Canal Boatbuilders Association

What is meant by 10, 6, 4?

The norm has become 10mm bottom, 6mm sides and 4 or 5mm for the cabins, but thinner plate should not be discounted. Many older hulls of 4 and 5mm, properly built and maintained are still going strong.

Beware of too large a disparity of thicknesses for successful welding, or too heavy a cabin which makes a boat top heavy. Hull strengthening is just as important. In the event consult your builder and the Code of Practice for hull construction drawn up and approved by the Canal Boatbuilders Association.

What size engine do I need?
Nothing too small. Certainly something which produces a good proportion of its power at the lower end of the rev range. But don’t overdo it. Hull shape, gearbox reduction and propellor size is just as important. Again consult your builder.

 
Why do narrowboat prices vary so much?
We all know the saying “You only get what you pay for”, which we know is not always true! More relevant might be “You don’t get what you don’t pay for! In other words, don’t expect as much from a boat at the bottom end of the price range as from a boat at a higher price. 

If there are not enough skilled man-hours and quality equipment and materials allowed for in the price, then don’t expect the earth. On the other hand, some boats at the cheaper end of the market represent excellent value as far as they go. We all know that consumer items, whether they be shoes, or vegetables, or meals in restaurants, all vary in price and narrowboats are no exception.

 
Peter Nicholls