Narrow boats are long and narrow water vehicles that are designed to be steered in gentle courses of canals and other water systems. They have ample space and are often used for shipping cargo across small water bodies or sightseeing and cruising for tourists. Since their invention as far back as the 1800’s, these boats have evolved both in appearance and purpose.
With constant change in design, new narrowboats are built to give ultimate control, maneuverability and safety when cruising. For those looking to customize their boats into their own liking, then they can have a team of skilled boat builders to fit their needs. They can be involved in every step of the building process with a full building team consisting of carpenters, engineers and project managers that have been assigned to their new bespoke narrow boat. Usually, a narrow boat will take approximately 6 weeks to build the hull, 10 to 12 weeks for internal fit out and two weeks for external painting. This translates to about 20 weeks from start to finish for a complete build
Price list for new narrow boats
Most boat sellers will work with an easy to calculate formula that lists all the specifications that have been included in the standard price along with the optional extras that allow you customize your boat at a price that is well within your means. Mostly the layout is the owner’s choice. New narrowboats vary in price according to their size; for instance a 60 foot boat would naturally cost more than a fifty foot boat. However, customization may also add on the price of the boat.
For most boats, majority of the products are sourced locally with keen attention being paid to the quality of the wood and steel hulls so as to maintain the unique British quality. Quality and design is at the core of the building process of new narrowboats and this ensures that both the buyer and boat seller are satisfied with the end product.
Narrow boats are useful for both hobby and leisure purposes but can also fetch good profits. These boats can be used to cater to rentals for either holiday firms or as your own leisure cruise which can generate income from both locals and tourist. This will however depend on your purpose for buying the boat in the first place. For those intending to cater to tourists, the cruiser stern narrow boat should come in as an excellent choice. Unlike smaller boats, this one has an elongated rear deck that allows people to lounge and enjoy the outdoors view. The only downside is that its engine is located directly under the deck making it harder to check and maintain. This is quite similar to the Tug deck which has a frontal extension as opposed to the back.
Traditional stern narrow boats are the opposite of the cruiser type. They are structurally built for lesser people and its engines are easier to access and maintain since they are located to its sides. There are many other types of narrow boats including: the semi traditional, which are a combination between the traditional and cruiser; the motor-less longboat and the Dutch barge.