Paul HD Posted May 13, 2018 Report Share Posted May 13, 2018 Hi All, Is it possible to get a cruiser style boat in 6' 10" width? If it is could you let me know what make of boat to look out for. All the best, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drayke Posted May 13, 2018 Report Share Posted May 13, 2018 47 minutes ago, Paul HD said: Hi All, Is it possible to get a cruiser style boat in 6' 10" width? If it is could you let me know what make of boat to look out for. All the best, Paul Try this one on Apollo Duck http://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat.phtml?id=560660 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil2 Posted May 13, 2018 Report Share Posted May 13, 2018 If by this you mean a grp cruiser as opposed to a "cruiser deck" narrowboat the answer is yes. BITD grp boats ruled on the canals and there were offerings from long established companies like Freeman and Shetland, alongside caravan manufacturers eg Creighton who fancied a piece of the action. But they are a rare sight on today's canals. If you see one it will probably be a Nauticus 27 or a Viking or Norman, something that was intended for an outboard motor or inboard diesel. Very few buyers will tolerate an inboard petrol engine these days. FWIW I think the Shetland Speedwell is a cracking little boat which you could probably get for under £3k. I think Atlanta, for one, still make narrow beam grp cruisers..? though not sure who they are aimed at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 Yes - you can get narrow cruisers, here is one moored next to us. It just shows that the difference in 'size' is more than just width. The 'narrowboat' is 30 foot we are 35 foot so similar lengths but there is a huge difference in 'living space' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70liveaboard Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) We had a great little Norman 20, was a wonderful little boat. Not sure if there will be any Waltons knocking around, we had one of those, although oak on elm, but built in the 50's I think. Mid cockpit and lister 2, manual gearbox, huge handle to shift it with. Good cabin sizes, one you could use as a bedroom, other for general, centre had wood frame screen and cover. With a solid fuel stove it was very cosy. Edited May 14, 2018 by 70liveaboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Cal Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 Plenty of narrowbeam GRP cruisers on the go and still being made. Viking make a great range of narrowbeam boats. The 26 centre cockpit is not a bad layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil2 Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 Given that there must be a lot of (narrow) grp cruisers still about, and that they are still being made, it begs the question where are they all? We average about 500 hours a year cruising all over the network and I have seen maybe half a dozen grp cruisers in the last year. They can't all have moved to the Lancaster canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70liveaboard Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 We took a Nauticus 27 along the Lancaster in the mid 70's. Very nice boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul HD Posted May 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 Thank you all for the replies. Much appreciated. I can now start the search. I like the look of that Viking in the second post but I would prefer an inboard diesel. Can they be very loud in an older boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocave Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 https://bwml.co.uk/brokerage/sm-9527-time-out/ Viking with an inboard diesel, just buy a decent pair of ear plugs or buy the first one linked and cruise around in near silence... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 7 hours ago, Paul HD said: Thank you all for the replies. Much appreciated. I can now start the search. I like the look of that Viking in the second post but I would prefer an inboard diesel. Can they be very loud in an older boat? There are an awful lot of boats on the Thames with composite hulls and small diesels, so an answer must be predicated with "it all depends". It's nothing to do with age more a matter of lack of good sound insulation and attached to that comment good ventilation - both of which are lacking in older boats - so budget for an urgent upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Cal Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 10 hours ago, Neil2 said: Given that there must be a lot of (narrow) grp cruisers still about, and that they are still being made, it begs the question where are they all? We average about 500 hours a year cruising all over the network and I have seen maybe half a dozen grp cruisers in the last year. They can't all have moved to the Lancaster canal. Loads on the northern waterways. 8 hours ago, Paul HD said: Thank you all for the replies. Much appreciated. I can now start the search. I like the look of that Viking in the second post but I would prefer an inboard diesel. Can they be very loud in an older boat? Depends on the exhaust system. Some are very loud, others not so loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul HD Posted May 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 4 hours ago, jocave said: https://bwml.co.uk/brokerage/sm-9527-time-out/ Viking with an inboard diesel, just buy a decent pair of ear plugs or buy the first one linked and cruise around in near silence... That looks very nice. The first link looks like that boat has gone. They don't hang around too long. Thanks for the advice. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magpie patrick Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 12 hours ago, Neil2 said: Given that there must be a lot of (narrow) grp cruisers still about, and that they are still being made, it begs the question where are they all? We average about 500 hours a year cruising all over the network and I have seen maybe half a dozen grp cruisers in the last year. They can't all have moved to the Lancaster canal. That surprises me: when bringing Lutine down I saw loads, although I think from memory the ratio varied from only a few to quite a large percentage - grp was more popular near Oxford than around Fenny Compton for example. Maybe I just noticed them more because "my other boat is a tupperware" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocave Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/44/vangelina Another one there for you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 10 minutes ago, jocave said: http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/44/vangelina Another one there for you.. That looks a very tidy boat for the price. Well equipped - even central heating (lovely to lie in bed and press the button - get up half an hour later to a lovely warm boat) You wouldn't get even a wreck of a steel NB for that money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Smith Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 We had a Dawncraft 32 foot years ago with a bmc 1.5, had some great holidays in her but don't see many left now. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal garfi Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 (edited) I have a Norman 22 (with outboard), and I'm very pleased with her. We're even going to take her on a considerrable journey in September: from Sawley to Maesbury Marsh (via the Trent & Mersey, the Staffs & Worcester, the Shroppie, and then the Llangollen to the Monty) to what will be her new home. Anyway, the slightly larger Norman 23 can be found for sale relatively often. They are venerable and robust! Edited May 15, 2018 by sal garfi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul HD Posted May 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 11 hours ago, jocave said: http://www.moonsbridgemarina.co.uk/boat_sales/44/vangelina Another one there for you.. Thanks for the link. That interior looks great. Is it more comfortable to have the steering on the left? For me it feels that it would be as you are passing on the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momac Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 2 hours ago, Paul HD said: Thanks for the link. That interior looks great. Is it more comfortable to have the steering on the left? For me it feels that it would be as you are passing on the right. Many cruisers have the helm on the starboard side, as does my own . The engine control is then safely out of the way - assuming a right handed location for the control. In a give way situation (at sea) a helm on the starboard side potentially better ensures an unobstructed view to starboard (you give way to vessels approaching from starboard). Not liable to be a problem on a canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted May 15, 2018 Report Share Posted May 15, 2018 3 hours ago, Paul HD said: Thanks for the link. That interior looks great. Is it more comfortable to have the steering on the left? For me it feels that it would be as you are passing on the right. I am trying to remember back over the years, and I think every cruiser I have had has had the helm on the Port side (left), except a couple of small 'trailer' boats (a Beneteau and a Bayliner) Having the throttles on the RH side is not a problem as they are located on the helm in front of you. Current helm and throttles position : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul HD Posted May 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 9 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said: I am trying to remember back over the years, and I think every cruiser I have had has had the helm on the Port side (left), except a couple of small 'trailer' boats (a Beneteau and a Bayliner) Having the throttles on the RH side is not a problem as they are located on the helm in front of you. Current helm and throttles position : Those throttles look great. that would be the style I would like, but just the one. :-)) Thanks guys for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Cal Posted May 16, 2018 Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 Our current boat has the helm on the starboard side. All of the boats we have hired have the helm on the port side. It isn't a problem switching from one to the other. Even with the helm on the port side the throttles are usually set to be a the skippers right hand as in Alan's pictures above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul HD Posted May 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 7 hours ago, Naughty Cal said: Our current boat has the helm on the starboard side. All of the boats we have hired have the helm on the port side. It isn't a problem switching from one to the other. Even with the helm on the port side the throttles are usually set to be a the skippers right hand as in Alan's pictures above. Thank you NC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted May 16, 2018 Report Share Posted May 16, 2018 9 hours ago, Paul HD said: Those throttles look great. that would be the style I would like, but just the one. :-)) I would prefer something like this: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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