H01ppy Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) Hi All, For my A-Level Design and Technology I am required to make some form of product from a chosen context. In which I have chosen to design and create some form of seating for traditional canal boats, for use whilst cruising. I have chosen this context as a family member owns a traditional canal boat, I am aware of the lack of space at the stern and the fact that there are not many current seating ideas, which opens up a broad range of possibilities for a prototype. My main ideas are more looking at some form of seat on the roof of the boat between the hatch and the gunnel, that can be sat on by other passengers or leant on by whoever is manning the tiller. As part of my project I have had to create a survey to gain relevant answers that can be used to design the product prototype. The survey contains 7 questions and should take no longer than 5 minutes. The link below should take you right to the survey. I would be extremely grateful if as many people as possible could complete this for me. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WD3YJS3 Thank you for your time. Edited January 8, 2021 by H01ppy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 minute ago, H01ppy said: I have chosen to design and create some form of seating for traditional canal boats, for use whilst cruising. You do know there's a reason that traditional craft don't have seats on the stern, don't you? It's not because 250 year's worth of working boatmen and women never thought about it ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system 4-50 Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 Never mind the seats, try designing better ventilation vents! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: You do know there's a reason that traditional craft don't have seats on the stern, don't you? It's not because 250 year's worth of working boatmen and women never thought about it ... I have made those observations clear in my response to the OP. The questions seem to refer to trad boats only, I wonder if that is the intention? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 4 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: You do know there's a reason that traditional craft don't have seats on the stern, don't you? It's not because 250 year's worth of working boatmen and women never thought about it ... Maybe it was chosen on purpose sich that the conclusion that stern seats are not either feasible or safe - its as good as any other result. Not all inventions are successful, or maybe the OP does not realise that Traditional (Trad) is a certain specific sub-section of the Canal boat genre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 11 minutes ago, H01ppy said: Hi All, For my A-Level Design and Technology I am required to make some form of product from a chosen context. In which I have chosen to design and create some form of seating for traditional canal boats, for use whilst cruising. As part of my project I have had to create a survey to gain relevant answers that can be used to design the product prototype. The survey contains 7 questions and should take no longer than 5 minutes. The link below should take you right to the survey. I would be extremely grateful if as many people as possible could complete this for me. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WD3YJS3 Thank you for your time. Are you aware that there are three standard types of stern for a narrowboat? Traditional used in this context means a boat with a small rear deck and the steerer stands just inside the back doors.Semi - traditional retains the shape of a trad boat but has a larger area to stand in, cruiser is an open stern deck with room for the steerer and several other people. There are many subtle variations on these types Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 13 minutes ago, Richard T said: Are you aware that there are three standard types of stern for a narrowboat? Traditional used in this context means a boat with a small rear deck and the steerer stands just inside the back doors.Semi - traditional retains the shape of a trad boat but has a larger area to stand in, cruiser is an open stern deck with room for the steerer and several other people. There are many subtle variations on these types Narrow Boating Stern Types (narrow-boating.com) https://livingonanarrowboat.co.uk/which-are-the-best-narrowboat-stern-types-for-living-afloat/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) I have chosen to design and create some form of seating for traditional canal boats, for use whilst cruising. The survey probably means more thought as to the questions. There have been observations about the stern, but what needs to be clarified is what a "traditional canal boat" means. In the West Midlands there were the narrow boats, in the East Midlands a common craft were the Trent Boats which worked both rivers and canals. In the north there were Keels and Flats, and so the list goes on. Could the compiler of this survey please be more specific. Then there are the materials and choice of location for the seating. Traditional craft were constructed both of wood or metal. Is there a requirement for historical accuracy or does it matter if the invention of a Victorian engineer, Alexander Parkes is applied ? Edited January 8, 2021 by Heartland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) I've given my responses, my recommendation is cabin top seats only, anything within the tiller arc is dangerous whilst cruising. Good luck with your project H01ppy Edited January 8, 2021 by matty40s 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 Matty, this boat has both, as I'm sure you well know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 Hopefully the OP will review the injuries and deaths from being knocked off a stern seat and being drawn through the propeller or crushed between boat and bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 Its a good idea. Traditional boats (trad sterns) are steered whilst standing up and if there is a long lock free section some steerers do sit up sideways on the roof with their feet dangling into the hatch area. A few boaters have improvised a little cushion type seat to make this more comfortable. It needs to be small and well thought out so that it does not intrude when standing next to it, and also small and easy to stash away when not in use as storage space is always precious. Making such a seat is on my todo list. ................Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) 57 minutes ago, dmr said: Its a good idea. Traditional boats (trad sterns) are steered whilst standing up and if there is a long lock free section some steerers do sit up sideways on the roof with their feet dangling into the hatch area. A few boaters have improvised a little cushion type seat to make this more comfortable. It needs to be small and well thought out so that it does not intrude when standing next to it, and also small and easy to stash away when not in use as storage space is always precious. Making such a seat is on my todo list. ................Dave Alice Collins and Bob Grantham. Pictures from CRT Archive. Edited January 8, 2021 by Ray T 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 2 hours ago, Ray T said: Matty, this boat has both, as I'm sure you well know. Actually, on the way back from Lincoln on the wide Trent, I devised a rope driven steering system using the hatch rails for old friends from about that position. It was absolutely hilarious seeing people on the banks trying to work out how the boat was steering as we enjoyed a glass of prosecco on the roof. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Ray T said: Alice Collins and Bob Grantham. Pictures from CRT Archive. I suggest the OP looks at this idea and ignores the "roof bed" concept that you have also posted ? ................Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, dmr said: I suggest the OP looks at this idea and ignores the "roof bed" concept that you have also posted ? ................Dave Matty’s idea to put a seat on the roof. I just provided an example. Not my concept at all. Edited January 8, 2021 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 I always sit on the roof but on the port side to avoid trees. Standing too long is hard on my old legs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 minute ago, Tracy D'arth said: I always sit on the roof but on the port side to avoid trees. Standing too long is hard on my old legs. You can do it but its a bit tight because of the back cabin chimney ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 4 hours ago, Ray T said: 1 hour ago, matty40s said: Actually, on the way back from Lincoln on the wide Trent, I devised a rope driven steering system using the hatch rails for old friends from about that position. It was absolutely hilarious seeing people on the banks trying to work out how the boat was steering as we enjoyed a glass of prosecco on the roof. A bit like this then 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 7 minutes ago, dmr said: You can do it but its a bit tight because of the back cabin chimney ? I can't do it, it makes my back ache after just a few minutes sitting on the roof to steer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 9 minutes ago, David Mack said: A bit like this then Yes....a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: I can't do it, it makes my back ache after just a few minutes sitting on the roof to steer You need the OP to design a comfy seat for you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 6 minutes ago, dmr said: You need the OP to design a comfy seat for you ? I know I could have a padded tractor seat on a stick welded to the deck ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 2 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: I know I could have a padded tractor seat on a stick welded to the deck ? There are better ways of achieving the same result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 4 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: I know I could have a padded tractor seat on a stick welded to the deck ? It's been nice knowing you Brian ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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