nrbo:narrowboats

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nrbo:narrowboats [2025/12/16 12:01] – [Further resources] Dave Darbynrbo:narrowboats [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Narrowboats+This topic is part of [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]]. 
 +====== Narrowboats ======
  
  
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-## What are narrowboats?+===== What are narrowboats? =====
  
 A narrowboat is a boat for living in, transporting cargo and / or travelling on canals and inland waterways. Modern narrowboats are generally made of steel, though some are aluminium, and many older craft are wooden. They are 6ft 10in (2.1m) wide, up to 70ft (21.3m) long and can cruise almost any waterway, but are not well suited to tidal rivers. ‘Wide beam’ boats (barges) also exist, and are, as the name suggests, wider steel craft. They are more spacious and therefore make for more comfortable living, but are unsuited to navigating canal locks, which are usually 7ft (2.13m) wide. A narrowboat is a boat for living in, transporting cargo and / or travelling on canals and inland waterways. Modern narrowboats are generally made of steel, though some are aluminium, and many older craft are wooden. They are 6ft 10in (2.1m) wide, up to 70ft (21.3m) long and can cruise almost any waterway, but are not well suited to tidal rivers. ‘Wide beam’ boats (barges) also exist, and are, as the name suggests, wider steel craft. They are more spacious and therefore make for more comfortable living, but are unsuited to navigating canal locks, which are usually 7ft (2.13m) wide.
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 The majority of Britain’s canals were constructed in the 18th century to transport industrial goods and raw materials. Cargo boats were initially drawn by [horses](/woho/working_horses) until after WWII when they were finally replaced entirely by engines. These powerful animals could pull much bigger loads over frictionless water than by road and the huge jump in productivity led to an explosion in use of canal freight, reduced the price of coal and powered the Industrial Revolution. The majority of Britain’s canals were constructed in the 18th century to transport industrial goods and raw materials. Cargo boats were initially drawn by [horses](/woho/working_horses) until after WWII when they were finally replaced entirely by engines. These powerful animals could pull much bigger loads over frictionless water than by road and the huge jump in productivity led to an explosion in use of canal freight, reduced the price of coal and powered the Industrial Revolution.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Narrowboat marina.+_Narrowboat marina._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Cargo boats were pulled along the canals by horses until WWII, after which they were replaced by diesel engines.+_Cargo boats were pulled along the canals by horses until WWII, after which they were replaced by diesel engines._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of narrowboats?+===== What are the benefits of narrowboats? =====
  
 The pace of life tends to be slower and it brings you into close contact with nature. Like parks, canals act as green lungs for the cities and are home to a huge variety of wildlife, from water voles to herons, kingfishers, swans, ducks and many species of fish (a good indication of improving water quality). Many canals and towpaths are listed as sites of special scientific interest. The pace of life tends to be slower and it brings you into close contact with nature. Like parks, canals act as green lungs for the cities and are home to a huge variety of wildlife, from water voles to herons, kingfishers, swans, ducks and many species of fish (a good indication of improving water quality). Many canals and towpaths are listed as sites of special scientific interest.
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 <caption> <caption>
-An old cargo boat at the Black Country Museum, plus the cramped interior where the boating family lived, slept and cooked.+_An old cargo boat at the Black Country Museum, plus the cramped interior where the boating family lived, slept and cooked._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Tips for compact living (and working) on a narrowboat, from a 'continuous cruiser' (without a permanent mooring).+_Tips for compact living (and working) on a narrowboat, from a 'continuous cruiser' (without a permanent mooring)._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 Try taking a narrowboat trip or holiday first to see if you like it - it’s not for everyone. It can be hard work and you need to do your research before committing to buying a boat, particularly if you’re going to live on it. There are hidden costs and continuous maintenance, repairs and tweaking required, which can mean getting your hands dirty or forking out for specialist work. Running a boat has been likened to having a part-time job, or to running a house and car simultaneously. It all adds up - so, while the initial investment may be less than buying a house, only get a boat if you want to embrace the lifestyle, not primarily to save money. Try taking a narrowboat trip or holiday first to see if you like it - it’s not for everyone. It can be hard work and you need to do your research before committing to buying a boat, particularly if you’re going to live on it. There are hidden costs and continuous maintenance, repairs and tweaking required, which can mean getting your hands dirty or forking out for specialist work. Running a boat has been likened to having a part-time job, or to running a house and car simultaneously. It all adds up - so, while the initial investment may be less than buying a house, only get a boat if you want to embrace the lifestyle, not primarily to save money.
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 {{ https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5-narrowboats-degrading.jpg }} {{ https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5-narrowboats-degrading.jpg }}
  
-### Buying a boat+==== Buying a boat ====
  
 Once you’re convinced it’s the life for you, then it’s time to think about [buying a boat](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/getting-afloat/buying-a-boat). Once you’re convinced it’s the life for you, then it’s time to think about [buying a boat](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/getting-afloat/buying-a-boat).
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 <caption> <caption>
-Narrowboats are able to navigate through the centre of major cities.+_Narrowboats are able to navigate through the centre of major cities._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Compact, off-the shelf [compost toilet](/cptt/compost_toilets) – ideal for narrowboats or camper vans.+_Compact, off-the shelf [compost toilet](/cptt/compost_toilets) – ideal for narrowboats or camper vans._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Other costs+==== Other costs ====
  
 (average costs based on the Canal & River Trust’s 2013 biannual boat owners survey) (average costs based on the Canal & River Trust’s 2013 biannual boat owners survey)
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 <caption> <caption>
-The roof of a narrowboat is an ideal place for growing flowers, vegetables and herbs.+_The roof of a narrowboat is an ideal place for growing flowers, vegetables and herbs._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Environmental considerations+==== Environmental considerations ====
  
 There are a number of things you need to be aware of to avoid polluting waterways and to reduce the environmental impact of your boat. There are a number of things you need to be aware of to avoid polluting waterways and to reduce the environmental impact of your boat.
  
-### Waste+==== Waste ====
  
 - **Greywater** from sinks, bathrooms, washing machines etc. goes straight into the waterways, so it’s essential to use eco-friendly cleaning and personal products to avoid discharging any toxic or harmful liquids. - **Greywater** from sinks, bathrooms, washing machines etc. goes straight into the waterways, so it’s essential to use eco-friendly cleaning and personal products to avoid discharging any toxic or harmful liquids.
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 <caption> <caption>
-From London apartment to life on a boat - an exercise in downshifting.+_From London apartment to life on a boat - an exercise in downshifting._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Resource efficiency+==== Resource efficiency ====
  
 - [Insulation](/insu/insulation) is important for fuel efficiency on board. Wool is a good natural material, although far less common than polystyrene or spray foam. Double glazing is also important; small portholes will retain more heat than large windows. - [Insulation](/insu/insulation) is important for fuel efficiency on board. Wool is a good natural material, although far less common than polystyrene or spray foam. Double glazing is also important; small portholes will retain more heat than large windows.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A canal-cruising holiday can be a way to become familiar with narrowboat living, and to see if it might be for you.+_A canal-cruising holiday can be a way to become familiar with narrowboat living, and to see if it might be for you._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Fuel & power+==== Fuel & power ====
  
 - Avoid fuel spills and leaks. If you do spill, never use detergents. - Avoid fuel spills and leaks. If you do spill, never use detergents.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Wide-beam barge navigates between narrowboats on the Leeds to Liverpool canal at Skipton.+_Wide-beam barge navigates between narrowboats on the Leeds to Liverpool canal at Skipton._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Wildlife+==== Wildlife ====
  
 - Avoid going too fast as this creates wash that can disturb animals and erode banks. Always keep dogs under control. - Avoid going too fast as this creates wash that can disturb animals and erode banks. Always keep dogs under control.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Solar panels on the roof of a narrowboat – quieter and cleaner than a diesel generator.+_Solar panels on the roof of a narrowboat – quieter and cleaner than a diesel generator._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Safety+==== Safety ====
  
 There are a number of [safety procedures](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/141.pdf) to be adhered to at all times so you know what to do in the event of accidents or falls. You also need to recognise stream conditions like fast-flowing water, know how to avoid waterborne diseases and avoid or deal with human-related nuisances like vandalism and aggression in urban areas. There are a number of [safety procedures](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/141.pdf) to be adhered to at all times so you know what to do in the event of accidents or falls. You also need to recognise stream conditions like fast-flowing water, know how to avoid waterborne diseases and avoid or deal with human-related nuisances like vandalism and aggression in urban areas.
  
-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/transport). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Narrowboat Trust](https://www.narrowboattrust.org.uk/) - [Narrowboat Trust](https://www.narrowboattrust.org.uk/)
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 - [National Community Boats Association](https://national-cba.co.uk/) - [National Community Boats Association](https://national-cba.co.uk/)
 - [How a canal lock works](https://www.burgundy-canal.com/canal-lock/) - [How a canal lock works](https://www.burgundy-canal.com/canal-lock/)
-- [Canal boating in the UK and Europe](https://www.canals.com/) +- [Canal boating in the UK and Europe](https://www.canals.com/)
 - [The Green Blue](https://thegreenblue.org.uk/) - sustainable boating - [The Green Blue](https://thegreenblue.org.uk/) - sustainable boating
-- [Living on a boat](https://www.livingonaboat.co.uk/) +- [Living on a boat](https://www.livingonaboat.co.uk/)
 - [Wooden Canal Boat Society](https://wcbs.org.uk/)  - [Wooden Canal Boat Society](https://wcbs.org.uk/) 
  
 +
 +===== Related topics =====
 +
 +- [[biod:biodiesel|Biodiesel]]
 +- [[cptt:Compost toilets]]
 +- [[litr:transport|Low-impact transport]]
 +- [[soel:Solar electricity]]
 +- [[sail:Sail boats]]
 +- [[woho:Working horses]]
 +- [[batt:Batteries]]
 +- [[cano:canoes|Canoes & kayaks]]
  
  
-## Specialists+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • nrbo/narrowboats.1765886506.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/16 12:01
  • by Dave Darby