend many hours fending off raggies waiting for bridges to open - not fun! And as for going through France to the Med - forget it!

You pays yer money . . .
 
Bit smaller than you said - but a mobo tends to pack more room in than a sail boat of equiv length.

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My old man has had one for 10 odd years - been down through the canals many a time from St Malo to La Roche Bernard (Biscay end /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif) - fits under the bridge at Dinan (once the radar etc is removed).....also went up to Paris a few years back. and lived aboard for extended periods over many years. (mainly 2 up with me late Brother, but sometimes 3)

Twin Engines with handed props make close quarter handling a piece of p#ss /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif No need for a bow thruster.

Most were displacement (with and without an aft cabin) - but a few were a "Huntsman" version that was a semi-displacement........but god knows what the fuel consumption is like! as built like a brick outhouse /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif and as probably with turbos not ideal for the canals.

Yachtworld has 3 for sale within budget......Indeed 2 of them are at asking prices that have made me Fathers Xmas /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ycahtworld
 
Good stuff David! The bridge at Dinan is only 2.5m high so clearing under that is proper canal boating, I'm impressed!
What vintage are we talking about? (There is no build date on that ad.) And pity about twin props; a friend strained a P-bracket in France last year, it ruined the holiday, cost megabucks to repair and there was always the hassle of parking bows in with stern poled away from the bank.
Do keep'em coming, I'm on the trail as well remember.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What vintage are we talking about? (There is no build date on that ad.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Late 70's. Me Father's is a 78. I think went up to 80.

I wouldn't take that £56k price too seriously - especially as they look like original engines, albeit very nice looking......the £32k is a good <u>asking</u> price.......

Now, if you could get an aft cockpit version (wheel house is longer and allows a bench seat / pull out berth - large single or snuggly double /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif) as well as permits dining in the wheelhouse).......with replacement Volvos you could eat yer dinner off.........yer outta luck /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (well, an offer of £56k would probably do the trick /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif).

I will pick me father's brains tommorow on his experiances in the canals with twin engines (he used to do the same stuff with a single many years back so has a comparison).......but I don't recall him having any great problems - but maybe cos' he doesn't park on the towpath? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
a GB for £80,000 ermmm

I'll let mine go for that and possibly less! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Seriously though... they are about with a little digging albeit not the Europa that I put a picture on here of! 32s are available for around that price.

Tom
 
You need to tell us what speed you have in mind because that will determine to a large extent what boats you're going to be looking at. If you're happy with displacement speeds, then you could look at Dutch steel cruisers which are primarilly made for inland waterways but are capable of coastal cruising in fair weather. Popular makes in the UK include Pedro, Stevens, Aquanaut, Sturier, Linssen. These tend to be aft cabin cruisers which maximise accomodation but also have aft deck steering positions which allow a low air draft
If you want something faster and more capable of offshore cruising but with a similar aft cabin layout and low air draft, then take a look at Broom, Aquastar, Nelson, Seaward and Channel Islands. Some Scandinavian makes may also be interesting like Nimbusand Aquador
As already mentioned, motorboats tend to offer more accomodation length for length than sail boats so you could consider motor boats from 35ft
 
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