Dutch steel is very common on the river Shannon and being in freshwater at least slows down the rust
Personally i would’ve have a steel boat if you gave it to me. I’ve seen 10 year old steel look like it was 40 years old. Secondly every year you’ll be “ touching it up “ then on the Shannon you’ll have frequent contact with lock walls , stone docks etc. , think of the hassle to get your car sorted if you give it a bad scratch.
GRP 40 years old , can be made to look like new.
Not withstanding that you will see many on the Shannon , old ones will be
cheap
I wouldn’t dream of sailing it to Ireland. They are lightly built. The
diesel tanks are likely jammed with sediment , you have to sail to Limerick a fair ways off the rhumb line or
lift out in Dublin
I know one or two people that achieved it. Plenty of “ hairy “ tales to tell.
In fairness to the Boerncruiser they make a nice looking boat and are at the better end of Dutch inland steel