Original Fit Out
Chelonian ia a 60ft Steel traditional style Narrow Boat, the shell was built by South West Durham Steel Craft in 1994.
The fit out was by the owners on the banks of the Lancaster Canal where it was launched in 1996, after a number of years exploring the system it was purchased at Braunston by the current owner in February 1999.
General
Chelonian as originally fitted out with a Fixed double in the rear cabin with a fixed single cabin immediately forward, a side corridor gives access to all areas including the central toilet and shower room, the kitchen and living area. A bed settee in the main forward cabin provided an additional double berth when required.
In 2004 Chelonian had a major repaint at Reading Marine whilst retaining a similar colour scheme and look.
Over the winter of 2008/9 Chelonian had a major refit including the installation of a Hybrid Deisel Electric propulsion system. The opertunity was also taken to rearrange the internal layout and get rid of the side corridor at the rear of the boat to increase the usefull space.
The layout now consists of an enlarged engine room at the rear, containing a single cross berth, the new battery plant (see below) storage space and a Washer dryer, the main cabin is forward of this and now includes a full size window rather than portholes only. The remainder of the boat layout from toliet forward is unchanged.
Engine
For the technically minded Chelonian was originally powered by a BMC 1800cc engine marinised and refurbished by Calcutt Marine fuel consumption figures with diesel prices are here.
In October 2008 the BMC1800 was replaced with a Beta Marine Greenline 43 completed with LEM electric motor and clutch as part of the Hybrid Marine electric propulsion system. Over November and December 2008 the Hybrid Marine control systems were added and tested so that Chelonian is now a Hybrid Electric powered boat, see the Hybrid section of the web page for further info.
Electrical System
The original low voltage electrical system consisted of an engine mounted 70A alternator charging an engine and domestic battery system via a Sterling Power Alternator to Battery Charger. The battery system consist of 1 starter battery and 3 x 110Ah marine leisure batteries for the domestic supply. A Sterling Pro mains charger provided a split charge system for starter and domestic batteries up to 50A for use in the marina.
The 230v electrical system consisted of a shore supply and an Sterling power 3KVA inverter to provide mains power both in the marina and on the move.
The use of 12v to supply to a 3KW inverter was allways problematic with the huge currents (300A) needing short high capacity cables to keep the volt drop to a minimum. The layout of the boat and the practicalities and cost of using 100sqmm cables meant that obtaining the full output of the inverter was rarely possible.
The Sterling equipment has all performed well with few problems, and the support from Sterling power has always been first class i would recomend anyone looking for 12 and 24v systems to consider this kit.
48v Domestic & Propulsion power
In October 2008 the new Beta 43 engine was installed complete with a 60A 48v alternator system allowing the 48v battery to be charged directly from the engine. AC power and shore line charging of the 48v battery is achieved using a Victron Phoenix Multiplus 48/3000/35 Inverter/Charger providing 3Kw (6Kw peak) of AC power. A second unit was added in Dec 2008 providing 6Kw (12Kw peak) of power enabling the gas hob and oven to be replaced with Electric units.
The domestic 12v is derived from the 48v system using two Victron Orion DC-DC converters. A 360W unit provides 30A of 12v for general domestic use while a second 100W unit provides power for the Eberspacher Central Heating Boiler.
The move to 48v has reduced the current required to provide 3Kw to less around 60A and has meant that the cables needed are now of a manageable size and cost (25sqmm). The electrical system is now rated at 6Kw with 12Kw peak and has no problem powering the Induction Hob, Electric oven and kettle.
In November 2008 a new 48v traction battery was fitted to provide the necessary power for both domestic, and propulsion. The battery consists of 24 x 2v 450Ah cells giving a total 48v 450Ah battery storing some 15KwH of useable energy, this compares with the original domestic battery of 3 x 12v x 110Ah which stored around 2KwH.
The new battery comes complete with a water topping system and gas vent which makes maintaing the battery trouble free. See Battery details in the Hybrid Section.
The engine 12v is now a simple alternator charging a single starter battery which is also used for navigation lights, bilge pumps etc.
Hybrid Propulsion
The Hybrid Electric propulsion system from Hybrid Marine uses the 48v DC battery system to store power for Electric propulsion, and will provide a 5Kw 48v charging system when the engine is running. See the Hybrid Section for more details.
Heating
Heating originally consisted of a solid fuel boatman's stove with ecofan and an Eberspacher 5DW diesel central heating system with domestic radiators throughout. Hot water is provided by a dual coil calorifier using both a central heating coil and a coil from the engine cooling system.
In 2008 the boatman's stove was replaced with a 5Kw wood pellet stove from Artel. This stove provides a thermostatically controlled warmth while at the same time significantly reducing the fire risk associated with the solid fuel heating system. More details in the Wood Pellet stove Section.
Lighting
Lighting is a mixture of 12v florescent and halogen and 230v energy saving fittings.
Kitchen/Gas
The original Kitchen fittings include a 12v Shoreline fridge, a propane hob and oven, a microwave and a gaskettle.
Gas was held in 3 x 13Kg Propane bottles in a forward gas locker.
During the conversion to Hybrid power the Gas Hob and oven were replaced with a mains fan oven and Induction hob leaving Chelonian a gas free boat.
In addition the plentifull electrical power has allowed other doemstic items to be used including an Electric Kettle, toaster and even an electric bread maker. So if you are walking down the tow path and smell freshly baking bread look out for us.
Fresh Water
Water is a standard 12v pumped demand pressur system with 200 Gallon freshwater tank under the fore deck.
Bathroom
Full size shower with thermostatic mixer and sump pump, wash basin and various storage.
Toilet is a dump through SeaLand unit with pump out tank.
Moorings
Chelonian has had a number of home moorings including Sherborne Wharf and Hockley Port in Birmingham, and more recently was at home on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Frouds Bridge Marina, currently we are moored in Clarence Dock Leeds.
© D McInerney 2004 - 20010