TWO of a kind? In the past five years, 58ft has become the standard narrowboat length the maximum capable of cruising pretty much anywhere, including the short locks of the Yorkshire waterways. 58ft gives a great deal of layout flexibility, and builders have evolved a range of different layouts. This month we look at two contrasting answers from one builder, MGM Boats: the cruiser-sterned narrowboat Chance, and a very slightly shorter (57ft 6in) semi-trad that packs so much into the space, it was named The Tardis! MGM have been steadily producing boats for a number of years, and at this year s Crick Boat Show, they came a very close second in the favourite boat award missing out on first place by only a few votes. Chance EXTERIOR The steelwork on Chance is smooth and well-finished, with the shell built to MGM's own specification. There aren't many cruiser-stern boats that have a traditional beam on the cabin roof, to separate where the boatman's cabin would have met the engine room. Chance, unusually, has an almost square stern, giving a very large aft deck surrounded by one of the widest taffrails I have seen. The large wooden top to the rail gives comfortable seating, and allows space for eating al fresco without worrying about losing glasses and plates overboard. Under the rail is a white dodger, which wouldn't look out of place on a yacht and can surround the entire cockpit. This makes the deck very dog (and child) friendly, while keeping off the wind and, more importantly, giving more privacy to the aft cabin. The bow has very rounded features, and is well-proportioned to the 58ft length of boat. Trying to fit in longer cabins (Chance has 41ft of cabin) can make boats seem ungainly. Access to the bow thruster is through a steel hatch in the cockpit floor, which also provides extra storage for tools and equipment; the gas locker occupies the bow locker, with the stainless water tank under the deck. The cabin is well painted, with the mute colours and stainless steel fittings matching the modern nature of the boat. Aluminium portholes aft complement the large drop-back windows in the forward part. BEDROOM AND BATHROOM The door down to the aft cabin is set off to port and has a small porthole set in, which gives added light in the cabin. The steps down give more storage, while the bottom unit slides back to give more floor space a great idea. Two small cupboards against the port cabin side hide the central heating expansion tank, and control valves for isolating the radiators from the calorifier. Most builders would hide this in the wardrobe, but this keeps everything neat and tidy, and makes use of otherwise dead space. A large mirrored wardrobe and shelving is built against the aft bulkhead, with the bed against the forward one. This allows plenty of dressing space, with lots of high-level cupboards on the cabin side and above the bed head. The bed has locker space underneath, though some is taken up by the holding tank. Overall, though, the bedroom makes good use of its 9ft 6in cabin length. The bathroom is a walk-through design with a large quadrant shower on the centreline. The macerator loo pumps to a remote holding tank, with a washbasin next to it. Both Chance and The Tardis have LED lighting throughout. The small, chrome fittings, all individually switched, each contain a single surface-mount 52 October 2011 Waterways World BoatReview.indd 52 26/8/11 20:27:02
ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mirrored wardrobe adds depth to cabin; Ample lounging space forward; High standard of joinery throughout; Spacious bathroom; Eye-catching curved galley. FAST FACTS Boat: Chance, 58ft cruiser-stern narrowboat Builder: MGM Boats Price: 112,000 We like > Sliding step in aft cabin > Wide stern rail and dodgers making the aft deck a more social space > Curvy galley work surfaces Waterways World October 2011 53 BoatReview.indd 53 26/8/11 20:27:48
Bright saloon. Aft bedroom. diode giving a bright yet warm colour. he total lighting of the boat consumes around that of two ordinary halogen lights! Galley and saloon he galley is immediately striking. Your attention is drawn by the black Avonite work surface, and by the curved unit itted to starboard: the radius of the curve is matched in the opposite worktop. his gives space for a larger unit to be itted, housing a 7kg washing machine shallower, but wider than ordinary washers. Yet there is still plenty of space for people to walk through while the chef beavers away. Glazed side hatches give extra light and ventilation, while the work surfaces can easily have any scratches polished out (owners James and Doug recommend T-Cut!). A large fridge, separate stainless hob and oven, and plentiful storage mean that the galley should stand up to longterm cruising. Just forward of the galley, a large, curved dinette, dressed in leather, gives a comfortable eating and lounging area, while converting to a double bed for guests. he Karndean looring throughout is hard-wearing and easy to clean. Two large swivel seats in leather, to match the dinette, face the Squirrel solid fuel stove. engine he engine compartment has a Beta 43hp engine, with PRM oil-operated gearbox. In addition to the engine and domestic alternators, Chance is itted with a 3.5KVA Dometic Travelpower generator, and a 1800W inverter/charger running from the sensibly sized 440Ah battery bank. Additional batteries are located forward for the thruster, plus an engine start. he installation is neat and tidy, though some extra supports might be useful for the fuel lines. On the move, the engine proved to be very quiet: the large silencer and general thick insulation in the engine room help immensely. he boat produces very little wash underway, even with the more blunt stern. WW Verdict Chance is a modern boat with a fresh interior, well designed for the owners extended cruising plans; and at 112,000, or 1,930 per foot, it is competitively priced. The owners previously had a second-hand MGM boat, and were pleased enough with it to commission MGM for their new bespoke craft. They are delighted with the result, and the votes at the Crick show suggest that the public agrees. Well-upholstered dinette for comfy seating. 54 October 2011 Waterways World BoatReview.indd 54 26/8/11 20:28:49
Dinette makes guest double bed. Compact but functional bathroom. he Tardis Two separate cabins; space for two guests; and yet a spacious feel throughout the boat all in 57ft 6in. hat s quite a tall order and fully justiies the name of the boat. ExtErior Saloon given priority of space in the layout. Like Chance, the steelwork is built to MGM's design: but there are differences in the shape. he Tardis is a semi-trad boat with a longer cabin 44ft in total length. he bow is small at just 5ft 6in, but still usable and not pinched too tight. he owner has added a sizeable and very attractive brass tunnel lamp above the gas locker. he handrails are a traditional style, but thankfully with an extra lip to make gripping them easier. he windows are a good mix of portholes and large rectangular windows, with different numbers and positions on each cabin side a good mix. Avoiding a symmetrical window layout makes the interior layout more lexible: after all, you can t see both sides of the boat at once! Saloon and galley he 13ft saloon, at the front of the boat, accommodates two swivel chairs and lots of storage cupboards. he Squirrel solid fuel stove is to starboard, right FAST FACTS Boat: The Tardis, 58ft semi-trad narrowboat Builder: MGM Boats Price: 98,000 WE like > Very neat joinery in cabin it out > Exceptional use of space to make long-distance family cruising boat > Compact self-contained aft cabins Waterways World October 2011 55 BoatReview.indd 55 26/8/11 20:29:26
Centre double cabin. Tiles add splash of colour to galley. by the front door, in a very attractive stone-backed hearth. Putting the stove to starboard on any narrowboat does run the increased chance of having the chimney knocked off by branches if you have to move over to pass other craft, as opposed to having it to port. On both Chance and he Tardis the solid fuel stove installation does not meet the new Code of Practice, as covered in April s WW. Although this is not compulsory at present, boat-builders should ensure that they do meet these requirements in the future. Further aft is a comfortable pullman dinette, which easily seats four people around the central table, and converts to a guest double bed. A side door gives more light to the galley, which its a lot into its 7ft length, including a washer, a large cooker and fridge, plus ample storage space. Cabin and bathroom he main bedroom unusually comes before the loo, effectively separating the cabins. A long double berth sits lengthwise along the port side, with wardrobes at the base. Overhead storage gives enough space for long-term cruising, which is the retirement plans of the owners. he walk-through bathroom is short at 5ft, but packs in a large shower, macerator toilet (hidden by one of the doors when opened, so keeping it out of sight!), and a wash basin atop a vanity unit. Again, as with Chance, the LED lighting throughout is excellent: both boats have extractor fans in the bathroom, a detail often overlooked by builders. As with the rest of the boat, there is storage in every conceivable place. SeCond Cabin he brief included a cabin where the owner s daughter could both sleep and work, revising for her GCSEs and future study. his is itted into just 5ft of cabin length. To port, a single berth extends in a trotter box under the aft deck space taken up aside the engine. his has plenty of room for turning over in bed, without catching feet. Opposite is a narrow wardrobe, and a desk to work at. he steps give more storage, the bottom one sliding out of the way. his arrangement seems to work well, giving privacy and separate access to the loo and allows a teenage boater to have her own much-prized space! Stern Up on the aft deck, there are seats either side, which give space for cruising equipment, as well as a place for the crew to perch. here are short seats either side of the tiller never convincing on a trad or semi-trad boat, and certainly not practical to steer from. However, the tiller is light and well balanced: coupled with the bow thruster, it makes manoeuvring a doddle. Under the deck boards, the engine is a Shire 45hp, again with a Travelpower alternator for 230V power, as an alternative to the larger inverter/ charger. he Mikuni diesel heater is well itted (this runs radiators throughout Excellent aft single cabin and study. the boat), and the horizontal caloriier is in here as well. Underway, the boat is vibration-free. he Shire engine is a little noisier, with a slightly harsher exhaust note, than the Beta installed on Chance possibly due to the lack of sound insulation in he Tardis. WW Verdict The Tardis does indeed pack the proverbial quart into a pint pot. Even if it doesn t quite alter time and relative dimensions in space, it deserves the name. Although MGM Boats have produced boats for many years, they are not a high-proile builder: indeed, this was the irst time that they have exhibited at Crick, even though it is not that far to their base on the Soar at Thurmaston. Yet to almost win the favourite boat on their irst public outing shows that the company can it bespoke craft out at a good price. Several other boatbuilders were spotted wielding tape measures around the galley of Chance at Crick, so they appear to have impressed the trade as well! mgm boats 0116 264 0009, www.mgmboats.co.uk 56 October 2011 Waterways World BoatReview.indd 56 26/8/11 20:31:16