What type or style of bow is this?

[TheBiscuits]

Is there a specific name for this type of bow, and more helpfully was there a specific builder that used it?

 

It dates from around the 1980s in the pictured example, but I have seen a few on different boats recently.

 

 

 

[nicknorman]

It just looks like an ordinary bow to me. Which feature of it makes you think it might have a specific name?

[MtB]

I think early Colecraft had that curved leading edge to the cabin side.

 

But otherwise, like Nick, I think it looks totally generic.

[dave moore]

I have a vague idea that Gary Gorton used to put the barley twist grab rails on as a feature, but I could be wrong. He used to build at Market Drayton, I think. Just a standard, short bow....unremarkable.

 

Dave

[matty40s]

Yes, was Gary Gorton, we repainted one last year and the 3 colour barley twists were a pig.

[MtB]

I missed those, not got me glasses on!

 

Yes Gar Gorton definitely used barleytwist vertical handrails on his hulls - I nearly bought one but got gazumped - but the rest of the bow is not Gary Gorton's style.

[Tony Brooks]

I think some call it a Norseman bow

[NB Watersnail]

Certainly not Colecraft. If we keep saying what it isn't, maybe we can work it out by elimination!

[Athy]

Certainly not Colecraft. If we keep saying what it isn't, maybe we can work it out by elimination!

Probably not a Springer and certainly not a Hudson.

How am I doing thus far?

[Ray T]

Doesn't look like a Reeves boat.

[alan_fincher]

Don't know - the bow itself is fairly anonymous, but none the worse for that.

 

However that ugly baulk of wood across the front end of the cabin, in connection with some kind of "cratch" arrangement certainly does nothing at all for the appearance of the boat!

A thought....

 

If you know boat name or index number, then who does the boat list on CanalPlanAC say built it?

[IanM]

The picture in the OP comes from a Boatshed advert...

 

http://www.boatshed.com/narrowboat_36ft-boat-204206.html

 

The advert itself says "Stowe Hill Marine" as the builder.

[alan_fincher]

The picture in the OP comes from a Boatshed advert...

 

http://www.boatshed.com/narrowboat_36ft-boat-204206.html

 

The advert itself says "Stowe Hill Marine" as the builder.

 

Yes, I think I can believe that.

 

Long before they went for the highly individual "pinched in a pair of heavy lock gates" look, Stowe Hill did build remarkably conventional looking boats, (something it is a great shame in my view they ever felt the need to change!).

 

I'm not personally aware of the barleytwist metalwork having been a Stowe Hill identifying feature, but it may well have been

[TheBiscuits]

Thanks to all so far. I'm beginning to think its is indeed form following function - you have to end a boat somehow.

 

It might be a generic short bow, but there are not that many of them with exactly that shape I can see on the duck or on boatshed.

 

The pic posted is indeed described as a Stowe Hill boat, but that was just a good picture available online of the bow shape I was looking at (Pretty looking boat though - we spotted it whilst out cruising over Easter)

 

Extra credit to dave moore - I hadn't spotted the barleytwists in the original pic either!

 

The boat that prompted this query doesn't have any pictures available online, but is in a very poor state - hence the enquiry as to if it was a specific boat builder's style.

 

That boat is described as a Colecraft shell, but I can not find any other Colecraft boats with the same shape and detailing on the bow.

[gazza]

I think some call it a Norseman bow

Norseman was Hancock and Lane of Daventry. There is a chap who post as Kedian on here that worked for H&L.

 

Good rugged well fabricated boats. Mum and stepdad just sold their 45' H&L, of which I had done a fair bit of welding on.

[TheBiscuits]

I might be a neejit.

 

Hints in this thread have made me look closer at the one I'm curious about, and there are minor differences.

 

I'll try the real thing this time ...

 

 

 

 

Edited to shrink huge images

Edited April 22, 2015 by TheBiscuits

[NB Watersnail]

Have you got a better overall shot, so we can see the line of the bow from the cabin onwards? Does look decidedly Colecraft to me.

[Dave_P]

It's very similar to the bow on Beau. A compromise between form and function and maximising space within the boat length. Likely to be favoured by pragmatic types for whom aesthetics and historical detailling aren't of the highest priority. Having said that, I rather like the look of a bow like this. I would describe it as 'purposeful'.

Have you got a better overall shot, so we can see the line of the bow from the cabin onwards? Does look decidedly Colecraft to me.

The front edge of those cabin sides and the shape and size of the cratch is wrong. My Calcutt/Andicraft is more similar.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Dave_P

[Athy]

, I rather like the look of a bow like this. I would describe it as 'purposeful'.

 

A word which I use to describe, for example, the bow of Fox's boats. I mean it as a compliment, as I am sure you do.

[Rose Narrowboats]

I might be a neejit.

 

Hints in this thread have made me look closer at the one I'm curious about, and there are minor differences.

 

I'll try the real thing this time ...

 

 

 

 

Edited to shrink huge images

Doesn't look like a Colecraft to me - foredeck and cant shape is wrong and I've not seen that profile on the cabin sides (or roof) on a Colecraft. I could go with the Andicraft suggestion, or Dave Clark maybe?

 

ETA - nice to see one of Waterway's hireboats (Water Snail) getting some love!

Edited April 22, 2015 by Rose Narrowboats

[The Lockie]

As a lockkeeper I see literally thousands of boat hulls a year and have seen many of this style. I can therefore give you a definitive answer to your question.

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Its a pointy one!!!

[Tonka]

Barley twists are often found on Marque narrowboats

[matty40s]

Barley twists are often found on Marque narrowboats

not on mine

[Dave_P]

All narrowboats are beautiful. Even the ugly ones.