Brokerage (For Sale) List
Humber Keel (1937) 76ft liveaboard - "The Floss"
The Floss – 1937 Humber Keel by J.S. Watson, Gainsborough
A rare and characterful piece of British inland waterways history, The Floss is an original 1937 Humber Keel built by the renowned J.S. Watson of Gainsborough. Constructed with a traditional iron hull, she retains the timeless lines and rugged craftsmanship these working vessels are celebrated for.
Powered by a dependable inbuilt Gardner engine, The Floss offers the unmistakable sound, reliability, and engineering heritage Gardner motors are famous for. The vessel carries enormous presence and authenticity, making her ideal for enthusiasts of historic craft, liveaboard conversion, preservation projects, or promotional and leisure use.
With nearly ninety years of history behind her, The Floss is a genuine survivor from the golden age of commercial waterways transport. Her iron construction, traditional design, and classic machinery make her increasingly rare in today’s market.
Key Features
Built in 1937
Original Humber Keel
Built by J.S. Watson, Gainsborough
Traditional iron hull construction
Inbuilt Gardner engine
Approx. 76ft length overall
Approx. 17ft beam
Draft approx. 2.4m (8ft)
Historic and highly collectible vessel
Full of character and heritage
Dutch Barge Conversion / Liveaboard Project - "Bailey Boo"
38ft Dutch Barge Style Liveaboard Project Boat | Unique Floating Home Opportunity
A rare opportunity to own a characterful Dutch barge style liveaboard with huge potential as a floating home, canal cruiser, off-grid project, or marina-based houseboat. This eye-catching steel-hulled vessel combines classic barge proportions with a bespoke cabin conversion, making it an ideal alternative to a traditional narrowboat or static houseboat.
Built with a wide-beam Dutch barge-inspired hull, the boat offers generous internal space and strong liveaboard potential. The distinctive timber cabin, porthole windows, and traditional styling give the vessel real personality and make it stand out from standard canal boats currently on the market.
Perfect for buyers searching for:
Dutch barge project
liveaboard boat
houseboat for sale
widebeam alternative
floating home
steel barge
canal liveaboard
unique boat conversion
restoration project boat
off-grid living opportunity
The vessel would suit someone looking for a rewarding refurbishment project, creative floating accommodation, or an affordable route into the liveaboard boating lifestyle. Ideal for use on inland waterways, marina moorings, river systems, or as a bespoke tiny-home conversion.
Features include:
Steel Dutch barge-style hull
Spacious liveaboard layout
Character timber superstructure
Large windows and portholes
Unique one-off conversion
Strong project potential
Excellent visual presence
This is not a mass-produced canal boat — it is a genuinely individual vessel with enormous charm and scope for improvement.
Early viewing recommended as unusual liveaboard barges and floating home projects continue to attract strong interest across the UK boating market.
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1970s Birchwood 22 Cabin Cruiser - "Uh-Oh"
Birchwood 22 Cabin Cruiser | Classic British River Cruiser | 4 Berth
A well-presented Birchwood 22 cabin cruiser, offering spacious accommodation, classic styling, and excellent versatility for river cruising, weekends away, fishing trips, or affordable liveaboard use.
The Birchwood 22 is a respected British-built GRP cruiser known for its practical layout, stable handling, and comfortable 4-berth accommodation. With its medium-V hull and wide beam, the boat performs well on inland waterways, rivers, broads, and sheltered coastal passages.
This example provides an ideal entry point into boating and would suit:
first-time boat owners
couples seeking a weekend cruiser
liveaboard buyers
fishing enthusiasts
river and canal cruising
Features typically include:
4 berth accommodation
Forward V-berth
Convertible dinette
Galley with cooker and sink
Separate toilet compartment
Spacious aft cockpit
GRP hardtop/canopy
Inboard engine
Fibreglass construction
The Birchwood 22 remains a highly sought-after compact cruiser due to its manageable size, economical running costs, and comfortable interior layout. Around 100 Birchwood 22s were built between 1970 and 1980, and they continue to be popular entry-level cruisers today.
Ideal for use on:
Norfolk Broads
River Thames
inland waterways
canals
marina-based weekend accommodation
Early viewing recommended.
For maximum traffic on Apollo Duck, BoatsandOutboards, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, include these keywords naturally:
Birchwood 22
river cruiser
cabin cruiser
GRP cruiser
4 berth boat
liveaboard boat
starter boat
Norfolk Broads cruiser
canal cruiser
inland waterways boat
fishing cruiser
classic motor cruiser