boat. builders

[lenjdon]

Please excuse me if this is in the wrong place.we are considering selling our house and living aboard.after reading many articals on builders we have come to the conclusion it best to ask the people how have been doing this for years. We only have one chance at this so we want to do it right. We are look to purchase a 67x12 widebeam. Has anyone got a elton moss boat or had any dealings with them or can anyone recommend a good boat builder.we would be grateful for any input.we realize that most builders are up north but we can travel to boat yards to visit as we also need to veiw boats to look at build quailty.

[Grace and Favour]

Please excuse me if this is in the wrong place.we are considering selling our house and living aboard.after reading many articals on builders we have come to the conclusion it best to ask the people how have been doing this for years. We only have one chance at this so we want to do it right. We are look to purchase a 67x12 widebeam. Has anyone got a elton moss boat or had any dealings with them or can anyone recommend a good boat builder.we would be grateful for any input.we realize that most builders are up north but we can travel to boat yards to visit as we also need to veiw boats to look at build quailty.

Hi - and welcome to the forum, lenjdon.

 

You're right - - looking at boats will always be an essential ingredient to choosing your type of boat, and the builder (whether you're buying second-hand or new)

 

Whilst there is an enormous choice of styles, sizes and builders, your prospective choice of size (67 x 12) is a fairly large craft, and I assume that you realise it will limit the waterways capable of carrying it (?)

 

We have an Elton Moss widebeam, (and have to say we are extremely happy with the boat, (and with the service we received from Elton Moss (and A.C.)

[KJT]

It is very wise to thoroughly research not only the prospective builder but also the type of craft you wish to have built and the layout and specification. You don't say in your post what level of experience you have but as you are specifying both a wide beam and a particular builder then I am assuming at least some. If however your experience is fairly limited then I would recommend hiring the type of boat you wish to have built so you can experience first hand. It may save you from making an expensive mistake. I know that Moon boats on the Kennet and Avon down Devizes way hire wide beams.

As for Elton Moss builders, I have heard they produce good boats but have no direct experience of them. Ours, a narrow beam, was build by Kingsground and is still in excellent condition after twelve years, so have no hesitation in recommending them. Other builders I have looked closely at and seem to produce fine craft are Wharfehouse Narrowboats, Milburn boats, Braidbar boats and Russ Hubble. Of those I think only Russ Hubble produce wide beam craft, but could well be wrong on that. Another option is Jonathan Wilson who produce fine shells, both in wide and narrow beam but you would need to have the hull fitted out either by yourselves or a third party company.

 

Ken

[linnit]

I recieved excellent quality and service from X R and D boatbuilders when I had my shell built. They produce steelwork for many boat fitters.

[Yarwood]

Have a look at this blog.

 

http://wbstillrockin.blogspot.co.uk

[Neil2]

David Piper boats have a solid reputation and their standard widebeam is 60x12 - they are in Stoke which to me is not "up North". Pinders in Worcestershire are in a similar category and they will build anything you want.

[lenjdon]

Thank you for your kind replies we will certainly look at suggested builders. We know that with a widebeam our travels will be limited.Does anyone have a diesel hob and oven as we like the idea of no gas. Articles we have read say go and see boat being built but if it is in the chec republic how do we do that?.this is a concern,as it will be all of our money from our house and there will be no going back to bricks and mortar.

[Ally]

Thank you for your kind replies we will certainly look at suggested builders. We know that with a widebeam our travels will be limited.Does anyone have a diesel hob and oven as we like the idea of no gas. Articles we have read say go and see boat being built but if it is in the chec republic how do we do that?.this is a concern,as it will be all of our money from our house and there will be no going back to bricks and mortar.

The best answer to that is.....have one built in Britain! We have the talent and tradition here, why go elsewhere when you really should be visiting and inputting during build. I know some companies arrange a visit and flight, but really....keep it simpler, stay more local so you can keep an eye on it, visit unannounced occasionally, and be sure you get what you want and pay for.

[Grace and Favour]

Thank you for your kind replies we will certainly look at suggested builders. We know that with a widebeam our travels will be limited.Does anyone have a diesel hob and oven as we like the idea of no gas. Articles we have read say go and see boat being built but if it is in the chec republic how do we do that?.this is a concern,as it will be all of our money from our house and there will be no going back to bricks and mortar.

Air tickets to Prague can be quite reasonable, as can accomodation in the town where the boat's being built.

 

(In fact - it can be cheaper than travelling and staying over in the UK for a couple of days!!)

 

Just choose your times to visit to coincide with key moments in the boat's build.

[bargemast]

David Piper boats have a solid reputation and their standard widebeam is 60x12 - they are in Stoke which to me is not "up North". Pinders in Worcestershire are in a similar category and they will build anything you want.

 

Don't you mean Simon Piper ? he's based at Biddulph next to Stroke and is specialised in wide beam-and Dutch barges.

 

Peter.

[dor]

 

 

stay more local so you can keep an eye on it, visit unannounced occasionally, and be sure you get what you want and pay for.

 

Very good advice, and also don't hand over large sums of money in advance. Pay a moderate deposit and make sure that, if you do make stage payments, you have clear title to the work completed so far and don't pay for more than has been completed. When you visit the builder, make sure what you are shown is your boat, not one being built for someone else. Build number matching your documentation should be welded into the baseplate and take lots of pictures.

 

Too many people have lost their money by paying in advance.

[Neil2]

 

Don't you mean Simon Piper ? he's based at Biddulph next to Stroke and is specialised in wide beam-and Dutch barges.

 

Peter.

Showing my age - I think they are just known as Piper Boats these days but David's son Simon does run the business now.

 

It's just occurred to me what a monster boat 67x12 is - do you really need something that big? It wouldn't be much fun taking a leviathan like that up the Grand Union for example, or maybe you just intend to stick to rivers?

[sueb]

Thank you for your kind replies we will certainly look at suggested builders. We know that with a widebeam our travels will be limited.Does anyone have a diesel hob and oven as we like the idea of no gas. Articles we have read say go and see boat being built but if it is in the chec republic how do we do that?.this is a concern,as it will be all of our money from our house and there will be no going back to bricks and mortar.

 

Have you thought about what you will do when you can no longer live on a boat? We had 25yrs ccing but hubby had a stroke and we could no longer manage the boat. We let our house so we had somewhere to go. Life would have been very hard without that lifeline.

[bag 'o' bones]

Please excuse me if this is in the wrong place.we are considering selling our house and living aboard.after reading many articals on builders we have come to the conclusion it best to ask the people how have been doing this for years. We only have one chance at this so we want to do it right. We are look to purchase a 67x12 widebeam. Has anyone got a elton moss boat or had any dealings with them or can anyone recommend a good boat builder.we would be grateful for any input.we realize that most builders are up north but we can travel to boat yards to visit as we also need to veiw boats to look at build quailty.

I'll send you a private message when you posted a bit more.

[lenjdon]

Reason for boat being so big is because we still have my son living with us. We do have another property but it is in Spain. Renting our house is not an option as money from sale will purchase the boat.we have been asured by several people that we can get a boat of that size up as far as Birmingham. Maybe they were wrong.live on board would mean no more fourteen hour days at work 7days a week.we could drop down to just three days a week and enjoy live again.

[peterboat]

Try Johnathon Wilson he is up North and in Stoke He built mine a large widebeam and they are building 70 x 12 foot plus boat constantly they require a £1000 deposit rest on completion look at his website. Mine is 5 years old Just repainted this year and very much rust free.

 

Peter

[ditchcrawler]

Reason for boat being so big is because we still have my son living with us. We do have another property but it is in Spain. Renting our house is not an option as money from sale will purchase the boat.we have been asured by several people that we can get a boat of that size up as far as Birmingham. Maybe they were wrong.live on board would mean no more fourteen hour days at work 7days a week.we could drop down to just three days a week and enjoy live again.

you will only get to the very edge of Birmingham in a wide beam on the Grand Union canal, Camp Hill service block

[nicknorman]

?..we have been asured by several people that we can get a boat of that size up as far as Birmingham. Maybe they were wrong.

You may be able to get to Camp Hill top lock, it is on the edge of Birmingham, but not a very nice edge! The camp hill locks themselves are narrow so you would not be able to get into the rather pleasant centre of Birmingham. That presumes you can get through the rather low (due to subsidence) arched bridge on the Stockton flight.

 

How long will your son be living with you? If he leaves to set up his own life, you might be left with a boat that is unnecessarily large and unwieldy for your needs, and severely cramps your cruising range.

[lenjdon]

Hi Peter do you have a web address or are they now known by a different name.

I am sure my son will be with us for some time to come. Also have eight grandchildren I am sure they will come to stay. Hence large size.

[ditchcrawler]

Friends of mine insisted on a 6 berth narrowboat for when the children/grandchildren came. They have had two visitors for one weekend in 5 years.

Edit

Have the boat you want for you, not for others.

Edited December 10, 2013 by ditchcrawler

[lenjdon]

I am very family orientated my sister comes to stay once or twice a month I still have both parents who would stay at weekends while thier health allows.

[NB Alton]

The best advice I had from a very well respected boat builder was, "don't buy a new boat as you're first boat, buy a secondhand boat similar to what you think you want & try that for at least a year or two to see what you really want." I bought just such a boat & the boatbuilder shook my hand & congratulated me on a fine purchase. I've never wished to purchase a new boat since.

 

A 67'' x 12' boat is not an easy vessel to handle, & even a journey up from Braunston to near Brum would take skill, planning and patience. On the whole narrowboats are much more suitable for navigating the majority of England's inland waterways if that's what you wish to do.

 

Don't take take the above as gospel, just my experience.

 

Cheers, Brian

[Sas]

Help and Advice Required Please?

 

As a newbie to this forum, I've read the posts on wide beams avidly, but would still appreciate some advice please.

 

We are looking for a boat builder in the North / North West UK who could build us a 35'x10' widebeam that 2 of us could stay on for extended perios of time. We have a mooring sorted ( hence the 35' restriction), but have yet to choose a builder.

 

Having read the horror stories of people losing large sums as firms go into liquidation, I wondered if members would be prepared ( without prejudice obviously!!!) to post their top 5 builders who might be able to fulfil this brief.

 

I would be looking for a fully fitted boat as the 'sailaway' and fit elsewhere option seems a bit complicated to manage.

 

Ideas please?

[Athy]

An obvious port of call would be Collingwood (formerly known as Liverpool Boats) who are in, yes you've guessed, Liverpool.

 

Colecraft are old-established, respected and in the middle price bracket, but they are in Warwickshire. Boats can be delivered by water or lorry, so don't let geography influence you too much.

[Sas]

Ah now that's why this forum is so useful to rookies like me!! I'll certainly try Collingwood - many thanks for taking the time Athy!