dreamboater

I think I should clarify that 90% of the time I will be on narrow canals as that's where my mooring is on the T&M!!!!! I'm convinced the dream is too big to be able to "do both". And I'm actually pretty risk averse and not looking to do any rough seas. I said "Cat C" but the certification part isn't really important to me. My question is about what I can do at the design stage to make it safer to do some estuary crossings and maybe mild sea crossings to really open up the network in a way that it isnt with my 70' trad. Here are the crossings I would like to be able to do a few times per year as I make my way round the network: 1. Anderton to the Weaver then Manchester Ship Canal to Ellesmere Port 2. Out Eastham locks across the Mersey and into Liverpool docks via Brunswick lock Ribble link 3. Over the pennines, then rounding Trent Falls from Ouse to Trent on the Humber 4. Severn from Sharpness to Avonmouth 5. Boston across the wash to Ouse / Nene 6. Out onto the Dee at Chester, if that ever gets opened up again, up to Farndon 7. MAYBE Humber to Ancholme / Hull River 8. And just one to get you all to throw things at me, wash to Yarmouth to visit the Broads I was always taught it's obscene to talk about money but as for budget, at a push I could do about 400K but I was hoping to get away with closer to half that. Was just thinking some of you would like to dream with me... what features would you give your boat to give you confidence to do those passages? I'm thinking a 10knot top speed, no air holes below the roof line, lighter superstructure and extra weighted ballast (say a 20mm base plate), that kind of thing. Yes I know that some of the locks have shrunk over the years and 6'10" is the conventional wisdom. In most instances my 6'10" beam boat has PLENTY of wiggle room, so I was thinking I could perhaps push it to 7'. the only locks I can remember being a bit tight were the entrance to the Llangollen.

Is it possible to get a standard sea-going boat that will fit on the inland waterways? If so then I would be open to buying rather than building. I have done around half of the canals but the goal is to be able to do both in the same boat.

Hi Canalworld! I have been hire boating many years, but now that I'm retired I'm ready to sell up and build my dream liveaboard, so I thought I would join this forum and get some advice. I have thought about it very carefully over the years and I've come up with the following requirements. The first thing that will make my boat unusual is that on fine days i want to be able to handle estuaries / coastal / inshore waters without worry. In particular being that I'm near Runcorn I want to be able to cross the Mersey as well as go down the Severn. According to the RCD, Category C - Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes, and rivers where conditions up to and including wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to and including 2 meters may be experienced. 2 metres would be terrifying if not fatal in most narrowboats! So, I want to look into what it would take to construct a boat to go-anywhere narrowboat dimensions (say, 57' by 7', 2' draught with a flat bottom) but still be able to meet the requirements of a Cat C boat. (maybe even a Cat B so I can cross the channel or go to the med). I am thinking the main thing would be to ensure watertightness below the roof line with ventillation supplied by openings high up under the roof with snorkels. Another thing would be plenty of ballast to keep it upright. The second thing I want is an electric drive. I would want it well overspecced in power so that I can do 10 knots in open water. Probably dual motor for safety. For such powerful propulsion I would want lithium batteries under the whole floor which would double as ballast. And then both sides and roof I would want virtually covered in solar panels. In fact I'm thinking of using the solar panels almost structurally, in that the boat would be a frame with solar panels fitting into the frame. Of course a cocooned diesel generator is a must as well for a diesel-electric drive. I'm not very set on what it should look like but I am interested in a cruiser deck that has a rigid lid that folds down over the superstructure, which is another unusual feature I know but I think would help keep the boat watertight. I don't know what questions I should be asking but here's some for a start. Hull Design: What hull design would be best suited for Category C conditions? Should I go for a traditional narrowboat hull, or are there other designs that would offer better stability and performance? Something unusal like those fold down side keels like you get on some dutch barges? Length and Beam: Is it feasible that such a small boat (say, 57' by 7', 2' draught with a flat bottom) can manage Cat C? Safety Features: What safety features should I prioritise when building my narrowboat for Category C conditions? Are there specific requirements for navigation and safety equipment I need to consider? A radio is a must, and maybe one of those emergency inflatable lifeboats. Construction Materials: What materials would be best suited for building a narrowboat intended for Category C voyages? Should I consider steel or aluminum, considering both durability and weight? Interior Layout: Any tips for the interior layout of a Category C narrowboat? How can I optimise space while ensuring comfort and functionality? Any other fit out good ideas you can think of would be very welcome. I realise this is a big dream. I know it will take a long time, both to find a building willing to do it and to wait for a slot. and I know it will take a lot of money. But when you have time and money then dreams can come true, right?!??!?!????