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Widebeam Kits

Nige

By Nige
in General Boating

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Nige Collaborator

Nige

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Hi all,

 

Was just wondering if anyone else, had come across these kits:-

 

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=54905

 

It's one that appeals very much to me and something i'll keep my eye on over the next few years, as it appeals very much - both from a price point of view and from the looks and lines of the actual boat.

 

Thoughts/ideas anyone ?

 

Cheers,

Nige

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BGA Community Regular

BGA

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If you have a large covered area, some heavy lifting gear, are an expert welder, got some willing helping hands, proficient and competant electrician and corgi registered you shouldn't have any trouble at all. You might still be short of some paperwork if and when you come to sell it.

 

:)

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ChrisPy Veteran

ChrisPy

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I believe most of the replica barge builders in the UK use these pre-cut kits, either from this supplier or another. There is a specialist forum for replica dutch barges where you will get bags of information. I'm sure if you google for it it will turn up.

Edited by chris polley
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Gary Peacock Veteran

Gary Peacock

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We would do a full fit based on one if we ever got an order.

 

We very nearly built one but in reality when you do the costings the savings from the kit if you intend to get a good result aren't that great. (And the customer bottled out at about £150K)

 

It reminded me of the days when I was into Kit cars the kits were cheap and most builds were awful, the builds where money was spent were often fantastic but cost more than a production car! :)

 

You aren't going to build one of those kits with a cheap welder from Screw fix and a idiots guide to welding. But if you can supply the equipment, site and skills yourself already it might be a viable option.

 

The thing to do is to do some research and then sit down and really think about it before jumping in. A very high percentage of DIY boat projects never get completed but if a production hull is involved there is a chance of recovering some of the costs, with a half built hull without paperwork it will be scrap value only.

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Travis Community Regular

Travis

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Nige,

 

not all replica Dutch Barge builders use these kits, we went to look at one being built at Pipers in Bidulph. Bonny boat but not quite what we were looking for.

 

I would imagine its a big job to build one DIY though.

 

Any luck selling Discovery yet?

 

Andy.

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turnbuttonboy Contributor

turnbuttonboy

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We had a good look at Branson Kits when deciding where we would go from our narrowboat. I can only confirm the reply from BGA - building one of these is a huge ask if you do not have the skills and facilities to work steel. If you are a coded welder then you will probably be alright but do not be fooled into thinking that it will be a cheap boat - particulairly if you want to go out on the salty stuff!

 

Turnbuttonboy

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ChrisPy Veteran

ChrisPy

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My own experience of building hull shells and completed boats is that the steelwork is a relative bargain from most shell builders. The economics of the welding work often don't seem to add up. I know - I tried it.

 

Compared to the cost and the possible savings to be made on a shell, the cost of completing the boat is far more significant and needs less investment in equipment and space.

 

I would go for a completed shell every time.

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Gary Peacock Veteran

Gary Peacock

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My own experience of building hull shells and completed boats is that the steelwork is a relative bargain from most shell builders. The economics of the welding work often don't seem to add up. I know - I tried it.

 

Compared to the cost and the possible savings to be made on a shell, the cost of completing the boat is far more significant and needs less investment in equipment and space.

 

I would go for a completed shell every time.

 

Your quite right Chris the steel isn't worth doing it's just a means to an end! The costs to build a good hull in the UK are silly and very few customers appreciate the costs and work involved and are willing to pay for it.

 

We don't do many hulls for DIY projects these days because of this, but hopefully those that have them appreciate what they got for their money.

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blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

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Posted (edited)

First let's get out terminology correct: Although in UK inland waterways terms Dutch barges are widebeam craft they should not be confused with a narrowboat style widebeam (or widebeam for short). The link in the original post http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=54905 is a replica Dutch barge or replica Luxemotor kit, not a widebeam kit.

Edited by blackrose
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Nige Collaborator

Nige

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Nige,

 

not all replica Dutch Barge builders use these kits, we went to look at one being built at Pipers in Bidulph. Bonny boat but not quite what we were looking for.

 

I would imagine its a big job to build one DIY though.

 

Any luck selling Discovery yet?

 

Andy.

 

Hi Andy,

 

Keep those fingers crossed as I might have a buyer for Discovery.......don't want to tempt fate though, so im not saying anything more just yet... :smiley_offtopic:

 

Will let you know.

 

And thanks to all those who posted information re the steel kits - it's given me much food for thought, cheers all.

Nige

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Nige Collaborator

Nige

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Good Luck Nige,

 

Saw the bow of Discovery yesterday as I went over bridge 159.

 

Looks like a decent weekend on the way, we're not sailing, loads of jobs to do on Travis.

 

If you are knocking about you know where we are.

 

Regards, Andy

 

Will definately take a rain check on that if I may - got a hugely busy weekend - and indeed week - coming up this week, so wont have a minute to myself I dont think.

Where are you moored right now just in case I get a few mins and can pop down ?

Nige

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