"We had outgrown our previous 37ft Trad with its own engine room and were looking around for a longer boat and more space.
Keith made extensive enquiries as to a suitable boat builder, through boat shows, talking to boat owners, following on-line blogs and particularly following up the account in Canal Boat of Golcar Lily. We paid a visit at one of their open days and were so impressed with standard of build that we put down our deposit and were prepared to wait the 15 months before work could begin. Such is Beacon's reputation!
….. So the decision was made… the time was well spent by us, preparing a computer aided design layout for the boat that was beautifully transformed into reality by Gary and Lee at XR&D and Ali and Neil with the fit-out at Beacon.
The team effort was completed with Mark Clamp producing a wonderful paint job and Dave Moore casting his magic on the sign writing. She was launched on Monday 21st June at Pillings Lock Marina on the Grand Union Canal and named Fruit of the Vine to reflect Keith's partiality for French wine (Neil has even provided an under floor "cellar") and Dianne's ministry as an Anglican Reader.
Nothing was too much trouble and so we can't thank you all enough for producing a boat to our very own specification and to such a very high standard that will enable us to cruise in complete comfort for years to come.
We've probably not been the easiest of customers but we must be the most satisfied:
thank you Beacon Boats "
Keith and Dianne Yeandel
Keith made extensive enquiries as to a suitable boat builder, through boat shows, talking to boat owners, following on-line blogs and particularly following up the account in Canal Boat of Golcar Lily. We paid a visit at one of their open days and were so impressed with standard of build that we put down our deposit and were prepared to wait the 15 months before work could begin. Such is Beacon's reputation!
….. So the decision was made… the time was well spent by us, preparing a computer aided design layout for the boat that was beautifully transformed into reality by Gary and Lee at XR&D and Ali and Neil with the fit-out at Beacon.
The team effort was completed with Mark Clamp producing a wonderful paint job and Dave Moore casting his magic on the sign writing. She was launched on Monday 21st June at Pillings Lock Marina on the Grand Union Canal and named Fruit of the Vine to reflect Keith's partiality for French wine (Neil has even provided an under floor "cellar") and Dianne's ministry as an Anglican Reader.
Nothing was too much trouble and so we can't thank you all enough for producing a boat to our very own specification and to such a very high standard that will enable us to cruise in complete comfort for years to come.
We've probably not been the easiest of customers but we must be the most satisfied:
thank you Beacon Boats "
Keith and Dianne Yeandel
'Fruit of the Vine' is a 47' traditional style narrowboat with some less usual detailing.
Built with a slipper stern, to aid handling characteristics, it does indeed handle very well, turning on a sixpence, reversing well, and creates little to no wash. Although only 47' long, we still shoehorned in every detail of our 57' boats….including a bath in the reduced size bathroom! Externally, the trad stern and bow have planked detailing on them, and roses and castles on the stern doors courtesy of Dave Moore.
Two side hatches are provided, one with top opening and a pleasing semi-circular oak-lined hatch opening, and removable steps below. Three 'dog boxes' are also provided for light and ventilation. Our usual hull detailing is all there as well. Internally, she has a traditional layout of, from the Bow, saloon, galley, bathroom, bedroom, engine room.
The saloon has painted tongue and groove tulipwood, with oak trim to contrast. It includes a storage step with heat guard, multi-fuel stove on Victorian floor tiled flush hearth and surround, a storage unit with a tall slim cupboard, general cupboard and shelves, which also has a neat laptop occasional table to fit it. The rest of the area takes freestanding furniture, and has built in music system and wireless internet (which goes right through the boat).
The open plan galley has a solid oak handmade worktop, with inset glass topped utilities, and lots of cupboards, shelves and drawers, including our 'cellar boxes'. Of course, there is also the fridge and eye level oven/grill.
In the 'smallest room' we managed to fit a vanity unit with cupboard, bath with shower over and nice glass swinging screen…also with a shelf at the end and cupboard under, and the cassette toilet too! The bedroom has our cross bed that is simple to make up single handed, an over cupboard, wardrobe shelves and drawers, handy mug shelves either side of the bed, some under storage, another music system, and hidden away, an elaborate water and heating system complete with pumped drain system for winterising.
Into the engine room, and more storage cupboards, steps, shelves and cubbyholes. A riser step is also available for anyone less tall whilst steering, and we even made a special tray for the stern hatch, to hold a cuppa (or pint!) a phone, and the customers Garmin device, which is cradled on an angle that also flattens down to enable easy storage. A neat electric cupboard, pure sine inverter, various gauges such as a smart gauge and others, and of course the brand new Canal line 42 hp engine from Engines Plus, which is cocooned in a fully removable engine surround.
On trial runs, we found it to be a nice, and quiet engine….the customers were hailed from the tow path at one point, to be asked if it was an electric boat, it was so quiet! The fit is, apart from the painted T&G, all oak, including solid oak flooring throughout. Gas central heating has been fitted with the new 'compact' Alde system, which can also be run on the landline.
We wish the boat and her new owners many happy days of cruising the waterways.
Built with a slipper stern, to aid handling characteristics, it does indeed handle very well, turning on a sixpence, reversing well, and creates little to no wash. Although only 47' long, we still shoehorned in every detail of our 57' boats….including a bath in the reduced size bathroom! Externally, the trad stern and bow have planked detailing on them, and roses and castles on the stern doors courtesy of Dave Moore.
Two side hatches are provided, one with top opening and a pleasing semi-circular oak-lined hatch opening, and removable steps below. Three 'dog boxes' are also provided for light and ventilation. Our usual hull detailing is all there as well. Internally, she has a traditional layout of, from the Bow, saloon, galley, bathroom, bedroom, engine room.
The saloon has painted tongue and groove tulipwood, with oak trim to contrast. It includes a storage step with heat guard, multi-fuel stove on Victorian floor tiled flush hearth and surround, a storage unit with a tall slim cupboard, general cupboard and shelves, which also has a neat laptop occasional table to fit it. The rest of the area takes freestanding furniture, and has built in music system and wireless internet (which goes right through the boat).
The open plan galley has a solid oak handmade worktop, with inset glass topped utilities, and lots of cupboards, shelves and drawers, including our 'cellar boxes'. Of course, there is also the fridge and eye level oven/grill.
In the 'smallest room' we managed to fit a vanity unit with cupboard, bath with shower over and nice glass swinging screen…also with a shelf at the end and cupboard under, and the cassette toilet too! The bedroom has our cross bed that is simple to make up single handed, an over cupboard, wardrobe shelves and drawers, handy mug shelves either side of the bed, some under storage, another music system, and hidden away, an elaborate water and heating system complete with pumped drain system for winterising.
Into the engine room, and more storage cupboards, steps, shelves and cubbyholes. A riser step is also available for anyone less tall whilst steering, and we even made a special tray for the stern hatch, to hold a cuppa (or pint!) a phone, and the customers Garmin device, which is cradled on an angle that also flattens down to enable easy storage. A neat electric cupboard, pure sine inverter, various gauges such as a smart gauge and others, and of course the brand new Canal line 42 hp engine from Engines Plus, which is cocooned in a fully removable engine surround.
On trial runs, we found it to be a nice, and quiet engine….the customers were hailed from the tow path at one point, to be asked if it was an electric boat, it was so quiet! The fit is, apart from the painted T&G, all oak, including solid oak flooring throughout. Gas central heating has been fitted with the new 'compact' Alde system, which can also be run on the landline.
We wish the boat and her new owners many happy days of cruising the waterways.
