57' narrowboat

57' cruiser stern narrowboat - previously named ’Mr Marin’

Particulars
Ardencaple is a 57’ semi-trad style narrowboat, to an early J. Marin of Beverley design conceived in conjunction with the first owner. It is believed that this may be the first narrow boat built by John Marin in Beverley. The plates were cut and assembled by John Marin at the shipyard, Beverley before being removed to local storage for welding (welded by a qualified welder related to first owner) and fitting out. Final launching is believed to have been in late 2006 after many years in build. The first owner sold the boat part completed after launching, and final fit-out was completed for use as a live-aboard by a marine engineer with a CIN issued by RYA in November 2009. The boat was purchased on completion by the current owner in 2009.

The vessel has cruised the Humber, the river Ancholme and the river Hull / Driffield navigation extensively in the past, and has been in use all year round. She has proven to be well suited to the particular requirements of local navigation. Additionally she was used to live on for 6 months over winter while waiting to move house in a protracted and delayed transaction.

Local interest

The vessel (originally built as ‘Mr Marin’) is very much a local Beverley boat! Designed in Beverley, built in Beverley, for a Beverley owner and lined with Oak reclaimed from the Regal cinema dance floor, there is a lot of interesting local history in this boat. Even the engine came from a locally owned tarmacking machine!

Machinery

Ardencaple was built with an oversized engine due to intended use on the tidal river Hull and anticipated passages on the Humber estuary. A Perkins 4236 with PRM gearbox drives a conventional shaft with greaser and 3 bladed propeller. This normally aspirated engine is happy at low rpm driving the vessel economically at normal canal speeds, but has a large amount of reserve (70Hp) power and is capable of travelling at a maximum speed of approximately 6 knots nearly twice the inland waterways speed limits. This capacity is of great use for longer passages crossing the Humber estuary, and on the rivers Trent and Ouse.
The engine charges engine and domestic batteries via a voltage free split charge unit, and bow thruster batteries via diode isolation; a bow thruster is fitted (8Hp) with an additional two local service batteries in the bow charged from the main domestic batteries via diode isolation.
Since purchase the fuel tanks have had access doors fitted into them, with bolted manholes fabricated to allow cleaning following problems with biological contamination of fuel immediately after purchase in 2010. Following this all new fuel has been treated with anti bacterial additives. The fuel pump has been cleaned twice, before and after the tank cleaning, and the injectors overhauled. 2 new injector pipes were fitted to the engine. Dual filters have been fitted, with the primary filter a standard 10 micron and 
the secondary able to use super fine 2 micron. The Secondary filter is engine mounted but has been upgraded with a RACOR spin on conversion kit to use RACOR filters.

A very large fuel tank has been fitted, in excess of 650 litres. A gas locker is fitted forwards, with space for two 13Kg cylinders and automatic changeover regulator with bubble leak tester.

 Ardencaple is a heavy boat having been built with ½” baseplate instead of 10mm as the steel was available, and lined with solid oak in excess of ½” thick.

Major drydockings

In 2011 the propeller shaft was removed and the bearings inspected then replaced, the propeller was polished by Woodwards in Hull at the same time. Anodes found in good conditions and wire brushed in 2011 to reactivate them but have hardly done any work.

In 2016 / 17 (date TBC) the vessel was drydocked again, 6 x aluminium anodes fitted and hull blacked with Rylard bitumastic paints. Topside repainted with oil based gloss paint.

Domestic fittings

A Kabola E3 boiler is fitted providing hot water and central heating. This boiler is capable of maintaining comfortable temperatures inside the boat with freezing temperatures outside, burning diesel from the main engine tank. A custom heating control panel has been designed and built for the boat with time switches for both hot water circulating pumps and Central heating pumps. On minimum power the boiler can circulate water thermo dynamically through a radiator and towel rail in the bathroom without using any electrical power – circulation pumps will start if the water temperature gets too high to prevent the boiler tripping. A total of 4 radiators and one heated towel rail are provided.

A large, stainless steel fresh water tank is fitted under the fore deck with a capacity of around 300L. Fresh water is supplied via a Cleghorn Waring pressure pump and accumulator.

The bathroom has a shower, wash basin, obscured window glass, and an electric flush macerator toilet to a large stainless steel holding tank mounted under the double bed. A standard pump out fitting is provided. Also under the double bed is an insulated double coil calorifier, heated by the central heating and by the engine and with an additional immersion heater. There is sufficient hot water storage for 2 people to shower consecutively with comfort.

Note; an additional pump out fitting is provided with a 12 volt pump out pump (not fully fitted) 

A total of 800Ah of forklift batteries were fitted in the engineroom, giving substantial battery life. The boat could run from batteries including use of lights, radio, and electric fridge for 3 days in the summer without charging. These batteries are at end of life and half are disconnected reducing capacity; Batteries require replacing.

A shore power connection is fitted, with 2 output 50 amp battery charger, and sockets throughout the boat. There is also a changeover isolator switch to power the vessel 240Vac distribution from a 1KW inverter (not currently connected but included)
12 volt lighting is fitted throughout, with an additional forward distribution panel (with spare breakers) and 12 volt charging sockets, CD / Radio and dual voltage television (mains or 12 volt) is provided with a built in DVD player. The TV aerial is removable for low bridges.
The Galley has a 4 burner gas stove with grill and oven, and a fold down glass cover flush with the worktop. There is adequate galley storage in cupboards and lockers, and a full size under counter 12 volt fridge. A washbasin with draining board and mixer taps is fitted. Gas and electric kettles are supplied in the galley.

Accommodation

The vessel was built to be a live aboard boat along the lines of a semi trad boat. From the stern, an unusually large sliding hatch with locking rear doors provides secure cover over the engine bay, and a safe cockpit for children or pets with the hatch open.

A fixed double bed with drawer storage underneath and lockers above is fitted aft, astern 
of the shower room. There is significant storage in the bathroom under the sink and outboard of the shower. Between the shower and the bedroom there is a locker with the electrical distributions, storage, and the Kabola boiler.
Forward of the shower room the boat is open plan, with a spacious galley along the port side and steel side doors to starboard. Originally fitted with a cottage style 3 piece suite, this has just been replaced with two loose fitting bench seats forward to allow use as occasional bunks. The 3 piece suite is available as an alternative by separate negotiation.
There is space and plumbing in the galley for a washing machine, but one is not currently fitted. Sufficient galley equipment, cutlery and crockery will be supplied for the boat to be used immediately if sold at asking price. Towels and linen may  be supplied if required by negotiation.

Electronics & navigation

Due to use on the Humber estuary, Ardencaple comes with full navigation lights, and a removable mast with radar reflector. A  Furuno echo sounder is fitted for navigation on the estuary. There is no VHF currently fitted to the boat; a portable set has been used.
A substantial Danforth type anchor and smaller Grapnel style anchor are supplied with the boat, along with mooring stakes and mooring ropes. Rope type fenders are supplied loose for the boat.
Various loose equipment is provided with the boat to include a 240V Hoover, stools and breakfast table.
Additional equipment
More equipment has been purchased to be fitted to Ardencaple, this will be included with a sale at the asking price.
200W of solar panels (1 x 120W, 1 x 80W sized to fit on the roof) have been purchased, these were sized to provide electrical autonomy in the summer months.
Oak hinged door frames to fit inside the steel side doors were made but have never been fitted. 
These need to be glazed and are supplied loose and unfinished.
Spray cover. A substantial, removable timber spray cover has been built to cover the fore deck well for use in the Humber. This clamps in place with stainless bottle screws, the front doors can still be opened behind the screen.
NewMar charge monitor with shunt to monitor battery charge capacity.
Solar panel charge controller. (Plugs for connection to panels have already been fitted to the roof)

Certificates

Boat safety certificates have previously been issued but are not required at current location. Expired.
RYA CIN issued 23/11/09
Boat does not have Canal & River trust licence due to being kept on a non licenced waterway.

Other 

The owner reserves the right to rename the vessel prior to sale, the boat will be renamed back to its original name (‘Mr Marin’) or possibly to a name of the purchasers choosing immediately prior to sale. 
The owner retains the name for his own use on another vessel.
The owner is aware that the vessel location off the main canal network an will happily discuss delivery of the vessel anywhere on the inland waterways network for a fee by negotiation.
The vessel will be supplied in a fitted out and ready to use condition, but all personal possessions will be removed. There is an opportunity to purchase some domestic fittings, cutlery and crockery if required by arrangement with the owner.
Extensive documentation, electrical drawings and circuits, manuals and other paperwork will all be supplied to the purchaser on completion of sale. Some spare parts can be delivered with the vessel.

Price

The vessel is listed at a guide price to include new batteries, external cleaning and various other maintenance completed and delivered at current location in Beverley. The owner is happy to discuss options and terms for delivery including potentially a discount for the vessel as is, and potentially delivery to the main waterways network if required which could require a boat safety certificate, registration and licence at additional costs.