Archives: Boat Styles

A tug narrowboat is constructed similarly to a traditional narrowboat, but it has an extended front deck area. This area was originally designed for assistance with towing, but it is now more commonly used by people who want to spend more time outside. However, the external room does encroach on the cabin space.

A wide-beam boat is a type of boat that is wider than a traditional narrowboat. They are available in cruiser, semi-traditional, and traditional sterns, and instead of being 6ft 10 inches wide, they are 10 or 12 feet wide. This extra width provides more living space, making the boat feel more like a flat than a boat, which is ideal for those who want to use it as a houseboat. However, this larger size does restrict the areas you can cruise on the inland waterways.

Dutch barges are significantly larger than traditional canal boats because they were initially intended to transport cargo along the rivers of the Netherlands. They typically measure between 12 and 20 feet in width, 70 and 120 feet in length, and have a headroom of at least 6.5 feet. This spacious design provides ample living space, making Dutch barges a popular choice for live-aboard vessels.

A cruiser boat is equipped with a large and exposed deck that is typically between 5 and 8 feet long, enclosed by a rail. The spacious deck allows several passengers to be with the steerer. A wind dodger can also be installed around the rail to provide shelter and prevent children or animals from falling overboard.

A semi-traditional narrowboat is a hybrid of a cruiser and a traditional narrowboat. It has a large deck size, but instead of a rail, it has side plates that create a more enclosed area. This allows the line of the boat to continue down the vessel, making it look more like a traditional narrowboat when viewed from the side. This style of boat provides a safe area for children and animals.

A traditional narrowboat is a popular choice for cruising the entire length and breadth of inland waterways. These boats are usually 6ft 10 inches wide and vary in length from 20 to 70 feet. They have a small exterior deck located at the stern that can accommodate one person perfectly, but two people at most at the tiller. The tiller’s exterior location allows for more space to be utilised inside, making traditional narrowboats a common houseboat option.