Dutch-style cruising

[Gd300]

Hello everyone,
completely new to the world of powerboats, I plan to venture into building a slow, economical, safe and reliable steel boat of about 10–12 metres (max) ).


If I bought a used one, the project would start sooner.


For now I’m in Italy.


Are there any of you who use boats like Linssen? Are they only suitable for inland waters?


How do boats with such shallow draught react?


Thanks to anyone who wants to add something to the discussion.

 

[O C Diver]

Many of us won't be familiar with cruising in Italy. It would be helpful to indicate the type of cruising you plan to do. Coastal cruising on the East coast of the USA allows boats to travel on nice days and have protected anchorages. If you need to travel for multiple days between protected anchorages, that may require a more stout vessel.

Ted

 

[Gd300]

Sorry, I miss the right expression. I meant to start a general discussion about the models produced by the Dutch yards. I wanted information about the handling in condition other than those of the inland canals for the various Linssen, Barkas, ...

 

[Mambo42]

Take a look at this brand, they are minimum Cat B and believe me, that will be more than enough, you don't want to be in waves higher than 4 mtr on a small boat.
Super Lauwersmeer boats are in the 40' range, are very well regarded in the boating world.

Or you could take a look at Vripack, they build high quality steel boats.

Polynautic 45 / Vripack Design | Nederlandse Jachtbouw Industrie

jachtbouw.nl

And then we have Smelne, also seaworthy steel boats, can find them used or new

Smelne vlet: Seaworthy steel motor yacht – Smelne Yachtcenter

Smelne Vlet: seaworthy steel motor yacht suitable for inland waters and distant expeditions. Available with aft cabin or open cockpit, completely finished to your own taste. Click here.

smelne.nl

If you go to this webpage you will find a lot of used, steel, boats. You will also see Smelne center as the one who is selling it, can always give them a call.

Aanbod nieuwe boten | Nederlandse Jachtbouw Industrie

jachtbouw.nl

Once you have figured out what you are interested in you can always go to websites like boten.nl or botentekoop.nl or even to auction sites such as Trooswijkauctions

 

[Gd300]

Perfect!
My question is exactly this: can these boats really handle the sea like (almost certainly, physiologically, with a shallow draft, it is impossible) handle the sea like an American trawler (for example)?

now I'm going to study...

I appreciate the input, many thanks to anyone who contributes further...

 

[Frosty]

Not to pry, but since you are looking for input, what are your cruising goals?

*************
I'm not an expert on CE categories -- and I'm sure they aren't perfect -- but I see @Mambo42 mentiones Category B for the boats he linked to (at least some of them). A number of the Linssen and I think Barkas boats I have looked at (online) and drooled over are Category C.

To me even the Category C boats look as "seaworthy" as many US trawlers. What I mean is, they look like coastal boats, where you can cruise to many places if you watch your weather and cruise accordingly. I would think something like a classic Grand Banks would be Category C, and you see those cruising pretty far and wide (again, watching weather windows).

But none of the Category C (and most US trawlers) would I say you can cross an ocean in (most of us anyway). Because you can't predict the weather for the whole journey, and probaby because there is not enough fuel capacity.

I guess perhaps study the Category B and C differences a bit? Since you have the categories there to give you at least some guidance.

Perhaps Category C is fine for what you want, but OTOH maybe you will find you want to stick with Category B -- or even A (plus of course using your own judgement since I'm sure the categories aren't perfect) would more likely give you the minimum standard you are looking for? (I'm not clear on your cruising goals, so am just speaking generally.)

Okay, after blathering on, I realized, duh, why not look up the Categories. I'm sure there is MUCH more detail available, but this is the basic. Italics mine.

The further offshore the vessel is expected to venture, the higher are the expectations for construction strength, stability, freeboard, reserve buoyancy, resistance to downflooding, deck drainage and other seaworthiness criteria.

Category A Boats: Ocean​

This rating covers largely self-sufficient boats designed for extended voyages with winds of over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots), and significant wave heights above 13 feet, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes.

Category B Boats: Offshore​

This rating includes boats operating offshore with winds to 40 knots and significant seas to 13 feet.

Category C Boats: Inshore​

This rating is for boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds to Force 6, up to 27 knots, and significant seas 7 feet high.

Category D Boats: Inland or sheltered coastal waters​

This rating is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches.

 

[Mambo42]

Biggest problem with going outside of the class is the insurance. Let's say you bought a Cat C or even D and then decide to go from Sicily to Spain or even to Malta and then Tunesia. That means you will need to cross open sea, outside of coastal waters and your boat is not 'licensed' to do so. If it all goes well nobody cares, but if you end up in trouble then a whole can of worms will open up, after all you took a boat out to sea that is not qualified to do so.
And since the weather in the Med can change literally in an instant you don't want to go out in a boat that is not capable to handle those seas. I would say minimum cat B and if you can get a cat A I would go for that. But 30' and Cat A, not sure you will be able to find it.