the shortlist, for your approval

[mark99]

 

Good point !!

 

Marjorie - phone up and ask ALL of the shell bulders what their lead time is, the best ones will have the longest lead time, job done !!

 

I know it was a jest however one of the very best shell builders has an empty slot at the mo.

 

So don't take that too literally.

[Marjorie]

 

I know it was a jest however one of the very best shell builders has an empty slot at the mo.

 

So don't take that too literally.

 

You've gone and made it difficult again

[Edders]

If you're going to be genuinely cruising - The Boating part of the vessel has to look 'right' (rather than just immaculately painted). St. Steve's boats seem to have a lot of blisters on the hull and the bow upsweep - just too exaggerated. Would look better (IMHO) if the front deck was longer.

Looking good means that the tumblehome is right so that the superstructure doesn't get banged in tunnels, roof curvature just right so that your chimney(s) are vertical - not at a jaunty angle. A trad stern should be elliptical so you can accommodate two persons.

 

My hull builder is no more (sadly). We came to a reasonable compromise over what we wanted and what he was prepared to do. I took his advice reluctantly - because he knew boats and I didn't. We're still happy with it 20+ years later. Underwater it has extra long swims which makes it handle nicely.

 

 

I think you can specify a longer deck. The minimum for either a well or tug deck is 5ft.

 

Tony

[luggsy]

I have a XR&D shell was a toss up between them and a Alexander , Garry & lee have some good ideas and are very easy to get on with, my shell is being fitted out at shardlow by cherilton narrow boats aka graham ford who is one of the most layed back person I have met, always returns missed calls and is very helpfull and passionate about his work,

Edited June 9, 2014 by luggsy

[FidoDido]

Not got a new one by any stretch, but mines a Norton Canes. Its a 1990 build. Had lost just 0.3mm in 22 years when i bought it, has no leaks, and is a joy to drive. Its a very well crafted and designed hull. I would certainly put Mr Edgson at the top of my list should I ever become rich enough to order a new boat!! (don't hold your breath!)

 

I also agree with the Paul Barber suggestion.. And Dave Harris + Roger Fuller.. Lovely lines.

[Marjorie]

Anyone know anything of M&G Fabrications?

[RLWP]

http://www.mandgfabrications.co.uk/

 

You could have goolged that

 

Richard

[Marjorie]

http://www.mandgfabrications.co.uk/

 

You could have goolged that

 

Richard

I got that too, but they didn't look like they made boats to me. I saw an old one listed on Apollo Duck with a hull made by them (or a company of the same name, but not actually them maybe? Google also gave me this, who look to be different people http://www.mg-steel.co.uk/ ). Wondered if anyone had experience of their hulls (although granted, that isn't actually what I asked!).

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2014 by Marjorie

[RLWP]

If you go to here: http://canalplan.org.uk/boats/boats.php you can put in the name of a boat, or the name of a boatbuilder. It's a handy way of finding out if the boat you are looking at is a one off or one of many.

 

It isn't always right of course - I think Tawny Owl's hull may have been built by Pinders

 

Richard

[Marjorie]

If you go to here: http://canalplan.org.uk/boats/boats.php you can put in the name of a boat, or the name of a boatbuilder. It's a handy way of finding out if the boat you are looking at is a one off or one of many.

 

It isn't always right of course - I think Tawny Owl's hull may have been built by Pinders

 

Richard

 

Oh, that's a cool thing! (Also, you can see how many boats have the same name as yours).

 

I think it might be these actually: http://www.mandgservices.co.uk/welding.html

[RLWP]

Possibly.

 

So, are they boatbuilders or welders - there is a difference

 

Richard

[Marjorie]

 

So, are they boatbuilders or welders - there is a difference

 

"Our skilled team offers a broad range of specialist and general engineering services across a wide range of industry sectors. A flexible approach ensures our ability to adapt our proven skills to any project, large or small, in a timely, professional and cost-effective manner."

 

So... I have no idea. They're the only ones with M&G in the name that mention anything marine though.

 

That canalplan cleverness comes up with 4 M&G fabricated boats. Not many. Alarm bells?

[RLWP]

It means they have built four canal boats. What's your criteria for 'goodness'?

 

Richard

[cheshire~rose]

If you go to here: http://canalplan.org.uk/boats/boats.php you can put in the name of a boat, or the name of a boatbuilder. It's a handy way of finding out if the boat you are looking at is a one off or one of many.

 

It isn't always right of course - I think Tawny Owl's hull may have been built by Pinders

 

Richard

 

Have you actually asked them? I had a chat with Carl Pinder about our boat last week and it was very enlightening!

 

We know Carrie~Lou is a Pinder built boat but we had always thought that Pinder fitted her out too. It was only last week I found out that she was fitted out by the guys at Black Prince as a sideline. I think they fitted three private boats out (extrememly pleased with ours) (their base is just down the canal from Pinders)

 

Pinder build the Black Prince shells too.

[RLWP]

We met the person who fitted out Tawny Owl at Hawne Basin (running the bar). He wasn't sure if she was a Pinder or a Brummagem hull - apparently there are detail differences that are clear to the hull builders other wise hard to spot. If she was a Pinder hull, she would be to Brummagem drawings

 

Richard

[Marjorie]

It means they have built four canal boats. What's your criteria for 'goodness'?

 

Richard

 

I don't know. Won't sink? (this one was built in 2000, so that's probably not an issue).

 

I think what you are trying to tell me is: stop making up reasons to worry about things.

 

It's the best advice I never take

[RLWP]

I'm getting close to giving you the advice I gave Starcoaster...

 

She's got a boat now

 

Richard

[Marjorie]

I'm getting close to giving you the advice I gave Starcoaster...

 

She's got a boat now

 

Richard

 

I have no idea how to use the search function to find that, so hit me with it.

[mark99]

 

I have no idea how to use the search function to find that, so hit me with it.

 

 

Beware of option anxiety?

[peterboat]

I'm going to put a brief list of shell top enders up in no order - just so you know if one you are discussing is regarded as top end. I'm sure others will chime in.

 

 

1) Brinklow Boat Services

 

2) Roger Fuller

 

3) Norton Canes

 

4) Dave Harris

 

5) SM Hudson (marmite warning applies)

 

6) RW Davies - despite what MtB says - they are fine looking vessels - check out his Northwich Trader

 

http://www.rwdavis.co.uk/boat_building/northwich_trader.html - albeit deep drafted.

 

 

Someone mentioned Tyler Wilson - they do a variety of shells from good to their description of "top end" - so the more you pay the more work goes into it. I think they are more of a volume supplier than top end (but still good).

 

There are others mentioned earlier in this thread who I've seen a lot of examples of and been distinctly unimpressed aesthetic wise - I won't name them because I don't want to offend anyone who has got one. And of course, aesthetics is a very personal thing.

How many times have they won at crick Jonnys shells that is and how many times have the others won

 

Peter

[Marjorie]

 

 

Beware of option anxiety?

 

Edited June 9, 2014 by Marjorie

[Bigredbus4468]

Just had a look at the Tyler Wilson website. What's impressive is that it's only 500 to get the build slot and balance on completion - no stage payments, and therefore no risk.

[Athy]

No one has yet mentioned Mel Davis shells, so I will. Good lines, good handling, good quality, and Mel is an easy man to work with and will build any style you want.

 

Biased? of course I am.

 

He does not do fit-outs but he knows people who do.

[mark99]

No one has yet mentioned Mel Davis shells, so I will. Good lines, good handling, good quality, and Mel is an easy man to work with and will build any style you want.

 

Biased? of course I am.

 

He does not do fit-outs but he knows people who do.

 

I saw a really nice one of his at the weekend going down the Basingstoke. The boat needed a right good lick of paint but the shell was really nice.

How many times have they won at crick Jonnys shells that is and how many times have the others won

 

Peter

 

If you think Tyler Wilsons lines are better than any of the other mentioned that's your perogative.

 

I don't think the others really give a hoot about Crick other than perhaps SMH.

Edited June 9, 2014 by mark99

[Poster girl]

We moor at Saul Marina, next door to the RW Davis yard, the boats are stunning to look at and after a sneaky peak inside a new one as we boated past recently I can honestly say equally stunning inside, modern, light, airy and gorgeous. Nothing to disappoint!