Note: Willow is now on Swanley Brokerage (w.e.f. Sept'21)
New Boat Safety Certificate now valid until 2025
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65ft Stowe Hill (1989) All Steel Narrowboat:
Price to be ascertained on valuation (circa £35k - £40k)
Previously used commercially as a Charter Hotelboat on both the English and Scottish Canal networks.
Having retired in August 2015 from 15 years of commercial hotel narrowboating. We have used Willow privately for a few years. However, now having livestock to care for at our Scottish home, time and access restraints dictate that we now, sadly, need to sell.
Willow is a 'Stowe Hill' built narrowboat powered by a Perkins D3 diesel engine fitted in its own traditional engine room. She weighs in at 25 tonnes and draws 2'3" at the stern (when stationary). A combination of the 'Stowe Hill' quality hull; 21" prop; and the raw power of the Perkins D3, make Willow handle like a dream, despite her size.
Willow has a history: We bought Willow as a private liveaboard boat in 2000, before converting her to a charter hotelboat. As a hotelboat we cruised extensively on the English canal and river networks, before moving her to Scotland in 2011, based in the mooring basin at the Falkirk Wheel, from where we cruised the Scottish Lowland canals. Not many narrowboats have been used on the English/Welsh canals and rivers, as well as the River Clyde and Scottish canals. We believe Willow is the only narrowboat to have had a marriage ceremony actually performed on board, in transit whilst descending the Falkirk Wheel (see pic) - English law would not have allowed it.
On our retirement in 2015 we moved Willow back to the English/Welsh canals. She is currently moored at Grindley Brook Wharf on the Llangollen canal.
Some Exterior Photos....
Over her 15 years as a hotel boat, Willow was totally refitted specifically to suit 'private charter' hotel boating. She had a wholly separate guest suite, including en-suite wash/shower room and toilet; four poster style double bed (which now converts to stylish pullman dinette), and attractive split level lounge area. We have a number of photos of what was Willow's 'public' interior but few of the previously private crew quarters. Currently 'stuck' (restricted in Scotland) with Covid-19 restrictions, we have not yet got up to date photos available of those original crew quarters, and traditional engine room (we will update once we can get back to Willow, moored on the Llangollen Canal).
But hopefully the plan graphic on the left, and associated photos that we do have to hand, will help give a detailed insight as to the detail of Willow's interior. So, as you scroll down, keep an eye on the graphic/plan on the left of the text.Put simply the front half of the boat comprising of the bow cabin, lounge area, and guest bedroom area (with en-suite) were for the exclusive use of our paying guests. Aft of the guest area, comprising of the galley (LA approved Food Preparation area), crew quarters and engine room, was exclusively for the use of we the crew.
Now, in our retirement from commercial boating, we have utilised the whole interior area of Willow as a private, four berth, boat.
However, if new owner(s) wish to put Willow back into commercial use, the transition back to being a hotelboat will be virtually instant. In that respect we still have the commercial website and converting it for new user use would be a relatively simple exercise. Irene and I, will be happy to help with appropriate advice to help newcomers to the hotelboat industry.
However, if new owner(s) wish to keep her as a private vessel, no adjustment will be required. Unlike many commercial hotel narrowboats, Willow never suffered from the usual cramped tiny guest/crew quarters, merely to increase guest/crew capacity. We classed ourselves as a 'private charter' hotelboat designed to carry only one party, consisting of either one couple or a single person, so their quarters occupying the front half of Willow, always had the 'feel' of being a quality private boat.
The Bowcabin: The glazed all weather bowcabin is a much preferred option to the more usual cratch - and it receives regular compliments from other boaters.
It has central heating radiators and side doors on each side of the boat, which form the main access to the vessel. There are steel hatches over each of the side doors. This has the advantage of being able to 'close up' when the weather is inclement, but allow the area to be opened up when sunny. We have 'deck stools' which enable sitting on the side decks with the doors open, or use of comfortable chairs for most other occasions. This bow cabin area can be used in several ways - dining area, all weather cruise observation area, and forms part an upper level to the main lounge. Under the bowcabin table top there is a generous cupboard which is presently used as a paint store. There are 240v sockets on the port wall and within the cupboard used for charging telephones and computers etc. Outside, under the bow deck, is the customary gas locker with water fill point. The main water tank is housed under the bow deck floor.
Main Lounge Area: Coming down and aft of the bowcabin is the main (lower) lounge area.
Most of the interior of Willow is lined in attractive Parana Pine with oak parquet flooring. The lower lounge area has simple leather recling/swivel chairs (commonly used by private boaters). The photo shows an L shaped dinette - in our commerial days - this has been replaced by the leather chairs.The lounge is fitted with a wall mounted slimline freeview TV and has a
quadraphonic stero system. There is an opening side hatch on the
starboard side of the lounge near to the start of the main bedroom area.
Our unit is the enamelled version, making it easier to wipe clean. The Brunel is the back boiler version which heats water circulating through the boat's main central heating network. So when the Brunel is running, the back boiler will feed the central heating radiators even as far back as the back cabin radiators (handy on winter nights).
Circulation when the fire is in use is assisted by a thermostatically controlled pump - the control unit for the system is adjacent to the fire.
Main Bedroom/Dinette: Aft from the main lounge area is the main 'fixed double' bedroom area with associated en-suite.
Note: There is an option for using the 'fixed double' as a pullman dinette - if owners prefer to use the back cabin as their main bedroom (we have used that option since using Willow as a private boat). Dinette mode creates a very pleasant area for socialising with guests or other boaters.
This bedroom area can be curtained off from the rest of the boat/lounge area, in a four poster styling. Beside the head of the bed there is a small wardrobe and more generous shelved cupboard for clothes. There is extensive storage under the bed/seating
This main bedroom area has two central heating radiators. Still in the bedroom area, but moving towards the rear there is a door off to the port side giving access to the main bedroom en-suite.
The En-Suite: The en-suite is fitted with a standard pump-out loo with china bowl. Adjacent is a wash hand basin mounted with a gernerous storage cupboard below. The shower cubicle has a glazed concertina door. The shower is evacuated with a quality 'Whale Gulper' pump, negating the need for messy filtration. Beside the shower cubicle is a set of cupboards/shelves we used for linen/towel storage. There is a small CH radiator under the window.
This bedroom area can be curtained off from the rest of the boat/lounge area, in a four poster styling. Beside the head of the bed there is a small wardrobe and more generous shelved cupboard for clothes. There is extensive storage under the bed/seating
This main bedroom area has two central heating radiators. Still in the bedroom area, but moving towards the rear there is a door off to the port side giving access to the main bedroom en-suite.
As can be seen from the photo, the use of bonded 'floor covering' material for the walls of the en-suite make for a bright clean outlook to this 'smallest room. From a commercial viewpoint it was very clean to maintain and reduced common problems with condensation in boat loos. Still in very good clean condition (still looking good) even after 15 years of commercial use.
Aft from the en-suite gives access to the previously private galley area - private when we were operating commercially - staff only access due to food hygiene regulations etc.
The Galley: Fitting out our galley took a lot of careful planning. Space is always a premium on any narrowboat, but we needed to have a galley capable of preparing hotel boat cuisine, with sufficient food storage, and at the same time being compliant with Food Hygiene Legislation.
Cooking is with the usual gas hob, with separate eye level gas oven and grill units. Apart from the efficient 240v (inverter) fridge and the gas cooking appliances, the kitchen is based on the Ikea range of kitchen/storage units. It has a domestic stainless steel sink and drainer. These Swedes are clever and their storage shelving and rack systems with soft close doors etc have served us well. As a commercial boat, the galley could get quite hot in summer, so we have fitted a 240v extractor fan and 12v direct fan. In addition there is extra ventilation via a fitted 'pigeon box' (that's in addition to the traditional one in our engine room). We will be selling Willow with her full compliment of kitchen equipment (dishes cutlery, utensils, pots/pans, etc).
The galley was passed/certificated in terms of Food Hygiene Legislation initially at Stafford, and more recently at Falkirk, on the Scottish canals. Although now a private vessel, when commercial Willow was passed in terms of commercial levels BSC and Gas Safe certification (Eg. larger gas pipework etc).
Crew Loo and Washing Area: Heading aft from the galley through a door we enter the 'crew loo' and washing/dressing area. As a private boat, this area is now less important although still useful as a secondary facility. As stated we do not have any photos yet of this 'private' area, but please be guided by the plan, which I have tried to make as accurate as possible. This area was not fitted with a shower because of the presence of the Alde Gas Boiler (GasSafe Regs), but is fitted with a deep household china hand basin (it was deep enough for us to be able to wash feet and other necessaries). Please remember this was a working boat. There is a Thetford elsan porta potti toilet - as with many 'liveaboards' we tend to use this rather than the posher pump out facility - much cheaper and easier to empty |(each time we take on fresh water.
On the port side of this area there is very adequate clothes storage and shelving and hanging space. Under the sink unit is cupboarding which houses two seperate calorifiers for water heating. Each calorifier is heated by pipe coils from our Alde boiler and from engine coolant. One of the calorifier tanks is fitted with a domestic 240v immersion heater element (only for use when connected to shore power). Adjacent to the sink unit is the Alde gas central heating boiler. A door provides access aft into the engine room.
Engine Room: The engine room is fairly traditional with side hatches both sides and a roof 'pigeon box', Centrally fitted in it's own separate engine bilge on solid oak bearers, is the Perkins HD3154 diesel engine with large PRM hydraulic gear box. The exhaust is via traditional roof tall pipe. This 2500cc unit is rated at 49hp and 'turns' a 21ins prop. When operating commercially we worked on a basis of average diesel consumption of 1.625 litres per hour - cheaper than equivalent modern hi-revving diesel units.
Engine cooling is via usual water circulation and associated skin tank on the port side. In addition to the usual cranking battery, there are two domestic battery banks (originally one for the 240v inverter and the other for general domestic power). There is a rotary switch to control which battery bank is used for output to the fusebox. The total AH capacity of the domestic battery banks is 670AH. Charging is via a 90AH bosch alternator using a Sterling Marine 'advanced alternator regulator' system, with a Sterling splitting diode unit. These units are fitted on the aft wall of the Engine room. The forward bulkhead is fitted out for extensive tool storage (many of the AF tools will be included in the sale). The boats 240v consumer unit etc is also fitted on this forward bulkhead. Unless connected to shore power, the boat's 240v supply is via a Sterling 1.8KW Quasi Sine Wave Inverter fitted on the aft wall.
Normal battery charging is supplemented by two (excellent) recently fitted roof mounted 100W Victron solar panels, with regulator unit mounted in the engine room. When connected to shore power there is a Sterling 20amp mains battery charger integrated into the boat system.
As 'liveaboards' there is an additional VERY useful function for the engine room - it makes an excellent 'drying room' for drying washing. Our experience was that clothes washing by hand - followed by use of our 2000 rev spin drier - finished off with engine room drying, was far more practical than use of a modern automatic washing machine unless you want to sit on a water point with engine running for an hour or so. We have hanging rails specifically positioned in the engine room for hanging wet clothing - most efficient.
Note on Wheelhouse: Some of the photos of Willow show a wheelhouse structure at the stern. This was made to order, when we were operating in Scotland, to suit Scottish weather conditions and absence of low bridges. Back on the English/Welsh network, we have taken the wheelhouse down and replaced it with a more traditional slide setup.
Aft from the en-suite gives access to the previously private galley area - private when we were operating commercially - staff only access due to food hygiene regulations etc.
The Galley: Fitting out our galley took a lot of careful planning. Space is always a premium on any narrowboat, but we needed to have a galley capable of preparing hotel boat cuisine, with sufficient food storage, and at the same time being compliant with Food Hygiene Legislation.
Cooking is with the usual gas hob, with separate eye level gas oven and grill units. Apart from the efficient 240v (inverter) fridge and the gas cooking appliances, the kitchen is based on the Ikea range of kitchen/storage units. It has a domestic stainless steel sink and drainer. These Swedes are clever and their storage shelving and rack systems with soft close doors etc have served us well. As a commercial boat, the galley could get quite hot in summer, so we have fitted a 240v extractor fan and 12v direct fan. In addition there is extra ventilation via a fitted 'pigeon box' (that's in addition to the traditional one in our engine room). We will be selling Willow with her full compliment of kitchen equipment (dishes cutlery, utensils, pots/pans, etc).
The galley was passed/certificated in terms of Food Hygiene Legislation initially at Stafford, and more recently at Falkirk, on the Scottish canals. Although now a private vessel, when commercial Willow was passed in terms of commercial levels BSC and Gas Safe certification (Eg. larger gas pipework etc).
Crew Loo and Washing Area: Heading aft from the galley through a door we enter the 'crew loo' and washing/dressing area. As a private boat, this area is now less important although still useful as a secondary facility. As stated we do not have any photos yet of this 'private' area, but please be guided by the plan, which I have tried to make as accurate as possible. This area was not fitted with a shower because of the presence of the Alde Gas Boiler (GasSafe Regs), but is fitted with a deep household china hand basin (it was deep enough for us to be able to wash feet and other necessaries). Please remember this was a working boat. There is a Thetford elsan porta potti toilet - as with many 'liveaboards' we tend to use this rather than the posher pump out facility - much cheaper and easier to empty |(each time we take on fresh water.
On the port side of this area there is very adequate clothes storage and shelving and hanging space. Under the sink unit is cupboarding which houses two seperate calorifiers for water heating. Each calorifier is heated by pipe coils from our Alde boiler and from engine coolant. One of the calorifier tanks is fitted with a domestic 240v immersion heater element (only for use when connected to shore power). Adjacent to the sink unit is the Alde gas central heating boiler. A door provides access aft into the engine room.
Engine Room: The engine room is fairly traditional with side hatches both sides and a roof 'pigeon box', Centrally fitted in it's own separate engine bilge on solid oak bearers, is the Perkins HD3154 diesel engine with large PRM hydraulic gear box. The exhaust is via traditional roof tall pipe. This 2500cc unit is rated at 49hp and 'turns' a 21ins prop. When operating commercially we worked on a basis of average diesel consumption of 1.625 litres per hour - cheaper than equivalent modern hi-revving diesel units.
Engine cooling is via usual water circulation and associated skin tank on the port side. In addition to the usual cranking battery, there are two domestic battery banks (originally one for the 240v inverter and the other for general domestic power). There is a rotary switch to control which battery bank is used for output to the fusebox. The total AH capacity of the domestic battery banks is 670AH. Charging is via a 90AH bosch alternator using a Sterling Marine 'advanced alternator regulator' system, with a Sterling splitting diode unit. These units are fitted on the aft wall of the Engine room. The forward bulkhead is fitted out for extensive tool storage (many of the AF tools will be included in the sale). The boats 240v consumer unit etc is also fitted on this forward bulkhead. Unless connected to shore power, the boat's 240v supply is via a Sterling 1.8KW Quasi Sine Wave Inverter fitted on the aft wall.
Normal battery charging is supplemented by two (excellent) recently fitted roof mounted 100W Victron solar panels, with regulator unit mounted in the engine room. When connected to shore power there is a Sterling 20amp mains battery charger integrated into the boat system.
As 'liveaboards' there is an additional VERY useful function for the engine room - it makes an excellent 'drying room' for drying washing. Our experience was that clothes washing by hand - followed by use of our 2000 rev spin drier - finished off with engine room drying, was far more practical than use of a modern automatic washing machine unless you want to sit on a water point with engine running for an hour or so. We have hanging rails specifically positioned in the engine room for hanging wet clothing - most efficient.
Back Cabin (spare room): Passing aft of the engine room we enter the back cabin (crew quarters)
- which can now be used as a spare bedroom.
- which can now be used as a spare bedroom.Having said that our personal preference has been to use this as our main bedroom, utilising the previous guest bed as a dinette in the front area of the boat (great for socialising). At the rear of this cabin there is a step up to the helm position and traditional doors out to the stern deck.
Some might find the crew quarters double bed to be 'a bit tight' - but we managed fine (a comfortable bed) over a period of some 20 years living aboard. As with most trad boat back cabins, standing headroom is limited as the floor is raised to allow for the main shaft between the engine room and the prop at the stern of the boat. Our back cabin is 'non-tradional' in design (the Stowe Hill hull design would have resulted in only a 5'6" cross bed length). So, as can be seen from the plan, the 6'2" double bed is front to back rather than side to side.
Some might find the crew quarters double bed to be 'a bit tight' - but we managed fine (a comfortable bed) over a period of some 20 years living aboard. As with most trad boat back cabins, standing headroom is limited as the floor is raised to allow for the main shaft between the engine room and the prop at the stern of the boat. Our back cabin is 'non-tradional' in design (the Stowe Hill hull design would have resulted in only a 5'6" cross bed length). So, as can be seen from the plan, the 6'2" double bed is front to back rather than side to side.
Note on Wheelhouse: Some of the photos of Willow show a wheelhouse structure at the stern. This was made to order, when we were operating in Scotland, to suit Scottish weather conditions and absence of low bridges. Back on the English/Welsh network, we have taken the wheelhouse down and replaced it with a more traditional slide setup.
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