Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I am looking at buying a liveaboard, just for me, and have come up with 4 options. I can't decide between them! So, I thought I would see if anyone has any thoughts on the boats, to help me along.... The one that grabbed my heart is a 45' tug style, built by Eastwood Engineering, fitted by Ron Hearn, 1954 Petter engine, replica boatmans cabin, all ports......I'm in love!! But a practical liveaboard???? hmmmmmm. would need some refitting to be a comfy liveaboard. Am also looking at a 55' trad, built by Dennis Cooper/canal transport services, Dave Freeman fit out.... And a 50' Colecraft trad..... These two would both need some work to tick my boxes, but could be done over time. and a 40' Dave Clark cruiser....the most expensive, but seems to need nothing doing at all, and in theory ticks all the boxes (except it has square windows ) I would appreciate any thoughts you may have, about the build qualities in general....I regret to say I don't know any background about Dennis Cooper or Eastwood engineering. If i go for any of these boats, I want to know i'm choosing well. I don't need loads of space, am used to living on 57' with 2 of us, so can manage with less space. And of course........ head or heart???? Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Buy the one you love. Richard You can always sell it if you can't live with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Harris Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Heart, every time. You won't come home to the one of the others, smile and think "ah, isn't she practical?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Doran Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Go for heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalie Graham Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Go with heart, o good surveyor and a different colour paint in the saloon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Go with heart, o good surveyor and a different colour paint in the saloon. yes!! definately a quick repaint in the saloon!!! You clearly know the boat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Harris Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 yes!! definately a quick repaint in the saloon!!! You clearly know the boat!! Noooo!!! You know that the pink would suit you perfectly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Noooo!!! You know that the pink would suit you perfectly! Resounding slap!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koukouvagia Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Heart every time. I swapped a new Springer for a derelict josher 25 years ago and never regretted it. Mind you it did take 15 years to restore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I'm kinda getting the jist here, but can anyone tell me more about the builders at all??? Good hulls/fitouts to be looking at or not???? Think i can recognise a really bad one, but all views and thoughts are welcome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andywatson Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) I am looking at buying a liveaboard, just for me, and have come up with 4 options. I can't decide between them! So, I thought I would see if anyone has any thoughts on the boats, to help me along.... The one that grabbed my heart is a 45' tug style, built by Eastwood Engineering, fitted by Ron Hearn, 1954 Petter engine, replica boatmans cabin, all ports......I'm in love!! But a practical liveaboard???? hmmmmmm. would need some refitting to be a comfy liveaboard. Am also looking at a 55' trad, built by Dennis Cooper/canal transport services, Dave Freeman fit out.... And a 50' Colecraft trad..... These two would both need some work to tick my boxes, but could be done over time. and a 40' Dave Clark cruiser....the most expensive, but seems to need nothing doing at all, and in theory ticks all the boxes (except it has square windows ) I would appreciate any thoughts you may have, about the build qualities in general....I regret to say I don't know any background about Dennis Cooper or Eastwood engineering. If i go for any of these boats, I want to know i'm choosing well. I don't need loads of space, am used to living on 57' with 2 of us, so can manage with less space. And of course........ head or heart???? Thanks!!! Obviously we are making choices without the info you have but I'll break ranks and go a bit in favour of head as follows. I'd usually go for the tug myself but 45 is a bit small for 2 to live on. Based purely on what I've heard from past owners Eastwood are sturdy but a little bit rough edged. Colecraft have a good reputation. Dennis Cooper was the original owner of Canal Transport Services and produced some excellent boats. The company is still being run by his son. Freeman is a fairly well known fitter out. Who did the others? I don't know much about Dave Clark boats. How well these boats have been loooked after over the years is important and that will show on close inspection. My choice based on almost no info???? Seriously consider the Cooper first then the Colecraft. Edited January 9, 2009 by andywatson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks for that, but just to clarify,...I am now buying a boat just for me, so only 1 person!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andywatson Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Thanks for that, but just to clarify,...I am now buying a boat just for me, so only 1 person!!! Oops, pardon me. Just a thought. Do you fancy a fit out project? I know of a Mel Davis shell going reasonably priced. Tug deck and portholes. Painted and foam insulated with SST water tank and Lister engine (not coupled up). Genuine reason for sale. PM for details. Edited January 9, 2009 by andywatson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJM Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Tug style live-aboard? All that wasted space on the tug deck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Tug style live-aboard? All that wasted space on the tug deck! Space outside is only wasted if you want to spend all your time cooped up inside. There's nothing nicer than getting the deck chair out of the huge storage space, under the tug deck, and cracking open a bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 And gives storage underneath, and what a great place to do fire poi!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david and julie Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Am also looking at a 55' trad, built by Dennis Cooper/canal transport services, Dave Freeman fit out....And a 50' Colecraft trad..... These two would both need some work to tick my boxes, but could be done over time. Head for a liveaboard and heart for a pleasure boat, so I'd prefer one of the above, irrespective of who made them, the others are too small to sensibly live on. I don't think 1 or 2 people makes that much difference to the size of boat really because, apart from the sleeping arrangements, most of the other areas need to be more or less the same. I'd PM Andy first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 fire poi!!! Okay, what's "fire poi"? Head for a liveaboard and heart for a pleasure boat, No no no!! Wrong way round! Head for leisure boat, heart for liveaboard! If it's a weekender and holiday boat then you want something usable and practical. If it's your home then you need to love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomed1 Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Theres a couple of decent boats on e-bay around the same price as the tug.Tull & Phoebe.Have you looked at them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherbert Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Go with your heart its easier to live with We have a 40' tug ok for two and a dog on long cruses Great for one and very easy to handle alone Swopped a 60' for it 4yrs ago and never regretted it Still in love [with the boat that is] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david and julie Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 No no no!! Wrong way round! Head for leisure boat, heart for liveaboard! If it's a weekender and holiday boat then you want something usable and practical. If it's your home then you need to love it! I wasn't the wrong way round for me but as a compromise lets just say that something usuable and practical that you love is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Harris Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Okay, what's "fire poi"? http://www.homeofpoi.com/ Basically, on each hand you get a wick on the end of a chain, soak in kerosene, light it, then twirl it round like a lunatic while drunk!.... well, that's what i do anyway! *edited to add drunken photo! Edited January 9, 2009 by Marc Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Okay, what's "fire poi"? burning balls on chains to chuck around in pretty patterns!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Schweizer Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Tug style live-aboard? All that wasted space on the tug deck! Most of the Tugs that I have seen have a double bed on rollers under the foredeck. It is stored there during th day and is rolled out at night for sleeping. I have always though that this was a very sensible idea, the only problem is that you do not then have a separate cabin to dress in, but that is not a problem if there is/are only one/two of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Yes, I've seen that (from a safe distance) and am too aware of my own limitations, to try it. I've juggled fire clubs but that seems to be more controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now