Reed Hotel Boats



		Hotel Narrow Boats on the Canals and Rivers of the UK *All about our boats.*

A Scrap Book of the building of Oak & Ash.

Fitting out of 'Oak'.

		With the Steel work finished and the boat afloat the builders now start to fit out the interior. As seen in the top picture the bottom is painted, battens fixed in place to hold the floor boards and paving slabs are put in to help ballast the boat in the water The engine is fitted in place, it is a Beta "BV 3303". This engine is based on a Kubota diesel engine and is marinised by Beta Marine. It will produce 75 Hp at 2,600 rpm. A lot more work needs to be done in fitting up of controls etc. before it can run, and eventually it will all be under the floor of this rear cabin, but at least it is now there.
February 8th. The sides have now been covered with spray installation, and this has been trimmed flat. The floor has also been put in place hiding the ballast and providing us with a level surface to walk and work on.
		February 18th The ceiling and the sides are now lined with wood, the electric wiring and gas pipes being put in place first. There is a lot of wiring for our fairly basic needs, I am assured it will look a lot tidier at the end! Next the internal bulkheads are fitted to divide the boat up into cabins.
February 23rd. Work now starts on fitting out the individual cabins. Alongside is one of the Single cabins looking at the place where the wash basin will eventually go.
		March 4th. The fit out continues with the installation of the stainless steel water tank under the front deck and the two toilet holding tanks inside. Next they will need the toilets mounted on the top of them. The central heating radiators to go throughout the boat are also installed now.
March 13th. I make my first practical contribution by painting a basic sealing coat over all the boat until we are ready to paint it properly. The kitchen starts to take shape with the installation of the oven and the five burner grill above. The double sink is also in place. In the lounge the first of the seats is built and is quickly claimed by the dog belonging to one of the builders. Essential in the heavy rain!
		March 27th. Oak has a day in the dry dock so work can be done on the stern gear. However work continues inside the boat. The bow doors have been lined and the seats and drinks cupboard are going up in the lounge in the lower picture.