330. Paradise on the water: Dutch barge FULL TOUR!

Although I've been past several Dutch barges on the canals and rivers in my time, I'd never done a video about what they're like until now. And this is a very nice one indeed...
If you have the cash to splash, the sales listing with Evesham Marina is at www.eveshammarina.co.uk/produ...
If you have enjoyed the video, a tip can be left via
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
or / cruisingthecut
Get my FREE monthly newsletter!
www.cruisingthecut.co.uk/news...
and see the archive at
www.cruisingthecut.co.uk/news...
Contact Me via
X / Twitter: / cruisingthecut
Instagram: / cruisingthecut
Facebook: / cruisingthecut
Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@sailboatbob3969]

I think the engine room says it all. never seen a room that clean, not a drop of oil. for being 16 yrs old. it's worth what they are asking

[@terencejay8845]

It's a thing of beauty. Put that in a standard widebeam and you'd be water-skiing behind it.

[@IIVQ]

It adheres to the white-socks theory (You should be able to enter an engine room in white socks and leave with them still being white)

[@sarcasmo57]

They run a pretty tight ship.

[@MoultrieGeek]

What a lovely couple and a magnificent boat. You can tell that the owners put a great deal of thought in the design and the interior is flat out gorgeous. I hope they sell it to someone that will give it the care and attention it deserves.

[@rickkearn7100]

Only David can tell these stories in such an engaging fashion. IMHO, he is the Dean of Narrowboat vloggers! Cheers.

[@kevinsummerley5399]

I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had the money. But at about 25:1 my ZAR looks ridiculous. Great tour, David. Maybe. Someday... I can dream.

[@allenhatt3433]

He’s the best on this subject and he makes it interesting. Thank you David!

[@chrisbowser]

Such a nice couple and clearly they love their craft.

[@chrislloydguitarist]

What the heck! I've casually got this playing in the background as I pack my house up in Canada to ready for a move back to the UK and Bruce and Joy appear! I've spent many a quality time around their home when their son and my good friend Ben was around. Such lovely people and Bruce makes a mean pizza! I'm so glad to see them again, happy and enjoying life together! x

[@chox2001]

That’s an awesome boat in pristine condition, a credit to the owners who have made it a home and maintained it to perfect condition. Thank you for sharing this with us 👍👏

[@RickDavies-ik5lg]

Hi David, I have been subscribed to your channel for a long while now and always look forward to the next episode. I was really surprised for you to produce Bruce and his Bolberry. I have met him many times as I was one of the pilots who used to take Bolberry to and from Portishead every year. A delightful couple and a fantastic barge. I never had any worries about breaking down as I have had with a few of the narrow boats which we took. I hope he manages to find a buyer. Keep on going with the vlogs, we are currently on the Leeds and Liverpool on our narrow boat 😊😊 Rick

[@kevinmartin3859]

That is a gem of a Dutch barge well maintained an engine room and engine that looks new if I had the money I wouldn't hesitate well done with the video top notch 😊😊😊

[@edleonard4183]

Lovely couple. Someone is getting a gem. The engine room makes a statement.

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks David what a fabulous boat 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

It really is!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The owners commissioned a well-thought-out boat.

[@simonjenkins982]

Care, thought, planning, maintainance and attention to detail are extremely evident in this boat. An engine room to die for.

[@margaretbedwell3211]

Thanks for the tour of this boat, David. They have a lovely home there and I can well imagine it has given them much pleasure through the years. Have a Blessed day.

[@RT-hh3vl]

The Dutch Barge is my unreachable dream home... between this life and the next I'm going to save up....

[@YaaLFH]

You see the phrase "finished to a high standard" in every other ad so you usually at best laugh quietly at it because most of them are actually on the shabby side not even comparing to Bolberry, which truly deserves this description. She's one of a kind and very obviously well loved and cared for, so the price doesn't surprise me, especially given how immaculate she looks - even the engine room is so clean you could eat there.

[@popefang]

well you wouldn't eat there, you'd make it dirty

[@woodenman1954]

Another little gift from David on a cloudy Sat afternoon.

[@rotinkerbell]

Perfect for the Scottish Canals.

[@mikem201]

what a wonderful space to call home

[@chris-cole]

Stunning boat! Inside and out!!! I think I'd find myself in that engine room a few hours a day just admiring that block and how clean it is!!! Kudos to the owners for keeping such a beautiful floating home!

[@DC-vk2fx]

I had to look up gongoozle, and find it interesting there is a word just to describe that activity. If nothing else, I've learned many new words over the last 8 years.

[@looloo4029]

I first heard the word ‘gongoozler’ on an episode of Rosemary and Thyme!

[@Sue_Anthony]

Stunning barge, every little thing thought of, every bit of space used carefully and thoughtfully. Its been beautifully maintained and cared for. Anyone lend me half a million ?

[@alc7926]

Lovely boat & beautiful interior, really cleverly laid out. Best of luck to them with the sale.

[@petermeler3275]

Yes, hearing about the sale when it happens would be a nice update to this video.

[@Rickwardful]

I had a 6’10” wide Dutch Style narrowboat with a rear collapsible roofed wheel house on the River Severn called Ess-Em-Jay. She eventually got renamed as Tea and Oranges. Best boat I ever had by miles!

[@rodneycraig9276]

what a lovely couple and fantastic boat

[@eveb446]

WOW!!!!! What a lovely boat. Thank you David for sharing with us this 60 foot long, wide-beam, Dutch barge.

[@EldoonNemar]

Another solid video by our resident narrowboat expert.

[@davidjones8680]

For many years we always went to the Dutch boat show in Amsterdam. The boats there were always steel, substantial, and supremely sensational, just like this one is. I hope it finds the new owner it really deserves. Yet another tip top episode David.

[@markjones1595]

What a beautiful boat, if I had the money I would happily spend the rest of my days, the quotidian cheese sandwich for lunch. Thank you Mr Johns.

[@thomastrout9997]

Another excellent adventure into a way of life that would have escaped us save for David's fine reporting. Makes for a lovely Sunday.

[@markross4730]

Well you got them all now David. That is an amazing boat! Thanks!

[@richardjensen6753]

Hello from Kansas! Wow, what a barge! They must have really sat down and worked out all the details with the boat builder! An example any boat builder would be proud to hang their hat on! Very well-maintained boat, it still looks brand new!!! Thanks!

[@michaelrck]

Blimey! Didnt know Noddy Holder owned a Dutch Barge? 🤣

[@ashleyfearon4121]

Once again David, a superbly narrated, edited and engaging video. You ooze professionalism and are able to capture your audience within seconds. A wonderful craft is for sale here, meticulously cared for and it must be a wrench for this delightful couple to bid farewell to it. Thank you, one of your best pieces of work although I find myself saying these same words with most if not all of your videos!

[@karenpeterson5780]

What a beautiful (and well-kept) boat! Thank you for the tour.

[@mimaroo1431]

My grandparents and my uncle were barge captains in the Netherlands, that brought loads of all sorts of things all over Europe. My mother was born on a barge. I remember going from the Netherlands to Germany on my uncle's barge, before he retired and sold it. It was definitely a different life.

[@motorv8N]

Stunning craft - a great balance of nautical and quaint cottage. I thank you David and owners for the tour. As my wife and I see retirement looming over the horizon in the next 7-8 years we’re considering all manner of living options and this option appeals very much!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertl6196]

Amazingly spotless for a boat of that age.

[@maobfh]

I absolutely LOVE a Dutch Barge! They are lovely!

[@artd.1498]

Oh wow. I wish I lived over there. I’d be sorely interested in buying that boat. What a beauty it is. Enjoyed the video, sir. Thank you. And thanks to the owners for letting you film. I hope they get it sold soon and at, or above, their asking price.

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Brilliant!! Always wanted one, might just have been able to afford one, but my other half couldn't see how it would work with her family and work commitments, so the ideas drifted away. Now having a tour around that lovely boat reminded me of ideas once floated, and never really forgotten. Cheers David, that was a cracking video. 👋🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇦

[@kathyjohnson2043]

The interior is wonderful; just what I would choose: cabinets, furniture, lighting, everything.

[@dealmeidakevin3989]

Dutch bare are just the best, such a dream boat

[@loonhaunt]

Seriously. Glad I was sitting down when he said you could get a house on the water for less than a million. And 200k for that boat was a little unbelievable too.

[@charlesbaran1106]

Very nice and comfortable boat! What a great feature to be able to operate it without standing out in the rain.

[@misterflibble6601]

After seeing all the features of this Dutch Barge I'm surprised there not asking much more. I'm in the U.S. and it would be $290, 600 seems like a bargain for what your getting

[@joemelton7023]

Yes finally! 🎉. I have been wanting to see one. Absolutely can NOT afford 😮

[@petermeler3275]

Imagination doesn't cost anything & David's videos do spark the imagination. Meme:Reach exceeding grasp :)

[@jamesa7506]

10/10 👍 A fantastic boat thats both pleasing to the eye and comfy to the soul! I can only assume that they're selling it for physical purposes. At any rate a fine investment for lovers of the water. Thanks David and the owners, for sharing this with us.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Moving to a house to be closer to family.

[@jamesa7506]

​@@CruisingTheCut I thought they were able to be close to them while on their boat? However it is, it's good to be close to family! 👪

[@skf4skf47]

How exciting 😊 Love your work David. Australia 🇦🇺

[@joyo9323]

my retirement plan is a dutch barge on the seven

[@joyo9323]

wow my only complaint about dutch barges is the separation of the rear cabin and they fixed it with a fun little tunnel

[@ladygardener100]

Seven seas?

[@joyo9323]

@@ladygardener100 yes lol cod liver oil no the seven estuary or the river avon I live both

[@glitterchevy]

I think it's mine now wow

[@gordanmilne7034]

Severn not 7

[@normanboyes4983]

Thank you for the tour David, as always very nicely done. What a lovely couple who have had a good 16 years enjoying this fine vessel and I can well appreciate the mixed emotions in parting company with it. I can empathise with their prior predicament when it came to downsizing their house and feeling like they were giving up too much but at least when they move ashore they will have a different perspective because although the barge is of ample proportions they will have much more usable space even in a ‘smaller home’. As to the barge - well all design is a compromise, but they seemed to have hit a sweet spot in terms of convenient layout, privacy and a more than functional plant room (had to smile at the more than generous hot water cylinder). I note a lot of irrelevant comments about the price from people who are not seriously in the market and at the end of the day something is only worth what a willing buyer is prepared to pay. Personally, I think they will have no problem in finding a keen buyer, lots of people taking early retirement with lots of equity in their now ‘far too large house’, so in those terms £0.25M is perfectly doable for those buyers. Too late for me (too old) but ten years ago I would have been sorely tempted. Thanks once again David.😀⛵️

[@GrandfatherKrupz]

This is such a Topgear video style format with an air of Jeremy Clarkson… and It’s brilliant.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@rebapuck5061]

That's a lovely boat. I can see living on that as it has something most tiny homes, vans and narrow boats don't have. Room for a hobby.

[@YaaLFH]

Have you ever actually seen a narrowboat? People living aboard them have hobbies and even small businesses.

[@theburnhams2925]

So true! You don't have to OWN THE PLACE in order to enjoy its blessings and benefits. The "shanty boat" crew enjoy the same tides, scenery, weather, sunrises and sunsets as the wealthy man on "the hill." And they enjoy benefits unique to their situation aboard a capable vessel (in contrast to the perhaps better-heeled property owner, who is definitively "hard on" and cannot move--that is, change his scenery NO MATTER the tide), which squarely puts HIM at a DISadvantage in this instance.) But of course, THIS vessel is FAR from being a "shanty boat!" (Actually, I've got drool all down me front from watching this video....) Fair winds and tides to you (especially with a barge), we've missed your "Cut" videos of late, good to "find" you again! Thank you!

[@theburnhams2925]

sorry, I meant to use the term "hard aground" (although their meaning is the same)

[@montyzumazoom1337]

A beautiful boat and a nice couple.

[@ElementofKindness]

The elephant in the room is always, "so why are you selling it?"

[@spamanator666]

You can tell he knows he is being a bit cheeky with that price, but you gotta start somewhere, heck, they might find the right person!

[@danieltaylor5231]

David is always on the look out for new and interesting places to gongoozle from.

[@christinebryant9143]

My husband would not think Bristol a strange place to go for a holiday. He was born and brought up in Bristol

[@alandahlstrom7213]

This is a beautiful and well appointed boat and that is by far the cleanest engine I have ever seen in my life. I doubt it was any cleaner when it was fresh from the factory. Obviously these two have taken very good care of this craft. Oh, if only I lived in the UK with an extra $230,000 or rather Pounds.

[@RaymondCore]

It will sell and no need to discount because people are being manufactured at a much higher rate than the housing to accomodate them. I lived on two boats over the course of 18 years and It's hard to beat boat life unless you need a lot of space, If you don't like your neighbors or the neighborhood, you don't need to buy a new house, sell your old house, and hire movers, you just make arrangements at the new location, untie, and float your whole kit and kaboodle there. Easy Peasy. I moved three time in those 18 years and it takes less than a day or two. Most people you meet who live on the water are nicer than you oridinarily meet. DBs are 'roomy'. Thanks for the video.

[@robsin2810]

Thanks David. What a lovely tour of a great barge. I hope they get a buyer.🙏🇦🇺👍

[@simonmills9427]

I have been with you since day1 and this vlog is one of your best beautiful boat lovely couple and of course you to guide us through all the features

[@BoatTime]

always wanted to have a nosey around one of these! The dream for the future maybe! 🤔 🙌🏻

[@travelfeet]

I don't anything about barges or boats, but this seems like a good value to me.

[@jeffparker3334]

What a great way to retire. My sister lives in England and they rent these boats occasionally on vacation. She calls it a lifestyle choice to the devotees.

[@kevingray2022]

David , thank you. Your delivery is spot on, the way you deal with advertising or not as the case in this video is an absolute exemplar to others....thanks once again

[@penneynoss9552]

Hi David, thanks for sharing. I love Dutch barges.

[@dorothydotson7154]

I go for the short narrowboats but that surely is a nice barge. The access to the main cabin is ingenious!

[@dougwilson4537]

Yes, I've seen other dutch barges, with the up/down through the wheelhouse.... That through passage is absolutely brilliant!

[@normplatt7549]

Great Show old Bean! Glad to see you well!

[@coffindodger1]

What a beautiful boat. The quality is exceptional and is proof that you can’t beat a good boat builder, that’s why we chose a Bluewater boat for our home.

[@nothere7198]

Thank you for doing a Dutch barge ! As much as I’ve long dreamed of a narrow boat my real love would be a Dutch barge. This is a really nicely designed one and I think I’d agree with the owner, compare like to like and the price seems more reasonable. Only wish I could afford it 🙂

[@fullpulse2000]

Great tour and showing for the boat.

[@stuart4024]

Oh how I wish for a boat like that !

[@nirconad]

seeing boats like this always makes me wish the canals around here were still passable. alas, they've all been filled in a long time ago

[@ve2vfd]

A really nice boat and that immaculate engine room is impressive.

[@lesleym6952]

If only I had the money! What a beautiful beautiful boat 🤩

[@sreed8066]

Wow, beautiful. And lovely people. Hope it all works out for them. ❤

[@mommahil4323]

A very interesting boat - and that doorway to the back (stem?!) is a stroke of genius. Thank you - and the owners too

[@maryjnorwood3962]

Glad that lovely boat caught your eye, David. It’s beautiful! Thanks for taking us aboard. 😎🥰❤️🥰😎🥰❤️🥰😎

[@PastorwithoutaPulpit]

I'd love to have this beautiful vessel in the US for the Intercoastal Waterways. She'd be an amazing way to experience the Great Loop as long as you kept inside or close to shore. It looks capable enough to deal with moderate conditions along the coasts. With proper trip management and weather predictions I see no reason this vessel wouldn't be well suited to the upper east coast of the US. Now I'm not saying she's all out gale or serious storm worthy but nothing I saw indicated she couldn't handle a decent blow. She's got plenty of power to push her through, as long as she's got the right prop and transmission. This one has really caught this old man's eye, what a lovely little vessel they've built and from all appearances maintained extremely well. Ahh to just dream about it will have to be enough for me as that is not my calling but Oh if it were. Thank you for showcasing this wonderful vessel and her owners as they seem as right as their little ship. Take care and God Bless...

[@marvindebot3264]

An ideal and different Great Loop boat for sure! She'd handle the gulf part OK, you would just need to pick your day but they travel from the UK to France across the channel all the time so I see no problem there.

[@JC-sl4hk]

Thank you to the lovely couple for allowing you to have a look around and video their beautiful boat. What an absolute beauty. What a super classy video of a super classy boat. Well done David. Hopefully whoever buys the boat will maintain it and respect it the way that the current owners have done for years👍👍👍. Thanks for taking us along, stay safe, well and happy. Judy🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@Thomas_M_1963]

What a gem of a boat! If I lived in GB, I might be tempted to buy it. But I live in landlocked mountainous Switzerland.

[@lyndarichardson4744]

Great video David, thanks 🙂👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@stuartrich4574]

What a lovely couple and a fantastic boat, the engine has been cleaned and polished within an inch of its life 😂I hope they find a speedy buyer and I wish them well for their next adventure.

[@metrickarma]

Barge Verstappen comes home to win the canal boat grand prix!! Thanks for the video, David

[@Fercough]

That is magnificent. I'm about £234k short right now but I am expecting a postal order from my aunt!

[@BdManus]

You did an amazing job telling their story while show casing that amazing boat. I wish I could afford it.

[@firesurfer]

Very nice, it's basically new. The only tell is the Oak furnishings from the 90s. I like it.

[@lifebydrone]

A few years ago - after years of watching David's videos - we had the chance to buy a Dutch barge. We didn't. I've regretted it ever since. 😢

[@rickterry8148]

I have got a faster broadband and a new laptop, able to see your vlogs in 4k..... Oh my, its very good. really very good. Wife says we can't sell the house.....🤣🤣🤣 Did I miss it, I didn't hear why they are selling it.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Moving to be nearer to family...

[@FBGbarge]

We've been lusting after Bolberry since first seeing her advertised. Unfortunately she's beyond our meager budget, somebody will be a lucky new owner. Gorgeous vessel!

[@charlesroberts6965]

What an amazing craft...looks to be well thought out with all the creature comforts and amenities one might want. Amazing day with you on an amazing adventure.😎👍⛴️

[@nonsequitor]

What a guy 😂💪❤.... what a lovely couple and home. If I had the money I'd be very interested...great work. All the best to them, and thanks for sharing this 🙌

[@teedub1990]

I love the design and decoration. You can tell it was built with love.

[@sheilah4525]

David! Just ran across this vid on here! RobsLondon: Where to find London’s Lost Canal. Interesting!

[@gubieone]

Beautiful boat!

[@dhroman4564]

Bravo most enjoyable.

[@saffieification]

beautiful boat. 😍

[@lrhogusa]

I finally subscribed after watching 4 years of stuff. Starting all over again from the beginning since that's the kind of OCD guy-bloke that I am. Cheers!

[@TheGardenKitten]

thank you for taking us on a tour, boy I would love that boat. Oh well. 😄

[@judithmatthews8460]

What a huge amount of thought has gone into this boat. Beautiful. I hope the new owner enjoys this lovely home as much as the present owners do.