The Bon Viveur 1500

 

Our 'Bon Viveur 1500', a 15m x 4m canal/river cruiser in the style of a Dutch Barge, is built from high strength low maintenance epoxy composite which is many times stronger and more water resistant than conventional glassfibre. It will not rust, rot or suffer from osmosis and requires virtually no maintenance. Since our unique construction process does not involve moulds, we are able to tailor the design to our clients' precise requirements.

Shells for the Bon Viveur 1500 cost around £30,000 - £35,000 depending on whether they are RCD Category 'D' (Inland Waterways) or 'C' (Coastal). A fully fitted BV 1500 is likely to be in the £120,000 to £150,000 range depending on specification.

As things stand at the moment, the Bon Viveur 1500, as a shell, sail-away, part- or fully-fitted, is

ZERO RATED FOR VAT PURPOSES
  

 

 

One suggested layout is shown below and involves an owners' cabin aft with ensuite shower and WC and full headroom across the whole width of the boat. This, incidentally, means that the sun deck above is also the full width of the boat. Galley and saloon are in the middle of the boat with a guest cabin and separate WC/shower forward, if desired.

Layout can be easily adapted to clients' individual wishes.

 

 

A dinette in the wheelhouse is often used as the main dining area and is on a raised plinth to allow panoramic views through the wheelhouse windows. The dinette converts to a double bed if required. Alternatively, clients may opt for a smaller wheelhouse with larger saloon below, esppecially if they plan to cruise in areas where they will be able to eat out al fresco on the aft deck (under a folding bimini style canopy).
 

 

Interior decor is usually of white oak with solid oak trim but other finishes are readily available.
  

 

The 'Bon Viveur 1500' has a 'flybridge' helm position on the aft deck and a sliding roof to the wheelhouse. The usual choice of engine is a Beta Marine 90HP model with hydraulic transmission which can also power a 28HP bow thruster and 28HP STERN thruster, equipping the craft with a unique degree of manoeuvrability to the extent that she can be 'parked' sideways and turned on the spot.

This unrivalled facility has proved invaluable on the French inland waterways, where there is often no provision for mooring while waiting for locks to open and where narrow bridges have to be negotiated with great precision.

 

 

 

There are currently two examples of the Bon Viveur 1500 operating on behalf of co-ownership syndicates on the French inland waterways. Syndicate members are entitled to a number of weeks cruising annually at a cost that works out at less than half normal charter rates.

Bon Viveur Co-Ownership Syndicates in France

  

Typical Specification/Fit-out

See more photos

 

Please phone Peter Sylvester for more details on

00 44 (0)78 67 94 33 95

or email him at:

epsylvester@btinternet.com

  

 

See other Bon Viveur boats