A Broads Cruiser?

[Tony1]

It's time to come clean- I need help.

I'm becoming wide-curious, after 4 years living on a narrowboat.

I'm tempted to go over to the dark side.

I've tried therapy, and I've turned to drink, but still the evil widebeam thoughts sneak into my mind. The next step could be an intervention.  

Now I must say straight away that there's no chance of me changing to a widebeam anything at the moment. In fact, I wouldn't even consider it until I've done at least a few more years cruising the system in my current boat.

So at the moment all of this is just a flight of fancy; just an initial thought.

I am hoping I can glean some real life experiences from boaters who have lived on boats wider than 7ft.

And how I might cope with being hated by narrowboaters. (To be fair, I'm not winning any popularity contests at the moment, so that last bit might not be such a stretch.)

But here's the thing. I don't want a 57ft long and 12ft wide steel widebeam narrowboat (as Apollo Duck clumsily calls them).

Oh no. Its much worse than that.

The boats I've been looking at are those GRP broads cruiser types, typically 30-45ft long (I've linked an example below). 

Most will be ex-hire boats, and they wont have great insulation, or great electrics/charging systems. But some of that stuff could be taken from my current boat anyway (including the lithium batteries, victron MPPTs, etc. 

My thinking would be to strip out the nice gear and return my boat to the state it was in originally-  with a basic MPPT, one set of panels, and all lead acid batteries, with an alternator to battery charger. 

Most of them seem to have BMC 1.5 engines, and the boats I'm looking at are at least 30 years old, so the long term future of the engine would be uncertain, and I might need to budget for a brand new engine at some point in the first few years. Or alternatively, get really good at fixing BMCs. 

But my other questions are about feasibility.

How easy is it to cruise a 40 ft long, 12ft wide broads cruiser on say the L+L? Do they even fit under the lower bridges? 

So I'd be interested in any advice or info that people might have on the general subject.

Failing that, perhaps a contact number for an aversion therapist who specialises in delusional boaters. 

Am I evil for wanting to stretch out my puny short arms, and not be able touch the walls? 

 

 

Edited October 16 by Tony1

[Tony Brooks]

I would try to find one without the sliding sunroof, they can be a devil to draft proof and not where you would want to sit in the depth of winter.

 

I suspect the biggest problem would be fitting adequate insulation for winter living aboard, and they do have a lot of single glazed window area compare with most narrowboats, but secondary double glazing is always possible.

 

I only did the L&L once and can't recall any bridges that it would not pass under.

[magnetman]

^ Nail hit on head. 

 

I don't think it would prove to be comfortable in winter. 

[GUMPY]

Don't do it.

Get a proper barge.

[magnetman]

Or a wide bean. Lots of wide beans always for sale on the appalling duck site. 

Or a house or something. 

[Tony1]

6 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

I would try to find one without the sliding sunroof, they can be a devil to draft proof and not where you would want to sit in the depth of winter.

 

I suspect the biggest problem would be fitting adequate insulation for winter living aboard, and they do have a lot of single glazed window area compare with most narrowboats, but secondary double glazing is always possible.

 

I only did the L&L once and can't recall any bridges that it would not pass under.

 

Thanks Tony- if its a small market, and there were only sliding roof types available, I guess I could seal the roof in the closed position.

I would want maximum solar panels on the roof, so the sliding mechanism could be permanently sealed. 

Adding secondary glazing is a great shout, that would have to be budgeted for. 

 

These type with the raised steering position - would they fit under normal canal bridges with the roof closed and sealed up?

 

https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/alpha-35-for-sale/777796

 

 

3 minutes ago, GUMPY said:

Don't do it.

Get a proper barge.

 

Can you send a team of irate narrowboaters to beat me about the head with truncheons?

Only brute force will make me see reason.

[blackrose]

Yes the only way they're suitable for living aboard is if you strip the inside out panel by panel and fit a load of insulation and vapour barrier, plus perspex or acrylic secondary double glazing. Then you'll need to fit a solid fuel stove which needs thinking about on a GRP boat.

 

As far as being hated, it's never bothered me. A lot of the people who sneer are comparative newbies, and the fact that like me you've already lived on a narrow boat for number of years means they can't really tell you anything about how to live on boats.

[Tony1]

3 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Or a wide bean. Lots of wide beans always for sale on the appalling duck site. 

Or a house or something. 

 

Yes, there are lots of widebean steel boats, but they do seem much more expensive, and I think I could manage on a 35-40 footer, as long as it was 12ft wide. 

I dont need 57ft by 12 ft really, and I dont fancy the extra hassle of cruising it around the canals. A 40 footer might be easier to manage?

Also, why pay for blacking every few years when I could have GRP and live the carefree life? 

 

[haggis]

Don't do it Tony ! Just think of all the lovely boater friends you would never see again if you restrict yourself to fat boat land 😀

[blackrose]

4 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

 

f its a small market, and there were only sliding roof types available, I guess I could seal the roof in the closed position.

 

There should be just as many without sliding roofs. There are Broads cruisers and Caribbean cruisers and I think it's the latter that have the sliding roof, but it might be the other way around. I'm no expert on those boats but if you own one and make a success of living on it you will be.

[Tony1]

1 minute ago, blackrose said:

Yes the only way they're suitable for living aboard is if you strip the inside out panel by panel and fit a load of insulation and vapour barrier, plus perspex or acrylic secondary double glazing. Then you'll need to fit a solid fuel stove which needs thinking about on a GRP boat.

 

As far as being hated, it's never bothered me. A lot of the people who sneer are comparative newbies, and the fact that like me you've already lived on a narrow boat for number of years means they can't really tell you anything about how to live on boats.

 

 

Thanks, yes- I was kind of guessing the insulation might turn out to be the biggest hassle in terms of sheer labour, but it would be needed. 

The stove would be a significant expense too. 

I'm starting to see already, the costs of adapting such a boat would not be minor. 

 

Just now, blackrose said:

 

There should be just as many without sliding roofs. There are Broads cruisers and Caribbean cruisers and I think it's the latter that have the sliding roof, but it might be the other way around. I'm no expert on those boats but if you own one and make a success of living on it you will be.

 

I got the idea from a YT vlog about a boat called AWOL.

Rather worryingly, and tragically, the whole thing went over budget and I think they might have even lost the boat. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/@ournewlifeaboardona.w.o.la8802

 

 

[blackrose]

4 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

 A 40 footer might be easier to manage?

 

 

Got to remember you're steering from near the bow so it's a completely different experience, quite easy to glance bridges after you think you've cleared them because most of the boat is behind you. Although I think many also have a rear jury rig steering position.

 

[Tony1]

5 minutes ago, haggis said:

Don't do it Tony ! Just think of all the lovely boater friends you would never see again if you restrict yourself to fat boat land 😀

 

You should join me on the Dark Side, Ms Haggis! 

 

But no, its a few years away yet, if it happens at all. 

But when you have that kind of idea, its always good to get an early idea of how big the challenges would be. 

I'd have to get a red light saber, for starters.

 

[Tony Brooks]

16 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

hese type with the raised steering position - would they fit under normal canal bridges with the roof closed and sealed up?

 

https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/alpha-35-for-sale/777796

 

If the windscreen folded flat, possibly, but I would not like to be definite. loo at the slides, the one above has steeply sloping slides, so the roof rises by the rise of the slide. The first one has horizontal slides so the roof stays the same height.

 

16 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

sliding mechanism could be permanently sealed. 

 

If I were to live aboard one, that is what I would do, front back and along the runners. 

 

8 minutes ago, blackrose said:

There are Broads cruisers and Caribbean cruisers and I think it's the latter that have the sliding roof, but it might be the other way around.

 

The original Wilds Caribbeans did not have sliding roofs, but the simmilar looking versions from Bounty Boats, but I have no idea how they have been modifed over the years.

Edited October 16 by Tony Brooks

[Tony1]

 

Thanks for the replies folks. 

Its already looking a scary job, not to be undertaken lightly by someone with poor DIY skills like me.

 

1. New stove to be bought and fitted, with flue, collar, etc 

2. Insulation everywhere accessible, plus secondary double glazing

3. Upgrades to electrics and charging systems

4. Budget for potential engine work, or even replacement if possible, as it will be 30 years old

5. Other fixes as needed for any used boat

 

Its easy to imagine throwing five or ten grand at a boat like that, and still not have fully sorted. 

 

Edited October 16 by Tony1

[MtB]

28 minutes ago, GUMPY said:

Don't do it.

Get a proper barge.

 

Seconded. 

 

Or a Broom 37. Fantastic boats. Get one with twin turbo diesels so you can get it up on the plane and do 35 knots between locks leaving barely a ripple behind you. BRILLIANT! 

 

[Tony1]

9 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

Seconded. 

 

Or a Broom 37. Fantastic boats. Get one with twin turbo diesels so you can get it up on the plane and do 35 knots between locks leaving barely a ripple behind you. BRILLIANT! 

 

 

I'm loving the enthusiasm Mike. Not to be a spoilsport or anything, but I feel it might be a glorious but very short boating career. 

In fact, your Broom idea has perhaps the faintest whiff of unfeasibility.

Also, I'm too young and good looking to do an aquatic version of Thelma and Louise.

I can scream like a girl, as I discovered when a rat invaded my boat last summer, but those outfits wouldn't go near me. 

 

23 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

Got to remember you're steering from near the bow so it's a completely different experience, quite easy to glance bridges after you think you've cleared them because most of the boat is behind you. Although I think many also have a rear jury rig steering position.

 

 

Hopefully I could get used to front steering, as there would be enough other work needed without that.

But there is always the issue that contact with bridges, or indeed other boats, would not just leave scratches, but potentially major repair work.

 

Edited October 16 by Tony1

[magnetman]

31 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

There should be just as many without sliding roofs. There are Broads cruisers and Caribbean cruisers and I think it's the latter that have the sliding roof, but it might be the other way around. I'm no expert on those boats but if you own one and make a success of living on it you will be.

 Frank Wilde Caribbean cruisers are great. Fixed top. People live on them. Nice Boats but they usually have a compact engine package to maximise interior space. Hydraulic drive. trouble. they can be converted to conventional driveline but it takes away interior space.

[Tony Brooks]

Just now, Tony1 said:

In fact, your Broom idea has perhaps the faintest whiff of unfeasibility.

 

I am not so sure about that, but not the Broom Mike is talking about. Broom made Broads version (35ft Skipper I think) that had drop sides to a raised wheelhouse and folding front and back screens. I think the inland spec. one would have had a BMC 1.5 or a Perkins 4-107 or 4-108. I doubt that its air draft when folded would be much different to the first boat and the second one when that one was slid back and screens folded.

 

Still draughty in the wheelhouse, though.

[magnetman]

some of the old broom Boats are lovely

[MtB]

1 minute ago, Tony1 said:

In fact, your Broom idea has perhaps the faintest whiff of unfeasibility.

 

Eh? What on earth are you talking about? 

 

Get about a 1975 model, the very epitome of cravat-wearing old skool class. The Bentley of the waterways...

 

I mean, look at this bathroom in one, for example. Avocado - the height of ablutorary fashion and style, don'tcher think?

 

 

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/broom-ocean-37-for-sale/619699

 

 

 

 

[Tony Brooks]

1 minute ago, magnetman said:

 Frank Wilde Caribbean cruisers are great. Fixed top. People live on them. Nice Boats but they usually have a compact engine package to maximise interior space. Hydraulic drive. trouble. they can be converted to conventional driveline but it takes away interior space.

 

Transverse engine, BMC or Perkins originally. Lots of roof space for solar. 

 

If the hydraulic motor or pump was worn out I would change any to gear or vane and take the fuel consumption hit - cheap from any industrial hydraulic suppler.

[magnetman]

2 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

Transverse engine, BMC or Perkins originally. Lots of roof space for solar. 

 

If the hydraulic motor or pump was worn out I would change any to gear or vane and take the fuel consumption hit - cheap from any industrial hydraulic suppler.

a school friend in the 80s lived on a Caribbean cruiser which had a shaft drive. The engine was in the bathroom.

it is still there just below Kingston railway bridge. Chuffalumps. Good thing with GRP is it won't rust.

in a way it is the ideal material yet ironically most abandoned Boats are  GRP...

[Tony1]

14 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

Eh? What on earth are you talking about? 

 

Get about a 1975 model, the very epitome of cravat-wearing old skool class. The Bentley of the waterways...

 

I mean, look at this bathroom in one, for example. Avocado - the height of ablutorary fashion and style, don'tcher think?

 

 

https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/broom-ocean-37-for-sale/619699

 

 

That is the Palace of Versailles of boat bogs.

Emperor Claudius himself could hardly have asked for more

 

[magnetman]

4 minutes ago, Tony1 said:

 

That is the Palace of Versailles of boat bogs.

Emperor Claudius himself could hardly have asked for more

 

A navy blue Shires suite with low profile raised cistern flushing to a holding tank is good

But yes the Lavac in that Boat is alright. I actually put one of those Lavac units in a Boat and lived on it for ten years with woman and children.

 

They are not very clean loos. Joker valve (non return valve) in the Pump tends to leak