After Much debate and searching around builders we have decided to commission a new boat.
So QE2 is now up for sale at Bluewater marina where we bought her from.

We have decided on a 50' narrowboat with:
Spray foam insulation.
Bow lockers.
Diesel central Heating with programmer and frost stat.
Morso Squirrel Solid fuel stove.
Stainless steel water tank.
1500w inverter/charger.
 240v system with galvanic isolator.
4x110AH domestic batteries.
"Cross" bathroom.
Electric macerator pump out toilet with tank gauge.
Microwave fitted in galley.
Fixed double with extension to full size with "folding" interior sprung mattress.
L shaped dinette (converts to double bed.)
Fitted radio/CD player.
Isuzu 1500cc engine with twin alternators, deluxe control panel
and 110amp alternator upgrade for domestic batteries with a digital controller.

Internal Layout
(overhead cupboards not shown)

Kendall Narrowboats are the builders we have chosen. We chose them as their "standard spec" was not far off what we wanted, with the extras came within our budget and we really liked the feature staircase into the bedroom. Also Mark was very patient (and still is) answering the many emails I sent promptly and not seemingly worried that I was constantly asking questions.
Having visited Kendall's and seen the quality of Mark's work we knew that although Liverpool is a long way from us, this was the builder for us.

We decided on windows rather than port holes and also a slide out extension to the side of the bed to make it full size. This will give us a full sized bed with very little effort come bedtime. It did mean the door to the bedroom has to open the other way but as we are having a "cross" bathroom this does not matter.

The galley is a "U" shape, we liked the idea that someone could be working in the galley and still allow passage down the boat.

 Our galley will be slightly different as it will be on the opposite side of the boat because of the cross bathroom. We are having a standard sink and drainer. The ones shown do look good but are not a practical as an ordinary one. The curve will carry on all the way round with a hob fitted in the work surface with an oven and grill underneath rather than the cooker you see. The fridge is on the right but you can't see the door handle in the photo.

Our saloon area will be similar to this but again a mirror image and the windows will be bigger and nearer the front.

This is the shower that will be fitted into the cross bathroom.

The completion date is around the end of August - beginning of September. This of course means we will in effect miss the season this year. Unless you have the resources to finance a new boat and keep the old one I don't see how this can be avoided. I chose this time scale so I would be trying to sell QE2 in the spring time as I thought that would be the best time.

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