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.






Galley & Beds

11 September 2008

On our latest visit to Heartwood we find the galley is progessing and a start has been made on the beds and wiring up the electrics cupboard.

The galley takes shape.

The doors are being hand made and curved to match the wortop template profile.

Our oven is in place!

Small, but perfectly formed!

Port side carcassing has been started.....

....and so have the beds!


Installation of the electrical equipment has also commenced.

Bathroom, Propeller, Batteries & Engine

22 August 2008

Our latest trip to Heartwood is followed on Saturady by a visit to the IWA Festival.

The bathroom wall cabinet has been made.

The vacuum toilet pump assemly & cassette positioned in the vanity unit.

Access for removing the cassette has been made in the bulkhead.

The first of the galley carcasses take shape.

We have a propeller.....

.... and four AGM batteries!

Installation of the engine has commenced.




Following our visit to heartwood we spent the next day at the IWA Fesitval, which was held this year at Autherley Junction on the Shropshire Canal.

Bathroom & Galley

08 08 08

Our latest trip to Heartwood gives us a chance to see the progress of the bathroom tiling and agree the final layout of the galley.

Maria has started tiling the bathroom walls......

..... and the floor!

We decide the best position for the WC pan!

Paul transposed our 'concept' paper galley worktop templates onto plywood.

These were then positioned at the correct height, which allowed us to make any changes necessary to the size & shape from both a practical & aesthetic point of view.

Now we have agreed the postion of the oven, hob, sink, fridge & microwave, the work on the carcasses can commence. The doors of the base units will be shaped to follow the curve of the worktops - a Heartwood speciality!

The plumbing starts

25 July 2008

The plumbing in has commenced and the electrics cupboard has been formed.


The washing machine is in postion and the calorifier, which will be under the L-shaped dinette, has been plumbed in.


The elecrics cupboard is sited above the washing machine.


The shower waste pump has been fitted.

This bathroom vanity cupboard will also house the toilet vacuum cassette, which will be accessed from the lobby.

The strainer, pump & accumulator have been plumbed into the water tank. The cables seen going out the bow doors will be for charging the bow thruster battery.

Our control panel has arrived!

Our engine arrives!

14 July 2008

With the ash boards fitted and bulkheads positioned, we can start to visualise the layout and make final descisions regarding sizes of wardrobes etc. We also get to see our new engine!

With the hatch covers removed, the roof & cabin sides have been given another coat of primer.

Our Beta 43 has arrived.....

.... and the Hospital Silencer!

The cables for the navigation lights & horn.

We layout our concept worktop templates - they fit!!!

With the help of a few props we plan our forward bedroom!

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.