344. The most unusual canal boat design ever made!

[@woodenman1954]

Nobody on YT does canal videos as well as David. I am always pleased when a new video shows up.

[@rosssharp9988]

Lovely episode on the sadly defunct Chesterfield firm, Sea Otter . I smiled when I saw the motto on the second boat, 'Home Is Where You Moor It' . Thank you, David!

[@terencehammond8878]

Hi David another extremely interesting vlog some years ago as a lifting gear inspection engineer i used to visit the Sea Otter factory twice yearly where they were manufactured in Chesterfield ,from humble beginnings Ray & Cindi Shepherd built up a superb manufacturing company in two purpose built units where quality was the key word ,as an inspection engineer of they’re lifting equipment I could see first hand the quality of the boats they were producing at every stage of construction ,sadly they were badly affected by the economic recession that was affecting the whole country at the time and where the leisure producing industry suffered as a result . It was such a shame to see it go to the wall Terence Hammond

[@Preske]

Otterly delightful little boat. I can see why you fancy it David.

[@thelocodude01]

I used to do a bit of work at Sea Otter making odd shaped shower trays in situ. I remember that the hulls were MIG welded Aluminium & some of the boats were really nice.

[@AuntieSullivan]

Wonderful vlog. I was intrigued by Sea Otters when I first saw one. These are first class! It's sad that the company never made it.

[@colincox3324]

Oh I think they did, quite a few it seems. 😂

[@marvindebot3264]

@@colincox3324 /r whoosh :P

[@robbmnr8221]

David, im watching your old videos again. You know what i love about them, no MUSIC!!, just you yakking on or the thum of the engine and the sounds of nature. You trust the silence, you don’t fill it with synthetic music. Also, the commentary you provide is first class. Anyways, just thought i would remind you of how good you actually are. Enjoy your yellow dingy. Rob

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@danhollifield]

As a Yank who has fallen in love with British canal boats, and not being hampered by tradition, I designed something very close to this! Thank you for letting me know that someone had made this possible. I wonder if there is a US company who could make one of these in a 55' x 12' widebeam format for my retirement years? Probably out of my budget, but it's nice to dream... --Dan

[@Martin-se3ij]

Saw a boat on the inter-coastal in Ft Lauderdale that was made out of an old aircraft fuselage.

[@michaelhunt879]

What an unusual design but the best of both worlds and I kinda like it

[@daveh7720]

I wouldn't mind having a motor home laid out like that. Although driving from a mid cockpit would be a novel experience.

[@marvindebot3264]

I like the general idea and the layout. I think with a bit of design work and a stretch to around 45 to 48 feet, diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and a few other improvements you could build something exceptional here that may get more people into narrowboating. I have a few design ideas I must commit to paper one day, not that I am likely to be able to afford to build any of them mind you.

[@dukebracton6077]

There is truly an infinite variety of canal boats. Thank you for showing another one. This is a nice variation :)

[@normanboyes4983]

Thank you David for your professional and thorough reviews. There are some great advantages with aluminium hull construction as you pointed out so well, but, there is always one of them - You have to be extremely careful as a boatbuilder and the owner to avoid electrolytic corrosion that will arise if you do not take special measures to isolate the aluminium from steel fastenings. Something as simple as dropping a steel washer into the engine room bilge and not retrieving it - could be enough to initiate a serious corrosion cell. I am not saying this as a negative just raising it for awareness. Keep up the good work.😀👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@USAMontanan]

Nice boat! I could live in one but then I could live in any canal boat. Who doesn’t love a nice boat?!

[@geoffcampbell7846]

I always hankered after a Sea Otter Dutch barge and a life exploring the French and other European systems, but I couldn't afford one at the time of one of my life's great crossroads, and now when I could afford one I'm enmeshed in a life that is not compatible with those dreams. Thanks for another great video. Cheers 👋

[@rotinkerbell]

It was a sadness that Sea Otter folded, it seemed to always be a profitable company with an excellent product. Thanks for this David, joyous as always. x

[@kevinsummerley5399]

Thanks, David. That is a really interesting design and layout. It has given me ideas. I particularly like the fact that it can be trailered.

[@timothygriffin1062]

Unique design and lower maintenance apparently Thanks for the video David.

[@mpersad]

Another charming video, of a very nice boat type, with really informative interviews with the owners. Really enjoyed the video, thank you.

[@AnthonyLee-u1z]

Very nicely configured. In the colonies, Albin has a fiberglass cruiser a bit longer 34' and a larger diesel.

[@carycoombe3380]

I am laughing at the title of the video.😂 Heidi could elaborate, I am sure.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😂

[@gordonchapman222]

I like always enjoy your 'alternative' canal boat videos, makes a nice change. Thanks for sharing

[@mckutzy]

As a person who hails here from Canada, where we are so far removed from "canal boats"(unless maybe in the Montreal area, in which connected to the great lakes Via the St. Lawrence River), That this is just so fascinating, the types, designs, history and the cultural element, A truly unique experience from the Uk, not really seen anywhere else. I definitely love the channel and all the experiences here.. Not too mention very interesting topics. The other day I mentioned to the wife in a random viewing of a tv show from the UK, "hey I think that looks like the place called Stratford-upon-Avon Canal".... Seconds later, in the show... It was mentioned..... How'd I know that... I learned that from one of your vids .... 👍👍👍

[@thomastrout9997]

My oldest and still best subscription. Absolutely delightful once again!

[@lapsedluddite3381]

Mine too! Agree 100%

[@CruisingTheCut]

You are most kind, as ever 😀

[@jaynecopland]

That is a cool little boat! Thanks David. So interesting.

[@dougwright111]

For the casual canal boater, this seems like a great option!

[@urbanrider429]

That must have been one hell of a captain Scarlett drunken night that was designed,we’ve all been there David,Chris

[@bsimpson6204]

What a smashing design, I'm suprised they wern't more popular, 40 or 50ft would be amazing

[@artlife6210]

I always wondered when things would shift this way, there’s always some room for flair lol especially after an extra pot of coffee!😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Exactly!

[@steveowens398]

Another slightly abnormal narrowboat video. These are really quite nice with the split cabins. Keep them coming David!

[@Bigrignohio]

How interesting. Sounds like each one was a "one off" as they experimented with the style. It is surprising there is not more aluminum hull narrowboats. Sure you pay more up front but I have to wonder what the 10 and 20 year overall cost comparison would show.

[@randymagnum143]

Steel has a near infinite fatigue life, aluminum age hardens and crack like crazy, especially where welded.

[@japrods1]

Wow. Fascinating. What an unusual craft. So many good points and flexible layouts but the weed hatch looked tricky!! I wonder if they could be electrified?? Thanks again for your report. C&Lx

[@TechyBen]

OMG! You finally did a tour of one of the mid cockpit models! I had a look at one once. I *really* should have got it. I was crazy to walk away. XD

[@CruisingTheCut]

They are both peculiar and charming at the same time!

[@judithmatthews8460]

I rather liked the long sloping bow but I suppose all traditional canal lovers would reel back in horror. So sad the company couldn’t prosper but maybe not enough people prepared to be unhistoric!!

[@Random-rt5ec]

Pretty cool, “for those occasional sunny British days” that made me laugh, years ago I worked in Britain for a couple of months and recall so many roofs being covered with green moss/mold from all the rain.

[@puttputt357]

Hit the like before the ad ended because i know i'm going to like it just like all other Videos on this channel

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀😀

[@MarkDaniels1517]

This is a really interesting craft. It seems quite practical.

[@mikecrawford7352]

That is a very unusual design. I rather like it. I like the idea that you are midway thru the boat with the helm. The canopy and windscreen gives you options. I would add a backup camera and a forward facing one as well. I do like the layout with the engine in the rear and captains quarters in the forward deck. Another great video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@layalabi1667]

Gosh! What a great design! Thanks for the video! 😊😊😊

[@xIDarkSideIx]

😍love these little boats they look so cosy !!

[@robsin2810]

Me thought for one moment, you were going to buy one.🤪🤪🇦🇺👍🙏

[@andrewthornegeo]

It reminds me of the boats that, if I remember correctly - I was a child back then, were called Dartline Frobisher class. They had a central helm as well as a rear tiller and a sliding centre roof section. I've seen one in the background of your videos before. We rented a couple from Norbury Junction back in the 1970s called Abel Tasman and Ernest Shackleton.

[@dmcarpenter2470]

David: This is a lovely midweek surprise. Thank you.

[@sonorasky3982]

Quirky cute! 😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

I think so too!

[@frankquevedo6001]

Like Mr. Wooden’1954 commented, Mr. John’s I never tire of your vlogs! They’re GREAT FUN TO WATCH!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks!

[@patbloomfield888]

Better looking than other canal boats, appear more practical.

[@Rovinman]

You find the most UNUSUAL boats, David ! Well done on another GREAT find ! I was disappointed at the end though, when you were describing, another one ""FOR SALE", I was convinced you were going to say, ......... ""WELL I BOUGHT IT !"" My hopes were DASHED, as you offered it to the viewers ! Ah Well, Never mind, ........ I'll still follow you in Twiggy ! Stay Afloat ! Stu xx

[@JeghedderThomas]

Those are briliant, charming and practical. Aluminium is a wonderful material, I quite fancy one of these.

[@glencrandall7051]

Great review, as always. Interesting boat. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@carlthor91]

David, another wonderful video. I'm surprised the company failed. Trying to get a new aluminum sailboat these days is a +2 year wait, at the best. Best wishes from Northern Canada.

[@bosse641]

Lovely boats. ....but I like the second one more. 🙂 I could live in that full time.

[@marvindebot3264]

It's large enough for one and a dog or two, yes.

[@Boating_David]

I was about to comment on there's two in my area but you found one right at the end !

[@russchapman2281]

Another great video David, thanks for popping down the island again, ill have to see what else weve got, we do have an all electric boat on its way and a lovely dutch barge style narrowboat that i think you saw when you were first down. Take care .Russ

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks Russ 😀

[@davidhanson2351]

Hello from Florida. Thanks again for another wonderful and informative video. Always look forward to one of your videos David.

[@Bee-ih5uy]

I like everything except for the slope (although I'll say Helen's layout makes more sense in that regard). Great video as always!

[@kevinmartin3859]

Thank you David i think a sea otter would be one of my wish for boats loved it

[@gregorykennedy6869]

Hoped I might prompt some interest when I posted about the seeming dearth of aluminium canal boats a number of weeks ago. Thanks David for a very interesting exploration of some of these examples, I think the most surprising thing about these particular craft, for the average cruiser, is that they are trailerable (to some extent). I think that the one with a small rear cockpit would benefit from a back rail around the wooden seats to prevent the obvious. Cheers from Oz

[@CruisingTheCut]

I hate to break it to you but this video was already in the works 🤣🤣

[@trapshooter594]

What could be better, cup of coffee, cheese sandwich and David doing another video 😂, I like the mid steering with a wheel. Interesting flooding the bottom part for ballast 🤔, maybe if you haven’t fixed the back end of your boat properly you could be using water as ballast 😂, well until your next upload 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

😳

[@Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living]

Our narrowboat is alaminium completly rust free and saves us a fortune having to keep taking it out every two or three years we never have to do it great boat a tab light on the steering but a pleasure and major cost save

[@McRocket]

These are the best looking narrow boats (to me, obviously) that I recall seeing. And I love that they are aluminium. Thank you for this. ☮

[@davel9130]

How fun. As someone who's about 185 cm tall, I think I'd likely prefer the primary cabin forward layout.

[@welcomedtragic]

I love this boat!! I saw it on the narrow boat pirate and it's so cool.

[@horstszibulski19]

You always hav some surprise up your sleeve, always surprise with a new attraction. These aluminium narrowboat clones are pretty interesting, as well as the layout goes and the technology also! Too bad that they are that rare...seems like a nice idea! 👍👍👍

[@tomtruesdale6901]

What a very interesting boat design. Really like the facts it is trailer able and water ballasted

[@hamshackleton]

Haven't seen those before. Nice boats.

[@MuzzleMike]

That is a very cool boat . I can see how it would go over well over here in the US .

[@Buck1954]

I'm in the states. I love the boat and designed one for myself for river excursions. I love the center cockpit design. My head was nearer the cockpit, easily available to all. I got the idea from Wooden Boat that used a tunnel drive system.

[@MishMash22]

Have been watching this channel since the lockdown and even though I've never been on the canal, I always come back. Brilliant video and the presenter has a great sense of humour! Thanks for the wonderful content.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@badfairy9554]

I think it's wonderful.

[@for.tax.reasons]

I love learning about these unique types of boats you always nose out for us! Thank u for sharing :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

My pleasure!

[@TWTexasA1]

An aluminum boat would save you quite a bit of money on fuel because it’s so much lighter than steel and also on maintenance because you don’t have to have the bottom of the boat painted and repainted on a regular basis….👍🏼👍🏼

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi guys, wow I think these are fantastic. I love the idea of two cabins wonderful few other half wants to go to bed early and you want to sit up watching TV you can without annoying the crap out of each other wonderful. Keep up the good work always enjoy the videos., Cliff from Australia

[@tonycamplin8607]

A really great little boat. The only downside that I can see is reaction between any steel fittings etc. and the aluminium.

[@Valkyrien04]

Such a cute design, I'd had it in my head that if I ever had the chance to get a narrowboat built I'd want something with a dutch barge style center mount cockpit, offset to allow a passage down one side of the boat, and a covered "patio" space on either end similar to this. Though I'd probably go for a reverse layout so I don't have the engine bits in the bedroom

[@Dyfhi]

Nice 1 David…

[@kentcostello5286]

She is a sharp looking narrow boat .

[@MaggiePrather]

I was wondering how you would get one of those boats into some of the canal tunnels! Now I know. Very interesting. And lets all give David 3 cheers for saying "aluminum" several times in the intro! David, you're a true broadcaster!

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

Nice boat! Like it, I do! Thanks for sharing!

[@longrider42]

Those solar battery banks, are great. I have a small one with solar panel I take with me when I go camping. To bad the company making these boats when under. They are unique looking.

[@RobMartin1ds]

Another pleasant interlude..... Otterly fascinating. I do wonder how different that might feel when under way. Probably not as finicky as the new yellow machine!!

[@mid-niteryders5523]

Very interest sting, thanks David.

[@glenmuir219]

I like that!!! A shame they're not building them anymore.

[@muffinhydra]

omg I love the design!

[@PKWeaver74]

Wow, really!? Each to their own I guess 🫣😉

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

Lovely vlog and yet again very interesting little boat. For its age looked great and very versatile. Keep them coming

[@barbarataylor1535]

Thank you David, this was very interesting.

[@sandbridgekid4121]

I can't tell you, David, how I look forward to these videos.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@greyshadow9498]

Love it! Though I'm not sure I fancy having to go outside on a cold morning to get me coffee 😉

[@tuvia4082]

Cool boat, thanks for sharing this David.

[@shirleylynch7529]

That was delightful. Thank you. Great boat.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@53Peterbilt]

Woah!! That folding windscreen is brilliant!! I might have to incorporate that into my own boat for a flybridge design.

[@GoldwingNorway]

A good video of rare boats. Aluminum is a good material to build from, but it is expensive, the reward is minimal maintenance over time. We use boats here in Norway made of aluminium, everything from small rowing boats to fast police boats/SAR etc.

[@t1n4444]

Recently a narrowboat was constructed of some sort of "polyplastic" as an experiment. I can't recall if it was constructed of recycled plastics so as to be as green as possible. I can't recall if it was to be electrically powered either. I gather the hull was a few inches thick and acted as self insulation. No need for blacking of course as hull was black plastic through and through so wouldn't corrode but would presume it would need anodes to protect prop and gear. No idea how plastic would cope with bumps and scrapes through locks in freezing weather, say. So, David, if ever you run out of projects (I jest of course) that plastic boat might be something to consider for a future episode. And, out of scholarly interest, the now resident engineer on the arm you used to moor at was nattering about hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. The quest for ever greener narrowboats continues slowly but surely. Another possible for future episodes ... should you find yourself looking for projects to cover ...

[@lucindawilson5510]

thanks again David

[@johnshaw4140]

Thanks David , another very interesting video

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@maryjnorwood3962]

I think it’s pretty cool. Thank you, David. ❤️🥰😎

[@dennismatthews6660]

Thank you. Again great story telling

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@MichaelAngleyPI]

It's cool, but I still prefer a conventional Narrowboat. That center steering area eats a lot of space. Narrowboats are more homey. Great vid as always David!

[@Turleyswheels]

wow very beautiful and interesting you really know how to pick your stuff love it ❤

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@scottgordon1781]

Seems very cool and I like the price :-) Thanks .

[@wrinklyrider]

You need an Otter!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Maybe!

[@GaryCSchade]

Super 👌 I'd like to have one of these on the Kenai River and Cook Inlet 💜🐻‍❄️💜

[@MrFroglips69]

Groovy episode.

[@Creekrock44]

Excellent review, I really enjoyed this . Living in NZ iv never seen a canalboat , this is great insight thanks , we missing out over here . What a way to travel.