Interior

Starting from the bow…

The Bedroom

Being a tug, Nautilus takes advantage of the space under the tug deck to create a spacious bedroom. As the bedroom is forward of the living area, there is no need to pack the bed away each morning and extend it each night. As you enter the bedroom you see a pair of turned oak posts that originally served as table legs on an old boat. A king size bed beckons with plenty of headroom. No claustrophobic feeling here as there is more than enough headroom to sit up and read or enjoy a lazy cup of tea in the morning. Additional height is acheived by placing all water tanks under the saloon floor. The overhead skylight is perfect for stargazing as you drift off in the evening and allows plenty of light to filter in during the day. Plenty of headboard storage which has been constructed out of Dutch Elm that was sourced from a Cornish gig builder. The shelves above are oak salvaged from an English manor. Under the bed is a ton of steel ballast, but there is no risk of it quietly rusting away as it is all epoxy coated and wrapped in polythene.

The Saloon

Aft of the bedroom is the saloon which benefits from the oversize bronze ferry windows. Six in total means that natural light is not an issue. An additional two ferry windows are in the coach roof and act as fantastic sky lights. Dark and dingy, the saloon is not!! The floor is solid oak which was reclaimed from the old Three Pigeons pub in Richmond upon Thames that was damaged in a fire in 1993.

The saloon presents an uncluttered lay. A Refleks 2000KTV stove guards the path through to the galley and is perfectly positioned to distribute heat throughout the main living area.

Lighting is supplied through brass passenger ferry lights that have been converted to take advantage of the more efficient LED system.

Stylish radiators lay either side of the Samsung 'The Frame' 32in OLED TV. When you are not watching Youtube Narrowboating movies, it will display your favourite art.

Separating the bedroom from the saloon is the inclusion two spud pole tubes. Unusual, if not unheard of in a narrowboat, spud poles can be found on a variety of vessels, but most obviously seen on working barges or platforms where remaining in a fixed point is essential. Manually winched up and down, There is a third post aft within the engine room. The spud poles are fantastic for holder Nautilus steady if you are moored in a high traffic area. No risk of pulling mooring pins.

The Galley

Passing through the saloon we enter a galley style kitchen with benches port and starboard. Facing forward, the traditional ceramic butler sink is to port and the induction cooktop is starboard. It’s not any old bench top either. Beautiful solid teak converted from an old laboratory worktop maintains the reclaim/reuse/repurpose theme. The set of drawers near the sink are also reclaimed from the old laboratory and the remaining cupboards and drawers are all sympathetically styled to match the old.

The kitchen benefits from the first pair of side hatches, both including sliding roof panels making this a perfect entry point when moored. And as there is one each to port and starboard you don’t need to worry which side of the canal you are moored on. The benches are hinged so when access is not being used full use of the bench top is maintained. Stairs under the bench means that you merely fold the bench top over and you have instant side access. Forward in the kitchen is an under-counter 12v refrigerator and opposite is a full size washing machine.

The Bathroom

Through the kitchen and you enter the walk-through bathroom with shower ahead, a porcelain cassette toilet to starboard and basin to port. The solid timber wall dividing the kitchen and bathroom is reclaimed Oroko and creates a pleasant feature. It is adorned with two beautiful and rare butterfly port holes.

The Engine Room

Next is the engine room with the vintage Lister taking pride of place in the centre of the room. The second of the side hatch pairs, as previously described, allow a wealth of natural light and excellent ventilation. If you like to spend time with your engine they are also perfectly positioned to lean and idly gaze at the countryside as you ponder the great beyond…

And just because its an engine room, it hasn’t been spared any of the finer touches. The floor is constructed of solid African mahogany and, besides being beautiful to the eye, helps create an old-world feel. Wall panelling is birch-faced ply and the ceiling in hand-made tongue and groove finished in high-gloss white. A panel is fitted over head that is removable allowing the engine to be easily lifted out of the boat should it ever need special attention.

The Back Cabin

Lastly is the back cabin (sometimes referred to as the boatmans cabin). The back cabin is non-traditional and has been kept simple as it acts as comfortable seating with a bench running either side of the walk way. Plenty of under-bench and floor storage is included built with Sapeli wood.

Four portholes create a cosy atmosphere and with the addition of a small table, this room is ideal for dining in the evening.

The padded bench backs can be moved and fitted between the two fixed benches to create a large bed for visitors. Placing the bedrooms at opposite ends of the boat is always a good idea!

As a final touch, access to the aft deck is via a set of beautiful Brazilian mahogany steps.