Description

NB Capella is a traditional working boat with a very rich history, and was converted to a comfortable liveaboard in the early 80s. She was given hydraulic steering with a propeller in her rudder which means she kept a large wooden tiller, and handles beautifully -- even in reverse.

Constructed for the GUCCC by Harland and Wolff, originally with an Elm bottom, she was weighed in at Brentford Gauging lock in December 1935. She was steered by one of the ‘Idle Women’ Frankie C. Martin in WW2. Boat painter Bob Bush owned her in the 1970s, and did the lovely paintings in her Boatman’s Cabin and Cratch.

She was last blacked and had new anodes in July 2025, and has a BSS until 2028.

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The large covered cratch contains ample storage, and a gas locker with two gas bottles. Under the steel well deck is her water tank, and she has twin 600L capacity domestic diesel tanks to feed the Refleks Lockgate stove in the main cabin. There is a Yanmar diesel generator in the bow, but this is declared as not working.

Through the front doors are fitted wardrobes and plywood bookcases, and the saloon has plenty of living and dining or working space.

This leads with open plan to a stylish galley with a small Belfast sink, copper taps, and oak counters. There is a 240V fridge under the counter.

There’s a small double cabin bed behind a wall, with plenty of storage underneath, as well as the hot water tank.

In the walk through bathroom there is a small bath, space for a Thetford or composting toilet, and sink.

The engine room is comfortably laid out, with her easy to access engine mounted on the Starboard side, a diesel tank, and a small washing machine and dryer. She has 450W of Solar, 3 domestic batteries, a Victron inverter, and galvanic isolator.

The cosy boatman’s cabin in the stern contains a traditional Epping range, Roses and Castles, plenty of storage, and a fold out double bed with custom fitted mattress by Ship Shape World.

We have lived aboard very happily since 2017, and added to her legacy when we worked with Sail Cargo London & Kent for the test run of the return of Sail Cargo to London. We picked up globally shipped goods from Limehouse Dock, and delivered them to businesses along the canals, ending up in Hackney.

Specifications

Accommodation

Open plan saloon

Open plan saloon and galley

Refleks Lockgate stove with back burner

Open plan dining

Galley with oak countertops

Belfast sink with copper taps

Cabin bed

Small bath

Washing machine and dryer in engine room

Boatman's cabin with Roses and Castles and Epping range

Classic bow

Battlebridge Basin

History as a working boat

Frankie Martin, second from right

Randomly in the Mail

Construction

Hydraulic steering

Hydraulic steering and fresh anodes

Engine(s)

Location Map