Property description

Enjoying an idyllic position in the picturesque harbour, Blue Max provides a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional four-bedroom houseboat situated just moments away from Bembridge village.

Providing an incredible alternative living solution, this former luxury yacht combines the alluring freedom of houseboat living and life on the water, offering all the creature comforts one would expect from a practical home. Dating back to 1973, Blue Max is a beautiful boat with a prestigious past which is believed to have hosted high profile guests on glamorous worldwide voyages and now peaceful rests on the picturesque Bembridge Harbour within walking distance to the award-winning village of Bembridge. Boasting uninterrupted far-reaching views out to sea towards St Helens Fort and beyond, this magnificent vessel is beautifully appointed and well-maintained by the current owner of ten years who has even retained some of its original internal nautical features. This fully equipped, contemporary floating home comes complete with gas central heating combined with a charming log burning stove, efficient triple glazing, and wall insulation to ensure a cosy living environment. Surrounded by 360° windows, a spacious living area on the upper deck is bathed in natural light and maximizes the breathtaking views across the harbour through a sliding glazed door opening to the stern deck. Below deck provides a double and two single bedrooms, a fitted kitchen as well as a modern bathroom, and a cosy study area which has been fitted with a desk space. Known as the captain's quarters, the spacious principal bedroom complete with an en-suite shower room and a harbour facing window is also below deck and boasts a prime position to lay back and admire unrestricted views of sea life go by. Furthermore, the vessel offers a surprising amount of storage space with a range of recessed cupboards and shelving within the bedrooms, and the immaculate hull presents a spacious full-height area providing the potential to convert into further accommodation if required. Built locally at Souters Boatyard in Cowes, Blue Max has a traditional construction featuring a laminated cold moulded teak hull and is anchored in its mooring by marine spud-legs which allow for the houseboat to smoothly rise and lower with the tidal changes.

Externally, there are three top decks with the bow of the boat offering a spacious sun lounging area, and the stern of the boat leading to an elevated top deck offering the ultimate vantage point to enjoy those superb harbour views and some of the most breathtaking sunsets you are likely to witness on the Island! Additionally, there is a good-sized floating pontoon and the mooring provides a private garden patio area which includes a large timber built workshop benefitting from plumbing connections to create a utility area.

Located along the long stretch of Embankment Road, Blue Max is perfectly situated for local sailing clubs, beautiful beaches and a short walk away from the centre of the village offering an extensive range of highly regarded amenities such as a bakery, a farm shop, a butcher, beauty salons, an array of popular eateries, two convenience stores with one including a post office, plus a whole host of other great independent shops and businesses to discover. All of this is conveniently located within easy reach from Blue Max! Ideal for those seeking a laid back holiday home or a unique permanent residence on the peaceful harbour, this charming houseboat is a perfect base from which to enjoy nearby countryside walks and places of interest, amongst which is The National Trust’s Bembridge Windmill, Culver Down with its magnificent views and the beautiful sheltered cove at Whitecliff Bay. The harbour and the nearby marshes provide a perfect opportunity for a spot of birdwatching where a whole host of wildlife including kingfishers and sea eagles have been spotted. Newport, the County Town of the Isle of Wight, lies under twelve miles away, providing a wide range of shops, restaurants and a cinema complex. Five miles to the Northwest, the seaside town of Ryde also provides plenty of amenities including boutique shops, a large supermarket, miles of golden beaches and high-speed foot passenger connections to the mainland and London. Furthermore, the Fishbourne mainland car ferry service is just a 20-minute drive away, and regular bus routes serve Embankment Road including a complimentary bus to a superstore and bus route number 8 which links with Newport, Ryde and Sandown.

Welcome Aboard Blue Max

With gated access from Embankment Road, Blue Max enjoys an impressive harbour position amongst other unique houseboats and has a deep, dark blue hull and a crisp white exterior above creating a striking appearance. A private garden patio provides an embossed metal gangway creating access from land to the houseboat, embarking at the bow of the vessel, and side deck walkways on either side of the boat continue to the stern. A set of steps from the stern lead down to a sliding glazed door which opens to the living accommodation.

Living Room (5.11m x 3.48m (16'09 x 11'05))

Featuring original navigational and radio transmitter equipment, this spacious room provides a welcoming, naturally light room with windows on all sides and plenty of space to arrange furniture. Neutrally decorated, this room is carpeted and is warmed by a large radiator as well as a cast-iron ‘Morso’ log burner on a tiled hearth, creating a charming focal point. Also located here are wall switches to control socket points, a telephone/internet point and wood-effect laminate steps to an internal hallway as well as a carpeted stairwell with a built-in airing cupboard to the principal bedroom.

Inner Hallway

With a wood-effect laminate floor and recessed spotlights, this space provides access to a kitchen, a bathroom, a double bedroom and two single bedrooms.

Kitchen (2.06m x 2.18m (6'09 x 7'02))

Through an arched open doorway, the kitchen is fitted with a modern white base and wall cabinets providing cupboards and drawers with long steel handles. With a crisp white tiled splashback, a dark countertop incorporates a white sink and drainer with a long arm mixer tap and there is under-counter space to install two appliances including plumbing in place to install a dishwasher if required. Integrated cooking appliances include an electric oven conveniently positioned at eye level and an electric hob with a curved glass cooker hood over. Illuminated by two round flush ceiling lights and under-cabinet lighting, this space is finished with a vinyl stone-effect floor and decorative papered feature walls. Also located here is a slim window to the side aspect allowing for natural light.

Bathroom

Beautifully presented, this room has a warm neutral colour scheme with large scale floor and wall tiles in a gloss finish and a contrasting light blue strip feature wall which perfectly coordinates with a bath panel. A modern white sanitaryware suite comprises a dual flush w.c. Next to a radiator and there is a fitted storage cabinet topped with a hand basin featuring a waterfall-effect mixer tap which coordinates with an integrated tap fixture above a fabulous double-ended bath. With two slim privacy windows to the side aspect, this room also includes two round flush ceiling lights and a wall-mounted towel rail.

Bedroom Two (3.58m x 2.06m max (11'09 x 6'09 max))

Providing a fitted bed plinth for a double mattress, this carpeted bedroom features an elegant tree-print wallpaper and has two slim windows to the side aspect fitted with wooden shutters. Benefitting from a built-in wardrobe and storage space beneath the bed plinth, this room also has two round flush ceiling lights, a wall-mounted shelf and a recessed shelf space above a radiator.

Bedroom Three (1.96m x 1.91m max (6'05 x 6'03 max))

Warmed by a radiator, this bedroom has a wood-effect laminate floor and is fitted with a wooden single-sized bed plinth which incorporates shelving and offers space beneath for storage. Also located here is a slim window to the bow of the boat and a flush round light fitting.

Bedroom Four (1.96m x 1.83m max (6'05 x 6'0 max))

Featuring a traditional Houdini hatch in addition to a slim window to the bow of the boat, this further single-sized bedroom is also fitted with a wooden bed plinth incorporating side shelving and storage beneath. Dressed with a nautical papered feature wall, again this room includes a flush round light fitting and a wood-effect laminate floor.

Study Area

Nestled within a nook off the inner hallway, this clever use of space has been fitted with a wooden desk area and is decorated with an elegant tree-print wallpaper. Also located here is a round flush ceiling light and a carpet.

Principal Bedroom (4.19m max x 3.43m max (13'09 max x 11'03 max))

Commanding uninterrupted harbour views from a window at the stern of the boat, the spacious ‘Captains Quarters’ is beautifully presented featuring a nautical-themed wallpaper and enjoys further natural light from a traditional Houdini hatch as well as a slim window on each side. Warmed by a radiator, this carpeted bedroom also benefits from two round flush wall lights, a television aerial connection and a built-in wardrobe with double doors and a strip light above.

En-Suite Shower Room

Replicating the large scale floor and wall tiling from the main bathroom, this well-presented space has an enclosed shower cubicle with a folding door and integrated chrome wall controls with a showerhead fixture on a slider bar. A modern white suite comprises a wall-mounted hand basin with a shelf above and a dual flush w.c. Beneath a mirrored storage cabinet. Fitted with a radiator and a wall-mounted towel rail, this room also benefits from a slim opaque glazed window to the side aspect, an extractor fan, a shaver socket and a contemporary wall light.

Hull/Former Engine Room

A large floor hatch from the living room provides access to the large hull area via a set of steps. This ample space houses a gas-fired boiler, a large water cylinder and an electrical consumer unit.

Garden Patio With Workshop

Welcoming you to the property, this delightful outside space offers a concrete and partially decked seating area and a large blue-painted timber built workshop. Presenting a fantastic view of the boat and access onto the vessel via the gangway, this patio space has external lighting with sensors, an outdoor tap, and access to a small storage shed as well as a shed neatly housing the recently installed wastewater treatment system.

Measuring 17'05 x 9'05, the spacious workshop benefits from power, lighting, a telephone point, a sea view window, and a stable-style door which encloses the space. Fully insulated and providing plumbing for a washing machine, the workshop also provides potential to be utilised for other purposes such as as a creative studio, a garden room, a storage space, or as additional guest accommodation.

Parking

The current vendor has an arrangement with the owner of a parking area on the adjacent side of Embankment Road which is currently charged at £25 per month and provides allocated off-road parking for one vehicle.

Boasting a prime harbourside position, Blue Max presents a fantastic opportunity for those who like to spend time enjoying the diverse waterways of the Isle of Wight, whilst also benefitting from close proximity to the wide variety of amenities available in the popular village of Bembridge. An early viewing is highly recommended with the sole agent Susan Property.

Additional Details

Council Tax Band: A
Services: Mains water, electricity, gas central heating and private drainage provided by a recently installed wastewater treatment system.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Term: Approximately 88 years remaining
Ground Rent: Tbc

*The majority of the furniture can be acquired by separate negotiation if required.

Agent Notes:
The information provided about this property does not constitute or form part of an offer or contract, nor may it be regarded as representations. All interested parties must verify accuracy and your solicitor must verify tenure/lease information, fixtures and fittings and, where the property has been extended/converted, planning/building regulation consents. All dimensions are approximate and quoted for guidance only and their accuracy cannot be confirmed. Reference to appliances and/or services does not imply that they are necessarily in working order or fit for the purpose. Susan Payne Property Ltd. Company no. 10753879.
Amenities

Unique four bedroom houseboat

Spacious living accommodation

Primary bathroom plus a principal en-suite

Beautifully presented with modern interiors

Gas central heating and triple-glazing

Private patio garden with a large workshop

Ideal second home or permanent residence

Fantastic harbour views towards St Helens Fort

Option for private parking

Enviable location within walking distance to the village