Many Meetings is a beautifully crafted 60ft semi-traditional narrowboat, built for long-term continuous cruising and life on the English waterways. Designed with comfort, practicality, and liveability at its core, she represents a carefully thought-out collaboration between owners, shell builder Jim Sparks of Alexanders (Stourport), and Kingsground at Upper Heyford, where her full fit-out was completed before her launch at Enslow on 10th October 2011.
Built to Design Category D with a reverse layout and semi-trad stern, Many Meetings measures 60ft (18.3m) in length with a 6ft 10in beam and 32in draft, giving her excellent handling characteristics on canals and rivers. Powered by a Beta B 43 KC diesel engine paired with a Newage PRM 150 gearbox and Axiom propeller, she is known for smooth cruising, responsive steering, and reliable performance over thousands of cruising hours.
Inside, she was designed as a light, airy and highly practical home. The layout places the social living space at the stern, a central corridor bathroom, and a forward fixed double bed with additional convertible sleeping options in the saloon and dinette. Every area has been engineered for efficient use of space, with extensive storage built into almost every conceivable compartment, reflecting years of research and real-world boating experience.
Her systems are comprehensive and designed for extended off-grid living. Heating is provided by a Hurricane SCH25 diesel system with radiators and programmable controls, complemented by additional winter heating options. Electrical power is managed through a Victron inverter/charger system supported by alternators and solar panels, while domestic amenities include a washing machine, full galley appliances, and a well-planned water system with a 580L fresh water tank and pumped hot water via engine and diesel heating coils.
What sets Many Meetings apart is not just her specification, but her story and purpose. She was conceived after years of research, boat hire experiences, and canal exploration, with the owners refining their ideal design before commissioning a bespoke build. Since launch, she has travelled extensively across the UK canal network, completing over 6,000 miles and thousands of locks, becoming both a trusted home and a vessel for exploration.
Beyond her technical detail, Many Meetings carries a strong sense of identity and community. Named after Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, she reflects a love of travel, storytelling, and the “many meetings” experienced along the waterways. Over the years, she has become a space for hospitality, conversation, and shared journeys with fellow boaters and visitors.
In essence, Many Meetings is not just a narrowboat—she is a long-term floating home, carefully engineered, deeply personal, and continuously lived in, representing over a decade of cruising life on Britain’s canals.
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these specifications, no guarantee is given or implied as to their accuracy. These particulars are intended only as a guide and they do not constitute a term of any contract. Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd advises prospective purchasers to obtain an independent survey from a qualified Marine Surveyor to satisfy themselves as to the condition of the craft.
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