Callum Craft 22ft Canal Cruiser

Callum Craft 22ft Cruiser - Bluebelle I bought Bluebelle 4 years ago as a project, with the intention of getting her finished for when I retired. I made steady progress with her for a couple of years, but then a period of ill health slowed the project down to a near standstill. I then didn't retire as planned and have found that I have no spare time to get her finished. When I first bought her I stripped the interior as it was a bit of a mess and had a roof extension made and fitted, in consultation with a Marine Engineer, to give added headroom over the centre aisle. This was built in marine ply, soaked in 2 pack epoxy resin with taped seams and has significantly improved the sense of space inside.

She had originally had an inboard engine at some time in her life, but this had been replaced by an outboard on a less than ideal mounting. The current engine mounting was designed specifically for Bluebelle and fitted to carry the Mariner 9.9 Hp electric start outboard (which runs well with strong water tell tale) as well as 2 Calor gas bottles. She is also fitted with a 70 litre fresh water tank under the cockpit floor, which supplies cold water to the sink in the galley via an electric pump. The canopy looks to have been replaced not long before I bought her and is in good condition. The majority of the exterior has been repainted and she was out the water in June 2015 for a pressure wash, hull inspection and re-antifoul.

The Engineer at the Marina said that the hull was in outstanding condition for her age with no signs of osmosis. She has a valid Boat Safety Certificate until June 2021 and you could take her down the canal for a picnic today if you so wanted, but she still needs a fair amount of work to finish her off. She needs the exterior painting finishing, the ceiling and trims finishing, doors fitted to the toilet compartment and full height cupboard (the doors are made but just need fitting). The space on the port side, opposite the galley is empty at the moment and I had planned to put a dinette single bed there. I have replaced the window rubbers on the starboard side and the new rubbers for the port side will be included in the sale (as will other various bits and bobs).

There is new foam for the beds but you will need to make covers for it as well as fitting curtains. She has a Porta Potti toilet and there is room in the compartment for a small washbasin if you wanted. There is a stainless steel 2 burner hob with grill in the galley but there is no fridge as it had to be removed for the Boat Safety - you are not allowed a gas fridge on a petrol boat. This winter she seems to have developed a small leak, she makes about a bucket full of water in the bilge a week, so I have fitted an automatic bilge pump as a precaution. I don't know where this is coming in and so it would be advisable to have her lifted in the near future to check it out.

It is nearly 3 years since she was last anti fouled so she's about due to be lifted out anyway. Bridge House Marina at Garstang is about an hour away, they have reasonable charges and are very helpful to DIY'ers. She also leaks a little near the windscreen in particularly heavy rain but I've not really investigated this in depth, although it definitely isn't anything to do with the roof extension. She is moored at one of the most desirable locations on the Lancaster Canal, at a farm near Forton, Lancaster. At the bottom of a sheep field it is really peaceful and a great place to get away from it all.

In the drier months it is possible to drive right up to the mooring and there is also a car park provided for when this is not advisable. I have spoken to the landowner and he is happy for the new owner to take over the rights to the mooring, which costs £150 per year (plus Canal and River Trust fees). I will leave the 6ft x 4ft wooden shed for the new owner but will be removing the plastic storage box from the mooring. It should also be mentioned that the mooring could do with a bit of maintenance, a couple of the boards could do with replacing and would benefit from a pressure wash. Feel free to contact me with any questions or to arrange a viewing.

Happy bidding !