Marine Projects

Roderick James has masterminded a number of marine projects including Restoration of a 1929, 30m long classic yacht, BERENICE for Adventure Capital Ltd; Conversion of 1923 Dutch barge MARIA; Conversion and upgrade of Thames lighter Barge FAVORITE to houseboat, and prepared designs for two other new houseboats for clients in Kent and the Isle of Wight. Preliminary work has also been undertaken for mounting the AirShips (qv) on floating pontoons as houseboats.

Roderick James has extensive experience with boats of all types having built his first sailing dinghy aged 11 years, owned a 1936 gaff ketch Vivette for 40 years, and fast launches in Scotland.

Barge Maria

A 1923 Dutch Luxemotor, 38m long x 6m beam, bought in 2000 as a bare hull with working engine. Designed and converted to luxury living accommodation by Roderick James with conversion work carried out by Daniel James in conjunction with local engineers and shipyards. Now owned by Matthew Markham, a Marketing Creative, and moored on Frenchman’s Quay in West London..

Barge Favorite

A 25m long x 6m beam, four bedroom houseboat on a private mooring in West London, with 15m long glazed saloon, galley, cinema, covered side decks and a large outside deck dining area with davits supporting a 5.4m Avon RIB.  The conversion and saloon extension was designed by Roderick James and Amanda Markham in 2005.

Barge Favorite is the London base for Out of the Blue Ltd.

Yacht Berenice

A 1929, 30m long, 10 berth, classic yacht rescued from dereliction on the River Dart in Devon.  The restoration from 2002 was overseen by Roderick James for the  charter company Adventure Capital Ltd. Subsequently chartered across the Mediterranean including Croatia, Greece and Italy, and around many islands of the Caribbean.