What Boat ?

[dewsnapsmith]

Many thanks to everybody who has taken the trouble to use some of their valuable time to reply (even those who I don't agree with)
At the risk of seeming argumentative I need to put the record straight for anyone concidering some of Europes major rivers - I have spent the last 10 YEARS motoring around in a 45ft steel cruiser - If conditions are not ideal (when are they) it is either not possible or not safe to go some places without at leasst 10knts - honestly I know I've been there!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by dewsnapsmith

Hi Guys,

thanks for the responses.

Clarification: Some European rivers (eg Rhine and Rhone) have sections where if it is NORMAL the flow can be well in excess of 8 knts.
Avoiding fast flowing rivers seriously impedes roving capacity.

You won't need 10 knots, and you won't get it anyway in a boat with your other requirements. Time is your freind on the rare occassions / places that 10 knots would be needed. or get a tow. Or get a power boat.


About now is the bit when an OP generally hits us with a budget of $5k, to include 5 years of living costs - and mentions his wife, girlfreind and 5 kids will be accompanying him. together with an Orangutan..........

[MacG]

Except Rhine/Merwede/Westerschelde/Nieuwe Waterweg the speed of 10 knots plus is simply illegal in Holland on the secondary waterways, rivers and canals.
Forget about cruising in the French canals with this speed where 8/9 km/h is about the maximum.
As well as the choice for a catamaran/trimaran. You pay just the double measure everywhere you land.

[Pete7]

Ignoring the 10 knot requirements ad concentrating on the depth limits, there are a number of UK boats with twin keels from Westerley and Moody that would meet your requirements. Alternatively the French have made a series of lifting keel yachts over the years, indeed we nearly bought a Jeanneau Sunrise with a lifting keel but sadly the owner had made a mess of her. She had crossed the Atlantic twice according to the previous owner.

For a yacht of 30 feet I am not sure that self raising and lowering the mast is a good idea. I think our Moody 31 has a 43 foot mast which is also quite heavy. One mistake and it could cause a lot of damage either to the mast or the deck. Better to use boat yards to raise and lower the mast as required at each end of the canals and many yards are set up to do this.

What sort of budget are you working to? which would give us a better idea for recommending particular makes.

Pete

[Dhillen]

When thinking about buying a boat remember there are three parameters: big, fast and cheap. Pick any two.

Also, a boat "able to handle rough conditions at sea" means it will have a keel, a deep keel, certainly more than the silly 1 meter draft that you refer to.

In sum, the boat you are looking for doesn't exist.

Good luck.

Dhillen

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Dhillen

When thinking about buying a boat remember there are three parameters: big, fast and cheap. Pick any two.

Also, a boat "able to handle rough conditions at sea" means it will have a keel, a deep keel, certainly more than the silly 1 meter draft that you refer to.

In sum, the boat you are looking for doesn't exist.

Good luck.

Dhillen

Although I agree with your first and last statements - I will quibble over the 1 metre (3' 3") draft as being 100% "silly".

In general terms I would agree, but very much depends on the boat design - my own draws 3'6", and at least a couple have circumnavigated (only 140 built), including one which "bounced off" the NZ South Island......plenty of other boats with deeper drafts that I would hesitate to leave the bay on..........