A site full of information on the narrowboats built by Black Prince across the decades

With the QE fleet nearing retirement the Picasso & Countess classes were introduced and offered new, up to date fitouts in a smaller length to berth ratio than their Duchess class Sisters.

Shakespeare Class: 58ft 4/6 berth: These were first introduced in 2004 and boats are still built to this class design. This class is the same length as the Duchess 4 but through a shorter saloon with fixed seating that can convert to a double up to six berths can be offered. This class also benefits from a second toilet compartment. Again, the aft cabin can be set out as a double or two singles and all craft have cruiser sterns.

Picasso Class: 52ft 4/6 berth: Five of this class were built in 2002, with the last three leaving the hirefleet at the end of 2006. At 52ft they were the same length as the Duchess 2 but through a much shorter saloon were able to offer two fixed sleeping cabins and the option of two further berths on settee/singles in the forward saloon. This enabled up to six people to be accommodated offering superb value for money.
All had cruiser sterns and the option of the rear cabin being set up as a double or two singles by one of the berths being moved.

Countess 6 Class: 62ft 6/8 berth & Countess 8 70ft 8/10 berth:

First introduced in 2001 with a semi-traditional stern (First style). Today one Countess 6 still runs, of recent construction with cruiser stern and from Falkirk base (Second style). This canals shorter lock length restricts the Duchess 6 & 8 classes from being available.
This class features two settee/single berths in the forward saloon and the flexible berth arrangements to one of the sleeping cabins,to give greater flexibility. The Countess 8 was the same but featured an extra fixed double cabin inbetween the flexible cabin & main bathroom.

Elgar 6.3 & 6.4 67ft 6/8 berth:
Five of this class were built in 2003 on shells by John Pinder. The layout was as the Duchess 6 (66ft) but with a slightly longer saloon with a large table and free standing dining chairs, so a maximum six berth