SURE BEATS AN OLD BUS / MOTORHOME – AN APARTMENT THAT FLOATS

Yesterday we had a classic launch that looked like a block of flats, today we have an apartment that is a boat.

Todays craft is appropriately named – THE BARGE, she made a cameo appearince on WW back in January 2024, but at the time we learnt zero about the craft.

Today thanks to Alan Sexton and a Bay of Islands cruise he did in February 2024 , where he spotted THE BARGE in Whangaroa Harbour , we get to learn and see more about this rather cool house boat. Alan S tells the story below – 

“We encountered The Barge in Whangaroa in February 2024 during our Northland Cruise. Of course our first thoughts on seeing her were one of “amazement”, but of course curiosity got the better of us and on the way back from a kayaking trip had a chat with the owners (can’t remember their names). They were very friendly and welcomed us on board for a tour.

The Barge was built during the Covid times in a shed near Uretiti in about 18 mths. The owner is / was a house builder so that of course heavily influenced design/build.                                           Hull is a catamaran, philosophy was literally to be a “home afloat”, in particular the lady’s insistence on a full size kitchen.                                                                                                                 

Construction is construction ply, tanalised pine, aluminium window joinery and house paint. I don’t think she was glassed over. Most of the marine fitout came from Trademe, Facebook market place and other used equipment emporiums.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Shaft drive engines were Nissan SD22 diesels, the fuel tanks were 2x 44 drums in each hull, water tanks were 3 cubes in each hull. The upper level was built separately from hull / lower level for transport limitations. The owner said the boat builders at Marsden Cove were just about apoplectic when she arrived on transporters for assembly and launching.                                                                                                                                                                                           Cruises at about 5 kts under power and owner said although he of course watches the weather she handles ok in a bit of a sea. Certainly not an example of beauty but functional to the max.”