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Dennis Cooper or Steve Emery?

junior

By junior
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junior Veteran

junior

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I am going to view a boat that was believed to be built by a chap called Dennis Cooper in the early 80's and then was converted by and had Northwich style handrails added by Steve Emery about 3 years ago.

 

I haven't been able to find out much information about either via Google, can anyone tell me if they know what sort of quality work they did? Is there a glaring reason to steer clear etc?

 

I'm about to travel a long way to view this boat and for my sin's, the wooden topped boat in a previous thread.

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mark99 Veteran II

mark99

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I've seen a couple of his boats for sale and the overall line of the boat shell looked excellent.

 

There is one on ABNB's site at the mo, here is an extract from the sales description (of course to be taken as that - i.e. sales talk; but with nuggets of info in there).

 

"Talk to any traditional boat enthusiast and the name Canal Transport Services is held in high regard, with Rolling Wave thought to be the last boat to be built and fitted out by proprietor Dennis Cooper before handing over the reins to his son Matthew. On approaching Rolling Wave you cannot fail to be impressed by the flowing lines and quality of her steelwork (beauty is not just skin deep however, the underwater section with its long swims should guarantee good handling capabilities)"

Edited by mark99
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XAlan W Collaborator

XAlan W

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If Dennis Cooper built for CTS, I imagine he will have been good, they have always had a great reputation for good steelwork.

I did think I recollected his name when I saw your post.

Dennis Cooper was CTS, I understand his son carried on when Dennis retired

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johnthebridge Proficient

johnthebridge

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Denis Cooper WAS Canal Transport Services (CTS) at Pelsall. As far as I'm aware, CTS, now run by Denis's son, Matthew, is still going. I think Denis retired some years ago. They were one of the first builders of pleasure boats in the modern era, and specialised in delightful little 35' tugs called the Hampton class. They were well-built, handsome boats, and Denis, a straight speaking bloke, was always a pleasure to meet. In my opinion, you couldn't find a better boat if you're looking at one of his. His early ones were timber topped, with all that that implies, but lovely boats all the same. No connection whatsoever.

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dave moore Influencer

dave moore

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Hi all

 

Denis Cooper was, and still is, Canal Transport Services at Norton Canes. Son Matt runs the business on a hands on basis but Denis still turns in daily and helps out with administration. Two other full time staff make up the team, Andy who does steelwork and Dave the painter. I'm called in regularly to signwrite and decorate boats. It's a proper old fashioned yard with a fine reputation for solid, good looking boats. I'd have no hesitation in recommending their boats.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Denis Cooper is about as good a name from that era as you can get.

 

The only thing that worries me about him is although the counter stern and cabin he put on REGINALD is engagingly pretty, having cut the original hull he appears to have allowed it to spread to 7ft 1½in then built the counter to match. So the width of a boat seemed unimportant to him. Or it might be that this was his first conversion or there was some other reason for this.

 

Might be a Good Idea to check out the width of ALBION before parting with any cash just in case she is wide too, as a NB much over over-7ft wide can be a monumental PITA to own.

 

MtB

 

 

Edit to add, one way of finding out for sure would be to take ALBION out for a day and see if she fits down the Napton flight. Napton lock 9 (I think) is about as narrow as they get.

Edited by Mike the Boilerman
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junior Veteran

junior

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Denis Cooper is about as good a name from that era as you can get.

 

The only thing that worries me about him is although the counter stern and cabin he put on REGINALD is engagingly pretty, having cut the original hull he appears to have allowed it to spread to 7ft 1½in then built the counter to match. So the width of a boat seemed unimportant to him. Or it might be that this was his first conversion or there was some other reason for this.

 

Might be a Good Idea to check out the width of ALBION before parting with any cash just in case she is wide too, as a NB much over over-7ft wide can be a monumental PITA to own.

 

MtB

 

 

Edit to add, one way of finding out for sure would be to take ALBION out for a day and see if she fits down the Napton flight. Napton lock 9 (I think) is about as narrow as they get.

 

Now i've seen this your other post makes sense. Albion is not the CTS boat. As well as viewing Albion today i went to view A dennis Cooper/CTS tug. It was nice, but i'd already fallen for Albion. If for some reason Albion doesn't work out, i'll revisit the CTS tug. Although for some reason i got the impression the guy selling it (private sale) doesn't really want to sell it or certainly didn't do a good job of trying to sell it today (but thats another story).

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junior Veteran

junior

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This makes more sense to me too now! I didn't think ALBION looked like a Dennis Cooper build!

 

MtB

I went for a look at ALBION a week or two back, did I post about this? AMAZIN boat!

 

MtB

 

No you didn't. Tell me all about it!!! I want it, i love it. I'm just so worried about putting an offer in on it without some more knowledgeable person than me having a look over it with me and telling me i'm doing the right thing. Fancy another look around it and a little cruise if the brokerage will allow? Beer tokens as reward of course.

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junior Veteran

junior

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Actually I'm SURE it did post in one of your threads about it!

 

The back cabin is wood but the main cabin is steel so not the big deal it first appeared, etc....

 

 

MtB

 

That fits with what the first ever owner has told me about the back cabin being build etc and then the current pictures showing it post WFBC alterations. In the other thread on this subject i have posted a little story of it's history and an original photo of it.

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Poster girl Engager

Poster girl

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Junior, did you look at Badger for sale at Ashwood Marina? It's a CTS boat that had been partially converted inside but still has the original boatmans cabin and the Russell Newberry engine. I absolutely fell in love with it! The only thing that stopped us buying it was a major inability for DIY and time needed to complete it!

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junior Veteran

junior

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Junior, did you look at Badger for sale at Ashwood Marina? It's a CTS boat that had been partially converted inside but still has the original boatmans cabin and the Russell Newberry engine. I absolutely fell in love with it! The only thing that stopped us buying it was a major inability for DIY and time needed to complete it!

 

Can't see it on their website. To be honest if it needs DIY and is only partially completed that probably rules it out. I'm also almost confident enough to say i have looked at every advert for every boat that had gone on the market in the last 6 months and badger/Russell Newberry doesn't ring a bell. This makes me think it may be outside of my paramaters in terms of size/price etc. Idid look a while back at NB dorothy Louisa that they had for sale with a vintage engine. It sold while i was dilly dallying.

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Poster girl Engager

Poster girl

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Sorry Junior I didn't realise it had gone from the website, it was on there within the last couple of weeks. There is some info on the Russell Newberry website. I't might be worth checking with Ashwood if it has been sold or whether the owner is just considering his options as he bought it as a project and was struggling with time to complete it. It had been on the market for some time. The asking price was around £31,000 but offers would be considered. Whilst I say it needed DIY, it would definitely have been usable but we wanted a holiday boat and we have teenage daughters so it was just to much to do to sort it for the four of us but if it had just been the two of us it would have been mine! The boatmans cabin had been beautifully preserved and the reconditioned engine looked new, I seem to remember it had only had a few running hours, it was light, bright inside the main living area and had a real warmth about it.

 

We moored at Braunston for a few weeks when we first bought Resolution and Albion was there latterly, we didn't go inside but I did admire it from the outside and would definitely have ventured in to have a look if we hadn't already bought. Good luck with your purchase whatever it ends up being!

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mark99 Veteran II

mark99

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Yeah we strolled through Braunston and was casually not really looking at boats but my head turned round as I walked past Albion as the eyes fixed on it....... nice proportions.......and, as we walked past, my eyes popped out me head as I saw the price displayed on the roof - I distinctly remember thinking - that won't hang around long! and said so to Mrs 99. icecream.gif

Edited by mark99
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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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As per the other thread, I am looking for an experienced person to come and do a second viewing on this boat with me. I'm ready to put in an offer but loath to without someone with more knowledge than me running their eyes over it.

 

Why not secure the boat by putting in an offer subject to survey? That way you gain a few days to find someone to go over it with you, and I imagine you'll be wanting a survey anyway.

 

I should be up your way soon but I can't commit to a time and date until short notice as it depends on my work workflow (or lack or, at this time of year!)

 

 

MtB

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junior Veteran

junior

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Why not secure the boat by putting in an offer subject to survey? That way you gain a few days to find someone to go over it with you, and I imagine you'll be wanting a survey anyway.

 

I should be up your way soon but I can't commit to a time and date until short notice as it depends on my work workflow (or lack or, at this time of year!)

 

 

MtB

That's what I've decided in going to do if I get no joy today on the forum.

 

I'm just about to speak to a surveyor to ascertain availability.

 

I guess my slight worry is the whole process having never done it before. I have an offer In mind but am worried it might be too cheeky etc. I'm also worried about getting conned by the brokerage. I'm the type of person who you could sell a lump of coal to if you painted it hold and told me it was 18 carat. The brokerage have already told me I'd be wasting my money getting another survey done as its had one done recently.

Edited by junior
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andywatson Rising Star

andywatson

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Now here's something with a bit of pedigree and very reasonably priced because it's unusual.

You could make an offer on it and still have money left to have the cabin extended sternwards to make a more conventional boat.

http://www.wfbco.co.uk/narrowboats_for_sale/Beeston

Edited by andywatson
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