Lake Windermere
Discussion
What boat would be best for Lake Windermere?
4-6 berths, space to eat and drink in comfort, at least 2 bathrooms, something you could comfortable weekend on 4 persons.
There seem to be plenty of £70-£90k boats that fit the bill but all have twin engines, 30-knot capability, Nav screens etc but these seem redundant when the is a 10NMPH speed limit.
Canal boats are out, American lake boats seem to fit the bill but there are none here to my knowledge, so what is the UK version of an American lake boat?
There has got to be something in between a sports boat and a canal boat suitable for somewhere like Windermere or Loch Lomand.
4-6 berths, space to eat and drink in comfort, at least 2 bathrooms, something you could comfortable weekend on 4 persons.
There seem to be plenty of £70-£90k boats that fit the bill but all have twin engines, 30-knot capability, Nav screens etc but these seem redundant when the is a 10NMPH speed limit.
Canal boats are out, American lake boats seem to fit the bill but there are none here to my knowledge, so what is the UK version of an American lake boat?
There has got to be something in between a sports boat and a canal boat suitable for somewhere like Windermere or Loch Lomand.
Tricky. It sounds like you want the sort of thing that Caley Cruisers operate: https://www.caleycruisers.com/boat-classes/
Occasionally they sell off older boats; a new one would be well over your budget unfortunately, and I don't know where they get them from. Might be worth a call to do some research.
Occasionally they sell off older boats; a new one would be well over your budget unfortunately, and I don't know where they get them from. Might be worth a call to do some research.
Vasco said:
Does it need to be so big for just Lake Windermere?. Seems somewhat OTT given the sedate speed limit - are moorings plentiful ?
Size is nothing to do with speed limit; think of Dutch barges, or 18' speedboats. OP just wants to get afloat and saunter about in comfort 
Moorings need to be checked though. Both lakes will be managed by some sort of Authority that makes rules.
Simpo Two said:
OP just wants to get afloat and saunter about in comfort
Moorings need to be checked though.
That's about the sum of it, think caravaning on water.Moorings need to be checked though.
There seem to be plenty of moorings, prime ones have waiting lists but you could start with a less than perfect one and move up the chain when available.
Windermere just works, it's only an hour (1.5 when busy) from home so going on the spur of the moment when the weather is good would be easy. I live by the sea but the added cost, coupled with the fact there isn't much to go to locally seems a bit pointless.
PushedDover said:
A boat that big, on Windermere?
rented day cruiser sailing boats there for the day before.
I can't imagine the interest levels staying anywhere near a level to justify a boat (caravan) on the water there.
Look at the BalfourBoaty thread and how quickly it passed.
One reason that failed was because he wanted to cruise offshore in the sun but ended up in winter in the Midlands.rented day cruiser sailing boats there for the day before.
I can't imagine the interest levels staying anywhere near a level to justify a boat (caravan) on the water there.
Look at the BalfourBoaty thread and how quickly it passed.
There are plenty of small/medium cruisers on Lomond if you look at the marina in the south on Google maps. I'd be happy owning a boat there - and spent a week on it back in the 80's when you could hire them.
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