Dutch Barge 18m Converted Bunker Boat

A gold DAF 825 of 160hp sits like a crowned king in a throne room! This has to be one of the (if not the) cleanest and tidiest machine rooms I have ever seen. Just look at the photos. Look at the simple, solid well thought out installations. A hydraulic pump attached to the fore end of the motor for the windlass and steering (there is a backup system for the helm in the event of engine failure). Box cooling for the main engine (fully sealed system with NO tubes on the outside of the hull). Six batteries 4 x 230A/h and 2 x 200A/h for domestic systems. A small crane has been installed next to the battery box for battery handling and reflects the experience and attention to detail that has gone into the creation of this impressive vessel. In the forepeak Another battery is dedicated to starting the generator and also powers the bow thruster.

24 volt battery, 240 volt generator, 240 shore power voltage, 7 batteries charged by: engine, solar panels, shore power, generator

Built as a bunker boat in 1929 (Shell Oils) the vessel has been converted into a very comfortable cruising home. She is conscientiously maintained (look at the photos and try to find a drop of oil, a speck of dust or a chip in the paint) by very experienced owners.

The aft deck has ample space to seat four and is all on the same level as the wheelhouse saloon, making the aft deck a sort of patio from the wheelhouse saloon. The wheelhouse has a very complete helm station forward and comfortable seating for six with good views from deep windows and 1.87m headroom adding to the feeling of space. Forward down to the galley / dinette with over 2m headroom and an all electric kitchen the bywords here are cozy, classic and comfortable. The diesel fired space heater adds to the traditional atmosphere but is not just a decorative “talking piece”. It is connected to the central heating system and with an output of up to 16250 Btu can serve as the stand alone heating for the entire vessel. That said there is a dedicated central heating boiler in the engine room with a maximum output of 38 Kw (that’s a massive 129,000 BTU!!). The boat is insulated with thin film high tech. insulation material over a 4cm thick layer of rockwool and all windows in the lower accommodation are double glazed units. Wheelhouse windows are insulated by secondary plexi-panes. The day I visited the boat it was well over 30° and inside temperatures were very acceptable. Next down the corridor (which runs the length of the port side) is the guest cabin. 2m headroom a walk-around bed of 1.9m x 1.25m central heating radiator, wardrobe, shelves and cupboards. Next down the corridor is the “bathroom” with its hipbath cum shower, wash basin and industrial grade manual toilet. This might not look like something from a designer studio but believe me its beauty is in its robust simplicity (and the peace of mind that comes with it!) Lastly is the owners cabin, a full width cabin with 2m headroom, a walk-around bed of 2m x 1.3m storage and opening double glazed windows port and starboard. Hot water is from an immersion heater of 80 litres. Deck shower cold water only.

2 burner Electric cooker/stove