Thoughts on a Narrowboat Part 7–Rear Cabin

If there was a compartment where we would have a major rethink it would be the layout of the rear cabin.  On reflection, our thoughts about the design were probably compromised by our time on hire boats.  All our hire boats were cruiser stern with a rear bedroom.  We quickly discovered the rear bed on the hire boat was the dumping area for wet coats, shopping, etc and our efforts to overcome this problem were reflected in Waiouru’s rear cabin layout.  However in doing this we designed a compartment that wasn’t as multi-functional as the other areas.  Moreover we discovered Waiouru’s pram cover was a fantastic changing area when returning to the boat in inclement weather.  Wet clothing could be hung on coat hangers which could be hooked over the pram frame.  If the engine had been running then the rising heat assisted with the drying.

The rear cabin was 6’3” long.  There was a 2ft single bed on the port side with lockers underneath.  When in use the bed could be extended across the passageway to create a 4ft double bed.  On the starboard side was a wet locker (wardrobe) with long term storage in the base.  Beside that was the washing machine with the 12V freezer on a pull out drawer above.  Cupboards were located above the freezer.  Next to that was a small computer work station with a folding desk and a printer cabinet above.  The work station was never used for that purpose and became a dumping area for bits & pieces.

So what would we do differently?

Having realised the pram cover had negated the anticipated problem of bringing wet clothing into the boat we would move remove the back cabin and the galley to the stern.  We’d increase the length of the galley to allow the washing machine into that area.  We never found the need for a dinette but we would now fit a raised 5ft dinette between the galley and the saloon.  The dinette would fold out to form a 4’6” wide bed and the freezer would go underneath along with some storage.  We would keep two full height lockers either side of the stern doors for wet weather clothing and additional storage.  I think this would be a more multifunctional use of the cabin space.

Teak Coffee Table

Meanwhile progress on the coffee table repairs continue.   Jan helped place the oval glass top on the table and I marked around the edge with a sharp pencil where the glass overlapped the timber.  The glass was then removed and I used masking tape to highlight the pencil line before carefully removing the timber with the router. 

After confirming the glass would now fit into the table top it was removed and I turned the table over to refit the carved panel and bracing timber.  Then the table was turned back onto its legs and painted the bare timber with black paint to match the original.

Once the paint is dry I’ll sand the timber surrounds and give the timber a few coats of satin varnish before inserting the glass top.