It sounds the perfect city pad.
Two bedrooms, a Rayburn coal fire, some nice wood panelling and cute outside space to sit and have a sundowner.
And at £140,000 it’s cheaper than anything else around.
It’s also got a designer label. Captain Jack is a steel hulled wide beam boat designed and fit-out by respected boat builder Will Trickett, who has often worked with housing design champion Kevin McLoud.
Its bespoke interior includes wood reclaimed from churches and schools around Somerset where it was made and even boasts steps salvaged from Edward VIII’s yacht The Nihall.
The steps lead into a comfortable living area with a comfy L-shaped sofa that turns into a bed, flat screen TV and coal burning Rayburn for cosy nights on board.
There is a neat kitchen with gas oven, hob and grill, fridge and ample storage.
The key to the space is the 11’ 10’’ wide hull, which means the main bedroom can fit a king sized bed and fitted wardrobes and the second bedroom has bunk beds with under bed storage.
The bathroom even boasts a full-size bath, shower and flushing electric pump toilet and there is a washer/dryer hidden away in the second bedroom.
But the snag with Captain Jack is that the current residential mooring in the New Islington Marina does not automatically come with the boat.
Which means any buyer wanting to make it their permanent home will have to apply to BWML, which manages this city centre oasis, or journey the waterways to find another permanent base.
Residential moorings vary in price from around £2,500 a year up to £5,000.
Which still makes a canal boat a more affordable housing option if you can find a mooring to suit.
BWML, lists a number of different options on its website .
The boat is owned by Robin Ibbeson who, together with a friend, bought it as an investment two years ago.
He said: “We just decided we would quite like to buy a boat and while searching the options Captain Jack popped up. It has a great pedigree - a designer name in the world of canal boats – and the owners were selling as they had decided they wanted a house on dry land.
“We moved her to Manchester and were lucky to get a residential mooring in New Islington.
“It’s not your usual investment property but we just thought it was a beautiful thing. We have each stayed on it a couple of times, but it has mainly let it out through Airbnb and it is incredibly popular.”
The boat sleeps six and has been bringing in around £200 a night. But they have made the decision to sell which means Captain Jack will have to cast off.
Robin explained: “The price of the boat does not include the residential mooring at New Islington and the buyer would have to apply to BWML. There is the potential but it is not guaranteed and I understand there is a waiting list of people wanting to settle here.
“But there are various other options around should people want to make it their permanent home. Alternatively cruising the canals of Britain is a wonderful hobby and increasingly popular and this is a luxurious way to do it.”
The boat is for sale on Rightmove .
