Whacky River Boat Idea
Discussion
I live about 5 minutes from a pretty marina on the River Wey, not far from the Thames.
I've always fancied a boat but wasn't convinced having something on the Solent would be worth the effort. I've recently started looking at river cruisers as a cheap-ish introduction to boating. We have two kids aged 5 and 7, I had visions of the odd day out/weekend on board. Then I also thought I could use it as a floating office for when I work from home. We had considered having a garden office built, but this is a much more interesting solution.
I was thinking about something like this:
https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/viking-cruisers-...
Comfortably sleep the 4 of us. Enough room for a laptop and extra screens. It's narrow beam so should go anywhere.
Am I mad? Will the kids find it mind-numbingly dull?
I've always fancied a boat but wasn't convinced having something on the Solent would be worth the effort. I've recently started looking at river cruisers as a cheap-ish introduction to boating. We have two kids aged 5 and 7, I had visions of the odd day out/weekend on board. Then I also thought I could use it as a floating office for when I work from home. We had considered having a garden office built, but this is a much more interesting solution.
I was thinking about something like this:
https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/viking-cruisers-...
Comfortably sleep the 4 of us. Enough room for a laptop and extra screens. It's narrow beam so should go anywhere.
Am I mad? Will the kids find it mind-numbingly dull?
A mate used to have a 28ft cruiser on the Thames, I used to enjoy one or two days out on it a year.
The main cost is a mooring or marina. After that, the second biggest cost is probably taking it out of the water for winter maintenance.
The thing with boats is that they are a long term commitment, they tend to take a while to sell and keep costing you money when you've decided to move on.
But I wouldn't be without a boat of some sort.
The main cost is a mooring or marina. After that, the second biggest cost is probably taking it out of the water for winter maintenance.
The thing with boats is that they are a long term commitment, they tend to take a while to sell and keep costing you money when you've decided to move on.
But I wouldn't be without a boat of some sort.
I’ve gone the other way OP - used to have a sports cruiser on the Thames but it was not the right boat so moved it to the Solent where it could stretch its legs.
The Thames is lovely for gentle days out, pootling up the river having some food and wine. Mooring overnight near a nice pub.
It’s a relaxing hobby but, as has been said, can get expensive very fast with mooring fees and general maintenance, especially lift outs for winter etc.
Every time I’ve had a boat and sold it I’ve said no more. Three times now
The Thames is lovely for gentle days out, pootling up the river having some food and wine. Mooring overnight near a nice pub.
It’s a relaxing hobby but, as has been said, can get expensive very fast with mooring fees and general maintenance, especially lift outs for winter etc.
Every time I’ve had a boat and sold it I’ve said no more. Three times now
Arrivalist said:
I ve gone the other way OP - used to have a sports cruiser on the Thames but it was not the right boat so moved it to the Solent where it could stretch its legs.
Just curious - given you would definitely know.... how much difference is there in keel fouling between Thames and Solent?NDA said:
Arrivalist said:
I ve gone the other way OP - used to have a sports cruiser on the Thames but it was not the right boat so moved it to the Solent where it could stretch its legs.
Just curious - given you would definitely know.... how much difference is there in keel fouling between Thames and Solent?NDA said:
Arrivalist said:
No idea. I ve never seen a deep draught motor boat, and definitely not a sailboat, on the Thames.
Just wondering about a normal hull on a normal boat.The only place I did have issues was round the back of Brownsea Island when I was navigating around the small sandbanks outside the proper boating channel. My own fault and luckily in a RIB so could raise the engine slightly and reverse out.
Boats can make you do silly things at times
I do know of one guy who ripped the legs out of his new Fairline, TWICE, leaving Salterns Marina at low tide
I think you may be referring to weed and marine growth fouling, is so you do indeed get fouling on the Thames but not to the extent that you would in the solent, if you spend most of the year in a marina I would recommend an inspection every other year. Any growth is easily removed. In a marine environment I would recommend a haul out every winter.
Edited by Landlubber on Wednesday 9th September 18:42
That's a decent choice for a first boat. Not too big (size = more running costs). 1988 so nothing to lose on depreciation (other than broker fees). Inboard diesel is good. However have a good look around just to see if there's anything else you like. I strongly recommend you go and see several boats before deciding because they'll all be different, and eventually you'll be able to spot a dog from a good one. The smell in the saloon speaks volumes - if it smells damp/musty or of fuel or oil, walk away.
I wouldn't say that sleeping four in a boat 26' by 6'10" wide is 'comfortable' - are you sure four people can eat and sleep in it? Two in the front, one on the drop-down dining table - where does the fourth go?
Narrowbeam can go anywhere, yes (assuming locks working and river not choked with weed)
Main costs are - biggest first:
1) Marina or other mooring
2) River licence - find this online
3) Insurance - get a quote from Craftinsure.
4) Diesel - not much, depends how much you use it
+ every four years it will need a BSS certificate, about £150.
Lifting out - traditionally boats are lifted out of the water each winter and drained so nothing is damaged if it freezes. However after doing this in my first season and realising that my boat was stuck on the bank for 5 months out of every 12, I now use heaters and leave it in the water (you'll need shore power for this - ie mains from a marina, and the boat will need the suitable wiring). Another reason to lift out is for new antifoul, say every 3 years. The old stuff is pressure-washed off and new antifoul painted on (DIY or pay someone). Not wishing this palaver every three years I got my boat Coppercoated, which lasts for about 10 years.
Children - experience suggests that 8-12 is when children actively like the experience. At 13+ they either stare at their phones all day or develop other interests for a while. Yours may of course differ!
I wouldn't say that sleeping four in a boat 26' by 6'10" wide is 'comfortable' - are you sure four people can eat and sleep in it? Two in the front, one on the drop-down dining table - where does the fourth go?
Narrowbeam can go anywhere, yes (assuming locks working and river not choked with weed)
Main costs are - biggest first:
1) Marina or other mooring
2) River licence - find this online
3) Insurance - get a quote from Craftinsure.
4) Diesel - not much, depends how much you use it
+ every four years it will need a BSS certificate, about £150.
Lifting out - traditionally boats are lifted out of the water each winter and drained so nothing is damaged if it freezes. However after doing this in my first season and realising that my boat was stuck on the bank for 5 months out of every 12, I now use heaters and leave it in the water (you'll need shore power for this - ie mains from a marina, and the boat will need the suitable wiring). Another reason to lift out is for new antifoul, say every 3 years. The old stuff is pressure-washed off and new antifoul painted on (DIY or pay someone). Not wishing this palaver every three years I got my boat Coppercoated, which lasts for about 10 years.
Children - experience suggests that 8-12 is when children actively like the experience. At 13+ they either stare at their phones all day or develop other interests for a while. Yours may of course differ!
Landlubber said:
I think you may be referring to weed and marine growth fouling, is so you do indeed get fouling on the Thames but not to the extent that you would in the solent, if you spend most of the year in a marina I would recommend an inspection every other year. Any growth is easily removed. In a marine environment I would recommend a haul out every winter.
Yes, that was what I was asking - I don't know the difference to anode life, difference in fouling (marine growth) between salt and non salt water environments. I've only ever had a boat in the Solent.
NDA said:
Yes, that was what I was asking - I don't know the difference to anode life, difference in fouling (marine growth) between salt and non salt water environments. I've only ever had a boat in the Solent.
GRP boats don't need anodes; narrowboats/widebeams have Mg anodes not Zn.Fouling in my experience resembles short blanketweed around the waterline but I guess it depends what's in the river/canal.
Simpo Two said:
NDA said:
Yes, that was what I was asking - I don't know the difference to anode life, difference in fouling (marine growth) between salt and non salt water environments. I've only ever had a boat in the Solent.
GRP boats don't need anodes; narrowboats/widebeams have Mg anodes not Zn.Fouling in my experience resembles short blanketweed around the waterline but I guess it depends what's in the river/canal.
Landlubber said:
Simpo Two said:
NDA said:
Yes, that was what I was asking - I don't know the difference to anode life, difference in fouling (marine growth) between salt and non salt water environments. I've only ever had a boat in the Solent.
GRP boats don't need anodes; narrowboats/widebeams have Mg anodes not Zn.Fouling in my experience resembles short blanketweed around the waterline but I guess it depends what's in the river/canal.
NDA said:
Landlubber said:
I think you may be referring to weed and marine growth fouling, is so you do indeed get fouling on the Thames but not to the extent that you would in the solent, if you spend most of the year in a marina I would recommend an inspection every other year. Any growth is easily removed. In a marine environment I would recommend a haul out every winter.
Yes, that was what I was asking - I don't know the difference to anode life, difference in fouling (marine growth) between salt and non salt water environments. I've only ever had a boat in the Solent.Neil1300r said:
Different anodes for freshwater vs salt water. Also different anti foul. But fouling typically less in freshwater. Freshwater may increase chances of osmosis (at least that's what my surveyor told me)
All correct. Osmosis is commonplace on GRP boats - google osmotic potential - but it's never sunk one.I don't think my boat (inboard shaft drive) has anodes; if it has I didn't spot them. But I think the only metal part in the water is the prop, and that's bronze.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 13th September 16:29
Simpo Two said:
All correct. Osmosis is commonplace on GRP boats - google osmotic potential - but it's never sunk one.
I don't think my boat (inboard shaft drive) has anodes; if it has I didn't spot them. But I think the only metal part in the water is the prop, and that's bronze.
'Osmosis' in GRP boats is a catch-all for problems where the slightly porous GRP reacts with the water. It's some kind of mantra that it's never sunk a boat, but water-related degradation of the resin has weakened a lot of boats. It can be part of the process by which GRP boats eventually end up in a skip.I don't think my boat (inboard shaft drive) has anodes; if it has I didn't spot them. But I think the only metal part in the water is the prop, and that's bronze.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 13th September 16:29
Most grp yachts have anodes because the prop and prop shaft are different metals. Most sailing yachts with simple prop shafts have the shaft exposed to the water, not always the case in motorboats?
Simpo Two said:
Neil1300r said:
Different anodes for freshwater vs salt water. Also different anti foul. But fouling typically less in freshwater. Freshwater may increase chances of osmosis (at least that's what my surveyor told me)
All correct. Osmosis is commonplace on GRP boats - google osmotic potential - but it's never sunk one.I don't think my boat (inboard shaft drive) has anodes; if it has I didn't spot them. But I think the only metal part in the water is the prop, and that's bronze.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 13th September 16:29
Re osmosis, which would you buy, one with osmosis or the identical model without?
The surveyor also advised taking a fresh water boat out of the water for 3 months per annum, to give the hull time to properly dry out.
XJ75 said:
I live about 5 minutes from a pretty marina on the River Wey, not far from the Thames.
I've always fancied a boat but wasn't convinced having something on the Solent would be worth the effort. I've recently started looking at river cruisers as a cheap-ish introduction to boating. We have two kids aged 5 and 7, I had visions of the odd day out/weekend on board. Then I also thought I could use it as a floating office for when I work from home. We had considered having a garden office built, but this is a much more interesting solution.
I was thinking about something like this:
https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/viking-cruisers-...
Comfortably sleep the 4 of us. Enough room for a laptop and extra screens. It's narrow beam so should go anywhere.
Am I mad? Will the kids find it mind-numbingly dull?
Just do it! Although you may find it a tad chilly in the winter to use as an office. Check the air draft of the boat compared to some of the cana, bridges, especially the one where the Wey joins the ThamesI've always fancied a boat but wasn't convinced having something on the Solent would be worth the effort. I've recently started looking at river cruisers as a cheap-ish introduction to boating. We have two kids aged 5 and 7, I had visions of the odd day out/weekend on board. Then I also thought I could use it as a floating office for when I work from home. We had considered having a garden office built, but this is a much more interesting solution.
I was thinking about something like this:
https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/viking-cruisers-...
Comfortably sleep the 4 of us. Enough room for a laptop and extra screens. It's narrow beam so should go anywhere.
Am I mad? Will the kids find it mind-numbingly dull?
Neil1300r said:
No anode on the P bracket or the prop shaft? If you have trim tabs, should be an anode on each.
Trim tabs lol, this is a river cruiser that does 6mph! I think the end of the propshaft might be an anode:Neil1300r said:
Re osmosis, which would you buy, one with osmosis or the identical model without?
In practice no two boats are the same. I suspect all cruisers over a certain age have blisters, unless they've been attended to. Mine (bought new in 2012) developed them; I had the coppercoat redone last year and he ground/filled the blisters while he was at it. But I wouldn't have bothered specially.t.Neil1300r said:
The surveyor also advised taking a fresh water boat out of the water for 3 months per annum, to give the hull time to properly dry out.
That's good advice, though if you're in a marina with fixed crane days you'll be on the bank for 5 months, unable to use it. After discovering that the hard way, mine stays in all year round so I can use whenever I want to. Saves a fortune in lift-out fees - and every lift-out can stress the structure and make windows leak.In short, every owner, situation and boat is different and 'YMMV' as they say.
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