Client: Houseboat Wehlau
Industry: Maritime
Locations: Clacton on Sea, Essex, United Kingdom
Date: July 2025
Overview
When your home is a piece of maritime history, reliability matters more than ever. The owners of Wehlau — a 1926 Prussian-built houseboat — wanted to ensure their vessel’s legacy could continue well into its second century.
With nearly 100 years on the water, Wehlau remains one of only two of its kind still afloat. To celebrate a century of heritage and prepare for the decades ahead, the owners turned to Merlin Power to upgrade their electrical system with high-performance marine batteries built for endurance and efficiency.
Project Details
As one of only two of its kind still afloat, Wehlau approaches its 100th birthday in 2026. As a celebration of a century of maritime history, the houseboat’s owners chose to futureproof this 1926 Prussian-built vessel with a powerhouse upgrade.
The Challenge
Living aboard, Wehlau’s owners needed a dependable energy system to power daily life and vital navigation equipment. The challenge was to find a battery solution that could:
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Deliver long-lasting power for continuous onboard living.
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Handle variable power demands from navigation, lighting, and living systems.
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Fit within the constraints of an older, heritage vessel.
Like many liveaboard boat owners, they wanted peace of mind — power that works, without constant monitoring or maintenance.
The Solution
Merlin advised that lower voltage batteries were a better choice for delivering lower demands for a longer period, so batteries that were 6V instead of 12V would be the ideal solution for their houseboat. With Merlin’s expert advice, the owners purchased a set of DC400-6 Fullriver AGM batteries.
The Merlin Power technical team recommended a lower-voltage battery system designed for steady, sustained power provision — perfect for the lifestyle and electrical demands of a liveaboard vessel.
Recommended Setup:
These 6V batteries were chosen for their ability to deliver longer-lasting, lower-demand output, ideal for powering critical systems over extended periods without compromise.
With our guidance, the Wehlau owners upgraded to a robust, maintenance-free battery bank that combines reliability, endurance, and safety - all essential for life at sea.
Empowering the liveaboard lifestyle
At Merlin Power, we help houseboat owners, liveaboard cruisers, and marine enthusiasts find energy solutions that last. Whether you’re upgrading a historic vessel or fitting out a modern floating home, our marine-grade batteries and power systems deliver the performance and peace of mind you need.
🚤 Ready to power your next voyage?
Contact Merlin Power today to discuss your houseboat or marine power requirements.
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