Narrow boat living is way more than an economical way of getting your foot onto the property ladder – it’s a lifestyle that has a distinct sense of community, and togetherness with nature.
Roman Valley, a 60 foot cruiser stern narrow boat, offers an excellent way to combine a cost effective home, tranquil holidays, and a simply lovely way of living.
The basics
Roman Valley is a 60 foot cruiser stern narrow boat, providing sleeping accommodation for up to 6 people. With programmable central heating, a fully equipped galley, and a spacious bathroom, she provides a comfortable and cosy way to live aboard, as well as cruising the canals and rivers – as you wish. As a live aboard, she would be most comfortable with a couple, but people with youngsters and pets absolutely do live on boats of this size.
Let’s take a walk from the bow to the stern.
Bow
The bow offers a protected place to sit and watch the world float by, as well as storage for the gas bottle and the 100 gallon fresh water tank. A lockable door and a couple of steps take you down into the master bedroom.
Master bedroom
The master bedroom provides a full width double bed with ample cupboard and drawer space, as well as a pull-down make-up table and mirror. Windows either side offer plenty of natural light, while recessed ceiling lights provide artificial lighting (these are throughout).
The master bedroom is lined with pine – as is the vast majority of Roman Valley. A solid lockable wooden door provides access to the bathroom, and a radiator provides ample heat.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a full size, walk-in shower cubicle that offers a shower on a par with many homes. The pumped water provides an excellent flow, and the cubicle is spacious and bright.
There’s a wash-basin with pumped hot and cold water, mirror, towel rail, radiator, windows, and WC. Storage under the sink is home to toiletries and other bathroom necessities.
Another lockable door provides full privacy while in the bathroom, as well as access to the second bedroom.
Bedroom 2
The second bedroom has two configuration options – being a double bed, or two bunks. Wardrobe and drawer storage provides ample place for clothes and shoes etc, a radiator keeps the room warm and dry, and there’s lots of natural light.
Galley
The galley is fully equipped with a full sized 4 burner gas cooker, grill and oven. A 4 cubic foot refrigerator offers enough space for a couple of days shopping, while a sink and drainer provide plenty of space for washing and drying. The galley has masses of storage space, with work surfaces for food preparation, and appliances such as kettles and toasters. There’s even under-counter space for a dish-washer/ washing machine/ additional fridge. Eye level double doors open out onto the water, giving light, ventilation, and a greater sense of space.
Saloon
The saloon has lots of windows, creating a sense of spaciousness and light, with seating for 6. The table provide generous space for meals or games, while cleverly designed cupboards provide yet more storage for life’s many and varied bits and pieces. Radiators provide warmth, while the TV point and aerial offer entertainment options.
The fully programmable heating control gives the ability to set the heating on a timer, and even on the coldest of days, the boat is warm within a few minutes of the heating running.
If you need it, the table can be quickly and easily removed (about 30 seconds) and 2 further berths are then at your disposal – bringing the total to a possible 6 berths. This sleeping space is best suited to younger age groups, but will accommodate adults.
Steps and a sliding hatch cover take you up to the stern deck.
Stern
Being a cruiser stern, the aft area provides more seating, more storage, and the tiller and engine. There are two lockers with seats, and space for deck chairs. It’s a great place to relax with a glass of something cold in the evening sun.
More space
Those familiar with live aboard lifestyles will know that both the front and rear of narrowboats can be adapted to provide enclosed spaces. At the rear, a pram hood cover would create significant additional space for living or storage.
Technical bits
Roman Valley has a shore-line hook-up meaning that while moored, she can be connected to a mains supply, and isn’t reliant on running the engine to top-up the batteries for your electrical needs. The installed inverter means that you can run 240V appliances, such as kettles, microwaves, and washing machines etc.
The WC runs into an on-board tank, so a pump-out facility is required – instead of the need to remove, empty, and replace cassettes.
The engine is an ISUZU diesel – known for being both reliable and durable.
History
Roman Valley has been used as a holiday rental boat for several years, being fastidiously maintained throughout her life. For most of this time she was based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, and then more latterly in Coventry. She is privately owned and is available for private sale – through Trinity Marina.
Having been moored since the end of the 2019 boating season, she needs a little TLC to bring her back to the warm and cosy boat that we spent much family time aboard.
She was built in 2003.
All pictures are illustrative, and some minor details differ. Purchase is subject to Trinity Marina Terms & Conditions.
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