Boat sale Blackberry Way March 2021 0
Channel: Norbury Wharf Ltd
Date: 2021-04-06

GOODBYE BLACKBERRY WAY 

Blackberry Way has been home to journalist Peter Underwood and his wife, Heather, for more than 15 years - but now the author of Getting Afloat and Living Afloat is going ashore. 

He said: “After many years we are saying goodbye Blackberry Way… 

“Blackberry Way has been our floating home, our only home, as we have travelled the system – from London to Lancaster, Leeds to Llangollen. 

“Although she is of mature years – built by Coles Morton at the start of the 80s – she is made of good British steel and she has always had whatever was needed to make her a solid, safe, warm and functional home, capable of tackling anything the waterways have to offer. 

“She has been a home for two, but Blackberry Way remains a family boat with up to seven berths if required. At 58 ft she will go anywhere on the 2,000 miles of Britain’s waterways. 

“We have always gone the extra mile with Blackberry Way, so when the base plate showed some feathering on the edges a few years ago we had a whole new baseplate rather than stitch on some patches. The hull has now been coated in two-pack epoxy paint, and re-coated just last year.” 

The original Lister engine has been replaced with a smooth- running workhorse, a 38 horsepower Isuzu, and the engine room is also home to a Webasto diesel heater which was fully refurbished by the manufacturer just over a year ago, as well as three new batteries.

The large cruiser stern, is protected by an equally large pram hood, designed and manufactured by Tony Saunders at Bethsaida Covers. The hood drops quickly and easily for cruising, sitting beneath the tiller arm, with it’s own cover and a bag for the detachable sides. 

Stepping down from the stern you enter the main cabin, with a wet locker on your right, which is home to a new Sterling Battery charger and a Sterling Inverter. 

In the main cabin there are two full length benches with storage under them – the L-shaped one makes up into a double bed and the other a single bed. A gateleg table place in the L-shape makes an excellent dining space and Peter says he has sat eight down to dinner. 

The benches are opposite the Bubble Diesel stove with a back boiler which keeps Blackberry Way cosy from bow to stern, as it feeds the radiators which line the length of the vessel. On the same side you find a built in chest of drawers with space above for a TV, and other equipment as well as books. 

The spacious main cabin is adjacent to the galley which has a built in gas cooker, with four rings and an oven, and a 12 volt refrigerator, as well as sink and drainer and cupboards and shelves. 

Moving towards the bow you come next to a cosy bunk bedroom with a wardrobe and shelves for storage. Next is the shower room with a good sized shower and, a recent addition, a waterless, or composting toilet. 

Peter explains: “It has proven to be effective for us, but if you don’t like it, it is easily replaced by a cassette toilet or even by reinstating the pump-out toilet we removed a decade ago, as the tank is still in place.” 

Finally you arrive at the bow bedroom which contains a fixed double bed, chest of drawers and a wardrobe. The bed has been extended by a few inches to give a full width double. 

A door on one side of the bedroom leads out onto the bow, which is protected by a cratch and cover. Blackberry way is light and airy with big windows, all of which have double thickness thermal curtains to help keep you cosy on chilly days. 

Peter summed up their philosophy whilst living on the vessel: “Wherever possible we have opted to install double or even triple systems to ensure we can carry on boating. The batteries are charged by the engine and by 420 watts of solar power on the roof, as well as by a charger if you are hooked up to a landline. 

“Whilst the lovely diesel stove will see you through the depths of winter, the Webasto heating system, controlled by a thermostat, will ensure you are warm in the Spring and Autumn when temperatures drop at night. 

“In many ways, Blackberry Way is the result of our many years of experience of living and travelling on a boat. Of course there will be things you want to change and it is a boat, so things will go wrong. 

“I estimate that, in addition to the usual costs of diesel, licences, insurance, Blackberry Way has had an average of £2,500 spent every year. 

“We have loved her and cared for her. We hope someone will buy her who will do the same.” 

To check out Blackberry Way, contact Norbury Wharf Ltd Telephone: (01785) 284292 | E-mail: info@norburywharfltd.co.uk or look at their website at norburywharfltd.co.uk under boats-for-sale. 

£34,999