169. Electric narrowboats with no generator or solar, on a canal in south Wales

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
I visit a narrowboat hire firm in Gilwern, South Wales, on the Mon & Brec canal. Amongst their fleet of conventional narrowboats they also have two fully-electric ones that don't even have solar or a generator on board. So how have they managed this feat when it would be impractical elsewhere? Watch and find out!
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@stan.rarick8556]

Photobombed by the dog. "Sorry, what did you say? I was watching the dog" :-)

[@N330AA]

That dog seems pretty excited about the idea

[@Vonklieve]

Anyone else just watching cute dog in background?

[@TheFarCobra]

That very good boy is indeed distracting.

[@corkyjmc]

I am enjoying his antics. He’s having the time of his life.

[@eugenecbell]

Yes, watching the dog, but not just watching the dog.

[@Lego6980]

Yep

[@jasonrodgers4499]

Just realized there is some bloke in the foreground talking. I thought I was watching a dog video.

[@raggletaggle2498]

I have an electric narrowboat and have solar panels for charging. I do have a generator for emergencies but have never used it yet. I don't have shore power so I only charge from solar. I don't cruise every day but I do have a good range when I want to cruise. I find enough sun and am moored in Yorkshire. As for the winter, not a problem as a lot of the system is closed for maintainence. My boat is 58' and 5 years old. Completely off grid. It can be done.. I think the dog is great....

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Yes....has to be the future...Brings a bit more tranquility to canal cruising.

[@MrM-or6uh]

Greatest respect, mate!

[@kenjoe]

I think that dog may be your biggest fan .... he is just SO excited you are finally making a video in Wales!

[@oddohutGaming]

lol i was quite distracted by the dog in the beginning scene my cheeks hurt from smiling its nice to see a dog so happy

[@gafrers]

These vlogs involving Electric and/or Hybrid Narrowboats are my favorite. Thank you.

[@bobbod8069]

Sorry, I missed the whole introduction! I was watching the border collie.

[@unclejer65]

I loved the sheepdog in the background running about.

[@simonshurety3870]

Technically a Border Collie but I think i used to call them sheepdogs as well :P

[@robinengland5799]

Very nice! But I quite enjoy the sound of the diesel boats chugging along!

[@potatopeeler1862]

That doggo! Such a good boy ☺🐶.

[@crstothard]

1:00 Look at that super focus he maintains whilst that cute little doggie is tramping about! That, my friends, is a professional!

[@lorispain1]

I missed most of the introduction, I was too busy watching the Border Collie! Sorry, David, you were well and truly upstaged!

[@michaeldallas]

You were upstaged by the cute dog.

[@sushaanthsrinivasan3022]

I did not hear a word you said at the introduction just because of the happy doggy in the background.

[@peterclarke7240]

Yeah, I was very cheerfully distracted. Nothing like a happy collie dog zooming around to steal all my attention 😊

[@EskimoJoe492]

The dog is such a show stealer.

[@for.tax.reasons]

That doggy zooming around tho 😂😂

[@rayg9069]

Hybrid may be an option, using the diesel for the high speed transport sections and the quieter electric for sneaking up on the unsuspecting wildlife? Electric is definitely interesting and will play a big part in the future. Thanks David, another thought provoker.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes indeed, see vlog 69

[@typhoontim125]

Love the dog...star of the show...bags of energy...must use Duracell!

[@marshlogue23]

Good presentation and a wonderful dog in your opening.....

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

That dog is great!

[@MidnightAmratha]

Gotta love the collie, he/she is full of energy.

[@ChiefStressman]

Brilliant!😖🛥Silent cruising & no diesel fumes🌬🐲The universal future of narrowboats 🧜‍♂️

[@krzosu]

i liked the dog going bonkers in the begining of the video.

[@trevorford8332]

Love the video but was slightly distracted by the dog at the beginning!! 😊

[@tinkertime7165]

The way car charging ports are heading is credit type cards to use points, you plug in and the bill for the leccy used goes on your card. There is an opportunity for revenue for the owners of the points, so it is quite possible for properties close to canals to have a point installed and make a little from it. We are electricians and are doing this (not on canals...yet!) Also, installing cables along towpaths is not that bad at all for the most part. We have to install cables across hardstanding areas all the time and a tow path would be relatively easy. With the right incentives electricity powered canals are quite possible.

[@jcderby129]

The maximum resale price of electricity is set by ofgem... And the land lord should not make a profit.

[@drewhinners8793]

As an American that never even knew these boats and canals existed, I've been captivated. I'm not sure why I find these videos so interesting but I look forward to every new one !

[@findermanimages]

Surely this is the future! This is one of my favourite of your videos. It has nothing to do with the fact that I was born and raised in Abergavenny and spent most of my early years exploring and fishing that canal. I also managed a few charity runs along it in my later years. A lovely part of the world. But I would say that, wouldn't I? 😉

[@italianGOD86]

I could watch that dog try and show off to the dogs across the cut all day

[@GrooveFederation]

that lovely dog in the background playing zoomies

[@paulormerod2815]

We have an electric narrowboat, Aurora, which has a backup diesel generator. We use less than a quarter of a tank of diesel per year. The rest just comes from the 10 solar panels and plugging it in at various marinas along the way works brilliantly. To be fair, we generally Only go out for three or four days at a time park the boat back in the marina and don’t normally bother to plug it in as the solar is sufficient to fully charge it by the time we go out again. Marina electric bill for the last quarter was £5.40 The big problem with charge points is the ones that do exist charge a whopping £1 per kilowatt. I’m guessing to try and recoup the cost of the installation. Much cheaper to use the diesel generator or just leave it part somewhere for a few days to charge back up. When we are cruising along, we are generally using about 1.3 kW, which will give us 3 mph. If the weather is nice, we should be getting about 1 kW of the solar panels.

[@tomas5376]

I don’t believe it would be astronomically expensive if they installed charging stations at locations where electricity is already available such as near pubs, lock houses, businesses, etc.👍✌️😊🙏🏼

[@cgtower8860]

T D I was going to ask the same, does any one have a costs per installation of the charging points?

[@eivind_k]

Installing a home-charger for an electric car typically costs about thousand pounds -- including the charger itself. I imagine a charger for a narrowboat would cost similarly. (assuming power was already available nearby)

[@SoldiersDad]

A very interesting piece. With most narrow boats going just a few miles a day I could see this working. The problem would be recharging. Just like when gasoline cars were first used getting fuel was a problem. In the USA I can remember when a gas station had a big sign saying how far it was to the next gas station. Those signs were in the west in the 1950's

[@genemoreland1660]

Those signs were still in parts of Texas and New Mexico up to the 1980's.

[@patrickcolclough2423]

On many canals there's an electrified train track running right alongside, or at least quite close. The railways stole the canal's trade, maybe they can provide a solution to the charging issue. :)

[@jsabo7098]

Another brilliant vlog. Beautiful location, and an excited pup looking for some camera time! Must be very relaxing gliding along the canal in silence. There is something comforting though in the steady drum of a diesel.

[@JoelleTheAbsurdist]

I would like to point out, that most new, large, commercial ships, drive their shafts with electrics, and have their power plants running separately to provide power. This might seem like a waste of energy, but it's not. A bank of capacitors(not batteries) can smooth out any sudden surges or lolls in electrical consumption, while their diesel engine run at a constant fixed, and extremely efficient RPM. Quite a lot of buses and other large vehicles also use this method. Not only does an engine running in its designed power band cost less to operate, it also releases much few unburnt combustion products.

[@audigex]

Most modern diesel high speed trains do this too, (so are actually diesel-electric). As do the new Electric London Taxis (with their range-extender generator. It's definitely an option

[@MrSheckstr]

The advantages of diesel electric is you don’t need a direct line from Power plant to point of propulsion. And because of that you can add all sorts of noise canceling technology to your power plant . And while that doesn’t mean you don’t need the space for a drive shaft or gear box what I’m not sure is if your saving space, or simply able to put the components in spaces not used anyway.

[@mateenio2186]

That dog is living its best life

[@gobear83]

Love the dog in the back ground

[@nealbirch9462]

love the dog!

[@ianmason8713]

love these mini documentaries. the ones from this year and the last two years have been very good.

[@Roamor1]

Very interesting, thanks for the video. But replace those batteries with modern LiIon and its a gamechanger. In the Netherlands, certain waters are only allowed for pure electrics, but we also have a lot of places to recharge. Please dont wait for the next generation, build the network now. Its a small effort compared to the effort of building these canals in the first place.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yeah but someone would have to come up with the money...

[@michaelbuckingham7512]

Maybe that puppy could spare some of his energy to charge your batteries. That dog never stopped running. :)

[@robinlong6477]

For the record, we hired an electric boat from Castle in June 1985 - 34 years ago. At the time I believe there were four charging stations along the entire canal. We gleefully crept up on wildfowl, towpath lovers, diesel boats, and enjoyed the reactions. 😁. There was a bit of a head-on current at the Brecon end that slowed us down a tad, but otherwise? Pure magic.

[@pootle2768]

That was so interesting. And to hear they’ve been running them for so long. I loved the sound of the water

[@jorgecancio7554]

The dog is the star of the vlog

[@grancito2]

Sorry, I didn't hear a word you said, did you know that a boarder collie was stealing the show behind you?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha yes I was very aware of him!!

[@schirmeyerb]

It s always a pleasure to listen you ..I Improve my English.... I am french ..and I have never been.. in an English country........don t forget you engine turn very well.....it s a watch

[@thegeneralissimo470]

That's a cute sheepdog pupper in the background

[@darbyxc]

i have no idea what you said - I was watching the dog.

[@yindyamarra]

Anyone else heard nothing but watched the dog?.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Even I was doing that

[@29hansen]

Having come across this site only half a year ago - and before that not even knowing the existence of something called narrowboats - I enjoy each and everyone of them. Outdated or not. Best creating a from Aarhus/Denmark.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks for the shot of the gorgeous grey pony. Have to use a hybrid on the long canal networks. The vlog you did on the hybrid was a good one.😁💜

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm glad someone liked the horse!!

[@Its_me--Boo_Radley]

@@CruisingTheCut I liked the horse too. Also that beautiful dog that was photobombing you in the beginning. Love the silent running of the electric narrow boat.

[@10p6]

Awesome video. With all that stored electricity they need to put in a 150 DB sound system, so it can make a diesel engine sound whilst traveling. :-)

[@gabbymadsen7260]

Background dog is happier than a kitten in a pile of hair ties!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

😂😳🤪 Loved the facial expressions when you spoke over the near silent engine. Incredible that these boats have been going for 25 years. Informative and entertaining as usual👍

[@deltavee2]

Thank you, David. That was extremely interesting. As far as electric boats go, I think narrowboats will be one of the last stands of the internal combustion engine in England.

[@jeffcurtis5460]

Ok, got it .... electrical - impractical; border collie - awesome!!

[@hdholl9696]

Am I the only one to be distracted by the happy frolicking dog? :)

[@markfrentz2975]

That dog was awesome!

[@codynova]

Wow, hearing the silence during that cruise was incredible. I've never minded the chugging of the diesel engine, but I think I prefer the quiet of the electric, it really brings lets you bask in the sounds of nature! Great video as always, thank you

[@kc8bdr]

I kept getting distracted by that interesting dog.

[@markbulla1851]

Until the charging points can be recharged by solar or wind, electric boats will still have a sizable carbon footprint. We still use a lot of carbon-based fuels to generate and "transport" the electricity to those charging points. Thanks for posting this - it was very interesting (and quiet)!

[@JD-vb5ib]

Great as always - Thanks! Reading thru all the comments, over half wanted to see more of the dog. You need to return and do an episode entirely about that dog!

[@for.tax.reasons]

The opening gurgles are soul meltingly nice 😊

[@DavidLee-fe7yf]

that dog is mad!

[@Pow3llMorgan]

He's just excited because he can see other dogs on the other side of the canal but doesn't know how to get to them to smell their butts.

[@coombscharlie]

He is indeed. We've met him; his name is Ozzie.

[@peoplez129]

2000 miles, 18 miles per charge, put one every 9 miles to be on the safe side. That would only be just over 220 charging stations for the entire canal system, which isn't bad at all.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That presumes only one boat every nine miles needs charging and that they want to moor up at the charging locations. For many people, myself included, a substantial part of narrowboating is mooring in the countryside away from people.

[@peoplez129]

@@CruisingTheCut Well I would assume they'd have multiple outlets, along with not everyone needing to charge at once, and with so very few electric boats, it would be a start. I'd say with reasonable charging cord lengths, about 3 boats could charge off one station at a time. And like you said, people like to moor off away from people, which means even less people lined up at the charging station since those people aren't out driving about.

[@CruisingTheCut]

But on an 18 mile charge, many boats will use that up in a single day's cruising, maybe two if they're being chilled, so each electric boat is going to need to charge each night so you'd need lots. Don't get me wrong, I'd be all for an electric charging network but you'd need a fully-installed system.

[@MalawisLilleKanal]

@@CruisingTheCut Batteries keep on getting cheaper, so even though it does not make sense to rely solely on shore-charging today, it might do so in a few years. For now the ideal solution would be hybrid and a few central charge-points. BTW: When talking about energy usage in diesel vs electricity, you can generally say that diesel uses 3x the energy of electric, and a liter of diesel equals 10kWh. Thus a boat using 1 liter an hour would use about 3kWh if run electrically.

[@olivier2553]

@@CruisingTheCut There will need to be a convergence between systems used for cars and systems used for boats, then the price will per charging station will decrease dramatically.

[@samknight2968]

Oh my God! My first ever narrowboat experience was with these guys! It was one of my most memorable holidays. They're the reason I now watch your channel. Great that they're doing well.

[@oldbloke229]

Like Sam, my first narrowboat experience was on the Brecon Canal, hiring from Castle Narrowboats, in 1995, and it was an electric narrowboat then!!! Unlike today it confused everyone that I passed why there was no horrible diesel chugging noise when I passed them. Charging was a doddle and never ran out of power. They did from Brecon, back to the marina on one charge.

[@M0LHA]

I know this is an ancient post, but I've just clocked. I've seen these boats! We hired a ICE boat from this company and I spotted the pair just as we were docking at the end of our holiday. Wish I knew before I'd booked our canal boat as it would have been great to try one out. Unfortunately the canal was *very* low which meant we got stuck, a lot! A bit of a pain to moor especially when the weather set in and everyone got grumpy.

[@MichaelsMustang]

Interesting vlog David. In that case it was an an isolated canal and a private venture however it could be adopted on the British Canals if the government got on board. We have charge points in buildings, shopping centres on streets why not a canal ? One could be done at a time select where the points need to be close to power than add additional mooring points as demand increases. Boats already congregate at mornings anyway so why not a step further. There is also the added opportunity to include recycling and compost waste disposal point. This could easily be a long term plan let’s face it the live aboards are increasing. ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@beeble2003]

The government has bigger fish to fry. Literally anything else would do more to reduce UK fossil fuel usage.

[@billharris6886]

Wow, lots of comments here about solar and adapting Tesla car technology to narrowboats! I know the average person believes electric propulsion will easily solve and replace the diesel engine problems but, it's not quite that simple. One must first ask; "why do we have the propulsion system we use today?" This is because, after years of striving for the most practical and economical system, we have what have today. When making comparisons to the Tesla car, please note that it takes a lot more energy to push a boat through water than for a car to be propelled at the same speed on a smooth road. David mentioned he was consuming 1 to 1.5 liters per hour with his boat, this equate to an output power of about 7 HP (horsepower) or 5 kW (kilowatts). For an electric motor to put out this much power, due to losses, the power pulled from the batteries will be about 6 kW. When used for 1 hour, the battery consumption is 6 kW/hours. To recharge those batteries, again due to losses, it's going to take about 8 kW/hours of shore power for recharging. How long are you willing to wait for those batteries to be recharged? If you have to make a return trip to get back to the marina and only 4 kW is available from the power outlet, you will be waiting 2 hours. Running the 4 kW a few miles/km along the canal path is quite expensive (when is the last time you bought heavy gauge copper wire). Anyway... I like the thought of going electric as well but, it's not the "silver bullet" that will easily solve all our problems, each power technology has its own pluses and minuses that must be considered and dealt with to make a technology viable.

[@thetessellater9163]

We have real problems generating enough electricity right now! Some of our older Nuclear Power stations have had their lives 'extended' twice already - long overdue for decommissioning - which in itself is a very long and extremely expensive process. We need to use a lot less electricity full stop!

[@pieterweatherall2826]

You are so lucky to have canals that are navigable for narrow boats. In New Zealand South Island we have Hydro canals Which boats of any kind are not permitted.

[@trevornelmes9331]

As I am some way down the route of exploring the idea of an electric boat, I have been exploring things in a lot of detail. The motor I would use, from Bellmarine, is indeed a 10KWh motor (12KWH maximum, 15KWh brief peak). But, in typical barge use in Dutch canals (much bigger than a typical 57 foot UK narrowboat), they are using about 1-2KWh. Only on fast tidal rivers, against the flow (like the Ribble) do they expect it would need to use between 5-10KWh, and even then not for long. Bear in mind that the typical diesel powered narrowboat engine might be cruising for a few hours, but the electric motor has no tick over power use (like in and around locks), you might need to replace 1 or 2KWh of power per day of cruising. Using the latest mono crystalline flexible solar panels, on a decent summer day you would harvest about 1-1.5KWh (if you packed the roof with them). On a crappy winter day, under half a KWh. My friendly solar panel supplier tells me that, before I get to the point of needing to buy them (the shell won't be completed before Summer 2021 at the earliest - timed for money coming in), panels will be twice as efficient (finally panels using Graphene are in sample production, as the silicon structure also changes, to nano cell instead of mono crystalline), and even harvest some electricity from rainwater! I have new (sample) batteries on the way to me (to play with) that are hugely more efficient at storing power (still LiFePO4) at much lower cost - at less than £3000 for a 48V/400A (approx 10KWh) setup (including BMS and charge controller). Of course we will still need a generator, but 48V 10KWh DC generators are starting to appear. Whilst Fischer Panda sell one at nearly £15,000 (after discount!), I can now pick a similar one up for about £8,000. That can recharge the battery pack (the maker says it is best to charge only to 80%, as it extends battery life by as much as 2-4 times compared to fully charging, handy tip for Lithium owners) in about an hour, using way less fuel in total than normal cruising would, plus most boaters have to top up their batteries with the motor running for a few hours anyway. With the motor still very expensive (well over £10,000), it isn't a cheap option, and I may yet still opt for a traditional diesel motor with SOME solar panels and a smaller battery pack, the times, they are a changing. But silent running appeals to me. I'm that type of guy.

[@japio8955]

Please distinguish between KW and KWh. Power and Power/Time.

[@JimBiddle.]

I'm at 01:40, guessing they're powered by the excess energy from the Collie. They aren't, but still interesting. They are lovely and quiet but I still think the sound of a vintage engine just seems right?

[@nashvilleslim]

I'm sure you made many sensible points. That dog being excited about seeing other dogs in the background totally killed my concentration. Interesting but let me know when it's practical.

[@navigator902]

Love it... so glad you did a vlog to show case such wonderful auxiliary power, and the peace the motors hum can bring.

[@detailedgaming6039]

I think it is very admirable how you show these occupation and how they go about doing what they do without taking any financial gain. Thank you

[@ironmike2732]

Nice segment, you should consider doing them professionally as promo videos for companies, you are pretty good at them! Mike.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks

[@bloodyblade916]

Yeah well said Iron Mike ,I agree.

[@stevebillingham9381]

Apoximately 35 years ago it was possible to complete the Avon ring on one of 2 electric narrow boats that ran from a hire company in Evesham using charging points that were provided specifically for that purpose

[@CruisingTheCut]

Really? I wonder whatever happened to those points?

[@midshipsjsr]

There was I waiting to see a nuclear powered narrowboat. Really enjoy this channel! Thanks for uploading your videos.

[@sallyu1]

The dog was the star of the show! We concentrated on your information later.

[@elizam2119]

Sorry, what were you saying? I was watching the collie, and missed the beginning of your talk :)

[@waerlogauk]

if all the canal side pubs had charging points that would be a good start to electrifying the canals. I understand they are often a day's travel apart.

[@spencerwilton5831]

Gwallter Rixon yes, and decent canal side pubs can have boats moored nose to tail for half a mile either side. That's a hell of a lot of chargers- and pity the poor bloke who arrives late and can't get one.

[@sianfarrell2616]

What an absolutely beautiful stretch of canal! With regard to "eco friendly" boating, I have heard tell of a vessel, not a narrowboat by the way, who's owner has rigged their prop to a modified bicycle! What a brilliant idea! A "breakfast" powered boat! xx

[@spencerwilton5831]

You wouldn't call it brilliant if you were stuck behind it. It takes about five kilowatts to maintain cruising speed on a typical narrowboat. An Olympic cyclist may be able to sustain five hundred watts for short bursts, most of us would struggle to make 250 watts for more than ten minutes! At that rate progress would be at a snails pace.

[@jeffbrewster6658]

Very interesting , I hope you got a cuppa tea and a piece of cake out of him .

[@chriscross9505]

Pretty sure that collie runs on batteries :)

[@cmonster6]

Chris Cross I think he lost his boat they all look the same to him lol

[@veronicathecow]

Solar charging points could be added along the route with storage batteries and would not have to attach to the national grid keeping costs down. Adding at least some solar panels would help keep things charged up. Also the batteries appear to be Lead Acid. Replacement (as prices drop ) with Lithium will reduce weight and increase range so things will improve.

[@barbroevanderlindquist4128]

Well, well, I was afraid that the sheepdog shuld jump in the canal to get over to the other dogs! Intresting video. Silance is rare thise days! BarbroSweden

[@iangill8984]

Great to see so many comments and subscribers, reflects on the interest in the content and of course the presenter, well done. What is next?

[@DaveGreeneramblingcarpenter]

Could you get more footage of the dog, please

[@DonaldSimsProduction]

That dog was more excited about the other dog than being around about you. How odd.

[@douglaskerins6030]

love the pupperdawg in the beginning

[@jeremytravis360]

I met a man who had a house that backed onto the Regents Canal in London. He had an electric narrow boat back in the 1990s I think it was. He gave us a ride on it and it was blissfully silent and I could appreciate the difference to the chugging of a diesel engine. Not that Narrow boat diesels are bad because they do have a mesmerising and relaxing aura about them. I guess that electric will be the future.

[@1258-Eckhart]

I don't think it's a question of the cost, it's a question of the longterm survival of the canal system. The CRT should invest by stealth, just three moorings a year until the demand catches them up, which it will. People only need to know that they're serious about it.

[@ronnyskaar3737]

The UK cut is perfect for electrification. Chargers along the moorings. A matter of time.

[@timothyboles6457]

It is utterly shocking that there are no solar panels on the electric boats, just for the auxiliary systems, if not for the main propulsion system, interesting use of electricity though, and since that is an isolated canal, it's perfect, and having the charging points is a real bonus. Watching the dog have fun was entertaining too

[@jeandunlop2922]

Very interesting. Loved the dog and pony..... Really enjoy your vlogs, the way you present, your narration and sense of humour. Thank you for sharing.

[@serge470]

Just use those dog on the background as generator!.. ,😁

[@ohioguy215]

I'm sorry...I didn't hear much of what you said with the Border Collie stealing the show. I did replay though. That was funny.

[@stevebrown1974]

Who else was paying more attention to the dog than David's intro speech?!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Me

[@McRocket]

Fabulous video. Yes I did appreciate it. Exactly what I wanted to see. You have shown us the future...and it is clean, lovely and peaceful (well...until you get the electric bill). Thank you VERY much for this.