The 15m steel cruising barge shown above started as a personal dream and has stimulated a large amount of interest - and some imitation. The hull design is based aesthetically on the lines of the Dutch luxemotor barges but uses a double chine form to simplify construction. Rather than follow the conventional working barge superstructure arrangement this design uses a centre wheelhouse and a second helm position on the raised aft deck. This is a similar style to that used on aft cabin motor cruisers and combines the outside living space that is so often missing from barges with a large and sociable wheelhouse/saloon.
The first barge, 'Kajala' (see Gallery One), was launched in 2006 and is moored at Goole on the Humber. Three 60footers and an aft cockpit 56footer are currently being fitted out, and the 57ft 'Ida' designed for use on Ireland's inland waterways has recently been launched on the Shannon. All the barges to date have steelwork by South Holland Marine and both 'Kajala' and 'Ida' have been fitted out by Stoke on Trent Boat Building Co Ltd. On Gallery Two is a photo of the South Holland Marine 60ft shell being completed by Walkerboats in Brighouse and due for launch sometime in 2009.
If you are thinking of commissioning a barge, either as a private individual or as a commercial builder, please contact me to discuss your requirements.