Description

Dutch Barge Katherine Class 55, Opal - Step Into a Life of Adventure with the Dutch Barge Opal situated in Portishead Marina on a leisure mooring. Opal is more than just a boat—she’s your gateway to a lifestyle filled with freedom, tranquillity, and endless exploration. Book your earlier appointment to view this super replica Dutch barge.

Opal is more than just a boat—she’s your gateway to a lifestyle filled with freedom, tranquillity, and endless exploration. Whether you’re seeking a simpler, more connected way of living or dreaming of discovering new places from the comfort of your floating home, this charming Dutch Barge offers a unique and captivating alternative to traditional housing.

Embrace a life where you set the pace, surrounded by picturesque waterways and a welcoming canal boat community. It’s an invitation to live on your own terms, with nature as your backdrop and adventure always on the horizon.

Ready to Begin Your Boat Journey? Come aboard and start your adventure today!
If you're looking for a unique and adventurous lifestyle, then Opal could be your perfect floating home. This spacious, custom-built wide-beam barge isn’t just a boat—she’s a luxurious way to live, blending comfort with the excitement of life on the water. Currently in Portishead, UK, on a leisure mooring, this remarkable vessel offers everything you need for a safe and enjoyable journey. She’s capable of crossing the Channel if exploring the European canal system is your thing and can even be easily moved by low-loader to the location of your choice.

Built for Comfort & Reliability
Equipped with a powerful Vetus 106hp engine, Opal ensures smooth sailing wherever you go. A Vetus Generator provides electricity when shore power isn’t available, while a solar PV array helps reduce your environmental footprint by harnessing solar energy to charge your batteries. No matter the season, you’ll stay warm and cozy on board thanks to the Bubble Jet Diesel Boiler, which provides hot water and heating during colder months.

Practical & Self-Sufficient Living
This barge is designed for self-sufficient living, complete with a washing machine for on-board laundry and ample storage for all your tools and essentials. With water and diesel tanks, you’ll have plenty of resources for long journeys or an off-grid lifestyle.
Whether you're seeking adventure or a peaceful retreat on the water, Opal offers the perfect balance of freedom, comfort, and sustainability.
Opal features comfortable living spaces, including:

Spacious & Well-Equipped Living Spaces
Two Bedrooms – Comfortable sleeping areas with ample storage.
Modern Toilets & Bathrooms – Designed for convenience and comfort.
Main Salon & Kitchen – A cosy living space featuring a wood burner, TV, and fully equipped kitchen for home-style cooking.
Stern Bedroom – A private retreat with its own ensuite bathroom for added comfort.
Wheelhouse – The heart of the vessel, complete with engine controls, navigation tools, and a comfortable seating area providing panoramic views.

Why Choose Life on the Water?
Tranquillity & Nature – Wake up to serene waterfront views and the peaceful sounds of nature.

Lifestyle - Enjoy a lifestyle without the high costs of traditional housing.
Endless Adventure – Explore new places, discover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in diverse communities.

Self-Sufficient Living – With onboard power generation and storage, you can live off the grid while reducing your environmental impact.

Community & Freedom – Be part of a close-knit canal boat community while enjoying the freedom to roam.

Sustainable Lifestyle – Featuring solar panels and eco-friendly amenities, this home-on-water is designed for a greener future.

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape, a fresh adventure, or a more sustainable way of living, Opal offers the perfect balance of comfort, freedom, and eco-conscious living.
Are you ready to set sail into a new way of life?

Sellers Insight
We bought Opal in 2021 having previously owned a 57ft Collingwood wide beam. We loved the fact she’s a proper little ship with lots of character and charm. The wheelhouse makes life aboard so much nicer than the wide beam as you can sit and watch the world go by, work in good natural light and enjoy the deck space when the weather is nice.
We moved her to Portishead as we really like the facilities and location with Bristol close by and the Southwest an easy run. The Marina is lovely with a Mediterranean vibe and lots of quality bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Portishead itself is a lovely town and the handy Waitrose a bonus! She’s been an amazing holiday home and given the whole family lots of fun.

Inventory below
Specifications
• 55ft x 12’ 6” Cat C Dutch Barge
• Built to the Branson ‘Katherine’ design by South Holland Fabrications in 2003 (SHF sadly no longer trading, but work held in high regard)
Outside:
Gas locker, 2x 13kg gas bottles for cooking
Achor and electric windlass
Forward storage / anchor chain locker. Electric bow thruster and battery pack.
Foldable mast with mooring light
Dog hatch with new glazed cover
Wheelhouse with new roof cover, solar panel, navigation lights, VHF aerial – wheelhouse collapses for reduced air draft.
Full height wheelhouse doors on either side with yale style key for security.
Wheel house davit
Stern davit
2 x life rings
Filling points on either side for heating and propulsion diesel
Water filling and black water pump out points to starboard
3 freshwater tanks
1 grey water tank
1 black water tank
1 Main diesel tank for propulsion
1 Auxilliary tank for heating/generator
1 header/day tank in engine room
Interior

Wheelhouse
• Engine controls and instrumentation including tank gauges, power controls for 240v, 24v and 12v systems.
• Seating with storage under.
• Hatch to engine room
• Steps to rear bedroom aft and kitchen/living forward.
• Radiator
• Fire extinguisher to engine room and main for boat

Engine room
• 106hp main engine recently serviced and little used. Skin tank cooled.
• Vetus generator. Overhauled in 2022 and unused since
• Bubblejet boiler providing hot water and heating (radiators). Serviced summer 2024
• Washing machine – unused
• Controls for power, water, fuel
Rear bedroom
• Fitted bed and mattress (new 2023). Storage under and access to weedhatch.
• Hanging cupboard
• Ensuite shower, loo and basin
• Windows with curtains and rooflight
• Access to stern gland
• Radiator x 2
Forward bedroom
• Fitted bed and mattress (new 2023). Storage under.
• Windows with curtains and rooflight
• Shower cubicle
• Loo & sink
• Radiator / towel rail
Kitchen sitting room
• Wood burning stove
• Settee and occasional tables
• Breakfast bar with two bar stools
• Windows with curtains
• Cupboard with drawers and shelving.
• Fitted kitchen with full range of cupboards, storage and work surfaces
• Gas hob and cooker
• Full size fridge and separate freezer
• Sink and drainer
• Dog hatch in ceiling
• Overhead lighting
• Radiator
Recent work in last year
• Boat lifted and hull repainted in black epoxy autumn 24
• Rudder re-fitted per survey results
• Rudder hydraulic ram rebuilt
• Boiler serviced
• Main fuel tank emptied and cleaned
• New batteries
• New solar panel
• New dog hatch and wheelhouse roof covers
• Windows re-sealed
• Numerous new external stainless steel fittings for ‘bumpers’
• Boat safety certificate renewed and several improvements made as part of this
• New gauges for water and fuel tanks

Specifications

Location Map