Auteur/autrice : PQOC

Water is one of the heaviest and most frequently used resources aboard a narrowboat.

It must be stored safely, delivered quietly and reliably, heated without overwhelming the electrical system and disposed of responsibly. A failure can leave the boat without drinking water, damage the interior or make the bathroom unusable.

For Priscilla, the water system must support comfortable everyday living, extended cruising, laundry and entertaining while remaining accessible for inspection, cleaning and winterisation.

As with her electrical system, this article describes our developing intentions rather than a finished technical specification. Tank capacities, pipe sizes, pump ratings and heating equipment will be determined through detailed modelling and professional marine design.

Beginning with a water budget

Before choosing the size of the tank, we need to estimate how much water we are likely to use.

Daily demand will include:

• Drinking and cooking
• Handwashing and personal hygiene
• Showers
• Washing up
• Toilet flushing, if required by the selected system
• Laundry
• Cleaning
• Occasional exterior washing
• Water carried for guests

Consumption will vary considerably. Two people living carefully aboard may use much less than a household ashore, while regular showers and washing-machine cycles can rapidly deplete even a large tank.

We should model several scenarios:

1. An ordinary two-person cruising day
2. Several days without access to a water point
3. Guests staying aboard
4. A laundry day
5. Summer conditions with greater drinking-water use
6. Winter operation with parts of the system at risk of freezing
7. Reduced-water operation following a pump or heating failure

The objective is not simply to install the largest possible tank. Every litre of water weighs approximately one kilogram, so a 700-litre tank adds about 700 kilograms when full. Its location and changing contents will affect Priscilla’s trim, stability and handling.

Locating the fresh-water tank

Our original concept placed a large fresh-water tank beneath the bed towards the bow.

This may make efficient use of otherwise inaccessible space, but its suitability will depend upon the final weight-distribution study. Priscilla’s batteries, propulsion equipment, bow thruster, domestic equipment and water stores must be considered together.

The tank location should provide:

• A low centre of gravity
• Balanced loading when full and nearly empty
• Protection from freezing
• Access to fittings and inspection points
• Secure structural support
• Separation from electrical equipment
• A route for filling and ventilation
• Protection from contamination
• A means of draining and cleaning the tank

The bed must not become a permanent obstacle to inspection. Removable panels or another properly designed access arrangement should allow the tank, level sender, outlets and surrounding structure to be examined.

A single large tank may be the simplest arrangement, although two connected or independently controlled tanks could offer better weight distribution and some redundancy. Divided tanks introduce additional valves, pipework and cleaning considerations, so they should only be adopted where there is a clear benefit.

Choosing the tank

The tank may be fabricated as part of the boat, made from stainless steel or supplied as a purpose-designed food-grade polyethylene unit.

Whatever material is selected, it must be suitable for storing potable water and designed for the movement, vibration and changing temperature experienced aboard.

The tank should incorporate:

• A clearly identified filling connection
• A screened vent
• An accessible inspection or cleaning hatch
• A low-level outlet
• A drain or practical emptying arrangement
• A compatible level sender
• Internal baffling where required
• Secure restraint and support
• Materials and sealants approved for potable water

Baffles may be necessary to reduce water surging as the boat moves. Uncontrolled movement within a large tank could affect handling and place stress on the tank and its mountings.

The fill and vent arrangements must allow displaced air to escape freely without allowing canal water, rain, insects or debris to enter.

Filling safely

Priscilla’s water-filling point should be unmistakable and located away from fuel, waste and pump-out fittings.

The filler cap should be clearly labelled, secure and designed to prevent rainwater or deck wash from entering. Its hose route should be short, accessible and free from low points where stale water can remain.

We should carry a dedicated drinking-water hose stored separately from ropes, toilet equipment and general cleaning materials. The hose should be drained after use, allowed to dry where practical and protected from contamination.

Before connecting to an unfamiliar water point, the outlet and hose connection should be cleaned. We should also avoid placing the hose end inside the tank or allowing it to lie on the ground.

Measuring the remaining water

A reliable tank gauge will help us plan refills, but it should not be treated as infallible.

Different measuring technologies may be considered, including pressure, ultrasonic or capacitive sensing. The final choice should be accurate across the tank’s shape and remain maintainable without requiring unnecessary penetrations.

The monitoring display should show:

• Estimated tank level
• Recent consumption
• Unusually rapid water loss
• Low-water warning
• Pump-running status
• Possible leak or continuous-flow warning

A simple independent means of checking the tank level would also be useful if the electronic display fails.

Pressurised water distribution

Water will be delivered through a pressurised domestic system.

A demand pump will activate when a tap is opened and stop when the system reaches its designed pressure. Rather than assuming a conventional 12V arrangement, the final pump voltage should reflect Priscilla’s wider low-voltage architecture.

The principal pump should be:

• Suitable for potable water
• Correctly sized for the required flow and pressure
• Protected by an accessible strainer
• Mounted to reduce vibration and noise
• Accessible for servicing
• Protected by an appropriately rated electrical circuit
• Capable of running without excessive cycling

An accumulator vessel can smooth pressure changes, reduce rapid pump cycling and provide a small amount of water before the pump starts. It must be correctly sized and maintained at the appropriate pre-charge pressure.

Flexible connections and vibration-isolating mounts should prevent pump noise travelling through the steel structure. Pipes should also be clipped securely without being crushed or placed where stored items can damage them.

Designing for pump failure

A single failed water pump should not bring the entire holiday to an immediate end.

We may install a duty-and-standby arrangement or carry a compatible spare pump that can be fitted without altering the pipework. Isolation valves and standardised connectors could make replacement relatively straightforward.

The design should also allow individual sections to be isolated. A leaking washing machine or damaged bathroom fitting should not require the entire fresh-water system to be drained.

Useful isolation points may include:

• Tank outlet
• Pump inlet and outlet
• Water heater
• Galley
• Bathroom
• Washing machine
• Exterior or service tap
• Toilet supply, if applicable

Every valve should be labelled and remain accessible after furniture and stored belongings are in place.

Pipework and leak protection

Potable-water pipework should use materials approved for drinking water and suitable for the system’s temperature and pressure.

Routes should avoid unheated voids, sharp metal edges, sources of excessive heat, high-current electrical equipment, areas vulnerable to stored objects and inaccessible joints behind permanent linings.

Connections should remain visible wherever practical. Removable service panels are preferable to concealing joints permanently.

Because even a small leak can cause serious damage, Priscilla should include water detection in technical spaces, beneath the galley, around the washing machine and near the tank and pump.

The monitoring system could identify continuous pump operation when no outlet is expected to be open. A remotely operated shut-off valve near the tank may allow the pressurised supply to be isolated quickly, although a manual valve must remain available.

A clearly positioned master water-pump switch should allow the pump to be turned off whenever Priscilla is left unattended.

Drinking-water quality

Water delivered from a recognised potable-water point should remain safe throughout storage and distribution.

The system must be designed to avoid contamination and stagnant sections. Dead legs—lengths of pipe in which water rarely moves—should be minimised.

The tank and pipework will require an established cleaning and disinfection procedure, particularly before first use, after prolonged storage, following contamination, after significant plumbing work and at appropriate intervals during ownership.

A sediment filter may protect equipment and improve clarity. A carbon filter can improve taste and reduce some odours, but it requires regular replacement and must not become a source of contamination.

If we want additional treatment for drinking water, a dedicated filtered tap in the galley may be preferable to filtering every litre used for showers, laundry and cleaning.

Treatment equipment must be selected for the risks actually present. A filter should never be assumed to make water from an unknown or untreated source safe to drink unless it has been specifically designed, operated and maintained for that purpose.

Hot water: reconsidering instantaneous heaters

Our original plan proposed separate instantaneous electric water heaters in the galley and bathroom.

This would avoid storing a large volume of hot water and reduce the time spent waiting for distant pipework to run warm. However, electrically heating water instantaneously requires very high power.

Heating one litre of water by approximately 30°C requires around 0.035kWh. Delivering a comfortable shower flow instantaneously could therefore require a heater rated at several kilowatts—potentially placing a substantial continuous load on the inverter and battery system.

Two separate instantaneous heaters would also add high peak electrical demand, dedicated high-current circuits, additional isolation and protection, more equipment requiring maintenance, greater coordination with other appliances and possible limitations when connected to a modest shore supply.

Instantaneous heating remains an option, but it should not be selected merely because it eliminates a storage cylinder.

Comparing hot-water options

Calorifier or insulated hot-water cylinder

A well-insulated cylinder could heat water gradually using an electric immersion element when solar generation, shore power or battery capacity permits.

Advantages could include lower instantaneous electrical demand, the ability to schedule heating, stored hot water available during peak demand, easier coordination with energy management and possible use of more than one heat source. Its disadvantages include space, weight and standing heat loss.

Point-of-use electric heaters

Small heaters near the galley or basin could reduce water wasted while waiting for hot water to arrive. They may suit intermittent handwashing or washing-up better than supplying the shower.

Instantaneous shower heating

This avoids stored hot water but creates a large continuous electrical load. Its practicality will depend on the inverter, shore supply, battery voltage and allowable shower flow.

Heat-pump water heating

A compact heat-pump water heater may use less electrical energy than resistance heating, but it requires physical space, airflow, condensate management and careful consideration of noise and heat removed from the surrounding compartment.

Recovered heat

Depending upon the final propulsion and electrical equipment, it may be possible to recover otherwise wasted heat. This should only be included in the energy model once the selected equipment can demonstrate a useful and controllable heat output.

A hybrid arrangement may ultimately prove best—for example, stored hot water for the shower combined with a small point-of-use solution in the galley.

Hot-water safety

Stored or instantaneous hot-water systems must be designed to control both temperature and pressure.

The installation may require thermostatic control, a thermostatic mixing valve, pressure-relief protection, expansion accommodation, non-return valves, safe discharge routes, accessible isolation, protection from accidental scalding and measures to manage microbial risk.

Pipework and fittings must be rated for the maximum temperature and pressure they could experience, not merely their normal operating condition.

Any relief discharge must terminate safely where escaping hot water or steam cannot injure somebody or damage hidden parts of the boat.

Galley water services

The galley will need both practical water delivery and easy access for maintenance.

The sink should have hot and cold supplies, accessible isolation valves, a removable trap, a direct and well-supported waste route, a filtered drinking-water outlet if adopted, and leak detection beneath the unit.

A separate drinking-water tap may allow the principal mixer to use ordinary tank water while the smaller outlet passes through the final filtration stage.

The washing machine will require a dedicated cold-water supply with an accessible isolation valve. Its waste connection must be designed for the manufacturer’s required height and flow without allowing discharged water to return to the machine.

Because washing machines can consume substantial water and power simultaneously, their cycles should form part of both the water and energy-management plans.

Bathroom and wet-room drainage

Priscilla’s walk-through bathroom will function as a wet room, so drainage is particularly important.

A shower tray or properly formed floor should direct water towards the lowest practical drainage point. The boat’s trim must be considered: a floor that drains correctly while moored may behave differently when the water tank is full, guests are aboard or the boat is listing slightly.

Where the shower outlet is below or too close to the waterline for reliable gravity drainage, a shower-waste or diaphragm pump will be required.

A Whale Gulper-type pump is commonly used because it can handle shower water without a fine filter basket. However, it must still be accessible for inspection, securely mounted and installed with suitable pipework.

The arrangement should include:

• A drain position tested under realistic trim conditions
• A pump sized for the shower flow
• A local manual control or reliable automatic activation
• A serviceable non-return arrangement where required
• Accessible pipe connections
• Protection from freezing
• A visible overboard discharge point
• A backup procedure if the pump fails

Water should not be allowed to collect beneath the bathroom floor unnoticed.

Gravity drainage where possible

Not every grey-water outlet necessarily requires a pump.

Galley and basin sinks positioned sufficiently above the waterline may discharge by gravity through correctly positioned hull fittings. Gravity drainage is quieter, consumes no electricity and has fewer components to fail.

The route should fall continuously towards the outlet, avoid unnecessary bends and low points, remain accessible for clearing, prevent water from flowing back aboard, terminate through an appropriate hull fitting, and account for the boat’s loaded waterline and heel.

The final design must establish the safe location of every skin fitting. Outlets close to the waterline require particular care because loading, waves, listing or reversing can temporarily submerge them.

Grey-water discharge

Grey water from sinks, showers and laundry is distinct from sewage, but it can still contain detergents, grease, food particles and personal-care products.

Even where direct discharge is permitted, we should reduce its environmental impact by using environmentally considerate cleaning products, avoiding chlorine bleach and unnecessarily harsh chemicals, removing food scraps and grease before washing, using the minimum effective quantity of detergent, preventing oils, paints, solvents and medicines entering the system, maintaining traps and pipework, and observing local navigation and environmental rules.

Our intention is not merely to meet a minimum requirement but to minimise what Priscilla releases into the waterways she travels through.

A grey-water holding tank could be investigated for places where discharge is restricted. However, it would add significant weight, occupy valuable space and require suitable emptying facilities. The need should be assessed against the requirements of the British and European waterways we expect to visit.

Toilet and black-water management

The original plan specified a cassette toilet.

A cassette system offers several advantages:

• No large fixed black-water tank
• Straightforward emptying at suitable disposal points
• Relatively simple maintenance
• Less dependence on pump-out facilities
• The ability to carry spare cassettes

However, capacity is limited. For two people living aboard, cassette storage and emptying frequency will need careful consideration—particularly on remote routes or European waterways where disposal arrangements may differ.

The toilet compartment should provide secure cassette retention, external removal where practical, storage for at least one clean spare cassette, ventilation, washable surrounding surfaces, separation from food and drinking-water equipment, a route for safe cleaning, and clear access without dismantling furniture.

The cassette must only be emptied at an authorised sanitation point. Toilet waste must never be discharged into the waterway.

Comparing toilet alternatives

Pump-out toilet

A pump-out system offers greater storage capacity and a more domestic experience, but requires a fixed holding tank, ventilation, additional plumbing and access to suitable pump-out facilities.

Separating or composting toilet

These systems can reduce or eliminate water use, but they still create waste streams requiring lawful and hygienic management. Claims that they make waste disposal effortless should be treated cautiously.

Incinerating or electrically intensive systems

These may reduce stored waste but could demand considerable energy and introduce ventilation, heat and maintenance requirements.

The final decision should consider capacity, odour control, disposal availability, user preference, weight, energy use and the routes Priscilla will cruise.

Ventilation and odour control

Good ventilation is essential in both the bathroom and galley.

The bathroom extraction system must remove moisture effectively after showers, helping to control condensation and protect finishes. The galley extractor must address steam and cooking odours while remaining compatible with the boat’s ventilation strategy.

Ventilation should not rely entirely upon powered fans. Fixed ventilation may also be required for the safety of occupants and any fuel-burning equipment.

Odour control within the waste system should come from sound design rather than fragrances. This means correctly vented toilet arrangements, clean traps, short accessible waste runs, no stagnant grey-water pockets, suitable sanitation hoses where applicable, regular cleaning and immediate attention to leaks.

If any fuel-burning water or heating appliance is later considered, its combustion-air and flue requirements must be incorporated properly. Inadequate ventilation can create a fatal carbon-monoxide risk. Boat Safety Scheme guidance stresses the importance of fixed ventilation and direct-to-outside flue arrangements where applicable.

Freeze protection and winter operation

A narrowboat’s water system is particularly vulnerable during freezing weather.

Pipework running close to the hull, behind cupboards or within unheated bow and stern spaces may freeze even when the main cabin feels comfortable.

The design should therefore:

• Keep water pipes within the insulated envelope wherever possible
• Avoid exposed low points
• Insulate vulnerable pipework
• Allow individual systems to be drained
• Provide accessible drain valves
• Protect external shower or tap connections
• Consider monitored frost protection for technical spaces
• Avoid relying upon electrical heating that may be unavailable during a fault

The water system should have a documented winterisation procedure covering the tank, pumps, filters, water heater, washing machine, shower pump and toilet.

Equipment manufacturers’ instructions will be particularly important. Some appliances retain water internally even after the principal pipework has been drained.

Bilge water is a separate system

Domestic grey-water drainage must remain distinct from bilge-water management.

Priscilla should have appropriate bilge pumps and alarms in spaces where water could collect. However, a bilge pump must not become the normal method of dealing with leaks from plumbing, showers or appliances.

Technical spaces should be arranged so that any water ingress becomes visible before it damages electrical equipment or structural materials.

Bilge alarms, high-water sensors and pump status should be included within the central monitoring system, with local audible warnings that do not depend upon internet connectivity.

Monitoring the complete system

Priscilla’s water system should be understandable at a glance.

The monitoring display may include:

• Fresh-water tank level
• Estimated remaining days at recent consumption
• Pump status
• Abnormally long pump operation
• Water-heater status and temperature
• Grey-water pump operation
• High bilge-water alarms
• Leak-detector warnings
• Filter-maintenance reminders
• Cassette or holding-tank status, if measurable

Automation should assist rather than conceal the system. Pumps, heaters and isolation valves must still have clearly labelled local controls.

Designing for maintenance

The best-designed water system will still require cleaning, servicing and occasional repair.

Every pump, filter, valve, strainer, tank hatch and electrical connection should be reachable without removing permanent joinery.

Service access should allow us to:

• Remove the fresh-water pump
• Clean the inlet strainer
• Replace filters
• Inspect the tank
• Reach all isolation valves
• Service the water heater
• Clear each waste pipe
• Remove the shower pump
• Examine every hull outlet
• Drain and winterise the system
• Replace washing-machine hoses
• Inspect for hidden leaks

A beautifully concealed installation is of little value if a minor repair requires dismantling half the bedroom.

Documenting the system

The completed design package should include:

• Fresh-water tank drawings and capacity
• Hot- and cold-water pipe routes
• Valve and isolation schedule
• Pump specifications
• Hot-water schematics
• Grey-water routes and outlet positions
• Toilet and waste arrangements
• Freeze-protection measures
• Electrical supplies and protective devices
• Cleaning and disinfection procedures
• Winterisation instructions
• Photographs taken before the linings are installed
• Manufacturer manuals and maintenance intervals

Labels should identify valves and equipment aboard, while the documentation explains the consequences of operating them.

Modelling water, weight and energy together

The water system cannot be designed in isolation.

Its digital model should demonstrate:

1. Priscilla with full fresh-water storage
2. Priscilla with tanks nearly empty
3. The effect of guests and other variable loads
4. Hot-water energy use during an ordinary day
5. A shower and washing-machine cycle occurring together
6. Several days away from a water point
7. Failure of the principal water pump
8. Failure of the shower-waste pump
9. A plumbing leak while the boat is unattended
10. Winterisation and recommissioning

This will allow us to understand not only where the equipment fits, but how water use changes the boat’s weight, energy consumption and daily operation.

Water designed around life aboard

A successful water system should make life aboard feel straightforward.

The shower should drain as quickly as it fills. Water pressure should remain steady without the pump disturbing somebody asleep. Hot water should be available when needed without compromising propulsion reserves. Tanks, filters and valves should be easy to monitor and maintain.

Behind that apparent simplicity will be a carefully planned network of storage, pipework, heating, pumping, drainage, ventilation and leak protection.

For Priscilla, the goal is not to reproduce an unlimited household water supply. It is to create a system that makes extended cruising comfortable while ensuring that every litre stored, heated and discharged is understood and used responsibly.

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Technical references

• Boat Safety Scheme: Vital ventilation
• Boat Safety Scheme: Carbon monoxide safety on boats
• Boat Safety Scheme: Examination Checking Procedures
• UK Government: Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code

Electrical power will sit at the heart of almost every system aboard Priscilla.

It will provide propulsion, cooking, refrigeration, hot water, lighting, communications and the ordinary comforts of life aboard. It will also support navigation equipment, the bow thruster, external lighting, bicycle charging and the equipment used to film and edit our travels.

This makes Priscilla fundamentally different from a conventional narrowboat in which diesel provides propulsion, heating and battery charging. Her electrical system cannot simply be a larger version of an ordinary domestic installation. It must be designed as a complete energy system in which generation, storage, conversion and consumption are carefully balanced.

Our aim is an all-electric narrowboat capable of extended cruising on British waterways and, eventually, more demanding European rivers and canals. The system must be powerful enough to support that ambition while remaining safe, resilient, understandable and serviceable.

This article describes our developing vision rather than a finished electrical specification. Final voltages, battery capacities, cable sizes and equipment choices will depend upon detailed load modelling, Priscilla’s completed design and professional marine electrical engineering.

Beginning with an energy model

Before selecting batteries, solar panels or an inverter, we need to understand how much energy Priscilla will actually use. The calculation must consider energy as well as maximum power. A high-powered appliance may operate for only a few minutes, while a modest load running continuously can consume considerably more energy over a day.

Our model will consider normal summer and winter cruising, several days away from shore power, stationary working and filming, demanding river passages, low-solar periods, shore-power charging and emergency operation. For each scenario, we will estimate propulsion demand, domestic consumption, solar generation, charging opportunities and the reserve that must remain untouched.

A system of separate but connected functions

Although we may speak casually about “the battery bank”, Priscilla is unlikely to rely upon one undifferentiated collection of batteries. The final design may include separate or functionally protected supplies for:

• Electric propulsion
• Domestic services
• Navigation, communications and safety equipment
• Bow-thruster operation
• Emergency or reserve power

The important principle is resilience. A domestic fault, heavily used induction hob or depleted bicycle battery must not leave Priscilla without navigation lights, communications or sufficient power to control the propulsion system.

The principal battery bank

The main battery bank will store energy for propulsion and much of Priscilla’s domestic consumption. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are likely to be considered because they offer high usable capacity, comparatively low weight, good charging performance and long cycle life when correctly managed.

The installation must address usable capacity, peak and continuous current, battery management, temperature limits, physical containment, ventilation, fire precautions, isolation, inspection access and compatibility with every charging source. Capacity should be expressed in usable kilowatt-hours, with allowance for ageing and protected operating limits.

Choosing the system voltage

The original concept assumed a conventional 12V domestic system. That may suit some equipment, but it should not determine the architecture of an all-electric boat. Higher-voltage systems can reduce the very large currents and cable sizes associated with propulsion and high-powered loads, although they introduce different safety and conversion requirements.

Priscilla may therefore combine a higher-voltage propulsion and storage system, 24V or 12V boat services, nominal 230V AC domestic power and dedicated equipment voltages. The builder and marine electrical designer will select the final architecture once propulsion and peak loads are known.

Electric propulsion: the largest variable

Propulsion is likely to be Priscilla’s greatest and most variable energy demand. Slow cruising on a sheltered canal may require modest power; strong current, commercial waterways and adverse wind can demand considerably more.

Range will vary with hull efficiency, displacement, speed, depth, current, wind, propeller selection and hull condition. Motor, controller, propeller, battery and charging systems must therefore be designed together. We will also need a clear reserve policy so domestic use cannot compromise safe navigation.

Domestic 230V AC power

Priscilla’s nominal 230V installation will support the induction hob, oven, fridge-freezer, washing machine, sockets, selected water heating, production equipment and electric-bicycle chargers.

An inverter must accommodate realistic combined and surge loads. Intelligent load management could pause water heating while the hob and washing machine operate. The installation will require suitable distribution, residual-current and overcurrent protection, source switching, isolation, and professionally designed earthing and bonding.

Inverter, charger and shore power

A combined inverter/charger is likely to connect the battery bank, domestic AC system and shore supply. Away from a marina it will create AC power; on shore power it can charge batteries and supply domestic loads. It may also supplement a restricted shore connection during short demand peaks.

Priscilla should be able to set the shore-input limit, prioritise loads, reduce charging when demand rises, identify unsuitable incoming power and transfer safely between sources. An isolation transformer merits serious consideration to separate the boat electrically from shore and help address galvanic corrosion.

Solar generation

Solar panels will provide valuable quiet, renewable energy, particularly while moored away from shore power. Roof area must also accommodate ropes, ventilation, safe access and the retractable communications mast.

The design must address shading, multiple tracking inputs, cable routes, mounting, cooling, maintenance and winter performance. Solar should be treated as a valuable contributor rather than a guarantee of independence: output varies considerably with season, weather, shade and location.

Regeneration and supplementary charging

Propeller regeneration is unlikely to make a meaningful contribution on a narrowboat without sails; using the propeller as a generator during powered travel would increase drag. It should not enter the core energy budget without evidence from the selected propulsion manufacturer.

Our ambition remains all-electric operation, but charging resilience must reflect the intended routes. British canals and European waterways offer very different shore-power availability and passage demands. Whether solar and shore charging are sufficient—or provision is required for an additional source—must be settled by route modelling rather than ideology. Preserving space and connections for future charging technology may be prudent.

Low-voltage, navigation and safety systems

Lighting, pumps, ventilation, controls, communications, security, instruments and selected USB-C outlets are likely to operate on low-voltage DC so essential services do not depend upon the inverter. The steel hull should not be used as the normal DC return path.

The helm may control navigation and tunnel lights, horn, deck lights, bilge alarms, communications, propulsion and bow-thruster status, mast warnings and energy information. Navigation lights must meet the requirements of the waters travelled; decorative lighting must not obscure them or damage night vision. Essential controls must work without a telephone or internet connection.

Bow thruster and exterior systems

The bow thruster creates a substantial short-duration load. A dedicated nearby battery reduces long high-current cable runs but adds another battery to charge and maintain; supplying it from the principal system may be preferable. The choice depends upon voltage, distance, architecture, weight distribution and required duration.

The cruiser stern may combine navigation, tunnel, working, step, entrance, bicycle-compartment, social and security lighting. Each mode requires separate, clear controls, weather-resistant fittings and positioning that avoids glare.

Electric bicycles, filming and digital systems

The lifting stern compartment intended for folding electric bicycles needs more than a socket. Ventilation, heat, water protection, physical restraint, smoke or heat detection, isolation, supervision and escape routes must all be considered. Batteries may need removal and charging in a purpose-designed monitored enclosure.

Priscilla will also be a mobile production base, supporting cameras, audio equipment, drones, laptops, storage, internet, CCTV and the retractable mast. A ventilated charging cupboard with controlled outlets could organise equipment safely. Replaceable USB-C modules may age better than permanently embedded chargers, while careful cable routing will reduce interference from motors, inverters and high-current conductors.

Heating and hot water

Battery-powered space heating can consume a very large share of available energy, especially in winter. The design should first reduce demand through insulation and draught control, then assess heat-pump technology, immersion heating, heat recovery, timed heating, thermal storage, shore-power modes and independent backup arrangements.

Monitoring, management and failure planning

The central display should make state of charge, remaining energy, present demand, propulsion use, solar input, shore limit, charging rate, temperatures and estimated endurance understandable at a glance. It must work locally aboard. Automatic management may shed non-essential loads before the protected navigation reserve is reached.

We must also model failure of the inverter, battery management, a battery module, solar, shore power, converters, displays or propulsion. Critical systems need appropriate segregation, protection and fallbacks, potentially including an independently supported emergency circuit for communications, navigation lighting, alarms and essential pumps. Manual controls and accessible isolators remain important.

Installation, documentation and compliance

The build should provide accessible cable routes, ventilated technical spaces, removable panels, spare conduits, labelled conductors, mechanical protection, suitable separation and photographs before linings conceal the installation.

Final documentation should include complete schematics, battery and charging architecture, AC and DC distribution, cable routes and sizes, protection schedules, isolation procedures, settings, manuals, commissioning records and emergency instructions.

Priscilla’s system must be professionally designed, installed, commissioned and documented. The framework is broader than a Boat Safety Scheme examination and may include the Recreational Craft Regulations, applicable small-craft standards, navigation rules and manufacturers’ requirements. The design must be reviewed against the requirements applying when she is built.

Visualising the complete power system

The design package should include an energy-flow diagram, dimensioned battery and equipment layout, separate AC and DC overlays, heat and ventilation study, weight-distribution plan and simulations of canal cruising, sustained river passages, off-grid days, poor winter solar, heavy domestic use, shore charging and major system failures.

Power designed around the journey

Priscilla’s electrical system must do more than power a collection of appliances. It must allow us to cruise quietly, live comfortably, work creatively and navigate safely. Most importantly, it must be designed around the journeys we intend to make.

The objective is not unlimited power. It is a carefully balanced system that uses energy intelligently, preserves an appropriate safety reserve and makes its limitations clear to the people aboard. That is how Priscilla can become genuinely all-electric without allowing style, comfort or ambition to overtake sound engineering.

Technical references

• Boat Safety Scheme: Electrical systems
• Boat Safety Scheme: Generator and multiple AC-source safety
• UK Government: Recreational Craft Regulations 2017
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Current small-craft standards
• Victron Energy: Marine electrical systems
• Victron Energy: Wiring Unlimited

Designing Priscilla is about far more than arranging rooms within a narrowboat shell. We want every part of her to support the way we intend to travel, live, entertain and work—while retaining the character and practical qualities of a traditional narrowboat.

Our current concept is based upon a 58-foot narrowboat with the standard 6-foot 10-inch beam, an enclosed bow and a generous square cruiser stern. At this length, Priscilla should remain capable of exploring almost all the connected inland waterways of England and Wales while providing sufficient space for extended living aboard.

The layout is still a developing vision rather than a finished technical specification. Dimensions, weight distribution, access, ventilation and safety arrangements will ultimately need to be refined with the boatbuilder. However, it establishes what we want each space to achieve.

Visualising the design

We do not want to rely solely upon a conventional floor plan.

As the design develops, we would like every section of Priscilla to be presented in two complementary formats:

• A labelled 2D plan showing dimensions, furniture, storage, equipment and circulation
• A detailed 3D mock-up showing finishes, lighting, sightlines and how the space should feel

These individual room studies would then be brought together into:

• A complete overhead 2D layout
• A full-length cutaway 3D model
• External views from every side
• A virtual walkthrough from stern to bow
• Daytime and evening lighting views
• Alternative configurations for movable furniture and storage

This should allow us to test each area individually before assessing how the whole boat works as one coherent home.

The square cruiser stern: Priscilla’s showpiece

The 10-foot by 6-foot cruiser stern will be one of Priscilla’s defining features.

It must operate as the steering position, an outdoor social space and a memorable expression of the PQOC identity. Rather than treating it as a purely practical deck, we want it to become somewhere people naturally gather while cruising or moored.

The helm will include the tiller and essential navigation controls, positioned so that the steerer retains clear visibility while remaining part of the conversation.

The principal seating feature will take inspiration from an extravagant high-heeled shoe. The sculptural form will create Priscilla’s unmistakable stern silhouette, with integrated seating incorporated into the heel and surrounding structure. It should feel playful and theatrical without obstructing movement or compromising safe access to the helm.

Beneath the deck, an electrically operated lifting storage compartment will accommodate folding electric bicycles. Dedicated charging outlets will allow the bicycles to recharge securely while stored, subject to the final fire-safety and ventilation design.

A detachable pram hood will provide protection during colder or wetter weather. When raised, it will extend the usable living space; when removed, the stern will return to an open and sociable cruising deck.

The final 2D and 3D designs will need to test:

• Safe access around the tiller
• Comfortable seating positions
• Visibility from the helm
• Secure bicycle storage and charging
• Drainage and weather protection
• Access to propulsion and electrical equipment
• The practicality of the high-heel structure
• Space for ropes, pins and other cruising equipment

Stern entrance: a bright and welcoming arrival

A pair of wide, metal-framed, double-glazed doors will create an entrance approximately four feet across. Opening inwards, they will make the transition from the stern into the cabin feel generous rather than confined.

Above the doors, a substantial sliding and lifting glazed hatch—approximately four feet square—will bring additional daylight into the interior. Together, the doors and hatch should create a bright entrance and a strong visual connection between the saloon and stern.

Two broad steps, each approximately four feet wide, will lead into the cabin. Their scale should make entering the boat easier while allowing the step structure to incorporate concealed shoe storage.

A tall cupboard immediately inside the entrance will provide space for wet coats, waterproofs, hats and other outdoor clothing. This will prevent damp equipment being carried through the boat.

At the foot of the steps, a two-foot coir or hessian mat will create a clear place to remove shoes. For particularly wet or muddy days, a washable pull-out tray will slide across the mat, collecting water and debris before being removed for cleaning.

Warm LED lighting beneath the gunwales and around the ceiling will make the entrance practical after dark while providing Priscilla’s first moment of theatrical illumination.

Saloon: the heart of life aboard

The saloon will occupy approximately 16 feet of the cabin and provide the principal space for relaxing, entertaining, filming and spending time together.

A comfortable sofa bed will provide everyday seating and occasional accommodation for guests. Its position should preserve an open route through the boat while allowing clear views of the television and the water outside.

The television installation will be integrated rather than visually dominant. Concealed cabling, storage for media equipment and a flexible mounting arrangement should allow it to be viewed comfortably without overwhelming the room.

Power provision will include conveniently positioned 230/240V sockets and high-output USB-C charging points. These will support ordinary domestic equipment as well as cameras, microphones, laptops and other production technology.

Lighting will be layered rather than limited to a single row of ceiling spotlights. The proposed arrangement includes:

• Dimmable ceiling lighting
• Continuous under-gunwale LED illumination
• Reading lights beside the sofa
• Feature lighting for display areas
• Low-level evening and night lighting

Two-way switching will allow the principal lighting circuits to be controlled from both ends of the room. Scene controls may eventually provide settings for cruising, entertaining, filming and relaxing.

Storage will be incorporated beneath seating and within carefully designed cabinetry. Some display space will also be needed for objects collected during our travels, ensuring that the saloon gradually tells the story of Priscilla’s adventures.

Dinette: dining, working and entertaining

The saloon will flow into an L-shaped dinette, creating a natural division between relaxation and dining without enclosing either space.

The dinette must perform several roles:

• Comfortable dining for everyday use
• Additional seating when entertaining
• A workspace for editing and administration
• A secondary filming or interview position
• Occasional guest accommodation, if practical

A substantial table will provide sufficient room for meals and laptops. Power and USB-C outlets will be positioned within easy reach, together with task lighting suitable for working.

Storage beneath the seating will make use of otherwise inaccessible space. The final design may include drawers or pull-out units so that stored items can be reached without dismantling the dinette.

A passage on the port side will connect the dinette to the galley, preserving a clear route through the boat.

Galley: compact, capable and sociable

The eight-foot galley will be designed to provide the practicality of a domestic kitchen within the narrow confines of the boat.

A galley arrangement should maximise continuous worktop space while retaining a comfortable passage. The current concept includes:

• A full-height fridge-freezer
• An inset induction hob
• A generously sized sink
• Deep drawers and cupboards
• Integrated waste and recycling storage
• Dedicated storage for pans, crockery and provisions
• Space for selected countertop appliances

The induction hob forms part of our wider ambition for Priscilla to be an all-electric boat. The final specification will depend upon the electrical system, battery capacity, inverter output and realistic energy modelling.

The galley will have five dimmable ceiling spotlights supported by under-cabinet and under-gunwale lighting. Two-way switching at both entrances will make the space easy to use regardless of the direction of travel through the boat.

Sockets will be positioned according to how appliances will actually be used, avoiding trailing cables across the worktop or passage.

The 3D model will be particularly important here. It should test door and drawer clearances, appliance access, worktop height and whether two people can use or pass through the galley comfortably.

Walk-through bathroom: a bold use of space

Beyond the galley, a six-foot walk-through bathroom will use a Z-shaped route to provide separation between the living and sleeping areas.

Rather than squeezing a shower into a small cubicle, we envisage a wet-room arrangement. A gently sloping floor will direct water towards a drainage point connected to a suitable shower-waste pump beneath the basin unit.

The shower will occupy the central part of the room, with careful screening or folding panels used where necessary to protect doors, towels and storage. Both shower and basin will have readily available hot water from Priscilla’s chosen water-heating system.

A cassette toilet will be positioned between the basin and the galley-side entrance. Spare cassettes will be concealed beneath a built-in seat, providing secure and accessible storage without leaving them visible within the room.

The bathroom will also include:

• Mirrored storage
• Towel rails and robe hooks
• A heated towel rail, subject to energy modelling
• Mechanical extraction and effective ventilation
• Waterproof wall and floor finishes
• Recessed storage for shower products
• Dimmable ceiling and low-level lighting

Frosted 18-inch portholes will admit natural light while maintaining privacy. Two-way switches at both entrances will control the principal lighting.

The design will need particularly careful consideration of slip resistance, drainage, waterproofing and access to pumps and plumbing.

Bedroom: private, calm and comfortable

The forward bedroom will occupy approximately 12 feet and provide a calmer, more private contrast to Priscilla’s flamboyant social spaces.

Entering from the bathroom on the starboard side, the route will pass an L-shaped wardrobe offering full-height hanging space, shelves and drawers. Additional storage may be incorporated beneath the bed, ideally using powered lifting assistance or large accessible drawers.

A permanent double bed will form the centre of the room. Bedside shelves, individual reading lights, 230/240V sockets and USB-C charging points will be provided on both sides.

Lighting will include four dimmable ceiling spotlights, under-gunwale illumination and low-level night lighting. Two-way controls at the doorway and headboard will prevent either of us having to cross the room to switch off the lights.

Frosted or curtained 18-inch portholes will provide daylight without sacrificing privacy.

A compliant secondary escape route will be incorporated close to the head of the bed. Its dimensions, operation and accessibility will need to be agreed with the builder and checked against the applicable safety requirements.

The bedroom’s 3D mock-up should explore different finishes and demonstrate whether wardrobe doors, drawers and under-bed storage remain usable when both occupants are in the room.

Enclosed bow: services without wasted space

The enclosed bow will primarily accommodate the fresh-water tank and associated equipment.

Fill points will be available from both sides where practical, making it easier to take on water regardless of how Priscilla is moored. The installation should also provide access for inspection, cleaning, isolation and winterisation.

Although much of the bow will contain essential services, we do not want any remaining volume to be wasted. Possible uses include storage for hoses, anchors, chains, fenders and less frequently required cruising equipment.

Careful weight distribution will be essential. The final tank size, position and construction must be considered alongside batteries, propulsion equipment, domestic contents and the completed boat’s trim.

Retractable communications mast

A powered retractable mast will rise from the forward part of the boat when Priscilla is moored.

It is intended to support equipment such as:

• Mobile internet antennas
• Wi-Fi equipment
• External security cameras
• Navigation or environmental sensors
• Future communications technology

When cruising, approaching low bridges or entering tunnels, the mast must retract into a protected position. Controls should include clear height warnings and a dependable method of confirming that it is fully lowered.

The mechanism will need manual emergency retraction, suitable weather protection and safeguards against accidental operation. Its precise location must also avoid obstructing ropes, visibility, roof access or the emergency escape route.

Connecting Priscilla’s interior

The success of the layout will depend not only upon the individual rooms but upon the experience of moving through them.

From stern to bow, the sequence should feel natural:

1. A theatrical outdoor social space
2. A bright and practical entrance
3. A generous saloon for relaxing and entertaining
4. A flexible dinette for eating and working
5. An efficient all-electric galley
6. A walk-through bathroom creating separation
7. A calm and private bedroom
8. An enclosed bow containing essential services

Lighting, materials and cabinetry should connect these areas visually without making every room identical. The interior can become quieter and more restful towards the bedroom while retaining recognisable touches of Priscilla’s personality throughout.

The complete digital model

Once the individual spaces have been refined, they should be assembled into a complete digital representation of Priscilla.

Full 2D plan

A dimensioned overhead drawing showing every room, passage, doorway, item of furniture, major appliance and storage compartment.

Full 3D cutaway

A view of the entire boat with one side or the roof removed, allowing the relationship between every space to be understood at a glance.

Virtual walkthrough

A human-height journey through Priscilla, beginning on the cruiser stern and moving through to the bow. This will help test sightlines, apparent space and the transition between rooms.

Systems overlays

Separate views showing electrical equipment, plumbing, heating, ventilation, batteries, water storage, communications and other technical infrastructure.

Lighting simulation

Daylight and evening models demonstrating how natural and artificial light will move through the boat.

Storage inventory

A plan identifying where everyday possessions, filming equipment, bicycles, outdoor clothing, food, bedding, tools and cruising equipment will be stored.

This modelling should expose practical conflicts before construction begins, when changes can still be made without dismantling finished work.

A home designed around our future

Priscilla is intended to be more than a beautiful narrowboat. She must be a capable travelling home, a creative workspace, a place for friendship and the vessel through which we explore a much bigger waterways adventure.

Some ideas will undoubtedly evolve as we work with the builder. A few may prove technically impractical, while others may become even more ambitious.

That is precisely why the 2D plans, individual 3D room mock-ups and complete digital model matter. They will allow us to see not only whether everything fits, but whether Priscilla truly feels like the boat we have imagined.

This is our starting point: the first complete vision of life inside Priscilla.