THE BUILDING OF 'SLOW PACE'


A 60’ semi-trad, reverse layout, bespoke designed narrowboat with shell built by Reeves
and fit-out by Heartwood Narrowboats.



This is a blog of the building and fit-out of the Narrowboat Slow Pace from base plate to launch.
The more recent postings are pictures taken during our cruising.






Insulation, wiring & lining-out

26 June 2008
Since our last visit the spray-foam insulation has been carried out, the wiring loom installed and the fitting of the bulkheads and lining out has commenced.


This picture was taken by Maria just before the spray-foaming was done....

....and this just after!

With the spray-foaming complete and the wiring loom installed the lining out can start.

The bedroom/galley bulkheads are positioned.

Our bathroom takes shape!

The first of the ash side panels go in.

Ian is cutting out the ash panel for the galley houdini. Meanwhile, Chris is checking on the dog!

Washing machine, PRV & Bilge outlets/skin fittings.

Our water tank - we have calculated to hold 136 gallons. Paul is scratching his head as to how to connect the supply pipe to the filler (top left), as Reeves have for some reason had this welded in a very awkward postion/angle.

Work in progress on changes to the the fuel filler & cap - we mentioned in an earlier posting that we might have something done to the one fitted by Reeves!

During the visit our hob, fridge & shower were delivered!

Our 1st visit - early stages

12 June 2008

Our first visit to see the early stages of the fitout.

Minor blemishes in the shell will not be allowed to affect the paint finish!

Position of the control panel etc. have been marked out - we will decide where we finally want them soon!!

Window & porthole battening is almost complete.

Our first steps on the newly laid sub-floor!

Close up detailing port hole, side hatch, bow doors and stern battening.

The washing machine has arrived and we have delivered the tiles for the bathroom & galley floor.

The fitout commences!

With Crick over for another year work starts on the fitout of Slow Pace. These pictures have been kindly taken for us by Maria.


A coat of bitumen has been applied.

The ballast blocks are being put in.



With the sub-floor laid the battening commences.

Porthole battening is started.

The engine bay has received a coat of paint!


Our first ever visit to Crick

23 & 24 May 2008

The Saturday was a lovely day. First stop was to see our boatbuilders, Paul & Maria & the gang, on their show boat for this year, Alma Jean (the first boat from the left in the far row). Then it was off to visit as many of the competition’s boats as possible, with a view to nicking good ideas wherever we saw them!

Saturday night was spent in the beer tent, meeting the owners of Mehalahland, Plan B & The Maisibert, along with the new owners of Alma Jean. These guys are the Heartwood Boat Supporters Club - an esteemed organisation to whose ranks they’ve now promoted the Slow Pace crew – and what a lovely bunch they all were!

Sunday was a miserable, wet & windy day – but that didn’t stop us. Our priority was to buy an oven & water filter & to have a good look around the stalls. We also managed to fit in a couple more of the show boats. By mid afternoon we were all sodden & soaked through & more than happy to take up an invite to visit Mehalahland, Plan B & The Maisibert at their moorings on the cut. Once again their owners all made us very welcome & it was great to see previous example of our boatbuilder’s workmanship & to get first hand comments & recommendations for our own build.

Even with the bad weather on Sunday it was a great Crick Boat Show for us (we could only make the Saturday & Sunday, so missed the disappointment of the premature closure on the Monday). We managed to pick up some bargains, picked lots of the expert’s brains & got to meet some really lovely people. So roll on next year’s Crick. You never know – Slow Pace might even be moored up out on the cut!