Modern hulls to carry cargo

[jollymoggy]

Hi all,

 

Might seem a daft question but I'm considering whether a modern hull can be converted to carry cargo. The old carrying boats I see sit high in the water and tower over new boats. Is converting an existing hull an option or do I need an old working boat?

 

Thanks

[the barnacle]

i guess it depends on what you wish to carry and what weight - here is one ready to go -

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAND-UNION-LARGE-WOOLWICH-MOTOR-CANAL-NARROW-BOAT-BARNET-FULL-BSS-JUST-DOCKED-/151684198009?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2351152e79

Edited June 2, 2015 by the barnacle

[Mendip-Locks]

Hi Jolly,

 

Yes definitely can be done see here http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=372088modern boats have lots of ballast in the bottom of the hull to keep them stable, the reason you see old carrying boats riding high is they don't have this. Then when loaded up they could almost be down in to the gunnels. Sparras could drink off the gunnels was the old saying. I dare say you would have to be chosey on a hull you covert with ref. hull stiffness and steel thickness and more supporting superstructure added in chains to.

Someone more experienced than I will no doubt pop along and advise 1st hand.

Ade

Edited June 2, 2015 by Mendip-Locks

[zenataomm]

I'm not so easily convinced as the previous poster.

Making a modern hull look like a carrying boat is one thing, however actually expecting it to then be able to do it is quite another.

[Ray T]

Something like this?

 

 

3705862_orig

 

Didn't Luctor do similar with the burn out wreck he bought? Converted it to a work boat.

Edited June 2, 2015 by Ray T

[jollymoggy]

Interesting! Thats exactly what I meant. Is there any preference to hull type for doing it?

Something like this?

 

 

3705862_orig

 

Didn't Luctor do similar with the burn out wreck he bought? Converted it to a work boat.

[Ray T]

The wording on the boat is

 

Winkwell Dock

 

01442 872985

 

I don't know if the boat still exists. Worth giving them a phone call?

Edited June 2, 2015 by Ray T

[jollymoggy]

The wording on the boat is

 

Winkwell Dock

 

01442 872385

 

I don't know if the boat still exists. Worth giving them a phone call?

I will give it a try tomorrow. Thanks

[Ray T]

I will give it a try tomorrow. Thanks

 

I have corrected the phone No., also look here: http://www.nucleus-analysis.demon.co.uk/moab/mhbs/intro.htm

Edited June 2, 2015 by Ray T

[alan_fincher]

The wording on the boat is

 

Winkwell Dock

 

01442 872985

 

I don't know if the boat still exists. Worth giving them a phone call?

 

Yes, this boat is still at Winkwell, I think.

 

However unless OP gives some idea what they want to carry, and how much of it, it is impossible to answer whether an adapted leisure boat could suit.

 

A full length working (motor) boat will load to something like 20 tons, if there is enough water for it to float in, (a butty maybe 5 tons more than a motor). The boat that is pictured there is highly unlikely to be good for more than about 10 tons, because of its length and a "hold" that will be very much shallower than "the real thing". You might load a working boat to a draft of say 3' 6", and it will have at least 4' deep hull sides, so still show 6" of side with that load on. Many leisure boat hulls are nothing like 3' 6" deep, so if you try and achieve a loaded draft of 3' 6", the results will not be good(!)

 

So jollymoggy, what do you want to carry, and how much of it?

[Richard T]

Some boats may convert better than others - for instance we locked down Braunston flight on UCC Great Britain and Al Akehurst on Star class Archimedes. They madea fine pair and Al commented that without the cabin Great Britain would make a good carrying boat. I would like to put a photo in hear but my images are no longer available in my gallery.

 

Image added now gallery restored

Edited June 3, 2015 by Richard T

[jollymoggy]

 

Yes, this boat is still at Winkwell, I think.

 

However unless OP gives some idea what they want to carry, and how much of it, it is impossible to answer whether an adapted leisure boat could suit.

 

A full length working (motor) boat will load to something like 20 tons, if there is enough water for it to float in, (a butty maybe 5 tons more than a motor). The boat that is pictured there is highly unlikely to be good for more than about 10 tons, because of its length and a "hold" that will be very much shallower than "the real thing". You might load a working boat to a draft of say 3' 6", and it will have at least 4' deep hull sides, so still show 6" of side with that load on. Many leisure boat hulls are nothing like 3' 6" deep, so if you try and achieve a loaded draft of 3' 6", the results will not be good(!)

 

So jollymoggy, what do you want to carry, and how much of it?

I will be carrying fuel. 4 tons of diesel + storage tanks weight and 2 tons of coal.

[alan_fincher]

Of course there a quite a few examples of "new build" narrow boats specifically built for carrying.

 

A very goof example is Arundel

 

Broadly it is a modern "Large Northwich", but without a rivet anywhere in sight.

I will be carrying fuel. 4 tons of diesel + storage tanks weight and 2 tons of coal.

 

It would be feasible, then.

 

You could also do this with a much shorter, but "real" boat like this one.......

Sudbury

 

Seems good value to me.

Only carrying 2 tons of coal would sound far too little, if this is intended for carrying it for resale.

[Maffi]

Dusty on the Oxford is a 'new' build. He carries about 11 tons I think. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Oxford+Canal+Dusty+coalman&qpvt=Oxford+Canal+Dusty+coalman&qpvt=Oxford+Canal+Dusty+coalman&FORM=IGRE

[Ray T]

There is also Hadar:

 

[Maffi]

There is also Hadar:

 

 

 

There is a small section in the front,they live in.most of the sheeted section.

[martyn 1]

There are a fair few "new" working boats around, we supplied a Gardner 4LW a few years ago to a RW Davis built boat that was destine for cargo carrying.

[Neil2]

 

Yes, this boat is still at Winkwell, I think.

 

However unless OP gives some idea what they want to carry, and how much of it, it is impossible to answer whether an adapted leisure boat could suit.

 

A full length working (motor) boat will load to something like 20 tons, if there is enough water for it to float in, (a butty maybe 5 tons more than a motor). The boat that is pictured there is highly unlikely to be good for more than about 10 tons, because of its length and a "hold" that will be very much shallower than "the real thing". You might load a working boat to a draft of say 3' 6", and it will have at least 4' deep hull sides, so still show 6" of side with that load on. Many leisure boat hulls are nothing like 3' 6" deep, so if you try and achieve a loaded draft of 3' 6", the results will not be good(!)

 

So jollymoggy, what do you want to carry, and how much of it?

 

Is that a valid generalisation?

 

Our boat has hull sides just on 4' and she isn't particularly "high waisted", looking round the marina if most boats are drawing around 2' they must have gunwale heights (above base plate) of at least 3'6".

 

I suspect the trend towards shallower hull sides is a relatively modern thing. Funny though that widebeams seem to be going in the opposite direction, most of the newer boats I've seen seem to have ridiculously deep hull sides.

[jollymoggy]

Thanks guys this has inspired a bit of confidence that this idea could work for me.

[onionbargee]

 

 

There is a small section in the front,they live in.most of the sheeted section.

Isn't that the one that advertises coal for sale, but there is no hold on the boat ?

 

They must have a huge coal scuttle.

[Ray T]

I think the living accommodation is forward of the engine 'ole

 

The hold looks fairly big and deep to me:

 

Hadar1

 

 

Hadar2

Edited June 4, 2015 by Ray T

[alan_fincher]

Isn't that the one that advertises coal for sale, but there is no hold on the boat ?

 

They must have a huge coal scuttle.

 

Keith & Jo have not sold solid fuels for a good many years now, I think. They did use to.

[Rob-M]

 

Keith & Jo have not sold solid fuels for a good many years now, I think. They did use to.

They were back out trading in Braunston a couple of weeks back.

[ditchcrawler]

They were back out trading in Braunston a couple of weeks back.

Kieth has been unwell for a couple of years but is getting back on his feet or counter again now.

[Ray T]

Kieth has been unwell for a couple of years but is getting back on his feet or counter again now.

 

http://www.hadar.org.uk/