Falcon
Introduction
Owners Tom and Polly came to visit the Mothership yard in Oundle, Northants with a funny story. They’d just been visited by their children, all now adults with their own families. The ‘children’ were reminiscing about the narrowboat holidays and how much they’d enjoyed them. Polly and Tom were taken aback, “we thought you hated them”. “No” they said, “we loved them”. Kids who’d have them!
After a short trip on Shine, both Tom and Polly were convinced that solar electric was the way to go as not only was it the green option but the quiet motor really enhanced the countryside experience. They found it a real tonic and a good antidote to modern day life.
A good way to think about a boat is to question what it will be doing and who will be on board the majority of the time. The 80/20 rule applies to narrowboats as well.
80% of the time. Tom and Polly have plans to explore the UK. Up and down and left and right. They’ll be doing this mostly on their own so the boat really has to be a home from home. On a 57′ narrowboat you have about 240 square feet of floor space. This sounds a lot but it’s about the size of the average 1 bedroom flat. The interior layout has to be uncompromising and about the couple, how they like to live, sleep and entertain. I should mention that Tom and Polly are lots of fun and like to entertain. It’s worth pointing out that storing heavy Lead Carbon batteries in the ‘engine’ room means there is less need for ballast at the back end of the boat leaving an exciting amount of space to store wine stored under the floor.
20% family. All in search of a bit of R&R and laying down a few family memories. Falcon is adaptable. The sofas turn into chaise longues, that turn into benches either side of a dining table that drops down to form a king size bed. Over the galley, hammocks quickly materialise. The perfect place for a young apprentice pirate to catch up on a bit of shut eye.
Specification
- 10 kW Direct drive air-cooled electric motor
- 28.6 kWh lead carbon battery
- 1.8kW integrated solar array
- 5kW back-up generator
- 3.6kW isolation transformer
- 8kW inverter
- 58’ 6” Semi cruiser reversed layout
- Steel 10,6,5,4
- 2 pack paint system
- Teak deck
Layout Description
An important feature of Falcon is her very sociable stern. This semi cruiser stern allows four people to sit very comfortably together with each person having ample space. The synthetic teak affords this area a very warm and comfortable feel without being difficult to maintain.
Descend the steps of this reverse layout narrowboat and you’ll have the electrical cupboard on your right and storage cupboard/cloakroom on your left. At the bottom of the steps you’re into the kitchen where there is ample space to cook and swing a cat. This is because at Mothership Marine we believe living space is more important than storage space. To facilitate this we trim the starboard side kitchen units. Extra storage under the floor makes an ideal space to store wine.
At nightime, in family mode, these hammocks are strung across the galley to sleep young children. This may address the travesty that is the national shortage of young pirates. Arrr!
At the end of the kitchen is a comfortably sized breakfast bar.
In the saloon you’ll find two custom made ‘chaise longues’, these are multifunctional and transform from chaise longues to a king size bed to a dining room table for six. On the forward bulkhead of the saloon is a Reflecs stove with back boiler to heat radiators on the port side and on the starboard side cupboard space and a bookshelf.
In the bathroom you’ll find a composting toilet, wash basin and a 2’ by 3’ shower.
In the bedroom is Mothership Marines electrically operated ‘Drawbridge Bed’. When lowered the bed measures 5’ by 6’6”. It’s worth mentioning that being able to walk through the centre of your bed to access the well deck is a very practical solution as none of us are getting younger.
Side Elevation
Day Plan
Roof Plan
Sleeping plan
