It is always interesting to discover another person’s (or business’s) interpretation of what we see as particularly unique to the UK, so it was good to get the opportunity to view the first of a new range of narrowboats being built in Poland. Phil Pickin went to have a look, although he didn’t have to travel to Eastern Europe…
OVER the years, many boats have come on to the UK market that have been manufactured in Poland, and Dragon 2 is the latest. Built by Dragon Boats London Ltd and marketed by Aqueduct Marina in Cheshire, this new range offers something slightly different for those looking for a newly built stock boat.
Dragon 2 is a 54ft cruiser-style narrowboat, so it needs to pack a lot into a relatively small space, something the designers seem to have done quite well. The result is a boat that mixes many traditional features with modern styling, some of which are quite ‘individual’, such as the mix of the angular galley worktops with the round portholes, all of which are double glazed and supplied by Channelglaze. These windows are used almost exclusively throughout the boat.
Inside Dragon 2, you find a good-sized galley with worktops on both sides of the boat.
A large square sink is set into the light-coloured worktops made from Noble Quartzite. Below are a Whirlpool fridge, a full washing machine, Belling gas oven and hob. Plenty of storage space is on offer in the cupboards and drawers, all fitted with pale grey fronts, and the builders have even managed to squeeze in a small breakfast bar at the end of the worktops.
The interior is fitted out using light ash and white tongue and groove boards, and oak flooring complements this well. As mentioned before, portholes have been used extensively to provide daylight along with a small side hatch located quite high in the cabin wall. Additional lighting is provided by some large wall lights as well as the inset ceiling LED lights.
A Morso Squirrel stove is a major feature in the living area, which has been furnished with two freestanding seats. A TV and storage unit complete the living area. The addition of a sofa bed would make good use of this space, especially for owners who have guests staying from time to time.
As well as the solid fuel stove heating in the living area, a Webasto diesel central heating system is also provided for the rest of the boat, plus underfloor heating in the bathroom, which is fitted with a square shower enclosure with Hansgrohe fittings and a Thetford cassette toilet.
Forward of this is the main bedroom, which has been fitted with a fold-out double bed that is possibly intended to be folded away for much of the time, thereby providing additional seating space and easy access to the double doors to the bow. This may be an issue for some, as there are those who would like to have a fixed bed. If that is your choice, there is nothing stopping you from leaving the bed in situ.
The electrical system for the boat uses a Victron inverter/charger, AGM, and gel batteries. The 230v system has a shoreline connection that includes a 25-metre cable. Dragon 2 is powered by a Beta Marine 38hp engine and is equipped with a Side Power SE60/185 bow thruster. The hull is built to a 10-6-5-5 specification and has been treated with Hempel 55143 part-polyurethane paint.
Being a stock boat, Dragon 2 is equipped and ready to go, thereby avoiding the long waits often experienced by those buying new. Obviously, you don’t have the choices you would have if you opted for a bespoke boat, but you won’t be paying bespoke prices either. Dragon 2 is £149,950, a price that compares quite well with other stock boats on the market; however, at 54ft, Dragon 2 is significantly shorter than many others. It all depends on what you are looking for. Despite this boat being the first to be offered for sale by Dragon Boats London Ltd (despite it being numbered ‘2’) I’m assured that it is fully compliant and is supplied with all the necessary documentation required for a boat offered for sale in the UK.
Boat spec
Style: Cruiser
Length: 54ft
Hull: 10-6-5-5
Berths: Two
BSS due: 2029
Insulation: Closed-cell foam
Fit out: Ash
Flooring: Oak with tiles in bathroom
Galley: Belling oven and grill, Belling hob, Whirlpool fridge, Candy washing machine.
Worktops: Noble Quartzite matt
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Square, laminated walls, Hansgrohe shower tap
Power: Alternators: Beta 40 Ah and Beta 100 Ah
Batteries: 1 x starter AGM 12 90 Ah and 2 x domestic gel 12v 220 Ah, 1 x Victron 12v 165 Ah bow thruster
Inverter/charger: Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120-16
Water tank: 340 gallons – mild steel
Stove: Morso 1010 Squirrel solid fuel
Central heating: Webasto Thermo Top Evo 12v diesel
Hot water: Surecal horizontal twin coil calorifier supplied by the engine and central heating (14.5 gallons).
Builder: Dragon Boats London Ltd
Brokerage: Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshull, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DX www.aqueductmarina.co.uk
