Design

CRUISING BARGES

The idea of “doing Europe” has changed over the last decade or so as many people have discovered there are thousands of miles of navigable rivers and canals throughout the whole of Europe just waiting to be explored. With a modern cruising barge designed, for sea use as well as inland, the possibilities for cruising are almost endless. The level of comfort need not be compromised. These barges are stylish and fully self contained with all mod cons. A proper house which you can take with you. Some of the larger barges are quite capable of taking a small car on board!

There are many variations in shape, style size of a modern cruising barge to suit differing individual tastes. Styles and sizes may also fulfil particular functions.
Dutch barge conversions frequently carry many tonnes of concrete ballast, deadweight necessary to ensure they float at a level suitable for propeller immersion. All of our designs are cruising pleasure barges, ie designed for long term cruising of the European waterways, and not designed to carry cargo. This is reflected in their draughts and displacements which keep ballast to a minimum, usually only for trimming purposes.
In addition, these new designs are fitted with a more efficient rudder type providing greater manoeuvrability, especially at slow speeds, without the necessity of a bow thruster or “barn door” sticking out the back. A 17m barge can turn in her own length at say 1-2knots (or from stationary) and can be “parked” relatively easily at 1knot, even without the use of a bow thruster.
With the exception of the OBERON all others have a proper Dutch style stern ie without the flat narrow boat plate counter.
All of these barge designs are intended to be capable of coastal and cross channel passages in reasonable weather and conform to category “C” and in some cases “B” of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). This allows exploration of coastal areas between rivers or canals, cross channel, use on big lakes, etc..
Accommodation, deck and superstructure arrangements, engineering, etc. can all be varied to suit individual needs or specific requirements. These boats are best described as “fully self contained residences in a desirable location”, when the location loses it’s desirability move.

OBERON 17.07m x 3.66m x 0.86m; does not conform to any specific conventional “Dutch” style; features a standard “English” counter and swim stern. This could be removed and replaced with a proper Dutch style, but space in the aft end would be lost. This is a popular size as there are two afloat and two under construction. The design features low freeboard sections to allow easier boarding access. The design is intended for two people to live aboard/cruise aboard for several years: Single engine 80-125hp recommended. Design could be shrunk slightly to under 15m and be modified to incorporate an aft cabin. Number 1 has recently undertaken a sea trip up the East Coast from the Thames estuary in force 5 winds without undue problems and with no water across the decks.

OBERON 65 19.81m x 3.66m x 1.00m; A stretched version of the 56 maintaining the same beam. Draught is increased to reflect slightly larger propeller diameter from the 135hp engine. The additional length is used to gain an extra “guest” cabin and a larger wheelhouse space.

MIRANDA 21.27m x 3.92m x 1.00m; style intended as a “Luxe Motor” type but circa 1920-30 with raked conical bow and deep sheer; conical bow provides flare and improves seakeeping; conventional Dutch counter stern; optional off wind rig: Accommodation divided in two sections, main cabins and “crew quarters” (the owner intends to allow a small number of charters); although shown with three shafts these are optional; single engine in the 100-175hp recommended:

ERMINTRUDE 19.82m x 4.27m x 1.22m; “Luxe Motor” type with slight bow rake to produce flare in the forward sections for seakeeping, much straighter sheer than MIRANDA allowing better use of the space under the sidedecks; conventional Dutch counter: The higher sheer allows a tunnel to connect fore and aft cabins with only a slight intrusion into the wheelhouse. It is the intention of the owner to possibly extend her length to 24.4m at some time in the future; interior for four persons (two + two guests) plus usual other offices.

SAUL NOMAD Available in two sizes, 21.27mx4.27m and 25mx4.48m. The larger version now afloat. The sheer shape lies is not as deep as that of MIRANDA and not as shallow as ERMINTRUDE. She retains the standard Dutch stern. The larger boat is to be fitted with a 235hp Cummins engine driving hydraulically an azimuthing thruster for propulsion plus a bow prop. This should allow total control for single-handed operation. Accommodation based around master cabin plus two guest cabins. Afloat and undergoing outfit.

FRIVOLITY 17mx3.51m1.1m, close to completion as a passenger boat for use near Boroughbridge. She is styled similar to the Windermere steam yacht ESPERANCE with extended overhanging bow and half length cabin. Included to show the diversification possible within a barge hull style.

For further information or to discuss your specific requirements contact Tucker Designs via email or the telephone number above.