1912 88.6 foot London and Rochester Trading Barge Company Houseboat Barge conversion GBP 399995

Introducing a storied platform from the London and Rochester Trading Barge Company: the Houseboat Barge conversion. Dating from 1912 and built with a steel hull, this much-admired vessel represents a graceful blend of maritime heritage and adaptable space. Ready for live-aboard use, it sits in Bembridge, Isle of Wight, offering a compelling opportunity for personal or small-scale commercial deployment.

LOA 27 Metres Beam 5.8 Metres Draft 1.3 Metres.
Complete Hull rebuild

A Classic English Motor-barge converted to a luxury home on a rare and beautiful 99 year leased mooring on The Isle of Wight.Part of our National Heritage, this historic Thames Racing Barge has been lovingly restored regardless of cost, with a complete hull rebuild over anew external framework to the very highest standards and given a new lease of life as a luxury houseboat on its own unique, well developed and unusually long 30m (100 foot) * 12m (40 foot of shore),mooring in the famously beautiful elite holiday destination of Bembridge Harbour on the Isle of Wight.
Go overseas on a ferry without a passport to a beautiful historic offshore Island where the locals are friendly and speak English!
Restored to a very high standard, including newly doubled hull in 10 mm steel, this vessel has qualified for entry on the National Historic Ships Register (number 3709) .
An historic widebeam British vintage Thames Spritsail trading barge ,originally built to a special ‘barge match‘ radical racing yacht design by Lynton Hope in 1897 by the proprietor of The London and Rochester Trading Barge Company at Deptford, specifically to compete in the Queen‘s Jubilee Barge Match Races of that year where she came second.
The vessel was modified to become a commercial carrier some three years later, but was found unsuitable for sailing trade, de–rigged, and converted to motor barge circa 1912
The hull shape remains uniquely distinctive from other steel barges of the era, having a fine entry bow, completely curved vertical sides, pronounced sheer, and a ‘steamer stern‘. As a motor barge she was reputed to be a success, being fast and stable, believed to have been used finally as a passenger ferry.

Technical specifications

- Dimensions:
- Overall Length: 27 meters
- Beam: 5.8 meters
- Draft: 1.3 meters
- Hull Material: Steel
- Year of Total Re-Construction: 1912
- Location: Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
- Price: 399,995 GBP

- Additional details on interior layout and equipment are available on request.