The cabin is on

We are at an exciting time when the shell is nearly completed! It is not just a hull; it has sides, a roof, and rubbing strakes.

When we last saw it at Formation Plastics, the hull was nearly complete, and the painstaking process of welding was taking place. Our visit was to discuss progress, logistics, and to enjoy seeing how it was developing. Watching the welding was fascinating, and we share a short video below.

Layout planning

A lot of work goes into forming the shell. We have opted for a reverse layout with a cruiser stern. Previously, we have had a cruiser stern but with a standard layout. That was an ex-Black Prince hire boat, where the bow deck was our main entrance. Our current boat is a semi-trad with a reverse layout. The stern is our main entrance.

This has allowed us to weigh up the pros and cons. Therefore, on balance, we prefer the reverse layout and using the stern as the main entrance. With the assistance dogs, this makes it easier both coming and going, as it is possible to stand up under the pram cover. It also gives a more level access to the towpath, rather than climbing up off the bow deck.

We are going back to a cruiser stern, because we found the gap where you get on and off the semi-trad was sometimes an issue. The cruiser stern allows you to get on and off along the straight edge of the deck. Having had the reverse layout, we found we rarely used the bow deck (apart from storage). So, this has led to the decision to push the cabin as far forward as possible.

Benefits here are more space within the boat itself, plus we can have an inline bed across the full width of the boat. The advantages are that we can have a king-size bed, full-length (being unrestricted by the width of the boat), and one person doesn’t have to climb over the other!

As with all things narrow boating, everything is a compromise. But this plan is based on our experience from our previous boats.

With the shell nearly completed, the next stage is to have the hatches and windows cut. We are meeting with Curtis from Adrift Boats tomorrow (Friday, 10 April) to agree where these should be.

Photos from our last visit

Partnership

There will be many things about this ground-breaking boat that will be eye-catching and thought provoking. We are still looking for partner businesses that want to feature their products and skills. If that is you, then get in touch!

In exchange, we will display your logo on one of the yellow ducks that will adorn the nb Waymaker – for all to see.

The post Nearly completed! appeared first on nb Waymaker.

OK, at this stage it does not look like much of a boat. In many ways, nothing to even get excited about. However, this pile of plastic sheets is the start of the journey!

Recently delivered from the manufacturer, it is hard to contemplate that this will become a floating home. These plastic sheets will be formed into the nb Waymaker.

The boat will soon be cruising around the system, as a demonstrator as to how accessibility friendly a narrowboat can be. There will be many features showing off just what can be achieved when a boat is designed as accessible from the outset.

There will be many things about this ground-breaking boat that will be eye-catching and thought provoking. We are still looking for partner businesses who want to feature their products and skills. If that is you, then get in touch!

In exchange, we will display your logo on one of the yellow ducks that will adorn the nb Waymaker – for all to see.

Partnership logo to go on boat

We will be documenting the development of these plastic sheets in this blog. Subscribe to keep up-to-date, and please share with your friends.

The post Plastic Sheets appeared first on nb Waymaker.