The Practicalities of Life Aboard a Broads Cruiser

[Naughty Cal]

I need your ideas on folding tables please.

 

The boats we are looking at usually have a folding leaf table for dining purposes which is usually stored in the galley area under a work surface, see pictures below:

 

 

 

We plan to utilize this space under the work surface for the washing machine.

 

So could do with some ideas for a dining table that won't take up much space. There isn't really loads of spare space in the saloon. The seating takes up one side, there is a door in the rear bulkhead and cupboards along another side. There is some bulkhead space to the forward end of the saloon area.

 

 

So any ideas in how we can squeeze in a small table. Ideally it wouldn't be fixed so that we can stow it away when not being used as otherwise it will probably take up too much space.

[Phil Ambrose]

I need your ideas on folding tables please.

 

The boats we are looking at usually have a folding leaf table for dining purposes which is usually stored in the galley area under a work surface, see pictures below:

 

 

 

We plan to utilize this space under the work surface for the washing machine.

 

So could do with some ideas for a dining table that won't take up much space. There isn't really loads of spare space in the saloon. The seating takes up one side, there is a door in the rear bulkhead and cupboards along another side. There is some bulkhead space to the forward end of the saloon area.

 

 

So any ideas in how we can squeeze in a small table. Ideally it wouldn't be fixed so that we can stow it away when not being used as otherwise it will probably take up too much space.

I see there is space under the TV, is it possible a chippy could make a table to fold and fit in there.

Phil

[Naughty Cal]

I see there is space under the TV, is it possible a chippy could make a table to fold and fit in there.

Phil

The one in the pictures has been recently refitted for hire. We would most probably do something similar in the saloon so yes it probably would be possible to get the chippy to conjure something up that stows away in the cabinetry. Good idea

[FadeToScarlet]

You could consider a tabletop with Desmo legs, that way you'd need a much thinner storage space than a gateleg type.

[Naughty Cal]

Just a little update on this topic.

 

We are very much still in the market for an Alphacraft 35. However after struggling to find a centre cockpit version in reasonable condition we have upped the stakes a little and have our sights set on an Alphacraft 35 Highliner.

 

This is an example of one but they come in several interior layouts. 

 

https://www.richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk/boats/swan-ranger/

 

This comes with its own set of problems. The biggest being finding one for sale. But they do crop up occasionally so we are holding out to find one.

[Naughty Cal]

We have decided that if this boat is still for sale when we get back from Brittany next month then we will go and give it the once over. 

 

https://www.watersidemarinesales.co.uk/boats-for-sale/faircraft-33-gliding-light.html

 

It isn't the more modern hull that we want and it will need a fair amount of refitting to make it what we want but it does look to be an interesting prospect and does have the potential to make a nice boat with a bit of retrimming, refitting and fettling. 

[Murflynn]

I would be worried about the duel steering.

 

Large white smelly plastic washmakers are bad enuff anyway, without introducing titling at windmills.

[Naughty Cal]

6 minutes ago, Murflynn said:

I would be worried about the duel steering.

 

Large white smelly plastic washmakers are bad enuff anyway, without introducing titling at windmills.

They are very stable boats as they are so wide. They hardly move at all as you move around them. 

 

It will be nice to get a different view as we dawdle down river.

[TheBiscuits]

4 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

We have decided that if this boat is still for sale when we get back from Brittany next month then we will go and give it the once over. 

 

https://www.watersidemarinesales.co.uk/boats-for-sale/faircraft-33-gliding-light.html

 

It isn't the more modern hull that we want and it will need a fair amount of refitting to make it what we want but it does look to be an interesting prospect and does have the potential to make a nice boat with a bit of retrimming, refitting and fettling. 

I quite like that one.

 

Tony won't though - it's too big for his trailer!

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

We have decided that if this boat is still for sale when we get back from Brittany next month then we will go and give it the once over. 

 

https://www.watersidemarinesales.co.uk/boats-for-sale/faircraft-33-gliding-light.html

 

It isn't the more modern hull that we want and it will need a fair amount of refitting to make it what we want but it does look to be an interesting prospect and does have the potential to make a nice boat with a bit of retrimming, refitting and fettling. 

The name and the location photo would seem to suggest that is an ex-hire boat (??? Herbert Woods) - it will have a had a hard life but I suspect it could be made into a very nice boat, particularly if you could get a lump shaved off the asking price.

[Grebe]

That looks like a nice boat Rachel.

 

It was in the Swancraft hire fleet.  They were a superb small fleet (family run?) from the southern rivers.  Always beautifully turned out and priced at the upper end of the market, so probably had an easier life that the cheap as chips, disco/booze cruise/stag or he do, boats from some yards.

 

They were tken over by Richardsons a couple of years ago, when we were still moored at their yard, and the boats put into their 'posh' fleet along with the Moonfleet and own build new boats.

 

They are good people but bargain hard, ask for any faults to be rectified before handover.  Yard time is flexible stand on their throat id they say say they will do stuff.

 

Good luck.

[Naughty Cal]

37 minutes ago, MJG said:

The name and the location photo would seem to suggest that is an ex-hire boat (??? Herbert Woods) - it will have a had a hard life but I suspect it could be made into a very nice boat, particularly if you could get a lump shaved off the asking price.

It is indeed an ex Herbert Woods boat. They still have several in the fleet as Ray of Light class.

 

Good thing is this one is still in its original gel coat so the bigger areas of impact damage can be repaired easily enough.

28 minutes ago, Grebe said:

That looks like a nice boat Rachel.

 

It was in the Swancraft hire fleet.  They were a superb small fleet (family run?) from the southern rivers.  Always beautifully turned out and priced at the upper end of the market, so probably had an easier life that the cheap as chips, disco/booze cruise/stag or he do, boats from some yards.

 

They were tken over by Richardsons a couple of years ago, when we were still moored at their yard, and the boats put into their 'posh' fleet along with the Moonfleet and own build new boats.

 

They are good people but bargain hard, ask for any faults to be rectified before handover.  Yard time is flexible stand on their throat id they say say they will do stuff.

 

Good luck.

Swan Ranger isn't for sale. If it was we would be there now striking a deal!

1 hour ago, TheBiscuits said:

I quite like that one.

 

Tony won't though - it's too big for his trailer!

Indeed. Too big to transport around on a regular basis.

 

But if we fancy a holiday elsewhere we can always hire a boat instead.

[Naughty Cal]

Due to an absence of suitable boats at the moment we have decided to put these plans on hold for a short while.

 

We are going to remortgage the house onto a much shorter term so that we can have our house fully  paid off in 5 years and then start the search again.

 

This does mean that we will be keeping NC for another five years but there is nothing spoiling there either. We have no great need to change the boat.