Wanted:Bluewater high powered Narrowboat

[weavis]

Central Bath on the canal

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The hybrid propulsion / generator makes a lot of sense, not so much electric propulsion though, maybe for very short maneuvering, sort of like a Prius EV button that lets you move the car for a short distance, but not for real propulsion, batteries just cost too much.
However a 5 KW stand-alone generator may be more cost efficient.

This is actually a situation where electric could be viable:
- Weight of batteries isn't an issue.
- at 4mph, you are way below hull speed so really don't need a lot of power.
- Instant torque means you can get away with lower HP electric motor.
- You have a sizable roof to install solar panels.
- Travel distances are generally short.
- Fresh water so you could probably use an industrial non-marinized electric motor.

Maybe keep a small 2-3kw portable generator for use in a pinch.

Obviously, this would be if you bought a boat cheap because the engine was trashed. Replacing a running engine doesn't make any sense.

Another alternative: Being steel boats, would this be an option to go steam? Collect brush and fallen logs to power it...and provide heat. It's not like you are in a rush, so who cares if you need 1/2 hr to build up steam.

[valhalla360]

Some other thoughts:
- We did the US River system and Erie Canal...loved the laid back lifestyle. But it does have it's challenges. You get good at maneuvering in tight spaces real quick.
- I've been on a couple of narrow boats...just struggle with the space being only 7' wide. On the Broads/Continental, a small catamaran sans mast it a great option...though it sounds like you have passport/visa rules pushing you towards the UK.
- We used a laptop with a $20 GPS puck and plotting software. It was funny when it showed us plowing a farm field 50' from the channel.
- Alternatively in a few places, there were no charts available. Google Earth offers a GPS option which while not as nice as full blown chart software allowed easy tracking (turn off the cellular data after viewing your route if you are worried about data usage).

After reading this threat, we might reconsider narrow boats. Inexpensive and UK is easy for US citizens to stay 6 months at a time. A big holdup spending time in the UK is cost with housing being a real killer...this could really cut down on that.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Another alternative: Being steel boats, would this be an option to go steam? Collect brush and fallen logs to power it...and provide heat. It's not like you are in a rush, so who cares if you need 1/2 hr to build up steam.

Not for me. I need to move when I need to move and Im not keen on hanging around and missing the lock opening time.....

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by weavis

Not for me. I need to move when I need to move and Im not keen on hanging around and missing the lock opening time.....

Once you have built up a head of steam, it's instantly available power.

Just keep the fire stoked during the night to keep warm and all is good.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

- at 4mph, you are way below hull speed so really don't need a lot of power.

Actually, the usual rules of hull speed and waterline don’t apply here, at least on the narrows.

The majority of the power used by the boat is in pushing water out of the way and around the boat in the extremely restricted water volume in which the boats operate. You can really feel the river banks and canal bottom fighting back at any speed.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by GILow

Actually, the usual rules of hull speed and waterline don’t apply here, at least on the narrows.

The majority of the power used by the boat is in pushing water out of the way and around the boat in the extremely restricted water volume in which the boats operate. You can really feel the river banks and canal bottom fighting back at any speed.

In the very narrowest sections, there is some truth but displacement speed is all about displacing water in the first place. It really doesn't take a ton of power to putter along at a leisurely speed...at least not nearly as much as trying to push a displacement boat to hull speed.

[JPA Cate]

Weavis is quick to say no to steam, but I bet the real reason is that all the fuel in England is mostly wet! Silent power, the fun of having a working steam engine?, hooting on a foggy morning? Oooh, be still my thumping heart!

Ann

[weavis]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Weavis is quick to say no to steam, but I bet the real reason is that all the fuel in England is mostly wet! Silent power, the fun of having a working steam engine?, hooting on a foggy morning? Oooh, be still my thumping heart!

Ann

Steam had its day. I like buttons.

[JPA Cate]

Okay, but zips are pretty good!

[GILow]

I think the romance of steam power would wear off after a few cold starts.

[ben2go]

I don't know much about the mechanics of steam vessels. The ones I have seen in person are quite the treat with all the shiny copper and brass. I find them neat but a bit overwhelming to operate. I took a tour of a harbor launch and the owner went through the process of start up, operating, and shutting down. I was almost instantly lost.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by ben2go

I don't know much about the mechanics of steam vessels. The ones I have seen in person are quite the treat with all the shiny copper and brass. I find them neat but a bit overwhelming to operate. I took a tour of a harbor launch and the owner went through the process of start up, operating, and shutting down. I was almost instantly lost.

I was really joking more than anything but I do know guys in antique steam engine clubs who might jump on the idea.

I do think if you need a repower, solar/electric with a small portable generator as backup is very much realistic.

[ben2go]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

I was really joking more than anything but I do know guys in antique steam engine clubs who might jump on the idea.

I do think if you need a repower, solar/electric with a small portable generator as backup is very much realistic.

[john61ct]

If travelling much, more like

hybrid electric propulsion charged by mains or genset,

with the latter's runtimes sometimes reduced by solar when insolation conditions are right.