Buying a Modest Catamaran in Europe

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Not sure what a "Bumper Boat" is - the Broads Cruisers I mentioned earlier are these.





Come in countless sizes and shapes and layouts - what is common is that they have the capacity to go under low bridges (some of the wheelhouses fold). You will note that the sides are pretty straight for locks / mooring against a river bank.

They are also not sea boats, in either design or build - so won't want to be punching a F5 across the Channel!, but on a nice day should be good for the trip. Mostly found on the Norfolks Broads (hence the name!), so not a straight / short run across the channel and therefore likely some (nice weather) coastal hopping involved, both sides of the channel until can get up the River / canal desired.

Holland likely also worth an explore as lots of inland waterways - albeit they like steel there!, but not exclusively.

A lot of the canal charter companies have similar vessles but with massive wrap around rubber bumpers to deal with charter captains with little experience....hence bumper boats.

[goboatingnow]

Forget Narrowboats, they exist purely because of the gauge of the english system. The Continental ( and irish systems incidentally) allow far greater beam and hence comfort. Many medium sized motorboats unto 50 feet can do it, ( check height).

If you intend to mainly canal cruise, i would suggest a Dutch Steel motor cruiser, comfortable , single engine, economical. With reasonable weathers they can also coastal cruise. ( I know personally several that save). Good value currently.

dave

[krissteyn]

I had a similar dilemma - I know the Gemini well , having shared one for a while...
My choice was the Dean Cat 365 - I wanted something spacious for our year long cruise. The Prouts and other designs I saw were less spacious and had dodgy sailing pedigree.
IMO the Dean 365 is the most spacious older cat there is.

I am heading back to Cyprus where I have a berth at Latchi waiting , via Turkey.
And my family depart early November - so the "sell-by-date" has been brought forward.
There are 2 other dean 365's available - I know them both , the one is a bit scruffy with twin 9hp volvo's , the other is also twin engined and currently west of Greece somewhere. I have the single engine version and have found that more economical altho my skills have been honed to a new degree of accuracy.
contact me if you want more details.

Kris SV Footprints

PS the Dean is a bullet-proof boat - mine is rock-solid , even has stainless steel slippers for beaching. Designed for the Atlantic/Indian oceans and my neighbour in Cape Town sailed his round the world (Cape Song)