***Extremely high spec fully off-grid liveaboard dutch barge. Huge lithium battery capacity (all fully certified as marine safe) and highly efficient solar array providing all electric needs for most months of the year***
**Currently taking viewings with sale for May, so contact ASAP before we stop viewings**
Viewings are week running 21st-26th April!
We are so excited to introduce our beautiful home on the water- Ida J.
We bought her 2 years ago, and have completely refitted and redecorated the boat to a much higher spec than when we got her!
Selling as either a 2 or 4 berth. She is currently a one bedroom boat (with a second sofa bed in the living area), but was initially a 2 bedroom boat. We are willing to reinsert the second bedroom if needed and sell this as a 4 berth (free of charge). The second bedroom goes where the work station currently sits in photos.
New professionally fitted kitchen, complete with gas oven, two burner hob, butler sink, and two 24v fridge/freezers. Tonnes of storage in kitchen. Full thickness solid oak worktops + breakfast bar. All gas work was carried out and certified by a marine Gas Safe engineer. There are two 13kg gas canisters in an external lock box.
Large living space with wood burner fire and space for wood storage. As well as inbuilt extendable drying rack for clothes.
Workspace/second small bedroom: we currently use the area as a workspace/office, which is perfect if you work from home, but was originally a second small bedroom. We are happy to rebuild the second bedroom is as it is fully set up for this purpose boat safety-wise (ventilation, heating, own power source and lighting). You could fit a single bed/bunk beds or even a small double in the room. This would naturally make the living room smaller, but you'd still be able to fit a large sofa. The kitchen would remain the same size.
The boat is heated by woodfire and radiators, of which there is one in the kitchen, one in the office area, one in the hallway, one in the bathroom, and one in the bedroom. The entire heating system was professionally updated with two huge 80 litre calorifiers and 3 diesel heaters (all for the purpose of filling the bath). These can all be run at once or individually, and have timer capability. In the summer, you only need to run 1 for using showers, washing dishes etc. In colder months, you may need to run 2 or 3 at a time in order to heat water necessary to fill a bath.
Bathroom. Entirely rebuilt in late 2023. She has a full size bath and a heating system fully capable of filling it. (This was something we invested a lot of money in as a bath was something we really wanted!). There is also a shower in the bath. There is a washing machine in the bathroom, and a sink with under sink storage.
Ida is completely built for off grid living: she has 3 highly efficient adjustable 420 watt solar panels on the roof & 2 more 200 watt solar panels on the wheelhouse. The rest of the electrical system was almost entirely rebuilt by qualified marine electricians in 2023 and 2024. All electronics are Victron and the batteries are lithium by Roamer. Meaning we have a huge battery capacity (600ah at 24v) and it can all be monitored and to some extent controlled remotely. With room to further integrate advanced sensors and monitors into the system for gas, diesel and water level monitors. Potentially even a 24v immersion heater when there is excess solar power (all things we would have done if we were to remain living there ourselves).
The wheelhouse (internally) has been completely rebuilt in April 2025, and has just been freshly oiled inside and out.
Ida J is going to be lifted out of the water early May, to be freshly blackened, have new anodes fitted, and have a full survey done. So she will be fully ready for full time use and transfer of ownership in May. We are currently taking viewings now with a look to transfer ownership in May, so contact soon as we are seeking a prompt sale as we are due to move ourselves.
Has current Boat Safety and Gas safe certificates, she is ready to be a full time home.
Specifications:
60 by 10 ft
Light yellow and blue
400 litre water tank under double custom made bed (an additional separate inbuilt water tank can be reconnected)
12/24 volt efficient LED lighting throughout
Full Victron Setup: 3000 watt inverter- 70Amp
2 x Victron MPPT
Cerbo GSX + Victron touchscreen control (system can all be monitored remotely)
Battery capacity: 2 x 300ah 24v Lithium Batteries from Roamer
Roamer SMART4 LiFePO4 | High Power 300A BMS x2 (these are top notch, top quality and super effective- they're also less than a year old.) https://shorturl.at/glE9b
X3 Autoterm heaters
Ida J is currently moored in one of the most beautiful canals in Kent. And she sits opposite a castle, so she has stunning views all year round. The mooring can be taken over if desired. This is not guaranteed and will require a conversation with the current landowner with regards to pricing. But this will be for serious enquiries who actually come to see the boat.
The area itself is beautiful with a pub within a few steps, a 30 minute walk to a larger Waitrose supermarket and cafes, pharmacy, vets, and a 30 minute walk into Maidstone town centre with ample shops, places to eat and more. You've also got a coffee shop just at the lock, which is a few minutes walk away too. There is the possibility of parking, paid monthly via an app. And the area offers lots of beautiful walks!
Vessel type: | Wide beam Narrow Boat |
Builder: | Dave Clark Boat Builders |
Make: | David Clarke |
Model: | 60 Widebeam |
Fit Out: | 2012 then again in 2024 |
Constructed: | 2010 |
HIN: | DC00174 |
Berths: | 2 |
No. of engines: | 1 |
Engine model: | Shanks |
Fuel type: | Diesel |
Length over all: | 60' |
Beam: | 10' |
Hull material: | Steel |
Water capacity: | 500 Litres |
Ida J was originally a 2 bedroom boat- during her renovation, we knocked down a wall to create an open plan living/office area space. However, it's important to note, the wall can be put back up, so it can be returned to a 4 berth boat for those who desire that. The second bedroom is smaller, and would make a good children's room, or you could fit a smaller double bed in there.
Other than that, the main bedroom is a good size, with good lighting. We added in newly built in wardrobes for ample storage space. There is also a large storage section in the bedroom at the front of the boat. Perfect for storing general things, or you could add proper shelving into it if wished.
The entire boat has recently had new flooring put down, the entire ceilings replaced with beautiful light oak stained cladding. The wood burner area has been completely retiled. There is brand new vertical wood cladding across the living and hallway walls. She's recently been painted inside. We redid all the lighting to LED, and added in two dimmer lights for ambience, one in the living room, and one in the bedroom.
The entire boat oozes comfort and cosiness, and she's a dream in the winter!
She was originally fitted out in 2010, then she had renovations done in 2012, and we bought her in 2023. We redid the entire boat. From front to back. We rewired the electrics, updated the solar systems, updated the heating systems, and fully decorated the boat to a high specification. She's had a brand new kitchen (fitted end of 2024), complete with real wood worktops and a stylish bulter sink and two tier oven and two burner hob.
Barrus Shanks 35HP engine.
Fitted when the boat was fitted:The previous owners didn't take this boat out on the water a lot, but we have taken the boat out a number of times, and even drove the boat from London to Allington and had no issues with the engine. Sure, she doesn't go super fast, but you're not wanting to go super fast on a canal anyway! Engine has been looked over by a boat engineer, and had the diesel and oil filters changed late last summer. Not been overused either, so it's all good!
Note: Indicated location is approximate general area only.