[A & B Wroe boat builders - any info?]

16 hours ago, Joe Bourke said:

Alec & Brian Wroe. I think they were based on a farm in  Pollington, on the Aire & Calder. That was in the 90's. One of my neighbours in Blue Water Marina back then had a small Dutch Barge called 'Celine' built by Alec Wroe and looked a nice thing. A small scale outfit.

Wow, thanks so much! How do you know this info? I’ve found the most beautiful boat built by them- it has a wheelhouse, a vintage astern/afoot wheel and loads of old wood beams. I love knowing the history of it

[A & B Wroe boat builders - any info?]

Long shot but I’m interested in tracking down some history about the boat builders A&B Wroe. I think they were based near Yorkshire but I can’t find much. Anyone know anything about this boat builder?

[cruising from river stour to London]

1 minute ago, ditchcrawler said:

I think this might be the case of where we are giving answers the OP doesn't want to hear. I would say the engine is the least of their worries

not at all, i really appreciate all the expertise and am using it to weigh up my options. Am looking into prices of transporting boats by truck

2 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I'd still suggest the use of a Truck - it'll cost a little more but it will arrive on the day you want it (no sitting in port for days awaiting that 'calm day') and you get to use it on the calm inland waters that both you and it are 'designed' for.

 

Having a big engine is of no great benefit, - it is a displacement hull and once you achieve maximum hull speed (about 8 knots in your case and watch the fuel gauge descending) you could have a 200hp engine and it wont go any faster you just start pushing a bigger and bigger mountain of water in front of you.

 

It is the lack of stability and lack of draft that is the problem. A NB / WBNB is a category D craft and is designed to cope with conditions found on Inland waterways, and as many have found out even the waves on the Thames can be 'concerning' particularly the big wakes from passing craft.

The boat will only be certified for use in waves up to 0.3 metres (1 foot) and winds of up to force 4 (about 12-15 knts where dust wind and small pieces of paper are moved You will get waves up to 4 feet high if the wind and tide are against each other).

 

"Wind Over TIde Gives A Rough Ride"

 

It can be a gentle tide and a gentle wind but in certain conditions will give still give a very choppy 'short' sea which is uncomfortable (at best)

 

 

 

You may find that your insurers will not cover you for the the tidal part of the journey, or will demand a large premium 'added'.

 

 

 

 

this is really informative and helpful, thanks 

[cruising from river stour to London]

40 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

The Sea conditions can change within hours if not minutes, the sea is no place for a slightly portly flat-bottomed narrowboat.

 

Unless you are an experienced sea-skipper and understand the 'signs' and making tidal passages I'd strongly recommend using a truck.

I am not experienced but know a skipper who is and is happy to help. I wouldn’t normally risk with a NB type it the engine is so powerful I think could be OK on calm day

[cruising from river stour to London]

1 minute ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

You say wide beam, but that is not very informative. It could be what we tend to call a wide beam narrow boat (but possibly not with that engine), through fishing type boat, to a flybridge cruiser. Why this is important is because quite apart from the beam, the air draft and cabin profile may well severely limit or prevent CCing on the London Canals. Then there is the question of available moorings for CCing in London. Have you actually walked the London Canals and understand what CaRT  demands for CCers in respect of distances moved etc.

I have cruised in and around London for last few years- I am very aware of the rules. There are all sorts of different boats here, including very large ones further out. This one is a 9ft wide widebeam narrowboat with wheelhouse , air draft is unknown but wheelhouse is collapsible 

[cruising from river stour to London]

I have found a beautiful boat on the River Stour, East Kent near Sandwich which I have my heart set on. She is a 40ft widebeam with a wheel and a good 60hp Gardner engine. I would be looking to take her towards London to continuously cruise, and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips/advice about driving her via the tidal thames onto the London Canals. She is apparently seaworthy on calm days. How long is that journey likely to take, would it be safe for a widebeam boat, anything else I should be aware of before attempting this?

 

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!

[Wheel vs tiller for single handed boating]

19 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

One presumes it has a decent width side deck and the wheelhouse has doors that you can clip open. Much depends upon your skill and where you put your lines. I can't see  a Dutch barge being blown away from the bank like a small narrowboat would. Apartf rom in high winds and higher river flows I can't say I had to jump on or ff really quickly.

 

The old working boats did not have weed hatches and used a pole or a pole and hook to clear prop fouls.

Decent side decks yes, but looks like only exit from wheelhouse is at the stern and not the sides (Still yet to her in person so this is just based on images)

[Wheel vs tiller for single handed boating]

I have found my dream boat. It is a 40ft Dutch Barge operated with a wheel and no tiller. I’d be wanting to use it to continuously cruise.

 

At the moment I am on a small narrowboat which I find fine to operate single-handedly, but I’m worried about having a wheelhouse, especially in things like locks where you have to jump on and off really quickly. 

 

Also about having no weed hatch. 

 

Is it best to stick to canal-designed narrowboats in the UK or is Dutch Barge doable on your own?