Narrowboat Merrilees 42ft Cruiser Narrow Boat

Merrilees has been a wonderful home to me for the last sixteen months, and it is only a change in circumstances that is prompting me to sell her now. I have thoroughly loved my time exploring the London canals as well as the River Lea, moving from Brentford to Hertford and everywhere in between. ​ The perfect size for a London liveaboard with a continuous cruising licence, Merrilees is a 42 ft Hancock and Lane narrowboat, built in 1974. She has a well-insulated GRP superstructure in good condition that has been well maintained, meaning that unlike some steel boats, condensation is not an issue in the winter and I found her significantly warmer than my previous all-steel boat. She is recently surveyed with a BSS valid until June 2021.

New in 2016/2017 Professional external painting of cabin and hull above blacking (Darren Lee, Willow Tree Marina, May 2017) Refreshed internal painting of trim, walls and ceiling (April 2017) Blacking and pad welding (Uxbridge boat centre, May 2017) Hull Survey (Hugh Ellacott, May 2017) 2 x 150w solar panels plus controller (February 2016) 1000w pure sine wave invertor (February 2016) Engine survey by Kevin Hosgood at Willow Tree Marina (February 2016) Secure stable door at stern, the main entrance (built by Darren Lee, Willow Tree Marina, February 2016) Internal wall creating bike storage area and hiding electrical panels from view Music system with speakers mounted throughout boat Purpose built fold away table with storage 12v TV/DVD wall mounted in lounge area TV/DVD mounted in wall in bedroom 12v Waeco fridge Thetford cassette toilet Storage bench in bow Folding table in bow Small double mattress Hose pipe The solar set up is so effective that it for most of the year it keeps the batteries topped up, lights on and fridge running, reserving the engine for propulsion. I have always had sufficient 12v power – enough to comfortably run all lights/tv/fridge. Should you want 240v the 1000w invertor is able to handle most appliances including kitchenware and power tools. There are USB charging points in the lounge easily enabling multiple devices at one time. ​ Just before I bought Merrilees a new stainless steel water tank was installed in the bow.

This holds more than enough water for a two week period (one person showering and washing up). The plumbing was also refurbished in 2015 with new whale pumps for fresh and grey water. I bought a new Thetford cassette toilet when I moved aboard, which is stowed away in a hatch when using the shower. ​ There is ample storage under the high bed, with space adjacent to the sleeping area for holding a bike (as seen in the photos) or hanging clothes. There is additional storage in the lounge area, as well as external bow storage for coal/wood/recycling/hosepipe etc.

In the form of a bench and front hatch. I have had installed a sound system in the main living area, and two TV/DVDs (decadent, I know), one in the lounge, and one built into the bedroom wall. ​ In 2015 the hull was blacked and surveyed by previous owners – it was deemed to be in good condition with a new rudder stock tube and some pad welding around the waterline recommended and completed straight away. That survey is available to view, along with her new survey. Hugh Ellacott, who conducted the survey, has agreed transfer the survey to the new owner, as long as the request is made by the 2nd November 2017.

​ Merrilees has an extremely reliable Lister SR2 engine, equipped with a news tarter battery (replaced in October 2016), and 2 x 110AH leisure batteries (new in July 2015). The boat has been rewired throughout with 12v LED lighting. She is very fuel efficient, in a large part due to the fact that for most of the year I do not need to run the engine to charge the batteries. ​ She has a wonderful cosy multi-fuel Squirrel stove, and instant hot water is provided by a Morco gas water heater. She also has an attractive Vannette green oven and a four hob burner.

In an external gas locker are two 13KG propane gas canisters for hot water and cooking. ​ She has a black cratch cover in great condition on her bow, under which I’ve had installed the storage bench previously mentioned and a folding table, making it the perfect space to have dinner outside in the summer, and a very useable space in colder weather. For viewings please message me.