HISTORY OF SNAIL
History of NARROW BOAT SNAIL
Cole Craft built narrow boat snail in 1979. The Boat is 45 feet long by 6 foot 10 inches wide.
She was fitted out by Rugby Boat Builders to join there hire fleet as 5/6 berth boat. The boat is powered by 1.5 BMC diesel engine with TMP gearbox. The engine water cooling system is cooled by twin keel cooling tanks. Water for the domestic water supply is stored in a 200gall-water tank under the front deck. And heated for central heating and hot water by a gas fired boiler at rear of the boat. There is a full size cooker and a gas/12v /240 fridge in the galley. Gas supply is from two 17kg LPG Bottles stored in front gas locker. Lighting is 12v there is a 240v system of power sockets run off a shoreline when birthed at the marina.Snail was originally built as a 5 berth boat fitted out by Rugby boats and was in service in their Hire fleet from 1979. She was sold to private market at a date as yet unknow to me
The previous private owner before I and my family took owner ship of snail, modified the boat to the layout. thats found on the layout page. His fit out was not very good but ideas were, but standered of workmanship was poor that the family nick named him Mr one screw.
WE TOOK OWNERSHIP OF SNAIL IN FEB 1999
The previous owner had a new bottom plate put on her so she is good for at least 20 years. This was one of the reasons we bought her. We found that she handless very well and is good on rivers and deep water she swims very well. We completed the refit. Fixing modifications properly, tilled cooker, fire, and sink area. fitting a new cooker and replaced all the interior deck coverings with new tiles and carpeting. Revarnished the walls and repainted doors radiators and work areas. Fitted new curtains.Curtin rails. On the exterior of the boat we completely repainted, when preparing services we found that the painted handrail was solid mahogany and striped and varnished this. Graphics of a snail where added and along with a coach line and a graphic with the family name and home marina were added. Later after about 3 years the fridge was replaced with a new gas 12volt maines fridge. and renewed the rear deck boards. The family had some lovely holidays on her attended 2 nation rallys of the IWA in her; Milton Keys in 2001 and Burton on Trent Rally in 2004.We also had to put up with the foot and mouth epidemic during our ownership but we were still able to enjoy crusing with the restrictions in place.
We sold Snail in Oct 2004 the new owner sold her on in 2008 and had modifide her into a two birth boat change the layout with a new refit. At present I dont know who ownes her but if it you? can you let me know by E.mail. There is a page showing the refit of snail as she is at present time. From the photos I am pleased by the changes and If due to personal resones I had to sell here a magor refit would have been on the card well done I hope he had 4 years of enjoment as we had 5 years my family had and I wish the prensent owners much luck and love of her as we did.
NARROW BOAT SNAIL AT BRAUNSTON MARINA 2002