BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Hi everyone, we are looking for a 22-27ft boat to cruise the midland canals only pottering about, it seems quite difficult buying a fiberglass cruiser around this area as they are nearly all steel. I have secured a mooring but it is on the Stratford canal which is narrow beam..is that boats up to 6.10 in width? The thing is there are quite a few wider beams about..especially Normans which are a good solid boat, so Im wondering whether to hold out for a mooring on the Grand union by us instead and purchase a slightly wider boat like a Norman (obviously forgetting any trips on the Stratford) can anyone see an issue with that, Im worried if we would jut out when moored alongside the other boats..maybe im over thinking it! lol. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 If you have a widebeam on the northern part of the GU then you going to be limited to just that waterway, as I think you realise. To me if you want a boat to potter about in you would be much better off with narrowbeam in this area. As you say the vast majority of boats in that area are steel narrowboats, if you really want a cruiser not a narrowboat, then look further afield for a boat and either bring it to the midlands by water or factor in road transport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterboat Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Hi, you will be cutting your range but increasing your comfort level by going widebeam, I have a widebeam and dont think i could go back to a narrowboat. Where we are we have a lot of cruisers and the majority are wide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Thanks John, have been looking a bit further out, not found anything in our price range suitable apart from the odd widebeam but im happy to arrange the transport for the right boat. Are you on the canal Peter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterboat Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Yes the S&SYN which is a river/canal, very wide built for proper boats, we have a 210 x 20 foot oil tanker pass us weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Wow! Sounds an interesting spot to be moored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Just found out you can cruise up to 7ft wide boat on the Stratford, some Normans are 7ft wide so thats great news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 1 minute ago, BK.Rob said: Just found out you can cruise up to 7ft wide boat on the Stratford, some Normans are 7ft wide so thats great news. All narrow canals are nominally 7ft beam. Modern narrowboat are usually built to 6ft10in to give a bit of wiggle room. One of the locks on the South Stratford on the Wilmcote flight is particularly narrow, but I believe that 7ft (but not a inch more) will fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, BK.Rob said: Just found out you can cruise up to 7ft wide boat on the Stratford, some Normans are 7ft wide so thats great news. The limitations on the canals are not only width (beam) but draught (depth) in the water and draught in the air (height). The canals are quite shallow (generally 1 metre or less) and the bridges quite low. GRP cruisers can have outboard engines, or drives on 'legs' which can increase the depth requirements. The bridges tend to be shaped in an arch so are effectively 'lower' for wider boats. Not saying the Norman is not suitable, but just check ALL of its dimensions are suitable for the area you wish to use it. For the sake of asking a few questions it could save you buying a boat that is suited to your preferred waterway. This is a 32 foot 'Narrow' GRP cruiser against our 35 foot 'widebeam' cruiser - similar length, but, as you can see there is more difference than just width. (Extreme example - maybe ?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Yeah thanks Alan, I know ive got to stick to a boat suitable for the canal system, was just wondering how much difference it would make to jump from 6.10 beam to say a 7 something beam on the Grand Union, ive been looking mainly at Normans, Vikings, nauticus and Dandys TBH as I know they are suitable..just not many around in the midlands. I may have to consider outside the area and transport back but would rather spend that investment on the boat.. no hurry will keep looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 46 minutes ago, BK.Rob said: Yeah thanks Alan, I know ive got to stick to a boat suitable for the canal system, was just wondering how much difference it would make to jump from 6.10 beam to say a 7 something beam on the Grand Union, ive been looking mainly at Normans, Vikings, nauticus and Dandys TBH as I know they are suitable..just not many around in the midlands. I may have to consider outside the area and transport back but would rather spend that investment on the boat.. no hurry will keep looking. As John said (above) n reality no difference in 7 foot or 6' 10" The odd lock (maybe on the Llangollen for instance) are known to be tight for 7 footers which is why these days most NB's are built to about 6' 10" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del 'boy' Trotter Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Always fancied a horse drawn wide/narrowboat like the Golden Spray and just stay on the G.U. between Brentford & Braunston or the occasional trip down to Southall & back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bod Posted September 9, 2019 Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Red = Broad beam 7 feet+ wide. Purple = narrow beam less than 7 feet wide. Narrow can use broad, but broad is limited to broad. http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/mwp.php?wpage=Inland-Waterways-of-England.htm Bod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK.Rob Posted September 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2019 Thanks everyone for the information. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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