Live-Aboard/Cruiser Dutch Barge Style Narrowboat

Description

Live-Aboard/Cruiser Dutch Barge Style Narrowboat

Inspired by the 1920s Dutch Luxemotors and built by The Little Boat Co, she is the ultimate go-anywhere small live-aboard. She has been designed to travel anywhere on the canal system, off-grid, with minimal running costs. The hull was completed before Covid but the fit out was delayed. She first entered the water in April 2025 and has a Boat Safety Certificate until April 2029.

She is just under 8 metres, 26ft 3in, barely under the point for increased license cost. Her length allows her to be turned around just about anywhere on the canal - you don't have to go miles to find a winding hole. I've also found there are so many mooring options; one does not have to go far to find a 26ft mooring space. She displaces about 7 tonnes and is quite easy to man-handle; whether that's pulling her alongside the towpath for mooring or manoeuvring her into a lock single handed. Don't let her length fool you; people often note the spacious feel of the interior, which is due to the high hull sides and large proportion of the vessel's length that is used for interior space, with full standing headroom throughout. She comfortably sleeps two in the current configuration but the wheelhouse has enough room for a small bed, so you can use the wheelhouse as a separate cabin. So depending on what you wanted to use her for, she can be comfortable liveaboard for two, as per the original design, or a holiday family cruiser for three or four. A double swept bow and long stern swim provide a very hydrodynamic profile, allowing her to cut through the water more efficiently than a regular narrowboat; the economical Mariner 15hp outboard produces a cruising speed of 3 to 4 knots at half throttle; on her maiden voyage from Gunthorpe to Crick, she only used about 45 litres of fuel, traveling upstream the whole way. Her maximum speed is about 7 knots. The outboard is located where a rudder would be if the vessel was inboard powered, so having one does not affect the classical lines of the vessel. It also means the engine is readily changeable and minimal space used. The steel is 8mm for the base plate, 6mm for the hull sides, bow, stern and deck and 3mm for the cabin, wheelhouse and stern fantail. Exterior paintwork is Toplac International and Teamac, with 5 coats of quality hull blacking and anodes fitted in April this year, keeping her well protected for years to come. A Brand new solar power system is currently being installed, with long life LifePo4 Batteries and a 600w Pure Sine Wave Inverter for a complete off-grid, free power system.

The interior layout (from bow to stern) consists of: A full length 6ft 6in V berth/twin berths, lounge chairs, large Oak sideboard on the Starboard side and shower and toilet on the Port, an all weather wheelhouse with galley area to the Starboard and an area for seating, storage (enough space for a bicycle) or a bed to Port, tiller controlled Mariner outboard, with gas and fuel access at the stern. The cabin and wheelhouse interior have a colour theme of Peace Teal for the hull and Vibrant Yellow for the cabin sides and ceiling with Yellow Velvet curtains. This represents sunset shimmering over the ocean.

For a home to live on for the winter, a heating system should be installed. A new 110 litre (approx) fresh water tank is fitted under the wheelhouse and the shower wet-room has been fitted but they have not been linked by pipework. The sink in the galley will also need to be linked to the fresh water tank and the hull outlet.

If the asking price is met, I can take her anywhere in the country for you. I'll also throw in a brand new pair of Kahlenberg S0 air horns so she can sound as good as she looks.

Ad ID: 1501531959