A day aboard Narrowboat Oyster Bay
As our research continues, we were delighted to be invited to spend a day on Narrowboat Oyster Bay. Yes, it is an unusual name - the boat was named after the owner's favourite New Zealand wine - and is painted in the colours of the label. Clever eh?
At 58 ft long (a go-anywhere boat canal-wise), she can sleep up to six people in comfort:
Two in the front cabin (main bedroom) - this is an inline bed with a panel that can slide out sideways to make it 4 ft 6 inches ft rather than the usual four foot you tend to get in narrowboats.
. . . two in the bunk bed cabin - we were impressed with how spacious and un-cramped this cabin felt - helped a lot by a "Houdini" hatch rooflight which flooded the cabin with wonderful light. The clever shelves tucked neatly at the side of the bed provided loads of storage and each bed has it's own LED reading light.
and two on the leather L shaped sofa in the saloon which converts quickly to a double bed with a bit of huffing and puffing (by me) by sliding a panel out and moving the cushions around a bit
The saloon (living room) is compact, as you would expect with a 58 ft boat with two sleeping cabins, however it works beautifully. Incredibly light here, thanks to the large double glazed windows and another Houdini hatch in the roof.
There is a choice of two tables which slot into the floor holder - a dining table for up to six people, which is stored under the gunwales when not in use, and a smaller round table for putting your Oyster Bay wine and nibbles of an evening (or tea and scones during the day). The small table can also be used on the well deck (the pointy bit at the front) as there is a floor holder set into the floor there too.
An Aga woodburning stove sits to the port side of the boat and opposite is a spacious cupboard for additional storage
The galley (kitchen) is a compact double L shape with a butler sink and incredibly fits in a washer-dryer and a microwave as well as the usual hob and oven. I really loved the hanging pan holder - never seen this before on a boat and is wonderful for storing large pans and casseroles which steal so much cupboard space
The shower room is walk-through style (as opposed to "off corridor) and comprises large oblong shower, cassette loo and lovely bowl and waterfall tap. Special touches in here include a wooden towel rail/shelf and spacious corner cupboard to absorb all those essential beauty item us ladies need - and loo rolls!
I love Love LOVE this boat - there are so many clever and well thought through design features - like the original Welsh miners lamps used as wall lights throughout converted to LED lights and the clever use of space for as much storage as possible.
A beautiful boat, delightful welcoming owners. We now have a benchmark for our narrowboat . . . .
 |
| Narrowboat Oyster Bay |
At 58 ft long (a go-anywhere boat canal-wise), she can sleep up to six people in comfort:
Two in the front cabin (main bedroom) - this is an inline bed with a panel that can slide out sideways to make it 4 ft 6 inches ft rather than the usual four foot you tend to get in narrowboats.
 |
| Main cabin (bedroom) taken from front of boat |
. . . two in the bunk bed cabin - we were impressed with how spacious and un-cramped this cabin felt - helped a lot by a "Houdini" hatch rooflight which flooded the cabin with wonderful light. The clever shelves tucked neatly at the side of the bed provided loads of storage and each bed has it's own LED reading light.
 |
| Very clever bunk beds mid-ships |
and two on the leather L shaped sofa in the saloon which converts quickly to a double bed with a bit of huffing and puffing (by me) by sliding a panel out and moving the cushions around a bit
 |
| Saloon (living room) and galley (kitchen) beyond looking towards stern of boat |
The saloon (living room) is compact, as you would expect with a 58 ft boat with two sleeping cabins, however it works beautifully. Incredibly light here, thanks to the large double glazed windows and another Houdini hatch in the roof.
There is a choice of two tables which slot into the floor holder - a dining table for up to six people, which is stored under the gunwales when not in use, and a smaller round table for putting your Oyster Bay wine and nibbles of an evening (or tea and scones during the day). The small table can also be used on the well deck (the pointy bit at the front) as there is a floor holder set into the floor there too.
An Aga woodburning stove sits to the port side of the boat and opposite is a spacious cupboard for additional storage
 |
| Cruiser stern seen through rear doors |
The galley (kitchen) is a compact double L shape with a butler sink and incredibly fits in a washer-dryer and a microwave as well as the usual hob and oven. I really loved the hanging pan holder - never seen this before on a boat and is wonderful for storing large pans and casseroles which steal so much cupboard space
 |
| Saloon and galley |
 |
| Galley with saloon beyond |
The shower room is walk-through style (as opposed to "off corridor) and comprises large oblong shower, cassette loo and lovely bowl and waterfall tap. Special touches in here include a wooden towel rail/shelf and spacious corner cupboard to absorb all those essential beauty item us ladies need - and loo rolls!
 |
| Walk through shower room |
I love Love LOVE this boat - there are so many clever and well thought through design features - like the original Welsh miners lamps used as wall lights throughout converted to LED lights and the clever use of space for as much storage as possible.
 |
| Saloon taken from the stern |
A beautiful boat, delightful welcoming owners. We now have a benchmark for our narrowboat . . . .
Comments
Post a Comment