A semi-bespoke boat

摘要

Karen and Rob Bent have done what many people aim to do - sell up and set sail. Having been avid caravanners for many years, they recently decided that moving permanently aboard a boat was right for them. Undaunted by having just three days of hire-boating experience, they set about looking for a builder to produce a good boat at a sensible price. Rob, with an engineering background, also had ideas that he wanted incorporated. The couple settled on local Nottinghamshire boat-builder, Ovation Boats. The company produces 60ft narrowboats, which is an almost go-anywhere length, with the extra feet over a more conservative 57ft boat being put to good use. There are two versions available that are fairly similar: the Charnwood Edge, which is an almost 'off-the-shelf stock boat, and the Charnwood Choice where, within reason, there is room to tweak the layout and equipment. The latter offers more options, and those selected are within a given price point that will not alter the final bill. Anything on top of that is at extra expense, though the 'standard' specification is anything but basic.