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Everything you need to know about Elsie May, the 1915 Dutch Tjalk barge for sale at Poplar Marina, Canary Wharf, London.
Her story
Built in Holland in 1915, Elsie May began life carrying potatoes along the Dutch waterways before being converted into a houseboat. In December 2012 she was bought by her current owner, who commissioned a complete refit and redesign costing almost £350,000. The interior was stripped back and the hull fully spray-lined with closed-cell foam insulation; the roof was raised to create a larger cabin and the wheelhouse extended into a beautiful entrance and office space. An award-winning marine carpenter and designer oversaw every detail, from the bespoke double-glazed wooden windows to the hand-finished cabinetry.
Specifications
- Type: 1915 Tjalk Dutch barge · Hull: steel plate
- Length: 20.42 m (67 ft) · Beam: 4.24 m (13 ft 11 in)
- Engine: DAF diesel, inboard shaft drive
- Berths: 4 · Cabins: 1 · Heads: 1
- Tax status: VAT included · BSC: valid to May 2027 · Last blacking June 2022
Interior
- Wheelhouse & office — Sapele floor, original wheel, views over the marina and Canary Wharf.
- Kitchen — electric hob and oven, double sink, frost-free fridge-freezer with water dispenser, quartz countertop.
- Living room — hosts a dozen, sleeps four; L-shaped sofa converts to a double bed, plus a versatile daybed.
- Bathroom — full-size bath, macerating toilet, “Invisaline” shower curtain.
- Cabin — king-size bed with hydraulic lift-up storage, bespoke Sapele cabinetry, brass portholes.
- Roof terrace — al fresco dining for six or more.
Maintenance & condition
Her last out-of-water survey was in July 2022, when her hull was re-epoxied, new anodes fitted, welding repairs completed and her red-and-white topsides repainted. An independent professional surveyor valued her for insurance at £300,000.
The offer
£165,000 — substantially reduced, offers over £180,000 invited, VAT included. She comes with a fully transferable residential mooring at Aquavista’s award-winning Poplar Marina.
Serious enquiries only. Contact London broker Richard Hogarth on 07778 108748 to arrange a viewing.