Description

Iyalode rests on the sought after Riverbank moorings at Springfield Marina, directly adjacent to Warwick Reservior West in the Walthamstow Wetlands. The river at Springfield offers tangible contact with nature, with all the urban culture that London has to offer on the doorstep. At 57 foot, she is the perfect size for travelling the canal and river network and I have spent wonderful summers cruising the navigations of the Rivers Lee and Stort, as well as crossing London on the Grand Union Canal.

Built by small business Peterborough Narrowboats in 1997, Iyalode ("ee-yah-loh-deh") was described by the surveyor (May 2025) as being built with the "last of the good steel". She has had three careful owners and has never been overplated. The BMC 1.8 engine was marinised by Calcutt Boats; it has been regularly serviced by a professional and runs reliably. The BSS (Boat Safety Scheme certificate) is valid until March 2028.

Iyalode has some special and unusual features: a four panelled window across the width of the bow which lets in an abundance of light, a hard wood trim around the semi-trad stern, and three big windows that slide open, covered by shutters that offer great insulation against cold and heat. In a world where bus windows are the norm, I love these fully opening windows, and have also come to believe that they are the reason I have never suffered with condensation.

Inside, she has a spacious open plan layout. Entering the boat from the stern, the bathroom is on the left, followed by the bedroom - with full size double bed, room for a chest of drawers, and an integral full height wardrobe that acts as a bulkhead. The galley follows, opening onto the living and socialising area at the front of the boat. In 2016, engineered oak flooring was laid throughout (except the bathroom) and a bespoke kitchen was fitted to maximise use of the space. I have subsequently had a hatch cut into this central area of the boat.

Iyalode is well-insulated and a Becton Bunny stove gets the space lovely and warm in the winter months.There is a Mikuni fan heater in the bathroom, capable of getting the small space toasty hot within minutes no matter what the temperature outside. The bathroom is equipped with a compost toilet, sink and shower. The waste tank and plumbing for the previous pump-out toilet are still in situ, and can be easily reconnected or removed, depending on the preference of the new owner.

Iyalode is sold on her mooring; transfer fee included in asking price. The Riverbank moorings are off grid, with access to the Marina facilities just a few minutes walk away - or a very short boat trip, in the case of filling up for water! Facilities include shower blocks, toilets, laundry, waste collection, elsan disposal, parking (subject to a waiting list) and secure bike storage, alongside access to boat craning, workshop and hard-standing, with essentials including gas, coal, wood and kindling available on site through the office. There is a great sense of community along the tow path, and the Spring Lea Cruising Club offers a welcoming and inclusive boat owner space with a lively social calendar.

After 13 years of life on the river, it is time to begin a new chapter. I am keen to find someone who will enjoy and look after Iyalode as much as I have. Serious enquiries only.

Specifications

Accommodation

• Boat Safety Scheme Certificate: expires 03/2028

• Lighting: LED lighting throughout boat, all running off 12V electric system

• Water: Integral water tank at bow; FloJet R4305500A pump; Jabsco CW288 8ltr accumulator tank

• Hot water: Rinnai REU-58E immersion heater

• Heating: Arada Beckton 5 Multifuel Stove (new flue installed by ShipShape 09/2025).

• Mikuni MY30 Marine heater in bathroom

• Insulation: Rockwool

• Interior: Engineered oak flooring (installed 2016);

• Kitchen: Wren kitchen units; bespoke oak housing with shelves and solid oak worktops by Tom Trimmins Woodwork (2016)

• Cooking: Belling gas oven with four hobs

• Fridge: Isotherm Grey Line 12V Marine Refrigerator

• Music: Kenwood speakers integrated in bulkhead/ wardrobe, connected to Kenwood car stereo

• Toilet: Trobolo compost toilet installed in April 2025.
Connections and fittings for previous pump out toilet available for reinstallation by new owner if preferred

Construction

• Year of construction: 1997

• Boat yard: Peterborough Narrow Boats, Yaxley

• Material: Steel, 10/6/4 construction

• Beam: 6ft 10inches / 2.08m

• Draft: 2 ft/ 0.6m

• Air draft at highest point: 6 foot 3inches / 1.92m

• Internal cabin height: 6 foot 5 inches at centre (2 ½ inches less in bathroom)/ 1.96m

• Stern: Hard wood trim curved to roof and cabin flanks

• Bow: Four panel steel window spanning full width of bow

• Cabin: Three slide windows that can be fully opened, with shutters providing insulation against both cold and the heat of summer sunshine. Hatch in galley.

• Hull blacked and six new anodes (eight in total): 2025

• Last survey: 05/2025

• Gas: Locker on stern with space for 2 x 13kg LPG bottles

Equipment

Power system:

• 3 x Numax CXV30HRMF Sealed Leisure Battery 12V 105Ah.

• Victron Energy BMV700 Battery Monitor

• Mastervolt AC Master 12/300 (230V) inverter provides power to plug sockets

• Nikkai 230v 800 Watt AC inverter by entrance/ stern

• One KC130GT-1 130W solar panel; Steca PR 2020 Solar Charge Controller

Engine(s)

• Engine: BMC 1.8 engine marinised by Calcutt Boats for keel cooling. Installed 2007. Serviced annually.

• Hurth HBW100 gearbox.

• Starter Battery: Halfords HB019 800CCA 12V 95Ah

Location Map