This year we’re building two new boats, Kingfisher and Wren, bringing our fleet up to 17. Here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the work that went into making Kingfisher.

After the boat is insulated and the first fix electrics are in place, the painted ceiling goes up.

insulation in beacon park boat kingfisher

The ceiling paintwork is carefully masked ready for the wood trim to be varnished.

ceiling paintwork in beacon park boat kingfisher

Our supremely talented carpenter, Jeff, takes rough planks of walnut, oak and ash.....

planks of walnut, oak and ash

…and turns them into sublime interiors for our narrowboats.

building the interiors for beacon park boat kingfisher

Each boat has a Shire 40 diesel engine (using a Yanmar 4 cylinder block which has been marinised by Barrus, for use in marine applications).

shire 40 diesel engine for a narrowboat

And we use this hoist to carefully place it into the engine bay.

engine hoist for a narrowboat

And, of course, we carefully paint the engine bay before we install the engine.

painted engine bay on beacon park boat kingfisher

Sarah is responsible for the glossy green and cream exterior paintwork.

exterior paintwork on beacon park boat kingfisher

We spray each boat in our purpose-built paint booth – shown here with the sides rolled up.

exterior of beacon park boat kingfisher

Kingfisher has large, opening, double-glazed windows.

large, opening double glazed windows on beacon park boat kingfisher

Once the paintwork is properly cured we fit the brass fittings, including the mushroom air vents, and pole and boarding plank supports on the roof.

building beacon park boat kingfisher in the workshop

Finally, she’s ready to have her nameplate attached. Kingfisher is the longest name so her nameplate is the largest in the fleet.

nameplate for beacon park boat kingfisher

Now, Kingfisher is cruising the canal and we're taking bookings for 2018. Check Kingfisher’s availability.

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