"We first hired in 1990 – a taster weekend with an Alvechurch 70 footer!
We loved ‘ditch crawling’ so hired again and again until we decided we wanted the comfort of a boat designed for us, so ordered a bespoke from Hanbury Boats weeks before they went into liquidation in 1999 (to re-emerge as the New Boat Co.)
Fortunately all OUR deposit had been given to Alexander Boats towards the shell cost. Sandhills NB’s emerged from the collapse of Hanbury and, now self employed, the lads who had worked for Hanbury made us a lovely boat.
60 foot, so not good for all the newly opened network, with a bath we never used and a cross bed which we’d decided we’d prefer lengthways, we decided to fine tune our ideas into a new build.
Lucky to find Ally & Neil with one vacant build slot at the right time we decided, after looking at some of their other craft, that Beacon would be our ideal builder – we’ve not regretted it!
SUFFOLK PUNCH – named because horses used to pull NB’s AND because we live in Suffolk only a mile from a stud where the this rare breed is bred – so nothing to do with lawn mowers as so many comment – mind you I suppose a horse is also a kind of ‘lawnmowers’.
If you want a bespoke design, lovingly made to your precise needs talk to Ally & Neil – and don’t worry if at first they say a wet room can’t done in a NB or a fold-away double bed will be too heavy – after probably many sleepless nights Neil excelled!
They say on the towpath it takes 3 new boats before you get it right! Thanks to Beacon we’ve done it in 2!"
Geoff & Jane Wilson
We loved ‘ditch crawling’ so hired again and again until we decided we wanted the comfort of a boat designed for us, so ordered a bespoke from Hanbury Boats weeks before they went into liquidation in 1999 (to re-emerge as the New Boat Co.)
Fortunately all OUR deposit had been given to Alexander Boats towards the shell cost. Sandhills NB’s emerged from the collapse of Hanbury and, now self employed, the lads who had worked for Hanbury made us a lovely boat.
60 foot, so not good for all the newly opened network, with a bath we never used and a cross bed which we’d decided we’d prefer lengthways, we decided to fine tune our ideas into a new build.
Lucky to find Ally & Neil with one vacant build slot at the right time we decided, after looking at some of their other craft, that Beacon would be our ideal builder – we’ve not regretted it!
SUFFOLK PUNCH – named because horses used to pull NB’s AND because we live in Suffolk only a mile from a stud where the this rare breed is bred – so nothing to do with lawn mowers as so many comment – mind you I suppose a horse is also a kind of ‘lawnmowers’.
If you want a bespoke design, lovingly made to your precise needs talk to Ally & Neil – and don’t worry if at first they say a wet room can’t done in a NB or a fold-away double bed will be too heavy – after probably many sleepless nights Neil excelled!
They say on the towpath it takes 3 new boats before you get it right! Thanks to Beacon we’ve done it in 2!"
Geoff & Jane Wilson
Exterior photo of Suffolk Punch approaching lock was taken, and kindly provided by Geoff Caine of canalscene.com
Suffolk Punch is a 56’ semi-trad style narrowboat, with a very high technical specification.
Externally, she is painted in a bespoke blue, with decoration to compliment the name. All windows, ports and houdini’s are double glazed and powder coated to match the paintwork. Extra steelwork was carried out for such things as plank securing brackets from the bow, extra security measures, and stainless steel fender hangers. A multitude of external fittings include solar, satellite, external speakers, CCTV, lighting, intercom, and tunnel cruising aids. Security lighting is also fitted to windows. All decking areas and lockers are finished with ‘Sea-dek’. An Axion propeller, and a bow thrusters are also fitted. Chrome and stainless steel fittings are used throughout the boat.
The engine is a Beta 43, under sound insulated, lockable boarding and has an extra Purifiner filter to guard against diesel bug. A large bank of leisure AGM batteries is installed, and 230v power comes from hook up at both ends of the boat, or via a 3kw pure sine Vetus inverter. The engine bay also houses the Webasto central heating unit, which fuels matt black radiators through the boat, and secure folding bike storage points
Internally the boat is fitted in oak, with oak Tongue and groove walls in some areas, and painted tongue and groove ceiling. Windows are dressed with a mix of blinds and curtains, bungs for the ports, bow windows, and houdinis. The floor is solid oak throughout. LED lights are fitted throughout. Reverse layout, walking down the storage steps, flanked by electric, and airing cupboards, into an unusual bedroom. The bed is an inline full width bed, so when out is 6’6” long and 6’ wide. The larger section folds up against the wall in the day, the smaller providing a day sofa. Two wardrobes are fitted either side, and satellite TV is fitted (along with a host of electrical controls for engine, battery management, and onboard music, media and security systems, tucked neatly away) The day sofa hides the pump out toilet tank under it, and there is provision for a desmo legged table for daytime use. A later addition has been a stainless steel open bar sliding barrier at the base of the steps, to contain a rather spirited large puppy!
The bathroom is a walkthough style, in black and oak. A porcelain toilet, stylish square porcelain basin, and large black flush fitted shower tray, are set in blackened oak fittings. The shower has bespoke glass panelling, and black tiles complete the look. A small washing machine is also housed in the bathroom cupboard.
Into the galley, an L shape with extra units opposite. The worktop is a bespoke Sylestone Amazon Leather finish, under which is a multitude of cupboards and drawers, including our kickboard drawers. The galley also houses 12v fridge, gas hob and eye level grill & oven, as well as cellar box storage. The sink and drainer are 2 circular models, with fitted chopping boards, and a 3 way single tap providing hot, cold & filtered water. A Nereus gas/Co alarm & an extractor, is also fitted. In the walk way through to the saloon, is a side hatch with semi-circular top hatch, with additional slide in screen. A later addition has been a glass screen above the low bulkhead between the galley and dinette.
The dinette is an ‘L’ shape, with 12v freezer below, and additional storage. This can be made into a spare bed if required, and has flexible table options, with a free standing table, as well as the option for a desmo legged single table. The dinette is also the point of several further electronic control and socket points. Additional space is given for a free standing easy chair in the saloon, opposite which is a discreet TV unit. Further down is the second of 2 houdini hatches (both have our hand- made magnetic insect screens), a further cellar box for coal storage, and a Bubble solid fuel burner with Warstock Insulated flue system, surrounded by hammered copper. A storage step and corner unit complete the saloon.
The stern has a flat cover, but the bow has been left as an open area, without cratch. Again the Sea-dek has been fitted here, along with storage lockers, lights, tunnel lights (foreward, above and to the sides)horn & exterior sockets.
We would like to wish our customers many years of happy cruising in Suffolk Punch.
Suffolk Punch is a 56’ semi-trad style narrowboat, with a very high technical specification.
Externally, she is painted in a bespoke blue, with decoration to compliment the name. All windows, ports and houdini’s are double glazed and powder coated to match the paintwork. Extra steelwork was carried out for such things as plank securing brackets from the bow, extra security measures, and stainless steel fender hangers. A multitude of external fittings include solar, satellite, external speakers, CCTV, lighting, intercom, and tunnel cruising aids. Security lighting is also fitted to windows. All decking areas and lockers are finished with ‘Sea-dek’. An Axion propeller, and a bow thrusters are also fitted. Chrome and stainless steel fittings are used throughout the boat.
The engine is a Beta 43, under sound insulated, lockable boarding and has an extra Purifiner filter to guard against diesel bug. A large bank of leisure AGM batteries is installed, and 230v power comes from hook up at both ends of the boat, or via a 3kw pure sine Vetus inverter. The engine bay also houses the Webasto central heating unit, which fuels matt black radiators through the boat, and secure folding bike storage points
Internally the boat is fitted in oak, with oak Tongue and groove walls in some areas, and painted tongue and groove ceiling. Windows are dressed with a mix of blinds and curtains, bungs for the ports, bow windows, and houdinis. The floor is solid oak throughout. LED lights are fitted throughout. Reverse layout, walking down the storage steps, flanked by electric, and airing cupboards, into an unusual bedroom. The bed is an inline full width bed, so when out is 6’6” long and 6’ wide. The larger section folds up against the wall in the day, the smaller providing a day sofa. Two wardrobes are fitted either side, and satellite TV is fitted (along with a host of electrical controls for engine, battery management, and onboard music, media and security systems, tucked neatly away) The day sofa hides the pump out toilet tank under it, and there is provision for a desmo legged table for daytime use. A later addition has been a stainless steel open bar sliding barrier at the base of the steps, to contain a rather spirited large puppy!
The bathroom is a walkthough style, in black and oak. A porcelain toilet, stylish square porcelain basin, and large black flush fitted shower tray, are set in blackened oak fittings. The shower has bespoke glass panelling, and black tiles complete the look. A small washing machine is also housed in the bathroom cupboard.
Into the galley, an L shape with extra units opposite. The worktop is a bespoke Sylestone Amazon Leather finish, under which is a multitude of cupboards and drawers, including our kickboard drawers. The galley also houses 12v fridge, gas hob and eye level grill & oven, as well as cellar box storage. The sink and drainer are 2 circular models, with fitted chopping boards, and a 3 way single tap providing hot, cold & filtered water. A Nereus gas/Co alarm & an extractor, is also fitted. In the walk way through to the saloon, is a side hatch with semi-circular top hatch, with additional slide in screen. A later addition has been a glass screen above the low bulkhead between the galley and dinette.
The dinette is an ‘L’ shape, with 12v freezer below, and additional storage. This can be made into a spare bed if required, and has flexible table options, with a free standing table, as well as the option for a desmo legged single table. The dinette is also the point of several further electronic control and socket points. Additional space is given for a free standing easy chair in the saloon, opposite which is a discreet TV unit. Further down is the second of 2 houdini hatches (both have our hand- made magnetic insect screens), a further cellar box for coal storage, and a Bubble solid fuel burner with Warstock Insulated flue system, surrounded by hammered copper. A storage step and corner unit complete the saloon.
The stern has a flat cover, but the bow has been left as an open area, without cratch. Again the Sea-dek has been fitted here, along with storage lockers, lights, tunnel lights (foreward, above and to the sides)horn & exterior sockets.
We would like to wish our customers many years of happy cruising in Suffolk Punch.
