£94,995 | | |
Status: | Available |
Tax Status: | Tax Exempt |
Location: |
Avoncliff nr Bradford on Avon Wiltshire UK [View Map] |
Fir is a rare 55ft Sevener tug-style narrowboat built in 1935 by Charles Hill Ship-Builders of Bristol.
Steeped in history, Fir has been lovingly updated, retaining much of her character and charm and has been in our ownership since 1995 when she was lived on, as a home for 20 years.
A gorgeously cosy saloon with a Morso Squirrel multi fuel stove and a contemporary double sofa bed,
modern kitchen area with full size (600mm) Hotpoint gas cooker, Morco water heater and oak worktops. She has a tiled shower room with a 800mm shower tray. Fir has a 1950’s 29hp 2 cylinder air cooled Lister HR engine (that blows smoke rings) and beyond this a separate boatman's cabin with a double bed and a radiator fed by the Squirrel stove.
Fir is equipped with two 100w solar panels and a Victron sinewave phoenix 12|800 inverter and 240 plug sockets in the saloon, kitchen and engine room. She also has an RCD for landline hookup. All the 12v lights are equipped with LED bulbs. On the front deck she has a space for two 13L propane gas bottles. At the point of the bow there is a large space used for storing firewood and under the front deck a hold containing a 190 gallon water tank and another large space that is extremely useful for storing tools, coal, paint etc so that it is very easy to keep the living space of Fir clear, clean and tidy.
Fir had a full hull survey carried out by Christopher Berry Marine Surveyor in October 2019 and carries a Boat Safety Certificate valid until September 22.
Fir’s sides were re-plated in 2004 and she has been regularly removed from the water to be inspected, blacked (sides and base plate) and have new anodes fitted every 4 to 5 years since ownership in 1995. The latest survey showed the hull to be in very good condition throughout.
In the spring of 2020 Fir was repainted using Craftmaster paint.
Fir has a rich history, starting out life in 1935 as a 70ft tug for the Severn & Canal Carrying Company (SCCC). One of 8 boats built between 1934 and 1935 and all named after trees, commissioned to work for Cadbury’s, this set of boats became known as Seveners. She would ply the Severn river and Sharpness canal from Gloucester docks to the Cadbury’s factory in Bournville, carrying up cocoa beans and bringing back chocolate crumb (a waste product in the chocolate industry). In 1950 she was sold to Charles Ballinger and renamed Bridget. 1963 she was sold again to Wyvern Shipping and was cut down to 55ft (two boats would often be cut down to make a third). Fir was restored by Duncan Knapp boat fitter at Cowroast Marina and sold to us in 1995 when she was moved to Bath and lived on for 20 years before being used for leisure. Oak, one of Fir’s 7 sisters, is kept at the Waterways Heritage Museum in Gloucester.
Fir has been lovingly looked after, updated and semi refitted over the years, keeping her in great condition. She is the perfect live-aboard or holiday home for someone wanting an authentic and historic traditional narrowboat that is constantly admired wherever she goes.
Vessel type: | Traditional Tug Style Narrowboat |
Builder: | Charles Hill Ship Builder |
Model: | Severner Tug |
Constructed: | 1935 |
Registration: | 61839 |
Registry: | Devises |
Berths: | 2 |
No. of engines: | 1 |
Engine model: | Lister HR2, 2-cylinder naturally aspirated, diesel. |
Engine power: | 29 |
Fuel type: | Diesel |
Drive type: | Shaft drive |
Length over all: | 55' |
Beam: | 7' |
Maximum draft: | 34' |
Hull material: | Steel |
Hull type: | Flat bottom |
Hull colour: | Black |
Fuel capacity: | 90 Gallons |
Water capacity: | 190 Gallons |
2 birth boatmans cabin and 2 birth sofa bed in saloon
Construction: Iron with welded steel over-plates
Steel thickness (original) - Bottom plate: 6 mm Counter plate: 6 mm Hull side plates:
Original iron sides were 7.2 mm then 6 mm around the stern area.
Lister HR2, 2-cylinder naturally aspirated, diesel. Circa 1950
Note: Indicated location is approximate general area only.