Banks Martin Beaulieu 30 Inboard Diesel

Banks-Martin may be a new name in boatbuilding, but the company’s two directors have a background in iconic British boat brands. Based in Kidderminster, the business is looking to build on the traditions of the past while introducing a higher standard of craft to the inland industry.

The 30 is the first of its range of boats aimed at river cruising in the UK. Tingdene Boat sales have been appointed the retailing agents from all 9 of their offices as the Banks Martin 30 and other planned models fill the gap in the marketplace for High end inland craft.

At first glance the boat appears much bigger than its just-under 30ft length would suggest, and it certainly looks far more refined and modern than many of the surrounding GRP cruisers on the river – most of which are based on designs produced 30 years or more ago.

The30 has a low-wash semi-displacement hull, unlike many comparative cruisers that have a planing hull, which isn’t ideal for low-speed cruising

The Banks Martin 30 is available in 2 versions – Hard top or soft top with folding screens.

The boat is designed with in line with her designed use in the inland waterways, featuring low side decks which are flat around the entire boat, Bathing platform to the stern and flat walkthrough access to the aft cockpit.

To the interior the Banks Martin 30 is very light and spacious with all around cabin windows, glazed skylights, and an open plan cabin, with seating in the form of dinette or sofa, entertainment area, large galley, and berths forward (Double or V beds) this can be separated into two by the optional curtain or bulkhead forward.

A generous sized wet room featuring shower and heads, of dimensions rarely found on 40’ plus boats.

Aft, a separate sleeping cabin featuring single berth alongside the engine space with privacy door 

As the side decks are far higher than typical steel wide-beam craft, you are more likely to reach them from the bathing platform than trying a direct climb from the bank.

There are guardrails to help keep you safe, especially for deck work in choppier waters.

They also provide useful points to hang fenders from, rather than fixed cleats, so you can position them exactly where they are needed – as with any GRP boat, careful use of fenders is essential for mooring and locks. 

The rear cockpit and bathing platform provide an excellent place to cruise and socialise.

 

This is a social river-boat, with the cockpit at its heart. A full- width bathing platform gives very easy access from a pontoon when moored stern on and, as it is deep, also provides the easiest way to board from a bank. The hull sides themselves are quite high, which adds to the visible bulk of the boat. The bathing platform has a moulded step each side to get up onto the side decks. There is a shallow single step up into the cockpit, to starboard of a large bench seat.

The cockpit feels massive, given the compact overall size of the boat. The aft bench seat has a large locker underneath, and as an option its  back can swiftly be reversed so that you can sit facing aft – with the broad expanse of the bathing platform before you, plus good handholds to give a sense of security. There is a second settee to starboard, opposite the raised helm to port.

The cockpit of this model has a fixed wheelhouse  with a roll able/ removable aft canopy covering the rear part. This gives the boat an air draught of around 8ft . Alternatively available with a fully open cockpit and canopy with forward folding screes which gets the Air height below 7' 

With either the broad wheelhouse roof, or full canopy both feature full standing headroom under, the hardtop has two fixed, tinted sunroofs, which keep the space bright. At night, excellent integrated strips of LED give broad, bright illumination. The full canopy is a multi sectional canopy allowing tremendous variation of requirements in use.

On the outside, two integrated solar panels ensure the domestic and engine batteries are kept topped up when the boat is not in use.

As you enter the cockpit from the aft platform, there is, very sensibly, a plexiglass and stainless steel gate that closes off the cockpit, making it safe for young children and dogs. Housed in a small locker right by the gate are the battery master switches, so on boarding you can activate

This Beaulieu 30 as standard, has a single cabin, though as it is a semi- bespoke craft, there are a number of different layouts available on made to order craft. A separate forward cabin and a cross double berth to the mid cabin are both options available.

There is space for a  big TV on the sideboard, and the wrap laminates on the cupboard's of wide steps. It is at this point you realise that the fitting of the interior is quite unlike any other inland cruiser. There is a real sense of spaciousness – again, it is difficult to believe that it’s only a 30ft boat with a 9ft beam. The headroom inside is well over 6ft 3in.

Large windows allow light to flood in, with attractive horizontal blinds in aluminium rather than curtains, to dim the interior. There are also two massive fixed sunroof panels, which can be upgraded to open at the touch of a button, with a further glazed emergency escape hatch in the forward part of the roof.

The sunroof has a concertina fabric blind for use at night, while a thin mirror, under deck level across the bow, adds to the apparent depth.

The combined effect of all the glazing is a very bright interior without being stark. This is helped by the choice of cream carpet, which goes well with the half-height wardrobe and internal shelving in the cabin.

The colour of the cabinetry can be specified from a selection, the cabin sides and roof are lined with padded cream vinyl, which is soft to the touch and adds a layer of insulation, muting sound as well as acting as a thermal barrier. Wall lights give great indirect illumination, in addition to the high-level integrated LED strips and low-level lighting. Unusually, the multiple mains electric sockets throughout have both UK and Euro sockets at the owner’s request – a pragmatic choice for a boat that may cruise overseas.

Seating and sleeping
The layout that means five people could easily sprawl out in the cabin and all manage to dine around the large table contained between the a large double forward. The table is on a single, height-adjustable pedestal and is incredibly sturdy. converting to a  double berth to port. Further aft, a separate single berth is accommodated to starboard.

Entertainment
Opposite the seating is a large, low-level cupboard designed to accommodate a sizeable TV facing the sofa  The units themselves have their ply carcasses and doors wrapped in the most superb laminate.

 

Deck
The side decks flat in GRP finish
Bow Pulpit to forward deck
6 Stainless Steel cleats
Anchor roller to bow with Samson post
2 cabin handrails
Engine space ventilation
Rubbing band
2 x stainless protector plates to bow
Aluminium fixed windscreen (foldable as an option on soft top)
Full canopy to aft cockpit
Steps from bathing platform to side decks
Bathing platform in simulated teak finish
Custom designed cabin side and front windows with 1 opening section over galley & 1 in wet room
Cabin roof skylights
Side hull window to rear sleeping area
Antifouled hull

Cockpit
To starboard of a large bench seat.
The aft bench seat has a large locker underneath, Sliding aft cockpit seat
The raised helm to port.
Dash with engine manufacture standard instrumentation
Hydraulic steering
Single lever throttle control
Either a fixed wheelhouse with a rollable/ removable aft canopy covering the rear part, the hardtop has two fixed, tinted sunroofs, and integrated strips of LED lighting
Alternatively available with a fully open cockpit and canopy with forward folding screes which gets the air height below 7'
The full canopy is a multi-sectional canopy with removeable side sections and aft section
Two integrated solar panels
Stern plexiglass and stainless-steel gate
Housed in a small locker battery master switches
GRP Cockpit flooring
Silvertex Cockpit upholstery
Plexiglass moulded cabin door on sliders
Large lazarette storage locker
Engine space with hatch on gas ram
Storage lockers beneath port and rear seating
Navigation lights
Horn
2 screen wipers

Cabin
Double berth or V Beds to bow
L shape or Railway carriage dinette or sofa (conversion to double berth optional)
Cupboard storage with space for TV fitted on front
Wet room to port aft of seating
Single berth below cockpit on standard shaft drive
Double berth below cockpit on Twin cab models
Open shelf unit by aft cabin
Storage below forward berths

 

 

BANKS MARTIN BEAULIEU 30 SPECIFICATION DETAILS

The colour of the cabinetry can be specified from a selection
Cabin doors in matt finish
Carpet to cabin floor
Upholstery chosen from selected ranges
Bulkheads in soft lining finish
Table on a single, fixed height pedestal

Galley
Gas or 240v electric oven
Gas or Induction hob
12v 60 litre refrigerator
Storage cupboards & drawers
Solid galley worksurface
Stainless steel sink
Hot and cold water

Wet room
Sink surface or inset
Toilet electric flush to waste tank
Waste tank with deck discharge
Shower unit with rainfall shower
Mirrored bulkhead
Shower drain system and tray
Storage compartment

General Fixtures & fittings
Blinds to all cabin windows
Mirror to forward cabin bulkhead
High-level integrated LED strips and low-level lighting
Bulkhead lights 3
Bedside lights 3
240 v sockets 2
12 v socket 2
Shoreline and ring main
25ah 240 v battery charger
Gas system to BSC conformity (none if electric galley)
3000kw inverter with electric galley and upgraded batteries (standard if no gas system)
Hot air cabin heating
Calorifier Hot water (Diesel Boats)
Hot water heated by Webasto or similar diesel boiler (Outboard & Electric Boats)

asto or similar diesel boiler (Outboard & Electric Boats)