Which GRP Cruiser

[Jim R]

Hello from the new boy

 

My wife and I have had boats for 30 years GRP and Narrow boats and we've done a lot of cruising but not for the last 15 years since we've had the kids! They're now old enough to take on the water safely but there's four of them! So we're looking for a 6 berth cruiser. Can't afford a flash narrow boat so what would any of you recommend?

Thanks

Jim

[Supermalc]

Broads cruiser. You should get a decent one without too many problems, and only requiring tarting up for around £10,000

 

Oh, I might???? know where there is a large Norman which could be 6 berth? within your price range. It's local, and I know the owner well. Just don't know if it's sold or not yet.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Supermalc

[Jim R]

Broads cruiser. You should get a decent one without too many problems, and only requiring tarting up for around £10,000

 

Oh, I might???? know where there is a large Norman which could be 6 berth? within your price range. It's local, and I know the owner well. Just don't know if it's sold or not yet.

 

Don't know if I'm replying the right way here but what's a broads cruiser? Large Norman. How large I thought they were only smallish.

Jim

[fuzzyduck]

Normans were made up to 32 feet if I recall correctly.

 

Jim, what's your hoped for cruising ground, and price?

[Jim R]

Well were down in Hampton on the Thames but mooring costs here are unreal. We love to travel. Used to do the Wey a lot. We've been to Letchlade three times from here. Last big trip was down to Brentford, up the canal to Birmingham, down the Oxford and home. Also done the Chester run and others. Hopefully we'll be doing all of it all over again.

As for budget, well let's asy up to £10k.

I wanted a Viking 28 but they're out of our league.

Jim

[Supermalc]

There's no right or wrong way to reply. I prefer to use the add reply button, as it saves having to read duplicated text all the time, but when lots of people are posting, there is often a lot of crossposting.

 

This is a broads cruiser, but it's just the only picture I can find quickly. A newer GRP cruiser of similar make and size is what I am thinking about.

 

This one was sold to go to near London as a weekend home for someone going to live in France.

 

[fuzzyduck]

so ideally narrowbeam. and 10k tops

 

that kind of money should buy you either a Norman 32 or DC 32-38 with no problems, maybe even a few quid left over.

Also consider a Highbridge, or a DC Rover either of these should sleep 6 and will come in at about your price range.

 

Atlantas, and vikings, will probably weigh in at 15k so are probably out of your range

 

"broads cruisers are all widebeam, and the bigger ones come out at 20-25k for a good example so forget those.

 

Nauticus made some 6 berth boats.

 

How's your DIY?

[Jim R]

Got it.

 

I've just remembered this type of boat. Isn't it beautiful? My parents hired one about 45 years ago when I was very small. Strangely enough we were on the broads! Duuugh! Sorry to be so stupid. Is it 6/10 wide and will it go under the bridges of the canals?

Jim

[Supermalc]

Agree with Fuzzy, you need a narrowbeam. Larger Dawncraft or Norman are the first that come to mind.

[fuzzyduck]

Got it.

 

I've just remembered this type of boat. Isn't it beautiful? My parents hired one about 45 years ago when I was very small. Strangely enough we were on the broads! Duuugh! Sorry to be so stupid. Is it 6/10 wide and will it go under the bridges of the canals?

Jim

 

No

[Jim R]

so ideally narrowbeam. and 10k tops

 

that kind of money should buy you either a Norman 32 or DC 32-38 with no problems, maybe even a few quid left over.

Also consider a Highbridge, or a DC Rover either of these should sleep 6 and will come in at about your price range.

 

Atlantas, and vikings, will probably weigh in at 15k so are probably out of your range

 

"broads cruisers are all widebeam, and the bigger ones come out at 20-25k for a good example so forget those.

 

Nauticus made some 6 berth boats.

 

How's your DIY?

 

DIY No problem! Been looking at a Highbridge this week actually, it looks very interesting. We used to have a 28 Dawny.

6 berth Nauticus, now that sounds nice but where?

The broads boats look beautiful as I say but we want to go back to the canals as well.

Jim

[fuzzyduck]

Personally I'd just look at DCs, and variants, the price is low for even some of the best examples.

 

But then i'm biased.

 

Edit ----

 

Doh the nauticus 27 is a 4 berth.

[Supermalc]

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F134823/

 

Here you are....

[Jim R]

DIY No problem! Been looking at a Highbridge this week actually, it looks very interesting. We used to have a 28 Dawny.

6 berth Nauticus, now that sounds nice but where?

The broads boats look beautiful as I say but we want to go back to the canals as well.

Jim

 

That's a shame, I really fancied a nuaticus!

Gues the Highbridge is the only one then or do DC do something else?

Jim

[fuzzyduck]

well DCs came in up to a 38, along with the Highbridge, and the similar Rover.

 

if your kids are still young I'd go for a boat with a cockpit they can bounce around in. This would negate the Rover as it's a bit more like a narrowboat.

 

or adopt out 2 of the 4 kids, and buy the Nauticus.

 

DC 38

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/HAR074/

Edited March 12, 2007 by fuzzyduck

[chris w]

Last year I sold my 15 year old Viking 28 for £17K. Even allowing for the time-value of money that's about 35% of my money back. I paid £23K for it new in 1992 and they now sell (with the extras I had like heating) for around £50K new. Viking 28's are a lovely boat if you can find one (they are hard to find). They have 6 berths and an astonishing amount of storage space. I never had a moment's trouble either in all that time from the Honda 15HP 4-stroke outboard.

 

Chris

[Supermalc]

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F133333/

 

Plenty of room on here....ok you'd be stuck south of Northampton but ??????

 

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F109156/

 

Another widebeam I know but....options, options, options......stay on the broads and travel?????

[Jim R]

Last year I sold my 15 year old Viking 28 for £17K. Even allowing for the time-value of money that's about 35% of my money back. I paid £23K for it new in 1992 and they now sell (with the extras I had like heating) for around £50K new. Viking 28's are a lovely boat if you can find one (they are hard to find). They have 6 berths and an astonishing amount of storage space. I never had a moment's trouble either in all that time from the Honda 15HP 4-stroke outboard.

 

Chris

 

The new prices are silly I'm afraid. I just can't see £50k except to make the directors rich quick! If the plastic surgeons and lawyers will pay it, then I suppose they have to take it.

I missed a V28 last week down here for £11k so I'm still looking.

Jim

[fuzzyduck]

Viking 28's are a lovely boat if you can find one

 

Couldn't agree more. all Vikings are lovely boats.

 

beaten into submission by a nice Seamaster 27, but then they're an unsuitable recommendation too (widebeam).

 

11k for a V28 is very cheap, shame you missed it.

Edited March 13, 2007 by fuzzyduck

[Supermalc]

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F132350/

 

But this one fits the bill.....

 

At least you've a start.

 

Off to bed, got an early start tomorrow.

[fuzzyduck]

Forgot creightons, good call malc.

 

but look at the beam, it's 66 feet

[Jim R]

Oh dear, I can feel a wallet opening moment coming!

 

Thanks you gents for your suggestions and pointers. I'm off to bed, see you in the morning.

 

Jim

[Supermalc]

Forgot creightons, good call malc.

 

but look at the beam, it's 66 feet

 

 

Think it's about time B&O got a new typist

[Denis & Betty Anne]

Hello from the new boy

 

My wife and I have had boats for 30 years GRP and Narrow boats and we've done a lot of cruising but not for the last 15 years since we've had the kids! They're now old enough to take on the water safely but there's four of them! So we're looking for a 6 berth cruiser. Can't afford a flash narrow boat so what would any of you recommend?

Thanks

Jim

 

HI,we are cruiser owners and we've had one or two of them but our current boat which is a Viking 26 with the aft cabin is the best by far, she's a dream to steer,lots of space, storage everywhere and strongly built. We really found her by accident but after being on board and having a good look round it we decided she had to be ours, we paid £13,000 which was a good fair price and have never regretted it. By the way our last boat was a Shetland which we bought new, we had her for almost 5 years, used her for holidays and lots of weekends away and we've just sold her for £500 more than we paid, the notion that GRP cruisers always lose money is not really the truth right now, as the licence, mooring and fuel costs of larger narrowboats are going through the roof then GRP is once again becoming the option that's open to people. So there you are, Viking is the make I'd suggest, maybe a 26 or 32, try David Mawby at Nottingham Castle Marina he specialises in just the type of boat you're looking for, we bought ours off him and found him to be spot on, if you're anywhere near Lancashire you're welcome to come and look at ours, bring a cake and we'll supply the tea!

 

Denis.

[Jim R]

HI,we are cruiser owners and we've had one or two of them but our current boat which is a Viking 26 with the aft cabin is the best by far, she's a dream to steer,lots of space, storage everywhere and strongly built. We really found her by accident but after being on board and having a good look round it we decided she had to be ours, we paid £13,000 which was a good fair price and have never regretted it. By the way our last boat was a Shetland which we bought new, we had her for almost 5 years, used her for holidays and lots of weekends away and we've just sold her for £500 more than we paid, the notion that GRP cruisers always lose money is not really the truth right now, as the licence, mooring and fuel costs of larger narrowboats are going through the roof then GRP is once again becoming the option that's open to people. So there you are, Viking is the make I'd suggest, maybe a 26 or 32, try David Mawby at Nottingham Castle Marina he specialises in just the type of boat you're looking for, we bought ours off him and found him to be spot on, if you're anywhere near Lancashire you're welcome to come and look at ours, bring a cake and we'll supply the tea!

 

Denis.

 

Hi Denis

 

Thanks for that. I must say it's an option we've considered. They look great. But don't you find cockpit boats a bit clostraphobic? There are six of us and I don't think we could all sit out at once whereas with the V28 or Highbridge etc there's more deck to relax on?

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Jim