Architect-Designed Smart 60ft Narrowboat

Description

More at tardigradeboat.github.io.

It's with a heavy heart (and a growing family!) that we're saying goodbye to our beloved narrowboat, Tardigrade. Named after the tiny, indestructible water creature, this boat has proven to be just as resilient — and just as endearing

Built in 1986, Tardigrade has had only six owners since then — each taking good care of her. We bought her four years ago, and lovingly carried out a full renovation from scratch. We stripped everything back to the bare hull, cleaned, sanded, and rebuilt it all. From structure to finish, every bit of her has been reimagined with care and creativity.

Built in 1986, Tardigrade has been lovingly cared for over the years. We bought her four years ago and carried out a full renovation from scratch — stripping everything back to the bare hull, cleaning, sanding, and rebuilding it all. From structure to finish, every part of her has been reimagined with care and creativity.
Coming from an architecture background, with my partner a creative technologist, we poured ourselves into the design — blending functionality with warm, simple aesthetics. The custom LED lighting traces the shape of the narrowboat itself, subtly highlighting her long, elegant form.
She's powered by a formidable Perkins 4108 — a proper workhorse of an engine that has never once let us down. We cruised comfortably from London up the Thames to Birmingham and back again via the Grand Union without a hiccup.
Inside, Tardigrade is an open-plan dream — bright, airy, and modular. We designed the layout to be completely flexible: furniture folds away to create a generous, open space where we've hosted friends, danced barefoot, and watched the cats chase shadows. It's a boat that invites you to live freely and playfully.
She's been a safe and cosy home for us, our two cats, and now our baby — and it's only because we need more space that we're letting her go.
If you're looking for a narrowboat with soul, a sense of adventure, and a solid foundation for your own story, Tardigrade might just be the one.
Feel free to reach out with questions or to come and see her for yourself. She's ready for her next chapter — maybe with you?

Specifications

* Year: 1986
* Length: 60ft
* Builder: Delph Lock Boat Co, Brierley Hill
* Engine: The legendary Perkins 4108 — a true workhorse, serviced May 2026, never misses a beat.
* Hull: Overplating and blacking carried out in 2026. Full documentation of the works available to serious buyers.
* Anodes: 6 anodes installed in 2021, still in good condition.
* BSS: Passed July 2025.
* Documents: Maintenance records and boat history folder available on request.

Power & Electrical

* Solar: 2 x 540W panels (1080W total)
* Leisure Battery: 12V 200Ah LiFePO4
* Controller: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 12V/50A
* Inverter/Charger: 800W Victron MultiPlus
* Alternator Charger: 12V 18A Victron smart charger
* 12V & 24V systems: Separate 24V system for fast charging
* Monitoring: Victron SmartShunt for precise, real-time data

Comfort & Systems

* Heating: Morso Squirrel multi-fuel stove, professionally installed by Ship Shape Stoves
* Additional Heating: Diesel heater in the bedroom for cold nights
* Water: 850L main tank + 60L dedicated drinking-water tank with 3-stage filtration
* Hot Water: New Paloma gas boiler, installed by a certified specialist
* Toilet: Composting toilet — simple and eco-friendly
* Lighting & Power: Bespoke, fully dimmable LED lighting throughout, plus high-power USB-C and 240V sockets throughout
* Washing machine

Currently moored around Victoria Park, East London, for viewings.

Price negotiable

Posted: 14 days ago

Ad ID: 1801633795