Safety requirements for waterways license

[Alan de Enfield]

4 minutes ago, vonBenningen said:

Well a yacht for use on canals/rivers for the most part. A gold licensed yacht. But one that's good enough to cross the channel. Yachts seem to be better value in general

A yacht with a good sized keel will be nice and stable, and if you get one with the hydraulic extending masts bridges shouldn't be a problem.

There is always a way !!!

[john6767]

1 minute ago, rusty69 said:

Well A yacht would be a step nearer to owning a proper boat, not one of these floating skip sewer tubes

but not so great on a canal.  I think if the OP wants a cheap way to get on the inland waterways a little cruiser with an outboard is a good idea.  If this particular one represents good value for money or not, I am not the right person to say.

[vonBenningen]

3 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Not that many yachts capable of safely crossing the channel have only a 6ft 10 in beam - say 7ft at a pinch. Then there is the keel question. I doubt many bilge keelers  draw less than 3ft (sat 2ft 6" to be safe) so it will have to be a drop keel and I bet it rolls horribly with the keel up and the keel case takes up internals pace.

Bilge keeler seems ok for canal/river use - as long as it has a draft of 2ft 6 or less, no? 

Edited March 14, 2018 by vonBenningen

[Alan de Enfield]

This is one of my boats, the mast is 60 foot and not having the 'hydraulic mast' can be inconvenient at times, as can the 23 foot beam :

 

Edited March 14, 2018 by Alan de Enfield

[rusty69]

Just now, Alan de Enfield said:

This is one of my boats, the mast is 60 foot and having the 'hydraulic mast' can be inconvenient at times :

 

Its only a model!

[Alan de Enfield]

2 minutes ago, vonBenningen said:

Bilge keeler seems ok for canal/river use - as long as it's below 2ft 6 no?

Ideal.

[Tony Brooks]

5 minutes ago, vonBenningen said:

Bilge keeler seems ok for canal/river use - as long as it's below 2ft 6 no?

River use probably yes but have a look at the depths give for the various stretches of the Thames. I suspect 2ft 6in may be chancing it towards Leachlade. On canals I would not be so sure, we know 3ft draught trad boats work the canals but I would hate to keep dragging GRP keels through the silt, especially when I hit a car or motor bike. Then how close can you get one to the bank, I doubt you will have much room for carrying a long plank.

Edited March 14, 2018 by Tony Brooks

[rusty69]

3 minutes ago, vonBenningen said:

Bilge keeler seems ok for canal/river use - as long as it has a draft of 2ft 6 or less, no? 

Ours has twin keels 3ft, I would take it no where near a typical uk canal.

[TheBiscuits]

22 hours ago, vonBenningen said:

I'm currently the high bidder with slightly cold feet at £896. My max bid a couple of days ago was £900 and considering he had quite a few bids already I was assuming I wouldn't get it for that. Considering insurance is much less than I expected, I may be willing to go to £1000 max. 

As a continuous cruiser, if and when I attach an outboard (I've asked whether the steering is functional), presumably I wouldn't need a mooring initially to get licensed for that?

There are other boats in similar condition you could consider.

This one is priced about right:

http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/40/piglet

[vonBenningen]

Nice!

[carlt]

Just now, Tony Brooks said:

River use probably yes but have a look at the depths give for the various stretches of the Thames. I suspect 2ft 6in may be chancing it towards Leachlade. On canals I would not be so sure, we know 3ft draught trad boats work the canals but I would hate to keep dragging GRP keels through the silt, especially when I hit a car or motor bike.Insert other media

Flat bottomed 3ft draughts work....Round bottomed 3ft draughts work better.

[vonBenningen]

What's the problem with twin/bilge keels on canals? 

[carlt]

3 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

There are other boats in similar condition you could consider.

This one is priced about right:

http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/40/piglet

I am trying to talk myself out of finding some hardstanding to put this one on for a summer project....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1963-Freeman-30-Aft-Cockpit-very-rare-Freeman-Cruiser-needs-full-restoration/273098369589?hash=item3f95ee6a35:g:W78AAOSwxnVanvpp

[rusty69]

7 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

There are other boats in similar condition you could consider.

This one is priced about right:

http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/40/piglet

Would make a great project for someone.

[carlt]

Just now, vonBenningen said:

What's the problem with twin/bilge keels on canals? 

Not sure...Back in the 80s I unstepped the mast on my little bilge keeler and took it inland for a year or so before the lure of a proper inland boat became irresistible.

[TheBiscuits]

1 minute ago, rusty69 said:

Would make a great project for someone.

I'm not allowed it as a garden shed

 

[rusty69]

Just now, TheBiscuits said:

I'm not allowed it as a garden shed

 

Try describing it to Mrs Biscuits as a "Summer House"

[TheBiscuits]

Just now, rusty69 said:

Try describing it to Mrs Biscuits as a "Summer House"

That's the trouble - our summer house moves around the country!

[vonBenningen]

5 minutes ago, carlt said:

Not sure...Back in the 80s I unstepped the mast on my little bilge keeler and took it inland for a year or so before the lure of a proper inland boat became irresistible.

I understand that but I like the idea of flexibility at this stage

[WotEver]

9 minutes ago, carlt said:

I am trying to talk myself out of finding some hardstanding to put this one on for a summer project....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1963-Freeman-30-Aft-Cockpit-very-rare-Freeman-Cruiser-needs-full-restoration/273098369589?hash=item3f95ee6a35:g:W78AAOSwxnVanvpp

Oooh, I like that

 

[carlt]

Just now, vonBenningen said:

I understand that but I like the idea of flexibility at this stage

That's why I unstepped the mast on my sea boat...for the best of both worlds.

It was stored at the coastal boatyard until needed.

[Naughty Cal]

15 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

River use probably yes but have a look at the depths give for the various stretches of the Thames. I suspect 2ft 6in may be chancing it towards Leachlade. On canals I would not be so sure, we know 3ft draught trad boats work the canals but I would hate to keep dragging GRP keels through the silt, especially when I hit a car or motor bike. Then how close can you get one to the bank, I doubt you will have much room for carrying a long plank.

We will let you know how we get on with our 3ft draft at Lechlade later this summer

 

[WotEver]

10 minutes ago, vonBenningen said:

What's the problem with twin/bilge keels on canals? 

Difficulty with getting close to the bank. 

[carlt]

Just now, WotEver said:

Oooh, I like that

 

If it was the aft cabin version I'd have already booked the transport.

[john6767]

1 minute ago, Naughty Cal said:

We will let you know how we get on with our 3ft draft at Lechlade later this summer

 

Just don't get near the left bank and you approach the Round House, or you will find out what shallow means, and it is a gravel bottom so not very GRP friendly.