new shell Who is still building good narrowboat shells?

[Boater Sam]

Who is still building good hulls?   If you were wanting to buy a new 58' trad shell with straight plating and good lines, where would you go? Which fabricators will go the extra mile to make a good shell?

I've seen some of the very expensive bespoke hulls that I would be disappointed to own, wavey cabin sides, base plates not veed and welded both sides etc. 

[mrsmelly]

Bog standard mid range I would go for colecraft. There are many other more bespoke out there but it depends on budget.

[Athy]

From personal experience, Mel Davis. 

From more distant observation and/or hearsay, Jonathan Wilson/Tim Tyler, Norton Canes, Brinklow, Colecraft - these are in various price brackets, I'm not sure whether you want standard or super quality.

[MtB]

I saw a new Tyler Wilson boat the other day with very nice looking steelwork.

[luggsy]

mine is a XR&D 58ft narrow boat  am I happy with it yes , would I go back to them yes , would I recommend them yes , so you can see I am very happy with it 

[mrsmelly]

17 minutes ago, luggsy said:

mine is a XR&D 58ft narrow boat  am I happy with it yes , would I go back to them yes , would I recommend them yes , so you can see I am very happy with it 

Lovely paint job and I bet the lines look great if you binned the greenhouse and cratch?

[luggsy]

1 minute ago, mrsmelly said:

Lovely paint job and I bet the lines look great if you binned the greenhouse and cratch?

I know I would prefer it without them but we live aboard and have a dog so sadly needs must 

[Kendorr]

Mine is currently being built by Yorkshire Boatbuilder in Thorne. Used to trade as Cuttwater Boats. I think Mick does a good job, but he is a one man band, so don't expect him to be quick. Hoping the sides will be on next week.

[Boater Sam]

Love the bow adjusting tool on the floor.

I have a Gary Gorton at the moment, lovely lines to my eye.  Mike Heywood had a look at it years ago and remarked that it had good lines, suggesting that many of the features were his ideas!

I wonder if someone could copy it?

Anyone know of a Mr Barber Nottingham way?

[Tony Brooks]

24 minutes ago, Kev's Halcyon said:

Mine is currently being built by Yorkshire Boatbuilder in Thorne. Used to trade as Cuttwater Boats. I think Mick does a good job, but he is a one man band, so don't expect him to be quick. Hoping the sides will be on next week.

 

 

Is he going to continuously weld the rubbing bands? If not then they are rust traps that you can't get to and I would describe it as a budget job.

[Matt&Jo]

All looks tac welded at present to ensure the shape to me....im no hexpert in any way shape or form tho.

[Boater Sam]

It looks as if its all only tacked together at this stage of the build, much welding required. Its the welding that puts me off building my own, its so boring doing several hundred yards of welding.

[Athy]

7 minutes ago, Boater Sam said:

 

Anyone know of a Mr Barber Nottingham way?

Paul of that ilk builds boats on the Erewash Canal, Long Eaton perhaps.

[alan_fincher]

20 minutes ago, Boater Sam said:

Anyone know of a Mr Barber Nottingham way?

 

http://www.pjbarberboatbuilderltd.co.uk/

[Richard T]

Top of the range has to Brinklow Boat Services - the Wain brothers and Steve Priest. Otherwise as said Colecraft are good and have been building for many years - our boat is one and it has good lines and handles well. A couple of names not so far mentioned are CTS and Stoke-on-Trent boats and RW Davis at Saul. I like the lines of the X-R&D hulls that were built for Beacon Boats - there are a couple of these for sale WillowToo at Rugby Boat Sales is one.

[Kendorr]

29 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Is he going to continuously weld the rubbing bands? If not then they are rust traps that you can't get to and I would describe it as a budget job.

Yep, I helped him to get the rubbing bars in position, even had a go with the plasma cutter to remove the extra at the stern. His work for the rest of last week was to seam weld everything up before starting to cut and fit the superstructure.

 

30 minutes ago, Matt&Jo said:

All looks tac welded at present to ensure the shape to me....im no hexpert in any way shape or form tho.

Yep, should all be sorted now, I'll be back on Tuesday to see the progress.

[Matt&Jo]

7 minutes ago, Kev's Halcyon said:

Yep, I helped him to get the rubbing bars in position, even had a go with the plasma cutter to remove the extra at the stern. His work for the rest of last week was to seam weld everything up before starting to cut and fit the superstructure.

 

Yep, should all be sorted now, I'll be back on Tuesday to see the progress.

Fingers crossed your happy with the progress 

[David Schweizer]

20 minutes ago, Richard T said:

Top of the range has to Brinklow Boat Services - the Wain brothers and Steve Priest. Otherwise as said Colecraft are good and have been building for many years - our boat is one and it has good lines and handles well. A couple of names not so far mentioned are CTS and Stoke-on-Trent boats and RW Davis at Saul. I like the lines of the X-R&D hulls that were built for Beacon Boats - there are a couple of these for sale WillowToo at Rugby Boat Sales is one.

I agree, but as far as I know, only Simon Wain and Steve Priest  build shells, which is what the OP was requesting. Rex  Wain does all the woodwork and fitting out, he fiited out our old boat when he was working for Balliol Fowden.

[mark99]

Agree PJ Barber and Brinklow. 

[Richard T]

54 minutes ago, David Schweizer said:

I agree, but as far as I know, only Simon Wain and Steve Priest  build shells, which is what the OP was requesting. Rex  Wain does all the woodwork and fitting out, he fiited out our old boat when he was working for Balliol Fowden.

David, I couldn't remember which of the Wain brothers did the steel work and which did the woodwork. The Brinklow Facebook page has some good pictures of a new build under construction. If money was not a problem I would want them to build me a boat. All the best Richard

[koukouvagia]

I would include Graeme Pearce of Stockton Dry Dock (WFBCo) in this elite group of boat builders.  Much of his work is on the restoration of historic craft, but he has built some fine replicas.

 

[Richard T]

Another shellbuilder that gets good reviews is Alexander based at Stourport. http://www.alexanderboatbuilders.co.uk/narrowboat.html

[Ray T]

Small Northwich replica by Brinklow boats, Astraea. I had the privilege to be shown around her when completed, absolutely fabulous. Not cheap by any means, but then quality never is. The original owner fell ill just after delivery and wasn't able to enjoy her. Sold in early 2015 for £175k.

No connection BTW. The rivets weren't fake.

ETA. Following on from Richard's post above Alexander built the now ex Challenger fleet and they have stood the test of time well.

Edited April 28, 2018 by Ray T

[system 4-50]

This is another vote for Colecraft.

[alan_fincher]

15 minutes ago, Ray T said:

Small Northwich replica by Brinklow boats, Astraea. I had the privilege to be shown around her when completed, absolutely fabulous. Not cheap by any means, but then quality never is. The original owner fell ill just after delivery and wasn't able to enjoy her. Sold in early 2015 for £175k.

No connection BTW. The rivets weren't fake.

 

Are you sure about the rivets?

Although Brinklow obviously rivet at required on old boat repairs and modifications, I was not aware any of their "remakes" are of all rvitted construction.

Certainly the likes of Oberon, Orpheus etc are welded construction and the rivets not real ones.