What would be ideal length to be able to cover all waterways in uk[live aboard]

[wullie]

looking fo some idea on length of boat to enable us to travel on all uk waterways, i have seen posts saying 60 feet should not be prop. but just to make sure would like to know if this is so.

[sueb]

58' remember lock gates leak so if you go for longer you could get very wet.

[RLWP]

Before you commit yourself to the fashionable, and more expensive second-hand, 57' boat have a think about what your cruising pattern might be.

 

We were convinced we had to have a 57' boat when we were buying. In reality, because we both work, we don't have the time to visit the canals where length is a restriction. So our 70' boat works fine for us

 

Richard

[Athy]

How many of "us" are there? If there are only two of you, and if you are not intending to live on board, a well laid-out 40' - 45' boat will be perfectly adequate - and will be easier to moor and save you a lot of money on mooring and licencing fees!

[Tuscan]

A sea otter trailer boat would get you everywhere or like RWLP says a 70' would satisfy most peoples cruising needs. Take your pick and enjoy.

[FadeToScarlet]

Theoretically, 45', so you can visit Brandon, and use Welches Dam lock if it ever reopened.

[wullie]

Before you commit yourself to the fashionable, and more expensive second-hand, 57' boat have a think about what your cruising pattern might be.

 

We were convinced we had to have a 57' boat when we were buying. In reality, because we both work, we don't have the time to visit the canals where length is a restriction. So our 70' boat works fine for us

 

Richard

hi yes but i think it would be a bit big for me as will be first boat and even taking helmsman instruction think it would be a bit of a handfull, i will be doing a lot of traveling and want to enjoy it, i dont want to find myself out of my depth [no pun intended] i am thinking even 60 foot too much for first timer.

 

How many of "us" are there? If there are only two of you, and if you are not intending to live on board, a well laid-out 40' - 45' boat will be perfectly adequate - and will be easier to moor and save you a lot of money on mooring and licencing fees!

two of us living abord but more during summer season,

[Athy]

Ah, in that case my remarks no longer apply, sorry.

[RLWP]

hi yes but i think it would be a bit big for me as will be first boat and even taking helmsman instruction think it would be a bit of a handfull, i will be doing a lot of traveling and want to enjoy it, i dont want to find myself out of my depth [no pun intended] i am thinking even 60 foot too much for first timer.

 

A 70' boat is anything but a handful! It's shorter boats that are likely to change direction and dodge about on the cut

 

I also find or 70' very docile in locks whereas I watch short boats revving and shifting into forwards and backwards to stop surging around

 

Don't forget, a lot of the canals were built for 70' boats

 

And the true answer is - whatever boat you buy, make sure you take her out on the cut for a while and get your hand on the tiller*. That way you'll know if she is the right boat for you

 

Richard

 

*Of course, we didn't

[magpie patrick]

If you want to cruise the shorter waterways (I mean those with shorter locks) in a relaxed fashion I wouldn't recommend pushing the limits. The only limit that is comfortable is a 70 foot boat in a lock designed for a single narrow boat or a pair of them, because these locks are never less than 70 feet long. You can get a 60 footer through the Calder and Hebble Navigation, but it's a tight fit and needs care, including being diagonal in some locks and I seem to recall it involves going backwards when descending one lock. And of course, you are dependent on the length being accurate, if the quoted 60 feet turns out to be nearer 61 feet you are stuffed.

 

A 55 footer would be much more relaxing on these waterways

[wullie]

Ah, in that case my remarks no longer apply, sorry.

no need to say sorry i welcome all thoughts, just seeking a few ideas on my plan.

[Taslim]

As MP says & 55foot is bees knees but as far as handling goes don't be afraid of boat length.

 

The first boat I steered was 70 foot & as a total novice we got on fine in that I parked the ark where I wanted, without help or (much) fuss. The last boat I moved was 40 foot & I'm glad no one was watching. It steered with all the presicion of a pig with a stick up it's bum. The big one was a hire boat, the little one was from a well respected builder.

 

taslim.

[Glynn]

55 foot.

[by'eck]

57 foot, but if you need every inch 60 feet will get you most places

[Dave_P]

My boat is 55' and I've recently spent time on the Huddersfield Broad and the Calder & Hebble (the ones with the short locks). Having done all those short locks, I have to say I wouldn't fancy doing it with anything longer than 57'. I've heard it said many times that 60' will go (diagonally and backwards on occassion) but from what i've seen, that could be asking for trouble. Picture this: you're going down in a short lock in a 60 footer, you've turned round to descend backwards and pushed the back of the boat right against the corner of the bottom gate with the bow of the boat curving over the cill as you start to descend. All sorts of things could happen now: A rubbing strake or other extrusion on your stern could get caught on something sticking out of the lock wall or from part of the gate furniture and cause your boat to hang up. Your bow could hang up on the cill. You may find that you can't open the bottom gates once the lock is empty. A seriously leaking top gate could possibly flood your front deck?

 

I wouldn't recommend a new boater to try it in anything longer than 57' and even then you're likely to get wet feet and legs when locking down at Salterhebble.

[Pykebird]

It will also depend on the layout of your chosen boat.I have just found out my boat is only 48 foot and I share it wth 2 large dogs an a cat!

But I have more cabin space and bigger rooms than my friend whose boat is 57 foot. Some boat lay outs make it feel really small and waste space, so you really need to get inside and see what you think before you dscount a slightly smaller one.

[Tinhare]

hi yes but i think it would be a bit big for me as will be first boat and even taking helmsman instruction think it would be a bit of a handfull, i will be doing a lot of traveling and want to enjoy it, i dont want to find myself out of my depth [no pun intended] i am thinking even 60 foot too much for first timer.

 

We just bought our first boat, 62 feet long. Never been on a canal before. Not having a problem. Although winding and turning sharp corners I find a bit tricky at the moment, judging when to start the turn. It will come with experience. Winded the boat the other week and it was a five point turn, now an experienced boater could have done it in one but no damage done and some experience gained.

 

I just take it slow and easy and where things are quiet I have a play about to see what the boat will do and what effect certain things I do, i.e. throttle input with different rudder setting, have on the boat.

 

Would I find it easier on say a 57 foot boat, maybe, do I wish I'd bought a shorter boat? No.

[wullie]

We just bought our first boat, 62 feet long. Never been on a canal before. Not having a problem. Although winding and turning sharp corners I find a bit tricky at the moment, judging when to start the turn. It will come with experience. Winded the boat the other week and it was a five point turn, now an experienced boater could have done it in one but no damage done and some experience gained.

 

I just take it slow and easy and where things are quiet I have a play about to see what the boat will do and what effect certain things I do, i.e. throttle input with different rudder setting, have on the boat.

 

Would I find it easier on say a 57 foot boat, maybe, do I wish I'd bought a shorter boat? No.

thanks for advice, cant wait for my turn on the cut,you have a great time getting to know your boat.

[tillergirl]

we aimed for 57 foot and bought a 60 footer. had the layout we wanted and it handles very well. as for the bits we can;t do we can live with that.

[cariad]

We bought a 58' and done most of the canal system and only struggled in I think it's called OXLADE lock on our way to RIPON.

Some have done this canal in 60' with no problem. Some boats are long 57' and some boats are short 60', I often wonder how the

measurements are taken.