| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bryandarragh |
Posted - 09 Dec 2012 : 20:55:41
Hello all
I joined this forum with a view to getting advice and hopefully getting a boat at the end of it.
I recently acquired a mooring at poplar dock marina in central london and am now looking for a liveaboard boat to put in it.
I have looked at a variety of boats: steel narrowboats, grp hull cruisers, you name it I have looked at them.
In the end I feel that a boat such as the norman 32 (http://www.normanboats.co.uk/Catalogue%20Norman%2032.jpg) is the best choice as a) they seem to be cheaper than narrowboats and power cruisers and b) make far better use of space as a liveaboard.
However the BWML have decided to potentially start charging a 30% surcharge for boats which are wider than 3m (9ft 11") .
Are there norman boats which are less than this in width upto 40ft in length? I have also considered the calypso 28 boat and dawncraft dc30.
Any suggestions/help/boats for sale which may suit my needs out there?
I am aware that I may well have to get the boat transported. I dare not risk the canals in a grp hull boat. Some use on the thames would be nice but boat is going to be in the mooring for most of the time. Perhaps some pointers on that as well? Could a norman 32 be used on the thames tidal? Is it a freshwater boat only?
I figured it would be better to try and get a boat through people who appreciate them rather than off some random seller
Regards
Bryan (07970780839) |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Deano |
Posted - 01 Jan 2013 : 12:36:26
I have a friend who had one of those. Amazing use of space. With a little modification you can sleep 8 in 3 cabins. I think the beam might be too much for thenOP though!
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
| jamesbagnall |
Posted - 01 Jan 2013 : 10:57:35
Oh and you also mentioned the DC30 - do you mean the Dawncraft DC30 - as in the Norfolk Dawncraft and not the Staffordshire Dawncraft?
If so, I've also seen a few examples of these for sale and they too are a really solidly built boat. They are a little more pricey than the Calypso though, but have a good open plan layout.
If you can find a Broom moulded/fitted example - they ended up with the mould tools latterly I believe, up at Aquafibre their moulding arm - they really are the business (although you obviously pay for the privilege!)
Cheers,
James.
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| jamesbagnall |
Posted - 01 Jan 2013 : 10:52:47
In terms of GRP cruisers that are less than 3m in beam, but still roomy, try the Hampton Safari - loads available, built like brick s*ithouses and have a beam of 9ft 6in. Loads of bargains available.
Also, if you're feeling a bit richer, the Sheerline 24 (later ones are called the 740) is a small boat with lots of room and again have a beam of 9ft 6in (or 9ft 10in depending on where you look!). Again, quite a few available, and the sliding roof model would suit a very small liveaboard at a push.
Finally, if you're after a bargain, consider the centre cockpit Elysian - at 27ft it's again a small boat, but the beam is within your limits. There are rarer than the more popular aft cockpit, but they can be had for peanuts if you shop around.
You mentioned the Calypso 29. I've looked at a few of these and they are a great boat. Built by FB Wilds of Horning in the 70s, they are now getting quite affordable (I've seen them for as little as £7k, but expect to pay around £12k). They can also be nicely modified at the front without too much effort as the front door on these really is an achilles heel and most will be knackered from being caught in the wind (Richardsons of Stalham have just refurbished one in their hirefleet with newer internal layout and it looks really good). Richardsons also had a couple for sale in need of some work, so might be worth contacting them too for a look.
Cheers,
James. |
| IanM |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 08:44:50
I think if you are planning to live aboard you might want to aim at a wider beam boat (just under that 30% surcharge threshold!).
A couple of extra feet in width makes a massive difference to the living space. Normans are very good value and very robust but one thing they are not is roomy. |
| df |
Posted - 22 Dec 2012 : 11:52:17
The hull of an older norman is pretty thick so should take a fair impact without getting holed, the shape tends to ride over stuff mostly, should be fine on any canal.
If a dawnie can survive it a norman will have no problem.
The cockpit can be any construction you wish it to be but make it removeable for low bridges.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
| jud |
Posted - 22 Dec 2012 : 11:44:20
Hi and merry Christmas to all,
I have a Norman 32 on the Aire and Calder nav. that I'm thinking of selling in the new year.They were built for rivers and canals hence 6'10" beam.
Jud.
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| Bryandarragh |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 20:43:56
I looked at the Creighton 27/32 aDI
Nice boat but I somehow feel that a centre cockpit takes away from the practical living space. The uncovered (ie uninsulated) cockpit could not really be used for much aprt from standing outside in the middle of the boat. But then I guess it depends on how big the open decks (cratches I think they are called) are at the front and back of a cruiser. |
| Bryandarragh |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 19:22:41
I think that I have read somewhere that GRP on the canal system, particularly on the london canals, is best avoided due to the excess of old washing machines, shopping trolleys et al dumped there by scuzzy londoners (dont be angry, I am one, but the non-scuzzy type). Thanks for all the advice BTW, any boats for sale out there??
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| adi-n-chez |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 10:26:16
I would also look at the Creighton 27 / 30 , IMHO these would give a better 'living' space as the rear cabin is far bigger than a N32 (Double bed size).
A GRP cruiser is fine on the Tidal Thames as long as the proper precautions / safety guidelines are adhered to - Below Brentford its not for the faint hearted tho !!!!
aDI
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
| Morse |
Posted - 09 Dec 2012 : 22:27:55
GRP boats are fine on canals. We have been on the Lancaster and Leeds & Liverpool for many years without any substantial damage.
Jim |
| mikeb |
Posted - 09 Dec 2012 : 22:15:49
All the common Normans are 6'10", and the 32 is the longest they made. Why should a GRP boat be risky on canals? |
