I saw this boat on ApolloDuck, ticks all my boxes. They have packed in a lot despite its smaller size, being 40ft.

 

Sadly it was already sale agreed by the time I enquired, but it would be good to get your thoughts. Good/bad/things to consider, or things I may have overlooked. 

Image credit: Braunston Marina Ltd via Apollo Duck.

https://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/colecraft-40-cruiser-stern-for-sale/801891/9564330

I am not surprised it sold quickly being an fitted out by Aqua Narrowboats, they usually sell quickly. They are one of the better fitting out companies for a modern style narrowboat.

It does look like a nice boat. The crossbed can be a bit of a pain. Many need some degree of preparation each night.  Having a  fixed double where you can just lie down when you fancy with all the bed made is very nice to have. We were told cross bedded boats tend to be slower to sell? 
 

It looks like it’s turning circle is impaired at Hawkesbury junction but that’s probably a user determined scenario . 

I like the oversized portholes. Good idea. 

 

I actually live on a 40 footer saloon launch but it is 9ft wide not 7 which makes a difference. Broadly similar to a narrow but a bit wider. 

 

Having also lived on 32ft, 40ft, 55ft and 72ft narrows I would say that a well sorted 40ft is a really good thing to have. I realise this is probably not for living on but 40ft is handy as one can turn in more places and it is generally lighter and less arduous to handle. 

 

Ideal. 

 

However the bed situation as mentioned above is clearly a compromise. 

 

 

 

The front wall deck seems very small. However there appears to be seating space on the starn deck so that's not a big deal as long as getting in and out is comfortable. 

 

Getting in and out is often something overlooked in the design while also being one of the things one must do more regularly than most other activities. 

 

 

It's a very nice boat. I like the cross bed, especially if it properly makes use of the design and is 5ft wide. Biggest downside is no stove and no obvious place to put one. 

I would not be without a fire but there are radiators so presumably a boiler of some sort. Probably a Webasto. 

 

Nothing is quite like a nice little wood burner but for a lot of people the cleanliness and practicality of a wet Diesel heating system will be all they want. 

 

I really like my wood burner and it is my only heating but that is probably not typical. 

 

 

If I acquired the vessel and had to keep it I think there is some space in the galley for my fire. 

 

Edited August 11, 20251 yr by magnetman

24 minutes ago, magnetman said:

I would not be without a fire but there are radiators so presumably a boiler of some sort. Probably a Webasto. 

 

Nothing is quite like a nice little wood burner but for a lot of people the cleanliness and practicality of a wet Diesel heating system will be all they want. 

 

I really like my wood burner and it is my only heating but that is probably not typical. 

 

 

If I acquired the vessel and had to keep it I think there is some space in the galley for my fire. 

 

 

For a leisure boat the rads would be fine, but like you say there's nothing like having some sort of stove. Might be easier to install some sort of wall mounted stove like a Dickinson. 

 

You can have a proper poke around the boat here https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Xo9eKBj35ye&brand=0

@rmo this one looks nice, if you’re after this length?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CWpUQLLtY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

1 hour ago, BoatingLifeUpNorth2 said:

@rmo this one looks nice, if you’re after this length?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CWpUQLLtY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

You have to join the group to see. Can you do screenshots?

Edited August 14, 20251 yr by MrsM

27 minutes ago, MrsM said:

You gave to join the group to see. Can you do screenshots?

Here’s the details. Description and photos, looks a nice little boat for weekends and holidays, seating converts bed,may not suit everyone 🤔

 

Edited August 14, 20251 yr by BoatingLifeUpNorth2

Not as nice as the op in my opinion 

1 hour ago, BoatingLifeUpNorth2 said:

Here’s the details. Description and photos, looks a nice little boat for weekends and holidays, seating converts bed,may not suit everyone 🤔

 

 

Lovely boat, and I appreciate you sending it over. Shame about the photos though - bit of a miss on the basics. Rule one of photography: light! Yet they’ve plugged the portholes and apparently skipped cleaning the shower glass.
 

That aside, I’d say 40ft is about the shortest I’d consider. This being 36ft means I'd likely end up paying 40ft mooring rates too. A fixed bed is a must for me, though a cross-bed isn’t a deal breaker. Being on the shorter side, I can just about manage without needing to extend it, even if it means sleeping diagonally.

I must admit, the idea of brushing my teeth with the side hatch open does appeal. I can already picture the curious glances from towpath wanderers 🤣