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Description

Emily is a steel constructed narrowboat built in 1991 and fitted in Droitwich by Saraband Boatbuilding Co. She is 45ft in length and 6’ 10’’ beam. She was previously a hire boat called ‘Lace’ and as such has a full rubber fender on the bow. We bought her a new rope fender for the stern in April 2025 so this is in good condition. She has a good amount of side fenders which have been attached with new rope this summer.

We've had Emily for about 15 months, she's been on a big journey from Sharpness and is currently moored in West London. We travelled from Sharpness to Gloucester, up the River Severn to Worcester (she did amazingly, her engine kept up extremely well) and got her lifted from Droitwich to Watford, traveling her down the Grand Union to Uxbridge.

Since we took her up the River Severn, there are two adult life jackets and a doggy life jacket that will be included with the sale.

Exterior:
Emily’s name was hand-painted on the side by previous owners, she is a cream and blue boat with red doors. The stern door lock was replaced earlier this year, after a contractor broke a key in the lock and had to replace the mechanism.

Emily has a 24 HP Bukh engine which is turned on by a key, and turned off by a lever on the side of the engine. We were told during her last service that it’s an old lifeboat engine. There is a working bilge pump in the engine bay with an easily accessible switch in the bedroom for manual/auto/off.

She was over plated on the sides about 8-10 years ago (by previous owners). While she is due to be blacked again next year, when we got her lifted this year her blacking and anodes were in good condition. A quick inspection by the marina owner didn't raise any concerns with the base plate or sides of the boat. We have been recommended to get mouse ears welded onto the back where the rudder touches the base plate, but this was not an urgent recommendation, probably best to do this when she is out to get blacked during 2026 - early 2027.

The bow has built in seating on either side which is currently used for wood storage, and there is a locker to keep chains, mooring pins, and the anchor.

Interior:
Emily is a wonderful boat with traditional style wood interior and white painted lower walls. She is 6'3" at her highest point internally.

The main door is on the stern and opens into the bedroom, with a small double bed and storage underneath. There are a few sets of shelves on the walls and a chest of drawers against the bathroom bulk head. The electrics cupboard is above the bed.

From the bedroom you move into a hallway which has doors at either end, and the bathroom is off this hall. There is a full shower, sink, and separator/composting toilet. Please note that a whale gulper will need to be fitted as the current set up for grey water is a bilge pump box which is not working. Fitting a whale gulper will not be too expensive and this work is considered in the price listed.

From the bathroom, you move into the galley which has the Morco gas boiler, gas oven and hob, sink, and undercounter fridge with freezer box. There is storage under the sink counter. Opposite the kitchen there is a fold out table attached to the wall. The Morco has boiler has not been staying lit and will need a service, this is also considered in the price listed.

At the bow end of the boat is the saloon which has a built in sofa, book shelf with built in radio with speakers, and wood/coal burner. Emily still has the original tables from her hire boat days which come in handy for working from the boat (my partner and I worked from home on laptops while living on Emily).

Under the sofa is storage and the water pump set-up. The water pump was replaced/upgraded in July 2025.

Electrics:
Emily has 12v electrics powered by the solar panel on the roof, or chargeable by running her engine, and 24v when hooked up to shoreline or a generator. She has plenty of 24v plug sockets inside, some with USB fittings.


Other:
When we last had the engine fully serviced (June 2024) we also had the tiller fixed (shot bearing), and engine boards replaced. The diesel was also polished around this time and as Emily has a fuel cap that sits above the gunwale the diesel stays clean and free of water.

Emily's last service was July 2024, she is due to be blacked early-mid 2026 (though blacking is in good condition) and her BSS expires mid-June 2026, so plenty of time on this for her new owners to arrange.

Emily comes with 4x mooring pins, 2x mooring chains, 2x windlasses, and an anchor. Her ropes were replaced last year with extra-long lines suitable for mooring on overgrown banks if necessary.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Specifications

Engine(s)

24HP Bukh Engine, strong enough to go up the River Severn from Gloucester to Worcester during green and orange. We have been told during a service that this is an old lifeboat engine.

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