Work Completed - The Barge Renewed

Main Cabin Complete

The final couple of weeks of the renovation were hectic and the few days up to the May bank holiday deadline especially so.
A few people need special mention, Colm Byrne, Jimmy Smith and Mick Ward all rose above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the final snags were dealt with, working late into the evenings. Soft furnishing was put in, the stove re-installed, final touches of varnish and paint and a deep cleaning was done throughout the barge.

Kitchen

The kitchen was completed and finished off with a polished granite counter top. It has a full size gas oven and cooker, a standard domestic fridge that operates off the batteries via an invertor, and a Rinnai gas water heater that also provides hot water for the shower. It was kitted out with crockery, cutlery and glass ware for 8 people.

Bathroom

Work on the shower and toilet only commenced during the last two weeks of the project. The walls were re-clad in PVC paneling and a full sized domestic shower tray was fitted. The shower waste is connected directly onto a Whale Gulper pump to extract the water. 
I opted for a Sani-Marine electric toilet. While they are a bit more expensive than other brands, they are comfortable with simple one touch flush controls. They also have a automatic shut down sensor that detects when the waste holding tank is full, and are fairly straight forward to service if required. It draws a controlled amount of flush water directly from the on-board fresh water tank which makes them clean, efficient and has the look and feel of a toilet that you may find in a house.

45 HP Lister Petter engine

The engine hasn't received much mention so far, but it's one of the most vital components and is the heart of a barge. Amo has a 45hp Lister Petter four cylinder engine. It has been serviced, re-wired and is in perfect working order thanks to chief engineer Ray, skipper of the Celtic Count. The drive plate was replaced, heater plugs renewed and the throttle and gear cables adjusted to ensure smooth running. The Amo has plenty of power for a 45ft barge and the slick design of the Dartline hull allows for a fast cruising speed in open water.   

The exterior was repainted with International Marine paint. We brought her up to the Naas line on the canal under the motorway bridge which serves as an excellent painting tunnel! New fenders were added and the vessel is looking good inside and out. 

The renovation over the past few months took more time and money than originally planned, but the result is worth it. The barge is like new and has plenty of years left in it for cruise hire on the Grand Canal. Lots of people helped bring the vision to reality, so a big thanks to Vinny, Ray, Jimmy, Carolina, Margaret, Mick, Colm, Brian, Chalkie, Anne and all who have supported the project in Sallins and beyond. Keep an eye out for The Amo if you are along the Grand Canal in Co. Kildare.

The Amo Barge