Like many of Mothership Marine’s customers, owners Peter and Tracey were in the process of retiring. It was their intention to keep a ‘land house’ but spend as much time as possible in the warmer months aboard Sunflower.
Peter and Tracey enjoy entertaining and hosting friends onboard. Conversations would generally flow “you must try this Burgundy, and by the way have I told you this boat’s solar electric?”
In the design brief it was important that the owners were able to enjoy a cup of tea in the morning, looking out through the front of the boat, which meant not having the drawbridge bed, so a small double was built with an extension piece.
This changes the dynamic of the bathroom and means that a shower area is possible.
All in all this is a very sociable layout and one that the owners are keen to share with friends.
Sunflower has a semi cruiser stern with synthetic teak. Her cabin doors open 180 degrees and inserts are placed in the quadrant void to provide a continuation of the seats.
Stand on the stairs to enter the main cabin and you’ll find an electrical cupboard on the right hand side and a storage cupboard/cloakroom on your left hand side.
The galley contains the usual appliances, sink, hob, oven, fridge and washing machine.
At the end of the galley by the duck hatch is a folding table on the starboard side and on the port side is the stove, which is the main heating onboard. Forward of the stove is the saloon featuring a large built-in comfortable sofa. This area converts into a dining area when entertaining.
Pass through the sliding door and you’ll enter the bathroom. On your right is a luxuriously large shower for a narrowboat and sink and composting toilet. Above the toilet is a shaped cupboard which makes good use of the wardrobe space shared with the bedroom.
All fixtures and fittings in the bathroom are black and provide a pleasant contrast to the reclaimed pine used in the boat.
The bed is 5’ by 6’3”. Has drawers along the length and the mattress base lifts with the aid of gas struts for extra storage. Extra light and views are given by glazing the panels adjacent to the doors.
Side Elevation
Day Plan
Roof Plan
Sleeping plan