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The first drawing shows the overall layout of "The Antidote"
and is followed by larger scale drawings of different parts of the boat:
The overall layout drawing gives an idea of what I like (and dislike) in
narrowboats. For example, I don't like dinettes much. I agree that they
serve a useful purpose on hire boats (more bums on seats = more revenue) but
I have always found them uncomfortable for lounging.
So initially I went for open space in the saloon, with two comfortable armchairs,
and a folding gateleg table for dining. (Later on, I decided to install a folding table on
"Desmo" legs together with a settee along the cabin side. This is shown on the
Latest Mods page).
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At the front of the saloon, a cupboard to port holds the TV whilst a "Becton Bunny"
multifuel stove to starboard keeps the boat snug in cold weather.
The galley is not huge - this is a 2+2 boat so the galley needs to
be functional, not elaborate. The fridge is a 230V 4 cu.ft. fridge with icebox.
(230V fridges are a fraction of the cost of 12V fridges, and the LEC ER450AW
has an "A" energy efficiency rating, 161 kWh/yr). The gas hob and gas oven
are conventional "Stoves" units. |
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There are four large windows in the saloon and galley, and a skylight above
the galley area, to make this whole area bright. (I know that
portholes are traditional, but I don't like gloomy narrowboats).
The middle section of the boat contains the "owner's quarters", consisting
of the master bedroom and bathroom.
The bed is 6'3" long and extends to 4'6" wide. There is a fully fitted wardrobe at its foot,
including a central mirror above the dressing table. |
| I was not prepared to compromise over the sanitary ware. There is a 4'0" x 2'4"
bath with shower, an electric macerating toilet (discharging to the holding tank
underneath the bed), a full size pedestal basin, and a bidet.
The rear section of the boat contains the "guest quarters", consisting
of the rear cabin and en-suite "utility room" with basin and toilet. A Candy
Aqua 10T compact washing machine is concealed under the countertop, accessed
from outside the utility room. Originally the
toilet in here was another electric macerating unit, but I later changed this
to an Elsan "bucket and chuck-it" for the reasons explained on the
Latest Mods page. |
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The rear cabin doubles as my study when not in use by guests, hence the hinged
desktop and cupboard/shelving above. Guest sleeping is achieved with a
sofabed opening to 6'0" x 4'0". It would be simple for a new owner to put bunk beds or
an extending double in place of the folding desk, to convert this into a
permanent double-berth cabin.
At the rear of the cabin are cupboards and
wardrobes, one of which houses the 18 gallon calorifier. Hot water can be
supplied from three sources - Alde gas bolier, Beta 43 diesel engine, or 1,500W
immersion heater.
The standard Weltonfield layout (which I rather like) is to fill the bows with
the fresh water tank, using a large top hatch for filling and viewing. I specified an
enlarged tank which holds about 300 gallons. |
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Two gas bottles are housed in the aft cockpit lockers, whilst storage
lockers in the bows hold two spare gas bottles. The aft cockpit is enclosed by
rear doors (as is conventional with semi-trad designs) to make this area safe for my
grandchildren.
There are 12V DC and 230V AC power circuits. 230V mains voltage is
supplied by shorepower and/or Victron Phoenix 12/2000/120 pure sine wave inverter
(continuous rating 2,000VA). Four 135AH batteries store DC
power for the 12V items and supply the inverter.
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You may wish to send comments or queries to Alastair:
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