Narrowboat Isabella - DIY Fit-out on C&B Canal

NB Isabella Number of visitors (not hits) since January 3rd 2002	Isabella is a 35ft Narrow boat. The hull was constructed by Liverpool Boats during November and December 1999 to a standard 'sailaway' specification. A sailaway generally comprises of a prime painted steel shell with motor, windows and doors, ready for crane-in to canal, where she can be used and worked on at the same time. The fit out was completed by ourselves. We had never done anything like this before. The largest boat I had owned prior to this was just 12ft long (a sailing dinghy). This web page provides details of why we decided to fit-out our own boat and how we fitted it out. The DIY fit out was done whilst on the mooring, without mains power or generator. The main fit-out pages show the different phases of the construction, with many compressed photos. Having received delivery of the boat in December 1999, our aim was to have the boat 80% complete, ready for comfortable use within 6 months, working weekends and a few holiday days. The boat has hot and cold running water, shower, full cooking facilities, fridge, bathroom, colour tv etc. There are pages detailing cost and worked hours, plus lessons learned, tips and advice for anyone contemplating a similar project. The boat fit-out was completed on a mooring on the Chelmer and Blackwater canal in Essex. Some information about this beautiful canal is also included within this web site. We have now have a 60ft Replica Dutch barge built by Piper Boats to a sailaway spec and have again completed the fit-out ourselves. Some information on this and new-build barges are also included on the web site. See icon on right side or click here to go to our barge home pages. If you wish to read all the pages, click on 'how it all started' then click on the 'next' buttons at the foot of each page. Site created 30th December 2001, Last Updated, 20 December 2009	Other Pages Some Tips, Q&A etc. Information on this beautiful canal in Essex, including some boats on the canal, Maps / Location, moorings and history A few pages on Replica Dutch Barge and broad beam river barges and our own barge Elessina!! Tow boat under bridge. Amazing series of photos, if you have not seen them before you must take a look.

NB Isabella

Number of visitors (not hits) since January 3rd 2002

Isabella is a 35ft Narrow boat. The hull was constructed by Liverpool Boats during November and December 1999 to a standard 'sailaway' specification.

A sailaway generally comprises of a prime painted steel shell with motor, windows and doors, ready for crane-in to canal, where she can be used and worked on at the same time.

The fit out was completed by ourselves. We had never done anything like this before. The largest boat I had owned prior to this was just 12ft long (a sailing dinghy).

This web page provides details of why we decided to fit-out our own boat and how we fitted it out. The DIY fit out was done whilst on the mooring, without mains power or generator. The main fit-out pages show the different phases of the construction, with many compressed photos.

Having received delivery of the boat in December 1999, our aim was to have the boat 80% complete, ready for comfortable use within 6 months, working weekends and a few holiday days. The boat has hot and cold running water, shower, full cooking facilities, fridge, bathroom, colour tv etc.

There are pages detailing cost and worked hours, plus lessons learned, tips and advice for anyone contemplating a similar project.

The boat fit-out was completed on a mooring on the Chelmer and Blackwater canal in Essex. Some information about this beautiful canal is also included within this web site.

We have now have a 60ft Replica Dutch barge built by Piper Boats to a sailaway spec and have again completed the fit-out ourselves. Some information on this and new-build barges are also included on the web site. See icon on right side or click here to go to our barge home pages.

If you wish to read all the pages, click on 'how it all started' then click on the 'next' buttons at the foot of each page.

Site created 30th December 2001, Last Updated, 20 December 2009

Other Pages

Some Tips, Q&A etc.

Information on this beautiful canal in Essex, including some boats on the canal, Maps / Location, moorings and history

A few pages on Replica Dutch Barge and broad beam river barges and our own barge Elessina!!

Tow boat under bridge.

Amazing series of photos, if you have not seen them before you must take a look.