Is there a design of boat that will sail coastal waters and canals?

[leeds.mark]

I live in Leeds, UK; which is as far from the sea as you can get in this country! I was considering getting a narrowboat so I can travel the inland waterways, but have a desire to learn how to sail across the channel and to the Med. I know its a long shot, but is there a boat that will do both? I was thinking raisable keel and steppable mast, but have done a few searches and not come up with anything. As you will have gleaned, I'm a novice; so please keep it simple!

[Dutch Peter]

Ofcourse, but you have to keep on looking. Maybe something from Maurice Griffith (spelling???), he's known for his shoal draft designs and most smaller sailboats can have their masts stepped.

[duluthboats]

Mark,
Your combined requirements make it tough. I think there are a few boats that would fit. If you think function has its own beauty and aren’t scared off by a French name, then the top of my list would be Phil Bolger’s, La Cabotin.
LOA 39’9”
Beam 7’10”
Draft 1’3”
Displacement 15,500 lbs
Sail area 438 sq ft
Designed for canals and transatlantic sailing.
Gary

[MikeJohns]

The British canals are all very narrow so your max beam is around 6'7" or so the max length in the locks is 50 feet and the max draft probably around 3'. I am not sure but close to these figures.....Please correct me.

To give you a design would be a hard call. The narrow boats are flat bottomed and vertical sided to make internal volume from their diminutive beam. They are too narrow to be very sea-worthy or to carry sail.
Even on the main Thames river they are limited to access only at the top of the tide.

Thinking fast some form of catamaran with long hulls and adjustable beam would be the way to go....Slide the hulls together ship the cross beams for canal work...like one of the trailerable tri's..but usable when folded up It could be designed but nothing I know of.

I seem to remember one narrow boat crossing over to Brussels to lobby the EU on some issue. Should be some narrow boat association could tell you about that. If you make it to france then you are back into the canals all the way to the Med.

[joz]

Leeds Mark

You could try one of those drascombe luggers or somthing simlar if you want to sail to or in the med, or you could get a cruising dinghy which does both jobs of learning to sail and cruising on an el cheapo budget. You might need to contact the Dinghy Cruising Association somewhere in England. Also try the Royal Yachting Association in England as well they also might help you, in choosing the right boat for you.

[Rusty]

Hello,
I have 26 foot Macgregor sailboat. The uniqueness of this of this type of boat is that it uses water ballast. Has a 6 foot retractable keel. Even when the tank is full of water and the boat is holed and is filled with water it will still float- unlike lead keeled boats that go to the bottom. Mine was built in 1993. It sleeps 6- but 2 or 3 people with your personal gear is more realistic. I power it with a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke outboard- which also keeps our batteries charged as well. If you want to find out more about them go to their web site: www.Macgregor boats .com. We have used ours on the Saint John River ( New Brunswick Canada ) and have sailed the Coast of Maine ( USA) in the open ocean.
Take a look
Rusty