TLC offers a comprehensive range of fit-out services for Narrowboats & Cruisers. One such project was the complete fit-out of a new 70' narrowboat for both residential and cruising purposes.

A regular client (we looked after his first two boats for him) came to us one day and told us he wanted a new boat and that he would like us to help choose the shell and engine, and fit the boat out for him.

In time honoured fashion we went to the pub (The Plough, Byfleet Village) and over the next few weeks drew up a layout and specification on napkins and the backs of old envelopes.

A visit to the Crick Boat Show enabled the client to make his final choices of shell and engine, and in due course, the shell, engine and associated steelwork (tanks, doors etc) arrived at Parvis Wharf and the rest (interior-wise) was up to us.

With the kind permission of the owner, we are pleased to present these photo and video tours of his home for your enjoyment.

nb 'Plato' - Detail and Specification

The primary remit from the client was that the boat was to be residential as well as for cruising, and that he had clear ideas about the layout, materials and finishes.

Forward of the engine room, the boat was to be modern, clean and sharp, but still easy to clean, and to have a warm 'feel' to it as well as being cosy in winter. We were to fit the boat out with white oak T&G, white oak faced MDF for bulkheads & furniture etc., engineered oak flooring, and stainless steel, chrome and brushed nickel fixtures and fittings.

We started the interior from bare steel, the finished product can be seen in the tours.

The nitty-gritty . . .

The Shell. LOA - 70', beam - 6'10", draught - 2'8", steelwork - Jonathan Wilson, propulsion - Beta JD3 'Tug' diesel engine, steering/handling - probably the biggest rudder I've seen on a narrowboat other than butties, and a Vetus bow-thruster.

Electricals. 12V - 5x 135Ah leisure batteries, 1x starter battery, twin alternators, providing ample power for the 12V distribution throughout the boat for lights, pumps etc. 240Vac distribution for domestic equipment sourced from a Sterling 3kW pure sine wave invertor/charger combi or external shore power/generator.

Heating. Morso Squirrel solid fuel stove in lounge. Epping solid fuel stove with hot plate, warming plate and oven in Boatman's Cabin. Kabola diesel boiler in engine room providing heat to radiators in the lounge, the corridor between galley and bedroom, the bedroom itself, a heated towel rail in the Bathroom a finrad in the Boatman's Cabin and a heating coil in the calorifier. To keep all this heat in - sprayfoam insulation to the entire shell from the base plate up.

Fresh Water. 150 gallon stainless steel tank, 15 gallon calorifier for hot water heated from the engine, the Kabola boiler and an immersion heater when on shore power.