happychap

I concur here, when we selected our builder (and we have yet to finalise some details) this was a major concern. One very well known and very highly respected builder wanted 50% payment when the base plate was laid and the remainder before completion. I was amazed as our other shortlist candidates required only nomimal (5% to 10%) deposits with nothing else to pay until the boat was completed. Our chosen builder will require nothing else until the boat is completed and to our satisfaction. We're only going for a sailaway and I cannot image how we would have approached a purchase of £60k or more for a finished 'spec' boat. Just FYI, I spoke to a number of brokers, checked out the sale price of new/second-hand boats from various builders and also asked a couple of surveyors to recommend several hull builders. From this we selected 5 to visit who we were confident could build a good quality boat that would re-sell well (if needed) and who all provided 'indicative' prices/specs all before we met them. One guy we didn't warm to so he was off the list and 'up-front' payments were a deciding factor along with meeting and talking to recent owners of boats by the selected builders. This left us with a clear winner.

Hmm ... we met a guy running a Perkins rig with oodles of sound proofing, water cooled silencer and the works. Engine ran at a whisper................ Cost a right packet though. Well I've spoken to beta and it seems the 3 cylinder 39 might be the right option at the right price. So watch this space for an update - if you'r that interested of course. It's a shame there are so few Lister users who might have had had their own view.

Without wishing to pour cold water over a well intentioned idea, I suspect you may find that despite 'disclaimers' to the contrary, the site (and it's owners) would fall foul of allowing 'unsubstantiated' negative comments about a builder that will undoubtably affect his business standing. I recall some problems with a 'super-nanny' recently where mothers had expressed their opinions rather forcefully on some forum and in a somewhat negative manner and this resulted in legal action being taken against the site in question. I also cannot imagine any 'professional' wanting to get into an open-air discussion on a web forum. Big risk with little to gain from the exercise. Sorry if I'm a party pooper and of course it's just my opinion. Far better to 'recommend' and specific 'moans' can be dealt with privately.

A 5 year warranty must surely mean that the supplier is confident that 'their' liabilities and costs over that 5 year period will be safe - in other words they have confidence in the product and maybe also they want to give more back to the customer. Isuzu on the other hand only offer 2 years - what does that say about their confidence in their product? As for great price, well our builder is a highly reputable and nationally recognised top builder and the Lister supplier wants to get this guy to fit a Lister in one of his boats and maybe get him to offer the Canastar as a 'standard' option - which at present he doesn't. The builder suggests the Beta 38 which we may end up going with, I have discounted Isuzu already.

I did speak with Beta who did not suggest the 39 though were pushing me towards the 43. The builder says the 43 is over-kill, Beta say the 38 is marginal with a 57' boat. I will check out the 39, awaiting a call back from Beta, much more torque at at the same rpm as the 43 but I wonder if the 3 cylinders will be noisier than 4? I am supposed to be eliminating one of the two, not adding a third!

I agree, it's very difficult to get good, totally unbiased advice on anything! My own car has a V6 2.5l engine specifically for that purpose as I used to until recently drive 40k miles a year. My concerm with the narrowboat though is to have enough 'extra' without going over the top as this is just extra and unneccesary cost. Our boat builder says he will fit either and would recommend the Beta but I just suspect he gets a good discount and more than he will get if we supply the Lister. Maybe I am just scinical I was just hoping I'd find some Lister users here with an opinion.

Thanks for your comments. To add some additional information: We selected 5 builders of quality hulls who we visited. From that list we short-listed 2 and have now made our selection. All 5 suggested either (or both) the Isuzu 42 or Beta 38 (with Beta 43 as an option). My question was aimed at getting a view on the Lister Canalstar 40 vs the Beta choices rather than anything else. The Lister dealer offered such a great price specifically because he wants to have one of the Lister engines in our chosen builder's boats - to date the builder has not fitted any. So that was it really, is the Lister a good choice? As it happens, it looks like there will be little difference in the overall cost to me whichever engine I choose due to the fitting and associated ancillary costs. My question still remains, Beta 38 vs Lister Canalstar 40, the Lister has an extra 30nm of torque.

Hi I'm new here and am about to place an order for my new narrowboat. It will be a 57' trad boat. I had short listed either the Beta 38 or 43 engines but at this weekend's IWA show I looked at the Lister Canalstar 40 which seems to sit midway between the Betas which is nice as the Beta 38 is a little light on power, the 43 more that I need. So, your help please. Anyone out there have experience of the Lister? It comes with 5 years warranty, PRM 150 g'box and a great price. Thanks in advance and in anticipation..............