A narrowboat is a boat of a distinctive design, made to fit the narrow canals of England and Wales. They were used to transport goods around the UK during the industrial revolution circa 1750-1900. Today many boats have been converted to permanent living spaces, according to Wikipedia there are around 8,500 that have been registered.

industrial revolution narrowboat 1944 regents canal* | credit: public domain wiki

If your interested in getting a narrowboat built, we think its a good idea to research the process of building a narrowboat to understand the pros and cons of different boat layouts. Space if very important vs the comfort of piloting a narrowboat.

modern narrowboat hire or permanent living typical layout | credit: fox narrowboats

Planning – Size restrictions

Width consideration

Narrow locks allow boats with a width under 7 feet (2.13m). so most narrowboats are made to a width of 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) wide.

Length consideration

A narrowboat’s maximum length is generally 72 feet (21.95 m). Some of the British Canal network has locks which are shorter, to access the entire network a maximum suggested length is 57 feet (17.37 m)

Planning – typical layouts for narrowboat length

47ft narrowboat layout plan 1 cabin | credit: fox narrowboats

55ft narrowboat layout plan 2 cabin | credit fox narrowboats

60ft narrowboat layout plan 2 cabin | credit: fox narrowboats

Planning – stern types

There are a number of layouts a narrowboat can take. First look at the stern type which can be categorised as: traditional, semi-traditional or cruiser.

Traditional

Smallest steering area

traditional – stern type | credit fox narrowboats

The stern or rear section of the boat contains the steering often in the form of a tiller. This area can be protected by a canopy so the boat can be driven in all weather. Steps lead up from the interior. The helmsman looks over the length of the boat in order to steer the boat. The engine is placed below the stern deck along with batteries, and essential mechanical systems. This design is ideal for live aboard purposes, due to the short back deck of 2 -3 feet in length, giving more room inside for living accommodation.

Traditional layout

A more linear layout, with the living area directly connected to the galley and sleeping quarters. Focuses on maximizing internal living space with a straightforward flow from one area to another.

Semi Traditional

Medium sized rear area

semi-traditional stern type | credit fox narrowboats

A mix between a traditional stern and a cruiser stern, with a larger partially enclosed area at the rear. A wheel steering system is sometimes fitted, is more comfortable suitable for longer journeys. The helm can be covered with a canopy, providing some protection from the elements while still allowing for good visibility. More sociable and can fit 2-6 people in this area.

Cruiser

Largest sized steering area

cruiser stern type | credit fox narrowboats

The deck is usually 2 metres or more long and is open planned, but it is surrounded with safety rails. The engine is usually found below the deck and is accessed by lifting a section of the decking. The stern can be rounded or square. A square stern boat gives more deck space but can be more difficult to manoeuvre, especially in reverse.

Layout

More flexible layouts, often featuring a larger living area or separate dining space. Can zone living, cooking, and sleeping areas providing more privacy and comfort.

Planning – traditional open plan design

Dining & living area

Comfortable seating arrangement, with a sofa or chairs, which often is designed to convert into a bed. There are specialist narrowboat furniture furnishers that can create pieces to order, check the Fox article Moving onto a narrowboat: storage & maintenance considerations. The dining area has space for a table and can be folding to utilise space. Traditional narrowboats have large windows to allow natural light and views of the riverside.

interior living space narrowboat | credit fox

Galley / Kitchen

The galley is usually placed 1 side of the boat near to the dining area. Appliances such as a stove, oven, refrigerator, and sink can be installed akin to a modern kitchen. Clever storage in the form of cabinets, drawers for food and cooking supplies much like a caravan is especially important for living.

interior galley kitchen narrowboat | credit fox

Bathroom (Wet Room)

Usually has a compact shower unit or a complete wet room choose a pump out or cassette toilet. Small sink with storage directly underneath.

interior bathroom narrowboat | credit fox

Bedroom (Cabins)

Have space for a fixed double bed or 2 single beds. Longer narrowboats have more cabins and therefore sleeping space. The living / dining space can also feature a foldout bed making another cabin during the night. Clever storage is cruicial if your going to live on the boat. Fitted wardrobes, wall shelving and under bed storage can all help keep the boat tidy. For privacy cabin doors or curtains can be fitted.

Bow area

First light in the morning can be beautiful and serene sitting at the bow (front) of a narrowboat. You can invest in a removabale canopy for when the elements are less favourable and you can get fresh air in the rain.

Image credits:

Industrial revolution narrowboat 1944 regents canal is in the public domain – wiki link

The post Simple Guide To Building A Narrowboat Part 1 – Understanding Layout appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Does your boat have a distinctive bow?

Do other boaters ask you, “What number is it?!”

Are you proud to know the history of your boat?

Then you may be the owner of a Charlie Fox narrowboat! Charlie Fox boats can be recognised by a distinctive stem post, which is the fore post of the boat that forms the apex of the bows. The V-shaped nose is something that other Charlie Fox boat owners look out for, when spotting one another on the waterways.

Some Fox boat owners share a niche interest in Charlie Fox Narrowboats. Our family boating service was established in 1952 by boat builder Charlie Fox. In 1977 we also became a hire boat fleet and by 1981 we had moved into our current purpose built marina. We now build one or two boats per year for our hire fleet. We also provide maintenance, boat stretching and other boatyard work.

After five years we sell off hire boats, which are quite sought after, and for which there is a waiting list. We also sometimes build new boats on commission; one was even built and exported to be used in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA, as a trip boat.

Every Charlie Fox boat is numbered, with the number welded into the water tank access plate at the front of the boat. So if you spot a Fox boat out on the waterways, you can ask the steerer what number it is.

Peter Ekins has a list of Fox boats which he has been putting together since he bought March Mole (no.26) in 1995, which was one of Charlie’s first hire boats, (c1978). Although he has now sold March Mole, he still likes to gather information from other boaters, and he looks out for Fox boats on the canals. March Mole is now owned by Tina Catling. There is a Facebook group where Fox boat owners can keep in touch and look out for each other. So where are they now?

Claire Warhurst now owns number 38, Fair Winds. She is a live aboard and the boat is based at Overwater Marina on the Shropshire Union. She’s now 51ft and Claire has had her for two years.

Johnny Ballantyne has had 49ft Ruth, number 82, for the last 12 years. She is currently based at Prestonbrook on the Bridgewater canal.

Mr Toad, No 58, was bought by a new owner, in June this year. She had been with the previous owner since 2004, lately in Wisbech and prior to that with a couple in Kempston.

The Lark Ascending, was also bought by a new owner earlier this year. She is moored at Snaygill Boatyard on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Her number is 123 and she was built in 2018.

Bishop Farewell, No 112, from Peterborough Club was spotted cruising this week near Water Newton on The River Nene.

Flying Fox is currently for sale, and was recently spotted on the Tring Summit, Grand Union canal, near Cowroast marina. She is 62 feet, built in 2003 with a cruiser style stern. She has a fixed double and an L-shape dinette which converted also sleeps two.

A few miles north of Cowroast, March Mole, number 26 was recently seen at the bottom of the Marsworth flight. She was built in the 1970’s for the hire fleet. Fox’s re-use names; for example there have been several Fox Hunters, and more than one Swift Fox.

You can read more stories of these much-loved boats in our previous article Charlie Fox Narrowboats: Where are They Now?

If you own a boat built by Charlie Fox swap pictures and stories in the Facebook group: Charlie Fox Boat Owners Group. and let us know about your own boat by commenting on our Facebook page.

If you enjoyed this article about a piece of boating history, subscribe to our blog in the right sidebar; look for ‘Follow Blog’. (We don’t send spam or salesy type stuff – just interesting articles about boats and waterways!)

The post Charlie Fox Narrowboats: Where are They in 2021? appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.