fancy_free.htm

Modification of NB Fancy Free for disability

April 2005

1997 Reeves shell, originally fitted out by Aynho Wharf Boat Builders

Well, we made it! Two rivers, three canals, 98 miles and 104 locks in 11days. The work we had done this winter to our narrowboat has certainly been worthwhile. It all happened like this. When my wife, Isabel, and I retired early in 1997 we bought a 52ft narrowboat. At that time I was just starting to have some difficulty with walking and Fancy Free proved a wonderful way of getting us out in the fresh air together. Isabel could walk along the towpath as much as she liked and I followed on behind on board, bringing the gin and tonic with me. As the years passed I could do less and less off the boat, but continued to steer and control her while Isabel worked all the locks. By last year my disability had progressed to the point that we either had to make some radical modifications or give up boating all together. We asked Ian Cundy of Starline Marine, Upton-upon-Severn, to advise and help us and this winter he widened the rear hatch and the gangway to take a wheelchair, installed a hydraulic lift , fitted remote power steering and engine controls , and revamped the interior of the boat including an under floor stainless steel shower tray in the bathroom. It has worked out well.

Before the gangway was widened I could traverse the length of the boat only by having a piece of rope round the back of my neck with loops over my feet and Isabel pulling the rope to move my feet forward one at a time. Thanks to Ed Galizia for this idea.

Now I can get all the way to the lift in my wheelchair.The lift can take me up either to rear deck level or a few inches higher to improve my view when steering.

At night when the lift is not needed the room can revert to a double bedroom.

On the right you can see one of the two bathroom doors

and here, left, is the other one.

When these doors are closed the bathroom extends the full width of the boat for easy wheelchair manoeuvring.

When the doors are opened the gangway is once more ready for use.

The underfloor stainless steel shower tray can be seen more clearly if the floorboards are lifted.

The chromium towel rail is also a grab rail helping me to get out of my wheelchair onto a perching shower stool.

The loo and holding tank are now 8" off centre but this does not seem to have created much of a problem.

The remote controls - from L to R bowthruster, steering and engine

and the boxes on the rear bulkhead to which their leads attach.

the hydraulic powered steering mechanism

and waiting for lunch. The controls at this time are on top of the rear hatch cover

Steering into lock 16 at Marston Doles, the 104th of the journey. As well as the lift being above deck level I am sitting on a 6" thick cushion to give me added height.

Inside the lock waiting for Isabel to open the paddles. The remote controls are sitting on my lap, which is where I normally have them..

It was all very costly, but certainly worthwhile. Widening the rear hatch, supplying and fitting the lift, revamping the rear bedroom, the bathroom with its disabled friendly shower, the galley and the L-shaped seat/bed in the saloon - £13,500 . The joystick steering system - £4,850 and the engine control system - £2,350. If you are considering having your own boat modified you should get up to date estimates.

email: john@johnpowell.net

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	Before the gangway was widened I could traverse the length of the boat only by having a piece of rope round the back of my neck with loops over my feet and Isabel pulling the rope to move my feet forward one at a time. Thanks to Ed Galizia for this idea. Now I can get all the way to the lift in my wheelchair.The lift can take me up either to rear deck level or a few inches higher to improve my view when steering.
	At night when the lift is not needed the room can revert to a double bedroom. On the right you can see one of the two bathroom doors
	and here, left, is the other one. When these doors are closed the bathroom extends the full width of the boat for easy wheelchair manoeuvring. When the doors are opened the gangway is once more ready for use.

	The underfloor stainless steel shower tray can be seen more clearly if the floorboards are lifted.
	The chromium towel rail is also a grab rail helping me to get out of my wheelchair onto a perching shower stool. The loo and holding tank are now 8" off centre but this does not seem to have created much of a problem.
	The remote controls - from L to R bowthruster, steering and engine and the boxes on the rear bulkhead to which their leads attach.
	the hydraulic powered steering mechanism and waiting for lunch. The controls at this time are on top of the rear hatch cover
	Steering into lock 16 at Marston Doles, the 104th of the journey. As well as the lift being above deck level I am sitting on a 6" thick cushion to give me added height. Inside the lock waiting for Isabel to open the paddles. The remote controls are sitting on my lap, which is where I normally have them..