Albert - the basics

Albert at Stoke Bruerne January, 2005

Albert is a 61ft tradional narrow boat; built by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and fitted out by her first owner in cottage-style; mostly in iroko. Albert is Steve & Maggie's second boat; their first being a 41ft Peter Nicholls traditional narrow boat.

She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM diesel controlled by speedwheel and has a short version of the traditional working boat back cabin. The base colour is mid-coach green but the stern section has black panels with oak scumbling. There is also a "pigeon box" ventilator and an exhaust stack mounted on the roof above the engine room.

Our home mooring is Kingfisher Marina at Yardley Gobion on the Grand Union Canal.

Back cabin

Traditional style back cabin (6' 6") with a Premier solid fuel range, oil lamp, brass knobs, ticket drawer and lace.

Back cabin and engine room

Back cabin with drop-down table decorated by Maggie. The engine room is beyond. The engine control rods can be seen.

Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM (Mk V)

The Ruston is a 2 cylinder 2 litre direct injection diesel with twin alternators and Adverc battery management system. It has electric & hand starts (very hard work!) and is rated as 15 hp at 1,000 rpm. The engine drives a three-bladed Crowther 22"x16"propeller via a PRM 160 gearbox. The engine room (5' 10") also houses a Victron Combi invertor/battery charger and small brass wash basin.

Bedroom

The main bedroom has a four poster style bed. Heating is by Alde gas boiler and radiators.

Saloon & Galley

Saloon has free standing furniture and is heated by Brunel solid fuel stove. Cooking is by gas and there is an electric (12v) fridge. The boat has 12 v dc and 240 volt ac throughout.