Boating tips and hacks are the best cheats, bar none. And as boaters, we learn a hack or two as we become more experienced. We pick up handy tips along the way that make life seem simpler. Well, I like to think of my specific canal boat tips and “hacks” as timesaving solutions to positively impact your …
The Beginner’s Guide: How to Drive a Narrowboat with Grace
Narrowboats are long thin tubes of steel. Heavy, slow and awkwardly shaped… they’re easy to drive, right? Well, actually, yes. And quite gracefully, once you master a few basics. Standing on the stern of a 70-foot narrowboat can be a terrifying experience. But never fear. They’re slow, so you get plenty of …
The Canal Windlass: The Ultimate Multi-Tool and Key to UK Canal Travel
Ever been for a run without your running shoes, or tried fishing without a rod? Of course not. Well, try traveling the canals of the UK without a windlass. Without it, locks, swing bridges and lift bridges would be impossible to pass on your canal trip. The canal windlass is the ultimate multi-tool. …
Spraying Gelcoat: Do It Right and Protect Your Vessel for Many Years
Gelcoat is essential to maintain your boat’s look and sea-worthiness. Gelcoat isn’t just a pretty resin that makes the vessel look nice; it protects the fiberglass surface and acts as a barrier to water absorption. It’s like the paint on window frames: Over time, weather fades the paint and it starts to flake …
Practical Tips for Living on a Canal Boat in Winter (And Why This Liveaboard Loves It!)
Cold nights, damp mornings and snow, lots of snow. Come on, let’s get real. Living on a canal boat in winter is a challenge. Along with it brings extra clothing, mud, slippery surfaces and careful planning, down to the smallest details. Have you ordered enough fuel for the solid fuel burner? Have …
How Much Does a Narrowboat Cost? A Guide From Basic to Best
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” — Kenneth Grahame This famous quote from “The Wind in the Willows” conjures images of lazy summer days, willow trees tickling the surface of the fresh water, and birds …
Come Aboard! Traditional to Crazy Cool Narrowboat Interiors
Narrowboats are a design throwback from a world long gone. But they’re loved by a new generation of boaters, eager to keep the spirit of canal boating alive. These traditional boats stem from the industrial revolution, and they’re a design that’s changed very little over time. Sure, they have moved …
Common Dangers and Practical Narrowboat Safety Tips for Canal Boaters
I’ve had so many great times messing about in my canal boat, but really… how often do we stop and consider the dangers? Okay, I admit canal travel is in no way comparable to the dangers of bluewater ocean sailing, but some rules still need to be respected. If I told …
It’s a Hot Topic! Choose the Best Winter Boating Clothing for Warmth
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” — Alfred Wainwright Days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder; it could be time to pack away those deck shoes and T-shirts and think about winter boating clothing. There’s nothing quite like winter when you’re living on …
Your Complete Canal Route Planner: How to Make the Most of Your Trip
Canals and rivers lure me to them. Wherever I am in the world, I find myself seeking out the nearest canal. I want to feel the history that surrounds them. Let’s not forget these waterways were once the industrial superhighway for manufacturing and industry. Without them, the modern world around …
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