Fitting Out A Narrow Boat
Have you ever wondered how much it would cost to fit out a narrowboat? Well we have put a pricing example together to give you a rough guideline of what it would cost. (Please note - we do not fit out boats at the marina)
We have based the costings on a 57 foot shell which is an average sized narrowboat, and used a mid range of products and fittings. You will need to factor in your own time and any professional help for a contractor.
A very basic second hand boat which needs work; sometimes known as a project boat will cost;
Prices in the region of;
- 35 foot £15,000
- 57 foot £26,000
- 70 foot £35,000
New Shell/Sailaway:
Alternatively you can buy a new shell, known as a sailaway (57 foot) for as little as £18,000 +VAT see here or £29,250 +VAT see here and fit it out yourself.
There are a number of different skills needed to fit out a shell. The key ones are, woodwork, plumbing, electrical, painting and gas fitting. Consider if you have the skills to carry out these jobs and also the time to complete the project.
You will need to add the costs for any labour needed, as well as the cost of the fittings to the total project cost.
For a 57ft boat you should allow around 120 working days (that is roughly 60 weekends) spending around 8hrs per day working on the boat. Additional time will be needed for research and shopping!
Pricing example of fitting out a 57 foot shell
These costs are estimates based on a 57 foot narrow boat and are only a guide to give you an idea of approximate cost.
We have picked a shell priced mid way between the two guide prices
discussed earlier.
Of course the quality of the fittings you purchase will have an affect on the overall cost, in this example. We have used mid range products to give a estimated price for this exercise. You can upgrade, or go cheaper depending on your own budget.
57 foot Boat Shell | |
Basic Sailaway | £12,400 | |
Engine (38HP) | £6,000 | |
Spray foam | £1800 | |
Delivery | £1000 | £32,800 |
Item | Cost | Sub Cost For This Section |
Upper
lining | £1120 | |
Lower
lining | £660 | |
Varnish | £90 | £1870 |
|
Wiring | £950 | |
Fixtures
(Light fittings etc) | £275 | |
Consumer
unit / Fuses | £120 | £1345 |
| |
Hot
water system & calorifier | £1000 | |
Cold water supply | £325 | |
Pump etc | £120 | |
Waste | £60 | £1505 |
| |
MFI
Unit Assy / doors | £190 | |
Oven
& Hob | £359 | |
Fridge | £369 | |
Sink
& taps | £95 | |
Work
Top Tiles | £155 | £1,168 |
| | |
Bulkheads
/ partitioning and doors | £160 | |
Shower
(Tray, tiles taps etc) | £300 | |
Hand basin | £60 | |
Toilet | £260 | |
Accessories | £150 | £930 |
| | |
Framework for bed | £300 | |
Mattress | £180 | £480 |
| | |
Table | £180 | |
Cushions | £340 | £520 |
| | |
Carpet
Tiles | £225 | |
Vinyl
tiles (bathroom) | £90 | £315 |
| | |
Curtain Tracks | £225 | |
Curtain Material | £250 | |
Shelves / Overhead cupboards | £300 | |
Outside paint top | £1500 | |
Outside
Paint (bottom - black) | £820 | |
Other
misc (screws, fittings etc) | £400 | |
Brass vents | £60 | |
Battery (domestic) | £200 | |
Inverter | £425 | |
Fenders | £300 | |
Wood
trim around inside windows | £600 | £5,080 |
| | |
Total Fit-Out | £13,213 | |
| | |
Grand Total Completed Boat | £46,013 | |
If fitting out a shell isn't for you, and you would prefer to buy a boat that is already fitted out and ready for living on, check out the used boats for sale at our marina.
We have boats of various styles, lengths and prices to suit all budgets available for sale! Take a look at our Narrowboats for sale