Dutch Euro Barges, None in North America?

[Tad]

Okay....I've got some more negativity

Not saying you can’t do it, I’m sure you can. But I am asking why? Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.

Amazing Disney projects aside; and I agree that technically they might be interesting. There is such as thing as local culture, the fabulous BC coast is not Amsterdam.....it's different. The reason I live here is that this place is not Cape Cod, or London, or Hong Kong.

As a designer I work hard to integrate my work with existing culture/infrastructure, so that it dos not appear as incongruous as Downeast Lobsterboats on the Rivera. This is why I posted the picture above, "floathouses" have been a part of PNW culture for over 100 years, and their communities are part of what makes this place unique in the world.

I love European canal barges, and that is why I would cruise the Rhine and the Rhone aboard one. But I won't advocate building them here in BC.

Tad

[ted655]

Being a man of vision, don't miss the forest for the trees. If I wanted one & you wanted one, then someone else here in NA wants one. You 2 guys team up . Build the boat & offer it for sale. If no takers, THEN live on it.
The worlds biggest tug & tow boat builder was started by the husband who built small wood rowboats & the wife who rented them.

[duluthboats]

A.C. Gondola N.A. ( http://www.nwmarinedesign.com/ from Poulsbo, WA ) had a really nice looking cruiser/barge that I saw in a design catalog. It was called the Harpoon, 64’ LOA, 10’ beam, and 3’7” draft. I don’t see it on his site but you could ask.
Gary

[TeddyBear]

Consider This. I would like a home on the water, not necessarily to cruise, but just occasionally to move. Most anybody on this forum can at least understand that perspective. I'm sure a lot of people love the look of a normal house boat, but I think they are a bit gaudy, i don't want home built on flat barge. It’s not something I could look at day to day and feel happy living in. Plus I could never take something like that between Vancouver and Victoria on a annual basis. You can't put an engine in them very easily.
No, your very right, we don’t have the canal infrastructure to support this as a trend. But I don’t see a why a few could not get away with it. Sure, I would love a multimillion dollar yacht, it would have the space I need, look great, But that’s out of my budget. I want a classic movable hull, as affordable as a small home, capable of having enough space that I don’t feel like I’m in a trailer. I have not seen anything besides these old dutch barges that meet this requirement without being in a million dollar price range.

[Greenseas2]

There is no reason that Dutch style barges wouldn't work in North America, and it might be a lucrative market at that. To address your problem of availability of such hull design, you might want to look at the Selway Fisher designs on their website. Paul Fisher has a design of a 45 foot Teign River Gravel Barge made of epoxy and strip plank that should be a good starting place, go together rather quickly and be economical to build and power. The superstructure and stern aren't exactly Dutch Barge, but that is easy enough to change. With the cost of homes in North America going through the roof, it would seem like a line of moderately priced Dutch style barges would have a great market and would be a great visual improvement to some of the live aboard boats that I've seen tied to the banks along the ICW in both the north and south as well as some of the canals. The design of the Fisher Barge is 45 feet long and has 4 sleeping cabins, head and salon below decks. Not many individuals or couples would need more room than this. Just get some large metal stakes to drive into the bank at the water's edge to tie up to and a good gang plank and you're there.

[skipperG]

Hey, enjoy the opinions. Lived on a barge in Homa, La. I'm not familiar with your area but a river barge might do. Saw good advice to look for something that you could buy instead of build. Also, I was watching tv and a home show featured a conventionally built house on floats, it was a story and a half (2 levels) and could be towed by the boat in the garage (slip one first level). I've been on a couple of the boats in Holland, I dn't remember them being cheap living or to cruise. Stay with the dreams

[skipperG]

Say, there is a link at this site, designs; Selway 41' steel barge, plans are available-think this is what ur wanting.

[TeddyBear]

i found a place that does the precut steel for a 66 footer which is getting closer to the size i want. They are pretty cheap, it looks like most of the cost would come from hiring somebody to put it togther and renting the space.

[brian eiland]

Just wondering what ever became of your dream there Teddy??

I have some superb photos of a particularily pretty canal boat, but I've never posted them yet...maybe this subject thread, since it did offer some good conflicting views on liveaboard vessels, be it barge or floating home/cottage.

In the meantime I did see this interesting site that Tad posted to another such subject thread on this forum:
http://www.euroshipservices.nl/engli...PakketID%3D116

...and here was another one...USA built...posted there as well
http://www.amazonboatcompany.com/

In fact here is that other subject thread:
Dutch Barges

[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by TeddyBear

Consider This. I would like a home on the water, not necessarily to cruise, but just occasionally to move. ......I want a classic movable hull, as affordable as a small home, capable of having enough space that I don’t feel like I’m in a trailer. I have not seen anything besides these old dutch barges that meet this requirement without being in a million dollar price range.

I think this vessel would fit right in up there in Vancouver

Le Bon Temps Roule
(by the way, turn on your speakers when you open this site)

[RCardozo]

There is a Authentic Dutch barge for sale in the Tampa area of Florida. She is the Neeltje and she is very handsome. A couple named Canwright own her. She has been for sale for about 2 years. I think they are asking about $150,000. She is 60' long and maybe 14' wide. Google Dutch sailing barge and you can find her.

[brian eiland]

Here is an older listing with some photos:
http://www.sailingtexas.com/sdutchbarge62a.html

The story is she came from Balt before her trip to Florida. I believe I remember seeing this very vessel down in the Annapolis area years ago...down off the South River. I distinctly remember that multi-paned glass window/cabin bulkhead

[brian eiland]

...and another reference to Neeltje

Sounds as though they had to do quite a bit of work on her bottom.

RCardozo, are you still up in the Balt area?

[RCardozo]

The picture is of The Dutch Sailing Barge Neeltje. She was in Baltimore and relocated to Tampa. She is a pretty vessel. The Canwrights owned her at the time. My vessel is larger and less authentic but built at about the same time. I am still in Baltimore. The boat is repainted beige and white with a black and red trim. She travels around usually north of the bay bridge.

Originally Posted by brian eiland

In the meantime I did see this interesting site that Tad posted to another such subject thread on this forum:
http://www.euroshipservices.nl/engli...PakketID%3D116

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Nice Barges Brian,

but you are aware that they are not cheap? And that the shipping from EU to Pacific Northwest is above 100 thousand $$$ for a vessel that size.?

Regards
Richard