Description

New to the market and with a recent full bill of health hull survey (including blacking and new anodes), Rapide represents a fantastic “turn-key” opportunity to live on (or cruise from) a private permanent mooring location, just outside of London. She is nestled in beautiful home-counties countryside (within walking distance of National Trust Ashridge Park), and is also located within perfect commuting distance of London, either by public transport or road.

Her mooring offers the new owner ample space to relax in their own private garden and leave their stamp on the space. Off-road vehicular access for multiple vehicles is provided behind a locked gate, right next to the mooring.

Owned by her current owner since 2011, she has been tastefully modernised and updated, with a number of unique features.

Main headlines as follows:


• Offside (non-towpath) private-field London commuter mooring, with 2 mainline stations into Euston (35 mins) within 3 miles (Tring station 1.7 miles, Berkhamsted station 2.9 miles)

• Off-Road parking for multiple vehicles in a gated, private, secure field approx 250m x 90m

• Mooring is shared with only two other boats (both owned by lovely, friendly live-aboard boaters)

• Last out of water September 2025 for a full (documented) hull survey by an industry-renowned independent surveyor. At the same time, she was fully blacked and had new anodes fitted. (See further details below for details of hull survey)

• Reliable Beta-Marine 43 Engine. Serviced in October 2025, with a new water pump, alternator belts, oil and filter changed.

• 6kw engine-mounted 240v alternator

• 8ft front tug deck with removeable gunwale sides, allowing easy level access for a variety of potential uses (wheelchair, mobility scooter, motorcycle, pram, bicycle etc). Full under-deck bracing performed as part of this modification.

• 3kw auto-switch pure sinewave inverter.

• Dual heat source – Morso Squirrel wood burning stove (with back boiler) running alongside 5kw diesel water heater. Radiators throughout the boat.

• Independent 12v and 240v external electrical inputs to allow generator hook-up.

• 4 x 110ah leisure batteries (with racking capacity for 2 more if required)

• Recent internal refresh with new kitchen doors, and new domestic water pump. Oak worktops throughout

Specifications

Accommodation

Entrance from the private mooring is via the extended front tug-deck through hardwood doors, and into a sizeable saloon with custom-made sofa and Morso Squirrel multi-fuel stove (with back boiler). Oak-topped storage cupboards and shelves abound, and beautifully compliment the neutrally-toned walls and ceiling.

Moving aft, we pass into the welcoming (and extremely large) kitchen. Topped with hand-crafted oak worktops throughout, the kitchen comprises breakfast bar (with complimentary bar stools), stainless sink and tap, stainless 4-burner hob and oven and ample under-counter storage. Additional space is provided for white goods and has been intentionally left unfilled so the new owner can make their own preferences. A side-hatch compliments each end of the kitchen on either side of the boat, and performs the dual duty of providing ventilation and also a wonderful view whilst cooking or entertaining.

Moving aft from the kitchen we move into the full-width bathroom equipped with sitting bath with separate shower over. On the other side we have a lovely sink, mounted atop a storage cupboard, with mirror over. Opposite the sink we have space for toilet with storage cabinet over. Both ends of the bathroom are secluded by custom-made port-holed doors.

Moving aft from the bathroom we enter the double bedroom, containing standard double bed (with storage under), vanity unit / make-up centre, over-bed shelving and wardrobe.

Moving aft from the bedroom, we enter the rear “boatman’s cabin”, housing the Beta Marine engine, Renogy 3kw Pure Sine Wave inverter, electrical cupboard (with shore-based electrical intakes), 5kw diesel heater, and access to the rear deck via double-doors and traditional sliding hatch.

Used by the present owner as a “weekender”, she would perform equally well as a liveaboard, cruiser or as a pied-a-terre for a London worker, such is her versatility.

Front room showing bespoke sofa and Morso Squirrel stove

Spacious front room and kitchen

Large kitchen featuring breakfast bar and stools

Large front deck offers al-fresco dining opportunities

Ample storage either side of front doors

Morso Squirrel with back boiler linked to radiators throughout

Immaculate 4-burner stainless hob

Immaculate oven with seperate grill

Immaculate stailess sink and tap

12v TV / DVD

Newly-fitted shower

Sitting bath

Sink / cupboard showing toilet area and storage cabinetrea

Double bed showing wardrobe and shelves

Vanity/ make-up area

Construction

Rapide is a 60ft traditional steelnarrowboat, built by the renowned GT Boatbuilders of Stoke, in 1994, and originally fitted out by Richard Wilmington. She is fitted with a super-reliable Beta Marine 43 engine with twin 12v alternators and the additional bonus of a Sea Power 5kw 240v engine-driven alternator, mated to a PRM gearbox linked to conventional lever controls.

Her steel work consists of a 10mm base-plate, 6mm hull sides, 5mm cabin sides and 4mm cabin roof.

A full out-of-water hull survey (ultrasonic and physical) was completed by an industry-renowned surveyor in September 2025. This documented survey revealed her hull to be in excellent condition. The title of this survey can be transferred to the new owner for a nominal fee. Whilst out of the water, all anodes were replaced and she was fully cleaned and given three coats of Bitumastic blacking.

Rapide benefits from two independent cabin heat-sources in the form of a Morso Squirrel multi-fuel stove feeding a back-boiler and radiators throughout the boat, linked to a 5kw diesel water heater. These can be operated independently or simultaneously. Additionally, Rapide has three independent sources of hot water (via engine, diesel heater or multi-fuel stove), thus ensuring warmth and comfort whatever the weather.

Freshly Blacked showing New Bow Anodes

New Starboard-Side Aft Anode

New Port-Side Aft Anode

Engine(s)

Rapide is powered by the popular Beta Marine (Kubota) 43 engine, renowned for its Japanese reliability and fuel economy. The engine is mated to a PRM gearbox, and drives twin 12v alternators along with a Sea Power 5kw 240v alternator. All drive belts have recently been replaced, along with the engine water pump. An oil change was performed in October 2025.

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