Build

Nautilus was originally built as a project for the builders’ personal use. The desire was to produce a narrowboat that was capable of operating on both rivers and canals. Nautilus is a 62 foot (18.9 meter) tug style narrowboat with traditional stern and has been designed to show reverence to the narrowboats of old while including modern and personal touches that recognise the needs of modern use. Traditional or modern, Nautilus is certainly unique.

Attention to detail in the extreme is apparent to both the experienced boatman and casual observer alike. From the exquisite bow through the oversized 14mm rivets and the 1960s bronze passenger ferry portholes to the long 17 foot swim hints at the quality of the build. 

Nautilus was launched in 2014 at Shepparton Marina on the Thames and sailed to her permanent mooring in Richmond upon Thames. In 2021 she was purchased by the current owners and is now on a private mooring on the Thames.

The Build

As would be expected, the steelwork is more than would normally be seen on a modern narrow boat with a hull plating of 12mm thickness, 6mm sides and 5mm cabin work. In order to avoid the challenges faced with normal grade steel, the builder chose to use the more expensive CR4 grade. This is primarily due to CR4 steel being supplied as flat sheets as opposed to rolled steel which is more difficult to work and often results in ‘waves’ along the cabin sides. Nautilus is perfectly straight. All steel was shot blasted prior to paint and painting included epoxy coating to all exposed interior steel.

The hull is riveted with the added security welded seams so no fear that a rivet will work loose and spring a leak! The cabin and rubbing strakes are 100% genuine 14mm rivets and contribute to the beauty of the boat. The estimated 5,000 rivets were all heated, formed and hammered into place by a team of three. Hours of laborious linishing means that nary a weld is to be seen. A subtle touches which has a significant impact on the crisp lines of the boat.

All fitting are stainless steel with the external handrails being milled out of solid bar. Not a hollow handrail or post to be found!

Beside the expected doors both forward and aft, Nautilus also boasts the luxury of four side hatches. Port and starboard hatches complement the engine room adding both light and ventilation (and of course, an opportunity for the gongoozlers to admire the vintage engine). The galley harbours a port and starboard hatch, both of which have steps so are perfect for side access regardless of how you have moored. Even the hatches get special attention with rolled stainless steel edges and hidden welds so the timber work is well protected.

The windows and portholes are salvaged from a 1960s passenger ferry and include six large bronze windows, three each to port and starboard with several brass portholes leading towards the stern. To gather as much internal light as possible, a further four windows have been fitted as skylights making a total of 10 bronze ferry windows fitted.    As an added treat, one the these windows has been fitted on the tug deck and is perfect for star-gazing as you fall to sleep and waking the sunrise on a lazy Spring morning.