Fascinating Introduction To ‘waterways Boats’

[YnysMon]

I wasn’t sure whether to post this here or elsewhere. Anyhow, I found this YouTube offering from Cruising the Cut a fascinating glimpse into a unique style of boat.

 

[CambridgeCabby]

For some reason , for me at least , I get audio but not picture 

[ChrisB]

The Little Boat Company build short traditional steel narrowboats.

Personally, excellent as GRP is for boat building, I think steel is the material of choice for the canal environment.

[YnysMon]

Yes, that’s probably the case. I wouldn’t like being on a GRP in a lock with a steel narrow boat. However, there were several comments in the video on how easy it was to pull these little boats out onto a trailer and take them onto other waterways, especially as they were designed for a waterway not connected to the rest of the system. So, for that waterway, and occasional use on others, they are probably ideal. 

[ChrisB]

There was one, or very similar in the front garden of a house in New Road, High Wycombe. I must have passed it everyday for 15 years or more, making my way to or from the M40.

My interest then was solely the sea, but I often thought of knocking and asking did they want to sell and putting it down near Benson.

In all that time I don't think it was used. Maybe they used it as extra accommodation like a caravan.

[Turnoar]

Pocket cruisers may be the way forwards in times of aquasterity, a trailer sailer makes sense so why not, cheaper to moor on your drive. 70s Caraboat worth a punt?

 

[ChrisB]

And it makes it so easy to try other waterway systems. Sea Otter used to build in Aluminium and utilise water balast. Their smallest was trailable but only with a Defender, Land Cruiser etc.