Got a spare AU$105K ??

I know I am not the most frequent or enthusiastic blogger, though I'm always doing something "narrowboat" at any point in time.

I've been on the  abnb.co.uk  brokerage website and seen a few blog-worthy things. I found "Bliss" at AU105k ... though it would be reasonable to settle around AU$98k-ish in current market (or from GBP 57,500 down to GBP 53,500) assuming no issues from survey.

Often I review small boats.

However this is about a 2008 58' 3" boat by Liverpool Boats fitted out by New Boat Co. and named "Bliss".

I'm quite sure (without looking it up) Liverpool boats and New Boat Co. are the pair that build and fit the Carefree Cruising share boats ... which I like a lot and will review in the fullness of time.

[Correction : The Northwich Boat Co. fitout the CC share boats]

I'm not a fan of the interior colours or the exterior colours, but they can be changed or tweaked quite easily.

I am a fan of reverse layouts and this particular boat has some of my favourite design features.

If the term "open plan" can be applied to narrowboat design ... then this boat is as open plan as any you may find.


STATS :

Style: Cruiser stern

Year registered: 2008

Certification: BSS to 2017


Engine: Isuzu 35 diesel

Bow thruster: Vetus 12V 55kgf 4hp

Plating: 10/6/5/4

Last out of water: March 2013


Water tank: 118 gallons stainless steel

Headroom: 6ft 6in

Fit-out materials: Headlining (ceiling), cabin and hull sides lined in oak panels, Bulkheads (partitions) in oak panels. Floor fitted with beige carpet in bedroom and saloon, wood effect vinyl in shower room and galley.

Insulation: Spray foam


Berths: 2+2

Berth sizes: 6ft 3in x 4ft 0in permanent double; 6ft 3in x 3ft 10in double on raised Pullman dinette

Fridge: Shoreline 4cu ft 12V

Washer/dryer: None

WC: Sani Marin macerator flush pump-out wc to remote tank

Shower: in tiled quadrant cubicle with curved doors


Cooker: Spinflo hob, oven & separate grill; 800W microwave

Water heating: Central heating & engine to calorifier

Cabin heating: Eberspacher diesel central heating to rads

Mains 230V: Landline, Sterling 1.8kW modified sine wave inverter


Other: Reverse layout. Removable fitted pram cover and secondary double glazing fitted to most windows.

Location: River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire

THINGS I REALLY LIKE :


1.  The TV faces up and down the length of the boat and not side to side. This means from the back steps, through the galley and the dinette and from the salon of course, the TV is viewable. Counting the steps as a seat ... 7 seats and any standing position in the galley can view the TV.

Also, by housing the media centre in the same location as the TV (which is logical) ... and while cruising ... it is a straight path from the tiller to the media centre for using a remote control.

2.  The dinette has a reversing back support. This means by pivoting the back support of the salon-side dinette seat ... the seat turns from the dinette toward the salon.

3.  The galley is at the base of the steps ... ideal for putting the kettle on or making a snack while cruising. The galley layout also creates two areas where two people can prep food without getting in each other's way (too much). It's difficult to stay out of anyone's way on a narrowboat.

4.  It has a pump out loo. Any regular reader knows that I only ever want to deal with waste once ... and having as little involvement in that "once" as possible. 

5.  Pretty much everything is what and where I would choose. Two minor changes though. Perhaps one large rectangular sink (& lid) in the galley rather than the two round sinks.

And ... maybe, a full-width bathroom rather than the bathroom with passage. Like so ...

And the forward cabin would appear so ...

I would happily take "Bliss" as is.

From tip to stern and for my purpose, it would be a very nice liveaboard and make me smile muchly.

Now ... to spend a year or so cruising ... I just need to work out what's involved and how much taking Puss to and fro the UK would cost ... sell the house ... sell the business ... put my belongings in storage ... find a partner to do this with ... buy a block of land to return to ... have the boat surveyed ... buy the boat ... have the exterior painted ... and possibly a few other things that haven't come to mind as I write this   : )

So ... reality is this boat is never going to be mine ... damn like it though.