riverwolf

Could not help our selves on friday as Midland Chandlers had 20% everything,so we now have a nice new Classic Range,we had planned on buying an Epping as this is what we have had in previous boats,but the quality of the castings were not good on the ones we looked at.My plan had been to fit the Epping with a back boiler as these are available,but not so for the Classic!Has any one fitted a boiler to a Classic?Would the Epping boiler fit?Or when i buy a Boatmans Stove for the backcabin/bedroom would i be better getting one with a back boiler?Thanks,Mike.

Walked past Drake a couple of days ago,looks like it would keep you busy for sometime to come!

The back cabin is perfect,very mellow,but better suited to the smaller person,engine hole very trad,under cloths needs a bit of work,but it has a great feel to it! A really lovely boat.

Found ourselves at Warickshire Fly last wednesday so had a good look at 'Ian',what a lovely boat! Amazed that no one has bought her/him yet,especially now the price has been reduced!Sorry to say too big for us,but has to be seen if you are looking for a big motor that feels proper!!

In the Beta JD3 Classic Tug Engine thread there was mention of the suitability of the Greaves engines for narrow boats,i have since then received the following information from Phil Lizius at Longboat Engineering and include it here with his blessing in the hope it might prove helpful to others seeking a traditional looking engine at what seems a reasonable price,Phil writes as follows ," Please find attached the dimensional details for the Greaves 2YWM and 3YWM engines. The dry weight of the 2YWM is 327kg and for the 3YWM it would be 402kg. You would need to add approx 150kg for the gearbox and adaptor plate, assuming that you went for the PRM260 gearbox. Other gearbox options would vary. 2YWM The overall length of the standard engine, fitted with a PRM 260 gearbox is 48.25 inches from the gearbox flange to the end of the crankshaft extension. If the raised hand start is fitted an additional 7 inches is required to allow for removal of the starting handle. If hand start is not required and space is at a premium, the front crankshaft extension can be shortened by 5 inches, provided that a second alternator is not required. 3YWM. With all the above dimensions you would have to allow for a additional 7.5 inches for the extra cylinder. The PRM 260 gearbox is still within capacity but the PRM500 might be considered to give a better safety margin. This would add approx 5 inches to the overall length and approx 30 kg to the weight. My thoughts on engines, narrowboats and other related matters. With a 50ft by 7ft hull of conventional narrowboat design, the 2YWM will provide sufficient 'power' to drive the boat against all but the most serious of river 'flood' conditions. Under such conditions, you probably will be prevented from navigating by the Authorities. The constraints will be the size and design of the propeller fitted to the boat. In an ideal world, the 2YWM should 'throw' a 28 inch x 24 inch propeller. This would require a draught of 34 or preferably 36 inches. This is obviously not practical on a boat used mainly on the canals. The compromise position, is to fit a 22 x 17 inch prop, which would give a draught of 26 or 28 inches. This may result in reduced performance on fast flowing rivers but in practice this compromise works reasonably well in all but the most serious 'flood' conditions. Fitting a larger engine, such as the 3YWM does not resolve this basic problem but has other implications such as the engine having to 'idle' for long periods and failing to reach full operating temperature. In all, I think that the 2YWM will be more than adequate. In an ideal world, the 2YWM would require a 5ft engine room and the 3YWM 5ft 6". This allows space for easy maintenance but can be reduced at the expense of this ease of maintenance. At the moment, I have only a re-built 2YWM in stock and this is spoken for. I am waiting to hear from the Factory regarding delivery and current prices but they are notoriously slow to respond. I would estimate that a new unit, with PRM 260 gearbox will retail at about £10,500, which will carry a Manufactures 1 year warranty and a further, restricted 1 years warranty from Ourselves. "

Thank you,Bones!

Where can one find out the details of whats available and when?Thanks,Mike.

Two very Helpfull Posts! Thank You Both! Mike.

Woops!!!Oh well,have emailed!

Many thanks to All!I must say i do like the look of the Greaves engines and the price too!Do we have any members running one of these?Mike.

Much as i feared! The reason behind the question is that we are seriously thinking of having a shell built to our spec as finding what we would like at the right price is proving tricky! I was rather keen on putting a Beta JD3 Classic tug engine into it,but having been advised that this particular engine might not prove such a good investment,i am wondering what other similar engines there are out there?So Your thoughts on what to put in a 48' tug style,with enough go for river work!Thanks,Mike.

Hi All,Can someone please tell what is the price of a new DM2?

I would be intrested in hearing how this engine performs?Good or Bad,Thanks,Mike.

Thank You Liam!PM sent.

Posting this here as well as in the For Sale and Wanted Section ,as i hope it will get more looks!I trust if this is not o.k then the Mods will remove it! We are hunting for a boat that will fit in with the following as near as possible. Trad stern,48'-58' ish,with portholes,at least a 13' sheeted hold(or the possibility to create such),must have 6'6" min headroom,nice lines,simple interior with an Epping,(can refit if necessary) We have been to see 'Empire' in Birmingham which came very close!Liam's 'Ariel' would have been perfect,but we were not in a position to buy at the time!If you do know of anything similar please drop me a PM,many thanks,Mike.