Sean McPherson

Sean & Christy’s 62ft Bespoke Electric Narrowboat

Sean and his wife Christy first approached Bluewater Boats in mid-2025 from their home in Kentucky, USA. Having hired narrowboats for holidays in the UK for many years previously, they had developed a real love for the waterways and knew that eventually they wanted a narrowboat of their own.

They had also followed Bluewater Boats for some time on YouTube, watching our previous electric narrowboat builds as well as our shot blasting and painting videos. When they came to us, they already had a love for electric propulsion and a long list of ideas and requirements for their own boat.

What followed were plenty of emails back and forth across the Atlantic, working through the specification, layout and all the smaller details that would eventually make this boat completely individual to Sean and Christy.

As with every Bluewater build, the design has evolved around how the owners intend to use their boat. Sean was particularly specific about certain elements, some of which have personal and family significance – including the unusual penny-style tiled bathroom floor.

Air conditioning was also a must-have from the very beginning. The boat is fitted with an air-conditioning and heat-pump system, providing additional heating and cooling options throughout the year.

Another important request was Sean’s American-style raised dinette. This has become a real feature of the interior and has also been cleverly designed to house the boat’s six 300Ah Victron NG lithium batteries beneath the seating.

Layout

From bow to stern, the boat features a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed and wardrobe, followed by a walk-through bathroom, saloon, raised American-style dinette, galley and a separate cloakroom at the stern.

Both the main bathroom and stern cloakroom are fitted with composting toilets, providing two separate toilet facilities – something a little unusual on a narrowboat but perfectly suited to Sean and Christy’s requirements.

The interior combines painted cabin sides and ceilings with bespoke oak cabinetry and painted tongue-and-groove detailing below the gunwales. The colour scheme includes oak cabinetry, Indigo detailing, Light French Grey walls and an off-white ceiling.

As with all our bespoke builds, the layout, cabinetry and finishes have been designed specifically around the owners rather than working from a standard package.

Electric Propulsion & Power

At the heart of the boat is a 15kW 48V Torkmar electric propulsion system, supported by a 6.5kVA keel-cooled generator and 1,800 watts of solar panels.

The electrical installation includes:

6 x 300Ah Victron NG lithium batteries

Victron 10kVA inverter/charger

Victron system monitoring and management

1,800W of solar panels

6.5kVA keel-cooled generator

24V bow thruster

Shore power connections at both the bow and stern

The result is a substantial electrical system designed around the way Sean and Christy intend to use their boat, including the additional demands of the air-conditioning and heat-pump system and a well-equipped galley.

Hydraulic Steering

During our early conversations with Sean, it became apparent that hydraulic steering would be particularly well suited to the way he wanted to use the boat. We therefore offered hydraulic steering as an alternative to the traditional narrowboat tiller.

Combined with the round cruiser stern, the hydraulic steering provides a comfortable helm position and gives the stern of the boat a very different feel from a conventional narrowboat.

Exterior Paintwork & Protection

The hull has been shot blasted, including the base plate, before being protected with a two-pack epoxy coating system.

Above the waterline, the superstructure has been professionally painted using our two-pack paint system, with a clear coat applied over the topcoat for additional protection, depth of finish and enhanced gloss retention.

The main exterior colour is Boston Whaler Blue, chosen by Sean and Christy and based on the blue of a Cadillac – another personal detail that has helped make this boat completely their own.

Fine off white coachline detailing around and beneath the windows and portholes complements the Boston Whaler Blue and gives the finished boat a crisp and distinctive appearance.

A Truly Bespoke Build

There have been plenty of conversations and decisions throughout this build – from upholstery colours and Roman blinds to cabinetry, flooring, electrical equipment, paint colours and even the smallest pieces of detailing.

That is exactly what we mean at Bluewater when we describe our boats as bespoke. We don't work from a fixed interior package and simply ask the customer to choose a colour. Each boat develops around its owners, their lifestyle and the things that are important to them.

Sean and Christy’s boat is currently unnamed and is due to be delivered in mid-October 2026. Sean will be making the journey over from Kentucky to be here for the delivery and to furnish the boat, ready for the next chapter of their adventure.

We are looking forward to seeing this very individual electric narrowboat completed, furnished and finally out on the water.

Thinking About an Electric Narrowboat?

If you are considering having a bespoke electric narrowboat built and would like to see one of our latest builds for yourself, Sean and Christy’s 62ft electric narrowboat is available to view at our workshop prior to delivery in mid-October.

It is a great opportunity to see the quality of our steelwork, bespoke fit-out, paintwork and electric propulsion installation first-hand, as well as talk to us about how we could design and build an electric narrowboat around your own requirements.

Please call us to arrange an appointment to view the boat before she leaves us.