How is it that Coulam boats are now the "boat of choice" for English water authority reservoirs? Old boats are invariably replaced by Coulams which, by and large, are inferior as drifting boats to the boats they're replacing.

I've just spent a week up north and had two days on Stocks reservoir where they still have some old glass fibre hulled boats that appear from their hull design to have been moulded from Cumbrian lake boats. They were 17-ish feet long, narrower than Coulams but still very spacious but more importantly drifted with very, very minimal yaw and wallow. They cut through the water like a knife through butter. In one instance we caught up and overtook a Coulam that was about 300 yds away. Both boats had a 2.4hp engine.

A good drifting boat is still a good anchoring boat but a terrible drifting boat is a bloody liability. No wonder anchoring is taking precedence on reservoirs these days as Coulams are an absolute nightmare to ballast and trim for optimal drifting.

So, answers on a post card please.

1. Why are Coulams so popular?
2. What boat are they moulded from?
3. Why are we putting up with these bath tubs?
4. Considering the use of "over the front" drifting in International Rules Loch style matches, why are WAs using these boats?
5. Given fuel costs, wouldn't a proper lake boat hull be more fuel efficient?
6. What UK boat builders are producing proper lake boats?
7. Why can't we launch our own boats in WA reservoirs after paying an appropriate fee?
   

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I admit it, I have sharpness issues.

Midlander, I will attempt to answer most of your answers as per below.

Why are Coulams so popular? Because they are solid built and will last far longer than some of the other GRP Versions that I have had the displeasure to sit in.
What boat are they moulded from? I believe its their own take on what a big lake/Loch boat should be!
Why are we putting up with these bath tubs? Why not, you get what you pay for
Considering the use of "over the front" drifting in International Rules Loch style matches, why are WAs using these boats? Don't know either
Given fuel costs, wouldn't a proper lake boat hull be more fuel efficient? The difference once it get moving would be minimal and in my opinion worth the trade off in security/stability/room in the boat when on the water
What UK boat builders are producing proper lake boats? Don't know never enquired?
Why can't we launch our own boats in WA reservoirs after paying an appropriate fee? Health and Safety, perhaps and I would assume the owners do not want a free for all, never mind the difference in the tariff from their own boats that might possibly lie up unused if others take their own boat out etc!!

We have 28 Coulam boats and since we moved from the narrow beam Irish style boats, have not looked back. With regards to drifting, again once they get going they can certainly drift as I experienced again last evening. I mean how fast does one need to drift as long as your drifting??

All our members think they are an excellent boat, with a wide beam that makes for a very safe boat indeed with plenty of room for the bags and some movement in the boat for netting etc. So I guess you have worked it out that we are extremely happy with these boats and think others should be buying them due to the a fore mentioned comments, longevity and quality of product.

I'm truly amazed to hear that Kingfisher......Spacious and roomy they may be but they are undoubtably the worst boats for running off nose downwind that Ive ever been in.

They are not perfect WJ, but have you tried re-positioning your drogue anchor point to suit? I have had satisfactory results doing that!

Of course mate.......I'm no as green as I'm cabbage looking....

The thing is,in anything other than a rock steady wind or gentle breeze,the coulams are very difficult to trim with a drogue.In gusty conditions they are well-nigh un-controllable.

As a relatively inexperienced boat fisher I can relate to the points made above. I took my Dad on Stocks last back end and had to take a Coulam out as all the 'oldies' had 6 inch of water in the bottom and I couldn't be bothered bailing one.
Two hours later I wished I had - the Coulam was an absolute nightmare which left me feeling low on confidence and doubting my ability to set up a decent drift at all.

I have since returned and taken out one of the oldies and had no problems whatsoever - with or without drogue. No wonder so many numpties anchor up in those flat bottomed monstrosities. As Wee Jimmy says, they're a bloody liability.

M

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I've never heard anyone complain about them at Grafham or Rutland!! As far as I'm concerned they are a really safe boat which is what I want first and foremost in a boat. Never had a problem drifting in one myself. It most be a Scottish problem

If you are that bothered get in touch with Coulams and perhaps you could help them out with your superior design.

[QUOTE=Accony;721647] It most be a Scottish problem
/QUOTE]

Not everyone is Scotland has a problem

You miss the point Kingfisher. A good drifting boat sits stable in the water and drifts slowly and straight down wind, even without a drogue. Coulams are light, sit too high and scud along constantly crabbing to stern without serious ballasting and trimming.

Or Pitsford or Ravensthorpe or Eyebrook. You've not been out on the water with me then Accony.

The reason you've not heard many complaints is that most users haven't either a) ever had the opportunity to make comparison or b) been around long enough to know a good drift boat.

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I admit it, I have sharpness issues.

We have over the past 2 years purchsed 9 of the Coulam defender boats at Clywedog in Wales to replace the irish type narrow ones the 2 main reasons that we have done this is first low maintanence and as is the case now H/S reasons forgive me if i don't get this exactly right but to hire a boat out(under new EU guidlines) it has to be accredited for the number of persons it will carry!
If the average person is 75kg (usually more) then you have to put this amount of wieght on the one gunnel and still retain 4 inches of the boat clear of the water also an allowence for equipment in the boat has to be made.
The coulams pass this test with ease! try others!
Although as you say they have draw backs but the trade off more than makes up for it.
90% of our customers now ask for thease boats!
(i think i should be on commision)