Construction
Between 2008 and 2013,‘Persevere’ was created on the base of a former London docks lighter barge (Reg. 6857). Professionally constructed by Acorn Shipbuilders of Conyer, and fitted out with dedication by Toby and Jane Pritchard, every part was thoroughly blasted, tested and sealed. A full marine inspection was completed. Hull thickness was checked throughout and over-plated where considered necessary for extra security. This has been checked again this year (2023) by ultrasonic measurement and thicknesses remain well within recommended standards.
The flat bottom of the barge means that the boat sits firmly and evenly when the tide is out and floats serenely when it’s in. It also means that the double-glazed bedroom windows are not much more than 18 inches from the waterline, making it easy to feed the swans, ducks and even the birds that perch on the guy ropes outside our window. There aren’t many places where you can sit in bed and watch a kingfisher preen himself just a few feet away.
Insulation is impressive – the interior was sprayed with insulating foam, then lined with plasterboard, with marine ply on top. Finally, a layer of pine cladding was added and painted to finish off the internal walls. With double glazing throughout the boat is super-cosy in winter and cool in summer. Take a look at the photos to see the construction in its various stages.
When we bought ‘Persevere’ she was moored at Hoo St.-Werburgh Marina on the River Medway. After an initial ‘getting to know you’ period we found her present moorings after much searching. Towing her by tug down the Medway to the Thames Estuary, past the Dover Strait and down the coast to Newhaven was a considerable undertaking and took over 15 hours of continuous tow. Seeing all our worldly belongings at the end of a 250-metre tow rope in the Channel was a nerve-racking experience. On the way, we moored for a couple of days at the historic Victory Quay at Chatham Dockyard exactly on the site where Nelson’s famous flagship had moored in 1805 to be refitted before the Battle of Trafalgar. We took the opportunity to buy new ropes from the dockyard’s own Chatham Ropery, where hemp rope is still made using a process that dates back over 400 years.
Developing the Hull
Building Upstairs Living Space
Insulating and constructing the living area
