Forty or fifty years ago, no-one would have known what a semi-trad was. The concept of crossing a cruiser with a trad is relatively modern and, until someone came up with the idea, it didn’t need a name. Now, of course, the term is common currency.
And there’s a similar situation with this month’s boat, Donald Number 9. The front is rather unusual to cater for a specific need, so it’s the normal length, but with the appearance of a tug instead of a well deck. So let’s call it a semi-tug (and if the term catches on, you read it here first).
The owners, Alan Stobie and his wife, Steve, say the design of the whole boat grew from that bow arrangement because Alan needed somewhere safe to keep his road racing bike, on which he covers about 20 miles a day.
With this need in mind, their builders, Navigation Narrowboats, came up with a clever solution that works, is easy to operate and looks good on the water.
But there’s far more to this boat than just the unusual bow. There’s a strikingly modern interior and some clever ideas inside and out.
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The stern deck is also full of ideas. There are lockers either side, with tailored cushions. One houses gas bottles, while the other is home to a picnic table which can be set up on the deck. The Morse control is mounted on top of a column, the front of which drops down to provide storage for mooring pins and such like. The boat’s main door opens inwards – a simple but inspired idea which saves a huge amount of space on the rear deck. When open, it locks into place. LAYOUT AND FIT-OUT
This boat has only one real entry point,
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The floor is hard-wearing Karndean. A pale colour has been chosen for the main living areas, while the shower room and cabin have a dark shade. This boat has a number of good ideas which can’t be seen. The floor bearers are made not of wood, which can take up moisture and rot, but of blocks made from recycled plastic. Insulation board is used in preference to sprayfoam, and there’s a layer of sound-deadening material on top because the Stobie’s like peace and quiet. |
| panels have been carefully installed to look continuous. In addition, the trim at skirting level, along the gunwales, and at the edge of the ceiling, is inlaid with shiny metal strips. Not only do these look good, they also cover all the screws holding the trim in place.
The lighting is also clever. It’s an all LED boat, and the downlights are positioned in the pelmet trim running down the sides of the ceiling. But this trim also hides long runs of LEDs that flood the ceiling with light. There’s similar lighting under the gunwales.
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| from the stern deck. So a reverse layout makes perfect sense. Steps lead down into the galley, and there’s a Pullman dinette beyond. Next comes the open-plan saloon, followed by a through shower room. The cabin is at the front. The fit-out uses ash, with tongue and groove below the gunwales, and painted panels above to give an interesting mix of colours and textures. And the sleek nature of the exterior is reflected inside. The Stobies didn’t want any crossbeams interrupting the ceiling, so the | GALLEY Wide steps lead down into the galley from the rear deck and provide storage space for boots. There’s also a finrad behind to help wet footwear dry out. On either side of the steps, electrical cupboards house the inverter and Travel Power generator, the fuse panel and a calorifier. Read the whole article. |
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