42 Ft Narrowboat /canal Boat; Trad Stern; Built By R & D Fabrications

42ft NARROWBOAT /Canal Boat; Trad Stern; built by R & D Fabrications. James is a 42ft R&D Fabrications Narrowboat (1996) with a traditional stern and a marinised Kingfisher 2 cylinder engine with 22hp. Professional interior fit out in a traditional style with internal engine room (very good for having a dry and clean engine and easy to maintain!). He is of steel construction (10/6/4) with a flat hull. He has had 3 very conscientious owners, was out of the water to be blacked in November 2021 (see photos - ideally done every 2 to 3 years).
I've just had the boat safety done and it expires in May 2026 (the check/certificate needs to be done every 4 years). Located in London and sold without a mooring, in close proximity to a dry dock which will make having a survey done much simpler. As you enter from the stern you come into the bedroom which has a fixed double berth. Under the bed is a calorifier which has an emersion fitted, supplying hot water when connected to mains power at a mooring or is heated by the engine when out cruising. LED lighting throughout the boat; updated in 2020 which is much more energy efficient.
Next is the engine room with a Kingfisher 2 cylinder engine, 22hp. In the 6 years I have had James, the engine has never broken down and has more than enough power to do the tidal Thames. The engine has been serviced every year with oil, oil filter and fuel filter changes. I have 2 spare fan belts, 2 spare oil filters and a spare fuel filter which will come with the boat. I can also let you know where to get these from (but you'll be fine for a couple of years with those).
The stern gland was repacked in 2019 and I was advised that I would not need to do it again for another 10 years. Also in the engine room are 2 leisure batteries that were new in 2019 as well as a starter battery which I changed when I bought the boat in 2016 and is still absolutely fine. These are charged via the engine when it is running, the 3 solar panels when moored (keeps your batteries topped up and healthy all year round without the need for electricity or the engine running and makes sure they last a long time) or by a Sterling mains charger if connected to 240v power via a shoreline. The solar panels and mains power were added in 2017. In the engine room there is also an Alde gas heater which controls the gas central heating/ heats the radiators in the bedroom and bathroom.
The engine room has a quarry tiled floor as does the bathroom, which is the next room along. The bathroom has a small bath fitted with a shower overhead. The water pressure is great. There is also a basin and a cassette toilet. The cassette toilet was new in 2019 and has only had Bio Magic used in it (biomagic is 100% biodegradable but only works in a system where no other harsh chemicals have been used, I have plenty left to get you started and you can buy it online).
The boat then opens out into the kitchen and saloon. In the kitchen area there is a full sized LEC Inlander 12v fridge with freezer top box; new in 2016 and in excellent condition and a gas cooker with oven, separate grill and hob with 4 gas rings, sink and drainer and fitted cupboards. There is also a gas alarm wired into the 12v system, and a separate combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, fire blanket and fire extinguisher (other fire extinguishers located in bedroom and saloon). In the salon there is a Puffin multi fuel stove and fixed seating with storage underneath. In March 2020, just before lock down I had a new bench and table made.
The longer bench is a single bed length which can be used as an extra berth, but also is a lovely place to lay and stretch out after a busy day. There are 2 deep and roomy drawers underneath and a sliding cupboard at the bow end for extra storage. The table folds down and is stored at the end of the bench. One leaf can be folded out if using a laptop etc. And both can be folded out for dining.
For the fresh water system there is an accumulator (for maintaining good water pressure) and a new water pump was fitted in 2021. Under the bow is a stainless steel water tank. I also store my spare morse cable and hose pipes for filling up the water tank there. The bow of the boat has 2 storage lockers. In one I keep the kindling and fuel for the stove as well as the ash bucket and in the other is the anchor, anchor rope, anchor chain (needed for tidal or Thames cruising which James has done a lot of!) mooring chains and mooring pins etc.
As well as spare paint for touch ups. The gas locker has enough room for 2 gas bottles. There is a full spare alongside the one currently in use. There is a catch cover for both the bow and stern of the boat, and a bow, stern and centre line (ropes needed for cruising and mooring). There are 3 hatches, 2 in the engine room and one in the kitchen which gives a lovely view out to the river or canal.
The hatch lids (on the roof) were all repainted when the boat was out for blacking in November 2021. Port hole windows throughout and a pigeon box above engine room and light wells in the ceiling in the saloon as well as glazed double doors out to the bow. Please feel free to call to ask any further questions, but I'd recommend coming to view in central London. I have loved, maintained and cared for this boat for 6 years and have had some great adventures and I am hoping to find someone who will do the same.