Barney Boats

[Laurence Hogg]

I thought for a moment that it was 'Dover'.

 

Will a single-pot Sabb be man enough to power a 55-footer?

Previously auctioned a montha go reaching £3700, obvious non payering bidder. My opinion is it is junk, fit for a scrap yard and nothing else, this is not a project it is candidate for crushing.

[kris88]

Previously auctioned a montha go reaching £3700, obvious non payering bidder. My opinion is it is junk, fit for a scrap yard and nothing else, this is not a project it is candidate for crushing.

You've seen it in the flesh then Laurence?or are you just being judgemental from a distance?

 

Regards kris

Edited April 5, 2016 by kris88

[Athy]

My opinion is it is junk, fit for a scrap yard and nothing else, this is not a project it is candidate for crushing.

I'm sure that the rows of rusty engines in Barry scrapyard in the 1970s must have given the dispassionate observer a similar impression - the ones proudly steaming along now are a reminder of what can be achieved by a combination of love, determination and money.

[Derek R.]

No comparison. If you'd have compared it to the boats up the Wendover arm - maybe, but this is a boat built to a price originally, and has been lengthened, and some concern would be involved in the quality of steelwork done seeing the bottom plate does not line up at the chine - and that's only from the photos supplied. It wants gutting completely, and possibly reverting to its original length, though the 10hp Sabb is still 9hp over what was used on horse boats, it will struggle to maintain control over 55ft on a river, but on the cut - with care - do-able.

[David Mack]

Previously auctioned a montha go reaching £3700, obvious non payering bidder. My opinion is it is junk, fit for a scrap yard and nothing else, this is not a project it is candidate for crushing.

Well his pricing is more realistic than this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERCRAFT-1-HOUSEBOAT-WORKBOAT-LIVEABOARD-/252340936046?hash=item3ac0b11d6e:g:G~EAAOSw6wRXAPrK

[gazza]

Well his pricing is more realistic than this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERCRAFT-1-HOUSEBOAT-WORKBOAT-LIVEABOARD-/252340936046?hash=item3ac0b11d6e:g:G~EAAOSw6wRXAPrK

The wicker man surfaces again!

 

One of the overstaying boats in Ely over the course of a couple of years.

[Athy]

That's not being sold by an East European lady, by any chance?

[FadeToScarlet]

Well his pricing is more realistic than this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERCRAFT-1-HOUSEBOAT-WORKBOAT-LIVEABOARD-/252340936046?hash=item3ac0b11d6e:g:G~EAAOSw6wRXAPrK

Moored on the lock landing stage for the relief channel lock at Denver Sluice

[Woodontop]

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/114435228/my-super-little-boatready-to-sail-away.html?link=%2Fadverts%2Flist%2F3725%2Fnarrowboats.html%3Fpage%3D3

 

Here is another (actual) Barney. We met Gwithian and owners at the top of Foxton Locks once. If I recall it has a 8hp Sabb that has a pressurised oil system. 32ft instead of the usual 35ft. Hopefully someone goes for it.

Edited April 6, 2016 by Woodontop

[Troyboy]

Well his pricing is more realistic than this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERCRAFT-1-HOUSEBOAT-WORKBOAT-LIVEABOARD-/252340936046?hash=item3ac0b11d6e:g:G~EAAOSw6wRXAPrK

Fitted with a urinal , I thought them old Fen boys used the sink !

[Sinead Carnie]

Ours is a wooden top Barney boat 70ft bulit in 1974. Originally called Unicorn. When we bought it , it was completely falling apart so we have rebuilt the whole of the wooden top and interior. We have kept the original Sabb twin engine.

[bargemast]

Ours is a wooden top Barney boat 70ft bulit in 1974. Originally called Unicorn. When we bought it , it was completely falling apart so we have rebuilt the whole of the wooden top and interior. We have kept the original Sabb twin engine.

 

Your boat is a good prove what time, hard labour and love can do, to give an old boat a new lease of life.

 

Well done, I'm full of admiration.

 

Peter.

[Derek R.]

What can be done with pallet wood Eh! Love the tree bed.

[bargemast]

What can be done with pallet wood Eh! Love the tree bed.

 

I agree, they did an amazing job which will have asked for a lot of time, but as most of the wood was recycled of (hard) wooden pallets costs were limited.

 

It's great to see that some people are so inventive, and can make something extraordinary with little means.

 

All that on an old boat that nobody wanted to bother with, taking the risk of getting it back into the water and rebuilding her.

 

Peter.

[Phredd]

Thyme was the 35th Barney (Hawkesbury class) built in 1974, originally named Galka II. She was originally built for use on the Great Ouse, and that is the reason she was fitted with the Sabb 2HG twin engine - rather overpowered for a 32 foot canal boat, but proved just what was needed when we travelled up the Severn, from the Avon to Worcester, when in flood!

 

She was fitted with a steel top in 2002, after years of trying to stem the inevitable leaks in the wooden cabin. This was done at Willowbridge, and they did a good job of keeping the original shape, albeit with slightly reduced gunnels. Overplating of the hull bottom was done at the same time, and this made her sit deeper. We removed some of the ballast, but that made her "skittish", so we put-up with the possibility of grounding, which very rarely happened.

 

The Sabb twin has proved very reliable. Apart from the usual servicing (oil/filter changes and a couple of decarbs), it has only needed injectors overhauled (done at Diesel Injection Aylesbury), the front oil seal replaced and rocker bearings replaced, which were made-up by a firm in Chesham, after it was found impossible to source Sabb originals - them having stopped manufacturing the twin.

 

Sadly we have now put her up for sale, buying a new bigger boat.

 

I understand that Cockney Rebel (formerly one of the old Concoform Marine hire fleet) is also up for sale - it was owned by the lockkeeper at Watford locks.

 

The unique cruiser sterned one that used to "live" on the Aylesbury Arm is now residing at Whilton Marina where it appears not to have been used for several years.

[X Alan W]

hi all. i bought the barney boat that was on the back water by mount sorrell lock last summer and brought her down to the K&A, cracking little engine, never let me down. can anyone tell me how thick the hull is supposed to be?

 

@woodentop nb sutton. i think we met on the way down?

IIRC the first boats were built using imperial measure plate 1/4" so would have been 6.3 mm then metric 6mm plate was used, the norm for that time,( possible the odd smaller boat was 5mm plate for the hull sides) all the original boats had wooden cabins & most if not all were Sabb powered, this would have been either side of 1970.

[Petetuffrey]

Hi, I'm just having a survey done on Thyme at Whilton, so fingers crossed, Phred do you know what thickness plate she was over plated in?

She looks to have been Well loved

[LEO]

Hi, I'm just having a survey done on Thyme at Whilton, so fingers crossed, Phred do you know what thickness plate she was over plated in?

She looks to have been Well loved

Hi,

 

Thyme moored next to me at Cowroast for several years, lovely 'Barney' boat, carefully used and well looked after, it moved down to DDBC at Pitstone, but the owner Ken sadly died.

 

Shall be interested to hear how the survey goes - still got the wooden top?.

[Petetuffrey]

Steel top now, nicely done though, I'm crossing my fingers for under the water line lol!

[stagedamager]

Welcome to the forum at last Mr. Tuffrey!

Don't tell everyone about your artwork, everyone will want one!!

Good luck with the boat purchase.

 

Regards

 

Dan

[Phredd]

Hi, I'm just having a survey done on Thyme at Whilton, so fingers crossed, Phred do you know what thickness plate she was over plated in?

She looks to have been Well loved

 

Hi,

 

Sorry about delay - have been away.

 

She was plated with 6mm, I think, at the same time the top was done- it was done at Willowbridge near Bletchley. There is a folder with the boat that lists just about everything on or about the boat including the steel work done. I left it with the Whilton office when I delivered her.

 

Not much room inside for painting, but the cratch should be big enough!

 

Yes she is/was well loved. My 30 year old daughter cried when we took her up to Whilton.

 

If you do buy her and ever do a painting of her let me know - the wife would love a copy!

 

Edit: have just checked back through my records and it was plated with 6mm steel.

 

Cheers

 

Roger

Edited June 28, 2016 by Phredd

[Nb Gwithian]

New to the forum, and boats. Bought Barney boat no26 originally 'the go between' now Gwithian. New home at Welford Marina. A 32ft-er. Am interested in layouts I know much of it is personal choice and cash flow! I don't want to make massive changes to Gwithian, but would like to tidy her up and improve the current shower arrangement currently the shower tray is at the bottom of the stern stairs, under a trap door, the toilet doors then open out to create a sort of cubicle. Ideas, suggestions, and photos to help me decide much appreciated, and any other gems of info.

 

Also my Barney came with a complete list of names, boats dates of construction, and current owners as of circa 1998. Happy to share if anyone is interested?

 

Kay

[Pete Tuffrey]

Hi,

 

Sorry about delay - have been away.

 

She was plated with 6mm, I think, at the same time the top was done- it was done at Willowbridge near Bletchley. There is a folder with the boat that lists just about everything on or about the boat including the steel work done. I left it with the Whilton office when I delivered her.

 

Not much room inside for painting, but the cratch should be big enough!

 

Yes she is/was well loved. My 30 year old daughter cried when we took her up to Whilton.

 

If you do buy her and ever do a painting of her let me know - the wife would love a copy!

 

Edit: have just checked back through my records and it was plated with 6mm steel.

 

Cheers

 

Roger

Hi, sorry for the delay, I did buy time and she's just finished having allot of work done on the counter/weed hatch/rudder and hull.

She looks good and I hope to enjoy being back on board very soon, I will definitely be doing some artwork of the boat, I'm seriously considering getting a small butty as my studio!

If you are on face book look for Pete tuffrey artist to keep track of the boat/my artwork

Thanks

Pete

[CockneyRebel]

Hi all,

I'm new to canalworld forum and have been boating a litte over the last 18months. I've ventured out and am now the new owner of Cockney Rebel - she's beautiful although the wood roof does need quite a lot of TLC.

She's my first boat! Though Im no stranger to the water as I'm also a sailing instructor.

I am OK at my diy etc. But was wondering if anyonw had any tips or tricks for boating life particularly around maintence of the engine etc (maybe a checklist/maintenance schedule?). Although I'm OK at diy, engines are a little more mysterious to me!

Thanks so much in advance!

Rachel

Edited December 18, 2016 by CockneyRebel

[Derek R.]

Diesel engines ( I am presuming it is a diesel ) are in many ways less complex than petrol, but the main items to consider are oil and oil filter changes, along with fuel filter maintenance. Checking for leaks will help spot potential problem areas of gasket failure or oil seal failure. The injector pump is a finely constructed item that should need no maintenance other than to check all unions are tight and no fuel is leaking - not an item you should disturb or attempt to adjust. Other than that valve clearances are the only things to check from time to time, but a manual will be needed to ascertain the correct clearances for your particular make and model of engine.

 

Water in the fuel is an enemy to diesel engines, and this can get there through condensation within the fuel tank. Being heavier than diesel fuel, it will gravitate to the bottom of the tank where the pick up for supplying the lift pump and injector pump is situated, and will end up in the bottom of the fuel filter bowl. Fuel filters are fitted with drain taps (often a small bolt) in the bottom, which need to be cracked open periodically to drain any water that accumulates there.

 

Air filters (if you have one) also need to be kept clean, or if of the paper type changed as necessary (an infrequent job).

 

Gearboxes also need their lubricant, as does the prop shaft and stern gear.

 

Does your engine start easily? If so it is most likely running well enough. If it is hard to start, it may lead to a need to inspect injectors. These are in the position where a spark plug would be on a petrol engine, but will need specialist attention once removed. Compression tests may need to be carried out also, but now we are getting into an area of mechanics that the novice needs to learn more about.

 

Knowing more about which engine you have will maybe help in other areas.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Derek R.