Josm100

Yes, I found pricing for new and fifteen year old plus ones. They're ridiculously expensive, I'm struggling to find where that value is in such a plainly fitted out craft. Circa $450k new $300k used, I really can't see where that value is, if it were all bespoke luxury inside, sure, but it looks like a relatively cheap hire boat to me. Even if it was super well built under all that marine plywood, I still don't see it.

https://www.kuhnle-tours.com/boats-and-yachts/primus-kormoran/kormoran-1500/ This is an interesting looking boat. Anyone know anything about them? Thanks.

Rewatching that episode it makes total sense that he couldn't pilot the boat!

For sure, I'm beginning to get a feel for the benefits of research when it comes to choosing a boat. What would you suggest? Joe. P.S. honestly, if the interior steering position is useless it eliminates this boat from contention for me.

Thank you everyone who have patiently answered my questions and tollerated my ignorance. I've learned more in the past couple of days than in months of watching youtube videos of boats going up and down on the Canal du Midi. Thanks man. You've opened my eyes to the fact that every boat is truly a compromise, and that's not just a cliche. Thanks.

But just look how awesome they are inside! Bummer.

Roger, I looked at a couple of videos and the layouts of these boats. It is disappointing to hear they are poor handlers, almost dangerous by the sounds of it. They literally check every box for me, aft private master cabin, multiple rooms for guests and conversion when it's just the two of us, and the aft deck with a steering position so you can watch the scenery go by. This is probably the layout I'd be looking for in a future boat.

What an adventure!

That sounds good but I think my wife and I are a bit too novice to commit to the big blue just yet. Thanks. Pretty boats, have you done that in the Cat?

Nice, Alan, thank you. The air draft may be an issue though! Thanks for the info! Sounds like you really enjoyed the life there. And it sounds like Belgium and holland are the places to be looking for them. My wife's grandfather was all Kansas Dutch/German, the kind of man that waxed his tractor after ploughing the field. I'm sure those boats are well loved and cared for.

That's a good idea and something I was considering. Thanks.

I went back to the link and navigated my way out of the french landing page and found what you were directing me to, I think. Yes there are some good boats on there, Thank you. Thanks, good to know.

Thanks, good to know. We are a couple of years away from committing to anything yet so I have a lot of research to do. We were supposed to be on the french canals for out twentieth anniversary next week but that's not happening obviously. Bummer.

I signed up for it and yes, that was the issue, great resource, thanks for the help. Joe.

Thanks, why have the boats stopped coming down from holland?

One of the reasons to look at a new engine is that the hire boat's engine will probably be worn out. Which is fine actually because I think I want to replace to 50hp engine with something more powerful, 90hp maybe, to make the penichette more competent in tidal flows and rivers like the Rhone and Rhine. Do you think that's a valid goal?

Thanks, good info, but probably outside our price range, we'll be looking for a used boat.

Thanks.

Well, that makes everything seem less exciting. But yeah, I thought Norfolk there too. Thanks. I grew up next to the Barrow Navigation in Ireland, I need to do that in a boat sometime. Actually Athy is a pretty town on the Barrow.

Cheers, appreciate the input. What do you think is a reasonable budget for the system to be retrofitted into an existing boat?

BCN? Birmingham Canal Navigation? Forgive the ignorant Irish/Yank.

Hi Tam, so the tool bar that allows the search function is only available to members, and a google search seems to have jumbled all the replys while leaving out the OP question! I'll sign up in a bit and all will be grand. Thanks for the help.

Thanks. The posts I found about these systems were from people who seem to have had no direct experience with them or even driven them, but had lots of very strong negative opinions. Good to hear from someone who has direct knowledge. And yes that engine looks oversized in that picture!

Thanks Tam, I'll try it again, I just walked away confused. But maybe I have limited access since I'm not a member. If you say it's good, and I'm sure it is, I don't mind paying to become a member to get that functionality.

I don't know to be honest. 'They' say one hour of diesel provides two hours of electric but they say all kinds of things. With the addition of solar panels (especially in south of France) and charging from shore it could be possible but I'd have to do a lot of research. Greenline boats have a highly regarded range of boats using yanmar hybrids that do about twenty five miles at 4-5 knots and run all the electric systems. People really like those for coastal crusing so it's a proven system. I guess I like the idea of silent cruising too, and the lack of fumes, and that has it's own value to me. Do barge engines ever run at load? Isn't there plenty of power left to charge a battery, and don't diesels run more efficiently at higher loads anyway? Even if it's only 1 hour of electric for one hour of diesel cruising isn't that a 50% saving? But this is off the topic of my original question, more a side note, but I appreciate your opinions. Joe.