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Dalescraft River Cruiser near me.


kellyjllek

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Not sure I would be happy having a party on a GRP roof. Expect the sliding roof to be draughty and probably leaky in driving rain. No mention of engine/gearbox but suspect its an outboard or Z-drive/stern drive, that could be expensive.

 

If you have a place to  store it ashore while you refurbish it then it might eb an interesting project if you can get it at the right price. let's say worth a look with very suspicious eyes.

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12 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/27ft-dalescraft-river-cruiser/1393706342

 

Not a lot to go on but what's your thoughts on this scary thing? 

 

Also should I be posting this in a different section? 

I've tried Googling Dalescraft but can't find anything.It's'certainly cheap,but looks to be a load of work and expense to get it anything like decent.

If it was a choice between this boat and a shop doorway,then I think the boat might just win.

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44 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

@W+T used to have one, so this should get his attention.

Yep i got one many years ago, bloody hell you got a better memory than me. 

 

Mine had a petrol inboard under the cabin seat SB side on shaft..  I did like the lay out. seemed very a solid boat.  I did have  a plan for the slide back roof to reduce the draughtyness. 

 

This mite give a better idea 

 

https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/37487-dalescraft-bit-scarce-i-see/

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8 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

The little springers do, but they seem to mostly be over 3x the price and prob more risky of an investment and in just as much need of 'help'. 

 

A Springer will probably not only cost 3, 4 or 5 times what that costs, it will also (probably) need 3 or 4 or 5 times more spending on it. (You don't need to overplate a GRP boat, and the internal fitting out costs would be similar.)

 

A £3000 GRP boat is (probably) less of a risk than a £10k  50 year old steel boat.

 

Engine, gear box and Hull and the 3 key areas, anything else can be easily and relatively cheaply be 'sorted'.

Find out what engine and drive system does the GRP have ?

 

The problem is it's "London"

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There was one moored at Barbridge Marina on the Shroppie for years, it may still be there. They look like a well built boat and if I was able to get to the UK I would be interested provided I had somewhere to get it out of the water!

There are various companies that specialise in moving narrow boats on a wagon, so it could be taken wherever. I agree with Alan, his three salient points would need carefull looking at, but it seems reasonable value to me even if the engine is dead.

Edited by manxmike
spelling mistake
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 I'm sad to say the GRPs don't move me. I get they are a better option as this low price level, so I have to consider them. But I'm not inspired. I like the Springers; but seems the decent "older" ones start at around £15,000.  

 

In the long run I could end up in any scenario. I could be a cruiser in a GRP or Springer, all the way to be residentially moored in a wide beam. But my capital will likely be tied up for a well over a year while I'm likely to move in a couple months. 

I don't mind 'roughing' it and seeing if I can even stand boat life. I lived in a decrepit but comfortable van for 6months in the US so I have an idea of what I'm getting into. Actually, compared to the van a Springer would seem like a palace!  

 

My max budget could be 15K but not really as that leaves me with no emergency fund or backup plan. So really I'm looking at 10K. plus there will be selling fees and inspection and such... I'm certainly not limited to Springer. But I'm inclined initially toward smaller/cheaper boats. 

 

Interestingly an Italian friend, who has never been on a boat, said I should get a Sailaway! He said I should get a porta potty and a bed, and start with one room. Build one room to live in and then spend all the time needed to build up the rest of the boat. I must say the idea is intriguing to me. I used to be a handiman and I enjoy design. Having looked at boats for two years I do spot a lot of things I like and can see why people would want to put their own touches onto a boat. 

 

But I also see a lot of half-baked projects. Sometimes when I spot a boat that looks initially pretty good, I can also sense things have likely gone wrong!

 

What do you all think of https://www.thefitoutpontoon.co.uk/? They look like they have a thorough website at least, and I was thinking if I ever did embark on a "project" I'd  want to  have some professional guidance.. (hence this forum).  I did a an in-law suite and kitchen once, but had an electrician come to check my progress and make all the final connections, to ensure it was done properly. I'd want to see help form the start if I were to fix up a boat. 

 

Sorry for the tangent topics! 

 

Last question. Anyone have an idea of what it'd cost to transport a springer 150 miles? 

 

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4 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

 I'm sad to say the GRPs don't move me. I get they are a better option as this low price level, so I have to consider them. But I'm not inspired. I like the Springers; but seems the decent "older" ones start at around £15,000.  

 

In the long run I could end up in any scenario. I could be a cruiser in a GRP or Springer, all the way to be residentially moored in a wide beam. But my capital will likely be tied up for a well over a year while I'm likely to move in a couple months. 

I don't mind 'roughing' it and seeing if I can even stand boat life. I lived in a decrepit but comfortable van for 6months in the US so I have an idea of what I'm getting into. Actually, compared to the van a Springer would seem like a palace!  

 

My max budget could be 15K but not really as that leaves me with no emergency fund or backup plan. So really I'm looking at 10K. plus there will be selling fees and inspection and such... I'm certainly not limited to Springer. But I'm inclined initially toward smaller/cheaper boats. 

 

Interestingly an Italian friend, who has never been on a boat, said I should get a Sailaway! He said I should get a porta potty and a bed, and start with one room. Build one room to live in and then spend all the time needed to build up the rest of the boat. I must say the idea is intriguing to me. I used to be a handiman and I enjoy design. Having looked at boats for two years I do spot a lot of things I like and can see why people would want to put their own touches onto a boat. 

 

But I also see a lot of half-baked projects. Sometimes when I spot a boat that looks initially pretty good, I can also sense things have likely gone wrong!

 

What do you all think of https://www.thefitoutpontoon.co.uk/? They look like they have a thorough website at least, and I was thinking if I ever did embark on a "project" I'd  want to  have some professional guidance.. (hence this forum).  I did a an in-law suite and kitchen once, but had an electrician come to check my progress and make all the final connections, to ensure it was done properly. I'd want to see help form the start if I were to fix up a boat. 

 

Sorry for the tangent topics! 

 

Last question. Anyone have an idea of what it'd cost to transport a springer 150 miles? 

 

if you dont like GRP boats then why ask about one for god sake. 

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1 minute ago, W+T said:

if you dont like GRP boats then why ask about one for god sake. 

well mainly cause you all tump on about them!  And really, I'm not dismissing them. Beggars can't be choosers.  I'd much rather have a GRP that floats and is affordable than a tired steel nb that's at the end of it's life. 

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36 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

I lived in a decrepit but comfortable van for 6months in the US so I have an idea of what I'm getting into. Actually, compared to the van a Springer would seem like a palace!  

 

The van gets a leak and you might get a damp pillow.

An old corroded Springer gets a leak and you end up losing all your possessesions, and even, potentially drown.

 

It is not a sensible comparison unless you intend to keep the Springer 'on the hard' (ashore)

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41 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

Anyone have an idea of what it'd cost to transport a springer 150 miles? 

 

About 50 hours depending on number of locks and time of year.  (An easy week and £80 in diesel.)

 

31 minutes ago, kellyjllek said:

I'd much rather have a GRP that floats and is affordable than a tired steel nb that's at the end of it's life. 

 

That is sensible, and you can get some nice GRP boats for £10k.

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9 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

The van gets a leak and you might get a damp pillow.

An old corroded Springer gets a leak and you end up losing all your possessesions, and even, potentially drown.

 

It is not a sensible comparison unless you intend to keep the Springer 'on the hard' (ashore)

I'm simply comparing living in a small space with limited mod cons. 

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10 hours ago, kellyjllek said:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/27ft-dalescraft-river-cruiser/1393706342

 

Not a lot to go on but what's your thoughts on this scary thing? 

 

Also should I be posting this in a different section? 

Built by Bradford Boat Services (the Kippax family), Apperley Bridge, possibly in the 1970s?   Our family hired from them in about 1962, an old leaky lifeboat conversion called 'Sylvan Glade' . The hire boats were initially marketed as 'Kip-Craft Cruisers'.

David L

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15 hours ago, kellyjllek said:

My max budget could be 15K but not really as that leaves me with no emergency fund or backup plan

 

15 hours ago, kellyjllek said:

Interestingly an Italian friend, who has never been on a boat, said I should get a Sailaway! He said I should get a porta potty and a bed, and start with one room. Build one room to live in and then spend all the time needed to build up the rest of the boat. I must say the idea is intriguing to me.

 

Your £15k budget will only go half way to the cheapest sailaway, let alone cover the fitout costs.

 

If you really want to go the sailaway route you might do better buying someone else's abandoned project.

 

Edited by David Mack
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2 hours ago, David Mack said:

 

 

Your £15k budget will only go half way to the cheapest sailaway, let alone cover the fitout costs.

 

If you really want to go the sailaway route you might do better buying someone else's abandoned project.

 

Yes I do see a few and they are of interest. I can handle anything cosmetic, but structural, replating, etc. it probably not doable. Nor is anything too technical. Physically may be doable but  I'd need guidance. I fear though when someone else figures out they've bitten off more than they can chew, then will I be in the same boat?  (pun intended?)

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23 hours ago, kellyjllek said:

well mainly cause you all tump on about them!  And really, I'm not dismissing them. Beggars can't be choosers.  I'd much rather have a GRP that floats and is affordable than a tired steel nb that's at the end of it's life. 

https://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/elysian-27-for-sale/650388 (6500)

https://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/nauticus-27-for-sale/652162 (£6600)

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On 05/02/2021 at 19:03, kellyjllek said:

In the long run I could end up in any scenario. I could be a cruiser in a GRP or Springer, all the way to be residentially moored in a wide beam. But my capital will likely be tied up for a well over a year while I'm likely to move in a couple months. 

I don't mind 'roughing' it and seeing if I can even stand boat life. I lived in a decrepit but comfortable van for 6months in the US so I have an idea of what I'm getting into. Actually, compared to the van a Springer would seem like a palace!  

 

I'm late to the party, and I haven't actually looked at the boat in question, but boating is boating no matter what sort or state of tub you do it in. If you are attracted to life on the waterways for the waterways and not for the faux 'lifestyle', then I'd argue that any boat now is better than an expensive boat tomorrow.

 

That is, granted, with the caveat that if you buy a project you need to have the enthusiasm to take on the project. Only you can know whether that is the case or not. And with the other obvious caveat that you need to know what you're buying and whether you are happy with it. There's little point buying a sinking wreck if you want to move aboard with the minimum of fuss. Again, only you can know where you stand in that respect. Buy with the facts and based on rationality, and I'm sure you won't go wrong.

 

But for goodness sake, don't sit back and dream. Go out and do something about it in the now :)

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Interesting that listing includes Marina Boats Ltd of Alcester. The company was originally Hemming and Morris. They started up in about 1959, based in Edgbaston, Birmingham and later moved the business to Lincoln Road, Acocks Green, alongside the GU Knowle-Camp Hill summit pound, where they also ran a shopfitting business. 

My parents bought a Marina 20 grp cruiser in about 1967 from Lincoln Road, and we continued to moor there for a while, later moving to Lapworth. 

In 1970 the boat building business moved to Alcester, with shopfitting staying at Lincoln Road. According to http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/boat-sales/marina-boats-for-sale.html they ceased trading in 1979, so the WW listing may already have been out of date.

Hemming and Morris are still in business as shop fitters at Lincoln Road, but now have no connection to boating, and the back of their yard where we used to moor looked very overgrown when I passed by boat 18 months ago. https://www.hemmingandmorris.co.uk/

 

Here is a bit of boat building and an outing for one of their first boats:

 

Edited by David Mack
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