Our 2nd Narrowboat Build and Lessons Learnt

The Search for Something New

When we look back on Linnet, it is with real fondness. She was the second boat we ever worked on and although our time with her was short, it was full of momentum, learning, and a new found passion.

We had just sold our first floating home and felt full of energy and ideas, ready to begin again. We did not have everything figured out, but we had a bit more knowledge than the first time and a strong sense of adventure.

As always, the search began. Late nights scrolling through Apollo Duck, eBay and Gumtree, hoping for something that felt right. We now knew how to check a hull, what to look for in an engine, and how to spot a solid shell when we saw one.

We travelled all over the country. Surrey to Yorkshire, through Nottingham and into the Midlands, often in a single day. It was tiring, yes, but we were fuelled by the excitement of it all. And then we found her.

Finding Our Feet as Designers

Linnet. A 1991 Marque narrowboat with a tug bow. Fifty feet long and full of potential. She was sitting in Cheshire and the moment we stepped aboard, she felt like the one. We agreed a fair price and took her to Nantwich to begin work.

The fit out took six or seven weeks. Long days, late evenings, and steady progress.

It was the beginning of us really honing our craft. We started to experiment with different layouts, new techniques, and a deeper sense of what made a space feel like home.

There were no major setbacks. The engine ran well and the hull survey came back strong. The previous owners had been living very simply aboard, with no systems at all — just candlelight and a jug for washing. It seemed unusual at the time, but they had left behind some beautiful old brass fittings and vintage pieces we still treasure today.

A Few Memorable Moments

Of course, not every moment went to plan. Jason did take a chilly tumble into the canal one morning while trying to fill up with water. He climbed out soaked through, only to discover the tap was private and out of use. A soggy start to the day, but one we still laugh about now.

A Small Victory

Once Linnet was finished, we put her on the market at a fair price. Within four days, she was sold to a small family who ended up living on her for three years. The whole process felt calm and right. A confirmation that we were heading in the right direction.

Linnet gave us more than a successful project. She gave us confidence and clarity. She reminded us that following a different path can lead to something really meaningful.

She was a turning point. And even now, she still brings a smile.