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Description

Narrowboat Tug “Mecca”
‘Mecca’, a traditional narrowboat with forward hull of riveted iron and welded steel stern with rounded counter, built by Roger Farrington of Ivy Bridge Marine, Braunston, in 1990.
Forward iron section is the stern of Historic narrowboat LMS ‘Mecca’ which was removed when it was motorised in 1990 (LMS Mecca was built by Yarwoods of Northwich in 1928).
Extensive work was carried out by Warwickshire Fly Boat Co in 1992/93 with a steel front cabin and tug deck, large stainless steel water tank and a Lister Petter PH2W engine with mechanical gearbox installed. There are two 110 amp/hour domestic batteries and a dedicated starting battery, a battery management system and a three-stage battery charger for shore line use. The cabin sides have recessed panels and have plenty of tumblehome which make it easy to walk along the gunwales, which are non-slip as is the front deck.
Traditional Back Cabin fitted by Rex Wain with Epping range. The engine room and front cabin are spray foam insulated and lined out with tongue and groove above the gunwales and marine ply below. In the front cabin there is a shower with Thetford Porta Potti, small galley with Flavel Vanessa cooker, instant LPG water heater, a drop-down table, plate rack, multi-fuel stove and two single bunks under the tug deck.
Mecca is very easy to ‘single hand’, and steers beautifully due to her long swim (which starts halfway along the engine room). I have boated extensively with her around the waterways including the tidal Thames and River Medway, Manchester Ship Canal and River Weaver, and River Severn to Gloucester and Sharpness (due to weather conditions we couldn’t continue to Bristol as planned). She is always much admired for her lovely lines wherever she goes.
Mecca was my home for 15 years and would make a great travelling live aboard for a single person or couple.
Viewing by appointment only. Moored on the Kayes Arm (Grand Union), Stockton, Warwickshire. What3words location: ///mirroring.sensibly.defining

Specifications

Accommodation

Fold down double bed in back cabin & two single bunks under tug deck.

Construction

The forward rivetted iron section is the stern of LMS ‘Mecca’ which was removed when it was motorised in 1990 (LMS Mecca was built by Yarwoods of Northwich in 1928). The rest of the hull is of welded steel construction. The hull (and back cabin and engine room steelwork) was built by Roger Farrington of Ivy Bridge Marine, Braunston, in 1990. The rest of the steelwork was completed by Ken Freeman of WFB Co.

Equipment

All required fire extinguishers, fire blanket, CO2 alarms etc. There is a selection of pots, pans cutlery and crockery. Marine FM radio (not wired up, no arial, can't guarantee if it works). Epping range in back cabin, multi-fuel stove in front cabin, LPG instant water heater.

Engine(s)

Lister Petter PH2W (16.4hp @ 2000rpm) with mechanical gearbox & 2:1 reduction. Skin tank cooling. Hand & electric start. Water cooled exhaust manifold. Currently no silencer fitted but would be an easy job to fit one. Sounds lovely!

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