Canals & The Shannon?

mrmac

Forgive my newbie question, I'm looking for some advice on a boat!!!

I'm looking for something that will be used, mostly, on the Grand Canal, with excursions onto the Royal and even the Barrow. I'd also like the possibility of touring the Shannon.

Does this rule out a canal / narrowboat / barge boat?
(Which would be my first preference)

If going for a cruiser type boat, what should I be on the look out for, useful features, height, width, depth in the water (don't know the term for that).

Had a quick look on donedeal and spotted this: http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/922595 - would that be suitable, and how is it price wise?

I've just started researching this, and I'd appreaciate any advice.

(BTW - I'm looking at a budget of 10k - but could stretch to 15k if I found something special)

JamesM

Ask the same questions on www.powerboat.ie or www.iwai.ie You will find experts on the Shannon and canals.
Jim.

trad

Canals are very shallow, on the Grand in the Dublin Area there is little more than 1 meter hence the flat bottomed narrow boats.

You also want to check the width of your potential purchase, there is a maximum width for the locks, can't remember the exact dimension but as said earlier www.iwai.ie is a mine of information on the inland waterways. You might also want to look at the Northern Ireland based Waterways Ireland who, strangely enough, control the inland waterways in the Republic

mrmac

JamesM wrote: »

Ask the same questions on www.powerboat.ie or www.iwai.ie You will find experts on the Shannon and canals.
Jim.

trad wrote: »

.... You might also want to look at the Northern Ireland based Waterways Ireland who, strangely enough, control the inland waterways in the Republic

Thanks for the info - appreciated.

flagon

If you are looking to buy a boat you must first look on www.apolloduck.ie/
it has something for everyone.
Canal boats are fine for the shannon its the big lakes you must be careful on,(weather wise).

Ferris

I remember travelling the Grand from Shannon harbour to Dublin in a Seamaster 30 that me da had. It had a 2.5ft draft and a 12ft beam so it was a roomy boat, far roomier than a narrowboat. Another guy we knew had been down the barrow to New Ross in the same type of boat. All he did was fit a weedhatch so that he could access his prop to clear it of weed, bags etc.

Narrowboats were built for the narrow gauge canals in the UK, we don't have any canals like that here. They're ok for sheltered stretches of river but not good in the decent slop you get on Shannon Lakes wheras boats like the Seamaster 30 have a covered wheelhouse, wheel steering and are great seaboats. Narrow boats are also tiny inside. Personally i'd get something plastic, around 30' long with shallow draught, low superstructure and a single engine with a protected prop. Current times make such boats very good value now too.

Just saw your budget there, this is a nice little boat: http://motorboats.apolloduck.ie/display.phtml?aid=119115