rockmeister

thanks chaps...both sites suggested proving very useful indeed. The concensus so far is a flat bottomed steel boat, but with enough draft to swing a larger prop via a 90-100hp engine for around 60X11 of boat. Wheelhouse a good idea. Getting there! editted to add, that I posted the exact same question at JustCanals.com, under the 'new to boating' section and had some excellent replies, so if anyone sees this and is also interested, try looking here ....http://www.justcanals.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2615

OK then...... There are probably 101 things a beginner needs to know about cruising through Europe with your boat as your home, and I hope that the expertise here will help supply me (us?) with some guidance. I’ve numbered the questions to make referencing the answers easy. If there is already a sticky on this subject, or a FAQ’s section for European live-aboard, please someone just point me to it and I’ll edit this post. If not, then please share your expertise. I have spent some years on a plastic cruiser in the UK, but Steel in Europe is all theory so far, so just before we take the plunge, I thought I’d better ask those who know. So far that is three boat builders and a naval Architect, but hopefully now, the unbiased opinions of you lot! On type of craft, hull forms etc. Thinking about strong currents on tidal sections of big rivers, and on the Rhine/Danube generally (which can reach 6/7 knots)…. 1. Is ANY displacement craft capable of travelling upstream against a 6 knot current in safety? 2. Is tiller steering practicable under those circumstances? 3. Are chines/a keel a necessity, or is a flat-bottomed design just as manoeuvrable? Thinking about specifying an engine: 1. As a rough guide, how many HP / ton should prove safe? 2. Any wisdom on prop size/HP/pitch that are essential considerations? 3. The usual engine makes on offer include Barrus / Beta / Perkins / Vetus. Do any of these stand out as THE most reliable? Economical? Or have a poor record? Thinking about practicalities: 1. Double-glazing? Needed or not. 2. Spray foam insulation or some other system? 3. On-engine generators or separate units? 4. Hull blacking or a paint system with anti-fouling? 5. Are any of the following really essential to make life pleasant on-board year round: Fly screens on all windows? Air conditioning? Wet system central heating? A multi fuel stove? Sun canopy of some sort? 6. 220 or 240v? 7. Some form of trickle charger required or not (solar panel/wind gen)? Off Boat considerations, including costs: 1. Any tips for insurance brokers? 2. Are marinas frequent on the European system for fuel and water? 3. Fuel aside, what annual costs are involved for say a 60’ Dutch barge? 4. Does CEVNI cover boating throughout Europe? Other thoughts: 1. If money was no object, but steel was essential, would you choose: Dutch steel yacht? Three cabin ‘Peniche’ design? Dutch barge? Broad beam ‘narrow boat’ style? Narrow boat? Why? All other observations (save “don’t do it!”) very welcome. Thanks. John

As I said, we are about to buy a steel boat for liveaboard cruising through europe, and I've plenty of questions....where would be the best place to post these please? thanks John