8 foot wide shanty boat

Nice boat. I like the yellow. How are you powering her?

 

I know I am now talking to myself.
I looked up English narrow boats and they tend to be 45 feet and longer up to 70 feet. and the widest they can be is 7 feet 5 inches.
I really like them. I think that is the direction i want to move in.
Does anyone know how a water jet would work as propulsion on a boat of that size?

 

Yes, Google "English Canal Boats" for some interesting info. Jet boats are not good for low speed..they will wander badly, as ther is nothing in the water (rudder) to make them track well.
http://www.rose-narrowboats.co.uk/narrowboat.htm

 

http://classics.nu/boat/

 

Some of those boats are over 60 feet long...
I know they are only for use in really protected water but they do look lovely.
I think one would be cheep to build using recycled material. I was not thinking about the lack of a skeg or tiller to help the boat track well.

 

It looks like you can pretty much make that rascal as long as you want. I think the separate tug is the best idea. That way you can anchor in a cove, then run the tug to town for some cold brews! The tug could be most anything I would think...little outboard or I/O boat..16-18 foot, propped right...and someday build a little tug like in one of the previous posts. Who knows..? The options are endless...

 

PS: I too love these beautiful boats..I love the wood interiors!

 

I love all the photos of them. I am trying to figure out how to rent one and crusie England. I will call it research for building mine. There is a national limit in England due to the length of the locks I read some where 53 feet is the longest to go almost everywhere. the 60 and 70 foot ones are more limited, there are a few canals where 40 is the limit.

 

Busman 1965, I am also from 1965 and nothing 70 Ft. long qualifies as a Shanty Boat. I'm pretty sure you nailed it.

Best regards, dick stave

 

Narrow Boats

This company is the first place to go to for norrow boat holidays in the uk.

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk

I even lived on one for a short time on the Trent.
Steel boat + no insulation + cold wet British winter = runny nose.

 

Busman 1965 has a really nice Shanty boat (can you say that (nice shanty))
I really like the narrow boats also I think mine is more like Busman 1965's boat
8' wide I am planning on 32' feet long ish it will be based on 4x8'.

But the narrow boats are really cool the whole canal system is pretty neet a ditch running through all of Britian that is 7'5" wide.

 

Futher
i was reading the containerable boat thread. I have thought about making sure my boat is narrow enough and short enough to fit in side a 40' shipping container so I can always take it with me.

 

jrl5678

Try Selway Fisher, it's a big site. Canal cruiser plans are available

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mcover30.htm#32

There are some very useful links to other sources of information here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrowboat

http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/builder.htm

http://www.ukboathire.com/

http://ns.srv1.co.uk/robinhood/index.html?gclid=CNrKlrKeuI0CFRI-EAodmD_AFw

http://www.tillermanboats.co.uk/?gclid=CJK3xL-euI0CFRAFEgod6VT7Lg

http://www.canaljunction.com/

http://www.canaljunction.com/

There are dozens more.

Here's another cruiser.

http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/GT27_study.htm?prod=GT27

You might find yourself spoiled for choice.

Pericles

 

Thank you for all the great links
now I will just enjoy the pretty pictures for a few days