Types of Canal Boats

There are many types of canal boats, all with different uses. The most common canal boat, a narrowboat, was designed to navigate very narrow man-made canals in Britain.

Narrowboats are still the most popular type of canal boat, although they can also be found in Europe and North America. Narrowboats are usually around 50 to 60 feet long and fit most canal locks and bridges.

Narrowboats

Narrowboats are a traditional canal boat type. They range in size from 20ft to 70ft but typically a beam of less than 7ft is sufficient for safe and easy cruising on the UK’s canal network.

A narrowboat can be a great choice for someone wanting to explore the canal system and is perfect for navigating the smaller locks of some waterways. However the downside is that there is a good chunk of the UK’s canal network that is not accessible by widebeams.

There are plenty of different options for narrowboats so it is important to do your research before making the decision. They come in a variety of styles and layouts so it is important to find one that suits your needs best.

They have a variety of amenities and facilities including a fully-equipped galley (kitchen), lounge and living space, and bathroom. They are a very unique way to experience the canal system and are sure to be a great addition to your next holiday!

Widebeams

Widebeams are a type of canal boat that are a bit wider than narrowboats. These boats are usually 10ft to 12ft in width and offer an extra amount of living space if you’re considering living on board full time.

These canal boats are a popular choice with owners who are looking for a trendy waterside home at an affordable price. They can look and feel like an apartment and come with all the features you need to make your life onboard easier.

They are also very versatile allowing you to add your own personal touches to make them your dream home! There are a range of designs available from cruisers, semi-trads and traditional sterns.

Widebeams are a great way to have your own home on the canal without paying thousands of pounds to do so. However, it’s important to do your research before buying one.

Tugs

Tugs are smaller vessels that help larger ships navigate through narrow channels or harbours. These boats can also be used for salvage and fire fighting duties.

There are many types of tugs, but the main difference between them is the propulsion system they use. Traditional tugs utilize a fixed cowl with a propeller fan and a movable rudder to provide thrust.

These tugs are very manoeuvrable and can change course easily. However, this design does not generate enough thrust to handle modern container and cruise ships.

They are also slower to reposition.

Azimuthal Stern Drive (ASD) tugs are a hybrid of conventional and tractor tugs. They have two towing locations and two rotating azimuth units for propulsion.

These tugs offer a combination of the advantages of conventional and tractor tugs, including bollard pull, shallow draft, and better stability at speed. They are also more complex to control and limited in some maneuvers.

Barges

Barges are large flat bottomed vessels typically used to transport cargo along inland waterways. They are typically towed by another boat, or they can be powered by their own power.

Barge boats can carry loads up to 3,000 short tons and they are a great way to transport freight. They are also often used for hauling bulk items, such as petrochemicals or grain.

A barge’s design must be customised to fit the waterway it will work on. This means that some barges are only designed to operate in certain canals or rivers and will not work in other waterways.

This is particularly true of the wide beam canal barges. They are usually 70 foot in length, and their outsize beam makes them much less likely to be seen on some narrower canals. They are more commonly found on wider areas of the UK’s canal network, such as the Thames and Medway. Some of them have been converted into luxury houseboats.