Woolwich ALCOR

[andywatson]

See below for a bit of boat porn.

 

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=148813

 

A Woolwich with an interesting history at a reasonable price.

[Chris-B]

After speaking to Adrian the other day I can also confirm that the Star class motor " Gemini" is also for sale ( it does have a full length conversion and JP3)

This will be at Braunston..more info to follow

 

Chris

[magnetman]

See below for a bit of boat porn.

 

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=148813

 

A Woolwich with an interesting history at a reasonable price.

 

nice boat

 

"75% of the wooden bottoms are excellent having been replaced by Tony Lewery(50%mid 90s)and Tim Leach(25% 2005)this was all done in opepe and completely reshoed"

 

is that CWDF's TimLeech?

[Speedwheel]

nice boat

 

"75% of the wooden bottoms are excellent having been replaced by Tony Lewery(50%mid 90s)and Tim Leach(25% 2005)this was all done in opepe and completely reshoed"

 

is that CWDF's TimLeech?

 

Yes

[alan_fincher]

After speaking to Adrian the other day I can also confirm that the Star class motor " Gemini" is also for sale ( it does have a full length conversion and JP3)

This will be at Braunston..more info to follow

 

Chris

Well Alcor does seem surprisingly cheap, even if it needs some bottoms replaced.

 

Don't quote me on it, but I though I saw a considerably higher price (literally!) attached to Gemini, (maybe circa £60K ?).

 

Gemini has a longer conversion, and I don't know about the bottom of that, but looks super from the outside.

 

In my view, (sorry Baldock!), if you are going to convert them, the "Stars" look more balanced than the "Towns".

 

Without knowing the actual hull condition, or internal fit of either it's hard to say, but on the face of it these boats sound potentially good value.

 

A "Star" for less than the price of a new (short) East West boat ? I know which I'd be trying to buy!

[Chris-B]

Well Alcor does seem surprisingly cheap, even if it needs some bottoms replaced.

 

Don't quote me on it, but I though I saw a considerably higher price (literally!) attached to Gemini, (maybe circa £60K ?).

 

Gemini has a longer conversion, and I don't know about the bottom of that, but looks super from the outside.

 

In my view, (sorry Baldock!), if you are going to convert them, the "Stars" look more balanced than the "Towns".

 

Without knowing the actual hull condition, or internal fit of either it's hard to say, but on the face of it these boats sound potentially good value.

 

A "Star" for less than the price of a new (short) East West boat ? I know which I'd be trying to buy!

No apology necessary Alan..A Star would be my lottery win boat ( Columba de-converted and a purpose to load it would be ideal )

BUT

Baldock is just fine for Lise and I and I would not want to be without her and I think that the lines are fine

Chris

( not to sure on Adrian's price though but it is a well looked after and nicely turned out boat)

[David Schweizer]

Well Alcor does seem surprisingly cheap, even if it needs some bottoms replaced.

 

Don't quote me on it, but I though I saw a considerably higher price (literally!) attached to Gemini, (maybe circa £60K ?).

 

Gemini has a longer conversion, and I don't know about the bottom of that, but looks super from the outside.

 

In my view, (sorry Baldock!), if you are going to convert them, the "Stars" look more balanced than the "Towns".

 

Without knowing the actual hull condition, or internal fit of either it's hard to say, but on the face of it these boats sound potentially good value.

 

A "Star" for less than the price of a new (short) East West boat ? I know which I'd be trying to buy!

I agree, and my preference is for the Northwich Stars rather than the Woolwich's. Although they are theoreticly both built to the same drawing, it is my view that the Northwich bows are more attractive.

[Max Sinclair]

See below for a bit of boat porn.

 

http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=148813

 

A Woolwich with an interesting history at a reasonable price.

 

The hull material is quoted as steel when according to Harland and Wolfes specification it is Hingleys of Netherton Grade B Iron, a far superior material. I noticed with Vesta it had good abrasive and rust resistant properties. In the 1963 great frost, Ice 2ft 3 inch thick,Vesta would still rock. I regret being old ( 80 ) otherwise it would be mine. Good Luck.

[Paul H]

The hull material is quoted as steel when according to Harland and Wolfes specification it is Hingleys of Netherton Grade B Iron, a far superior material. I noticed with Vesta it had good abrasive and rust resistant properties. In the 1963 great frost, Ice 2ft 3 inch thick,Vesta would still rock. I regret being old ( 80 ) otherwise it would be mine. Good Luck.

 

As I understand it the earlier Small Woolwiches up to September 1935 were iron composite but those after are listed on original GUCCC lists as mild steel composite. Vesta and Capricorn (!) are iron but Alcor being a later boat is steel. That being said, the quality of the steel seems to have been pretty good and as a general rule star class boats seem to have lasted better than town class. Possibly this is due to them having seen less work but also, as in the case of Alcor, being converted for over half its life has saved a lot of internal corrosion.

 

Paul H

[David Schweizer]

As I understand it the earlier Small Woolwiches up to September 1935 were iron composite but those after are listed on original GUCCC lists as mild steel composite. Vesta and Capricorn (!) are iron but Alcor being a later boat is steel. That being said, the quality of the steel seems to have been pretty good and as a general rule star class boats seem to have lasted better than town class. Possibly this is due to them having seen less work but also, as in the case of Alcor, being converted for over half its life has saved a lot of internal corrosion.

 

Paul H

According to my records, there were 36 pairs if Iron Composite Star class boats, 24 pairs by Harland and Wolf, and 12 pairs by Yarwoods.

 

These were followed by 18 Steel composite pairs from Harland and Wolf, and 8 all steel pairs with V bottoms from Yarwoods.

[Max Sinclair]

The manufacture of wrought iron ceased when Hingleys closed but then the Black Country Museum and Ironbridge started producing batch quantities.

Hingleys were floored with large iron plates covered in ashes so some of these were salvaged, as well as iron railings.

There was another manufacturer up North.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Max Sinclair