324. What are brand new luxury narrowboats like inside?

Join me on detailed tours through three brand new luxury liveaboard narrowboats, one widebeam, two cabin cruisers and a narrowboat for hire, all at the BoatLife show 2024!
Prices: They're all custom-built so price will depend on what you spec. Typically you'll pay from maybe £150,000 upwards for a new narrowboat now, maybe £175k for a widebeam (but they can be zero VAT if for liveaboard use and meet certain criteria)
See also the live broadcast I did from the show, at kzbin.info3zqsT0dKSK8
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@CruisingTheCut]

PRICES: They're all custom-built so price will depend on what you spec. Typically you'll pay from maybe £150,000 upwards for a new narrowboat now, maybe £175k for a widebeam (but they can be zero VAT if for liveaboard use and meet certain criteria). The first boat in the video was approx £200,000. See also the live broadcast I did from the show, at kzbin.info3zqsT0dKSK8

[@karlfriedrich7758]

That wide beam looks larger than most apartments and probably cheaper too. I could absolutely imagine living in this instead of a cramped London apartment! Was very nicely appointed inside, quite modern.

[@steveschlackman4503]

This is in the price range of a new US Class A RV. Class A's are the ones that look like buses on the outside. One advantage of a narrowboat over a US RV is no crashes at 65 mph. Class A prices go up to over one million USD.

[@rfmlets6713]

What is the depreciation on that after 10 years?

[@mzimmerman1988]

that price is surprisingly reasonable.

[@t1n4444]

​@@rfmlets6713 A fair point. And difficult to pin down. Currently some narrowboats are increasing in value as the cost of bricks and mortar homes exceeds what home buyers can afford. There is, as we all know, the possibility of mortgage interest rates rising. (When I bought my first property interest rates were around 11% and rose, for part of one day, yes part of one day, to 14%. That said around that time I got a 21% pay rise. Mad times.) Ergo nobody really knows (How could they?) where the price of narrowboats will go.

[@rhodaborrocks1654]

I'm fortunate in that I can look at nice things I'll never have and still appreciate them, so I enjoyed watching that, thanks !!

[@normfredriksen1381]

Wow. The wide beams are a virtual mansion!

[@tomlambert1833]

Old Canadian here. 😊

[@ErstO1]

Do they fit through the locks ?

[@cbcdesign001]

@@ErstO1 They fit through the wide locks which can take two narrow boats side by side but cruising is more restricted on wide beam.

[@pistonburner6448]

@@ErstO1 There's only one way to find out!! Buy one and go for it!

[@raymondcasso7966]

​@@cbcdesign001so they are 12ft wide?

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

I took my first trip in the very early '70's. And from that summer then till my dad passed away in 2006, it was narrowboating holidays every year. And as an angler, I loved them. Moor up at night. 1 hours fishing before dinner. Eat, wash up and then fish till it was dark. Get up early in the morning without waking the rest of the family up and it was fishing once again. The only caveat that my mum insisted on was if she found a maggot had escaped, then no more maggots as bait! _Not one maggot escaped! I made sure of that!_ We even had a holiday in Easter one year. And bl00dy freezing it was too. The canal would be frozen over in the morning. We even went on the River Nene too and being in the top bunk, I woke up one morning and I couldn't move my left arm. My pijama top was frozen to window. _Things,_ 50+ years ago, were certainly not as luxurious as they are now with central heating, washing machines and even a replacement for me! A built in dishwasher _(Geewhiz... Imagine how much more time I could have spent fishing back then?)._ EDIT Silly me. great video. It actually brings back some great, and frozen, memories en if they were touched by a tinge of sadness.

[@t1n4444]

😂😂 These days if ladies are aboard they almost always manage to have a ballbearing dishwater to hand ...

[@fungusdread1940]

❤

[@DeanDayton-gk6le]

Thank you for your heartfelt story.

[@ToeKnee666]

I bought a canal boat in 2004, it was an ex share barge so had seen alot of different usage, some folk maintained it, others blasted it everywhere, I put around 20 grand into her, painted her British racing green, fresh brass all round! Still own it. Take the kids twice a year, get the little sods using brasso, and breaking their little arms with the windlass's . Wolverhampton 21 and black country is home to the countries most beautiful sights

[@swansox]

Interesting to see the range of options. Two sinks in the bathroom of the wide beam seems downright indulgent. Thanks, as always, for the entertainment!

[@martindindos9009]

I've never got the idea of 2 sinks in one bathroom. Unless you have 2 kids who must do everything together.

[@yepiratesworkshop7997]

Yep. Even in a house it makes little sense.@@martindindos9009

[@SinkyYT]

Yeah pretty silly. I'd rather see it used for more storage space.

[@FarmerFpv]

For couples. Husband and wife. You guys must be single. I love two sinks where we can both get ready together in the morning and before bed. Saves time when heading out for the day. Especially if you have kids. Never knew two sinks were indulging Most homes have two sinks.

[@t1n4444]

😂😂😂😂 But not in dear old Blighty! Some properties still have an "outdoor lavy". Plus a bathroom may be an extension off the kitchen with a lobby to allow for two doors. And bloody cold they can be too. Plus they can come with built in mould. Recently we read of a respiratory condition resulting from mould spores which contributed to the death of a youngster. Living on an older narrowboat is not necessarily a rural aquatic idyll. Top Tip: avoid buying an old hire boat, no insulation and very possibly a wet bilge into which all the grey water ends up. You then become very, very reliant on a bilge pump. Wet bilge could end up with boat smelling like a drain. Modern boats much better designed in the hygiene department but you still depend on ventilation fans and water pumps.

[@gordonchapman222]

I especially loved the Stargazer. The extra long hatch and fully framed well deck are fantastic. I wouldn't be surprised if more builders copy these, hopefully with their own variations. This is what a boat show is all about - evolution of design. One thing I want to add... I visited the boat myself and I must say the camera makes the boat look a lot more spacious.

[@dmikelyn]

Good to hear from you again!!

[@dukebracton6077]

Thank you for the walk thrus. I do like the layout with the bedroom up front.

[@holly-go-lightly]

Informative & well presented. Thank you David for another look into boating life on the canals.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Thank you David for a very well edited and presented overview of these new boat offerings. Very interesting. 👍😀

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Another great video David, thank you for taking us along for the tours of the boats.

[@mikem201]

Thank you for the tours, so many options for the modern narrow boater.

[@12799MaDeuce]

Thanks for the tour, really neat to see so many different options and layouts side by side. Hiring a boat for an extended vacation is definitely on my bucket list.

[@t1n4444]

Suggest hiring a few boats for long weekends and short midweek breaks with different outfitting, so to speak. Would suggest if you're a "sociable boater" then go for cruiser stern as a trad' stern can be quite lonely as the crew disport themselves (with the drink) all over the well deck ... about 60 ft away. If you're lucky they might remember to yell "boooaaaat" at the appropriate moment.

[@rogersimpson9197]

Love to see it , brings back happy memories, from touring there at Nairn & Inverness .

[@markwhitcher2138]

Always interesting and enjoyable.

[@SheplerStudios]

I never tire of your humorous take on things David, never get too serious!

[@Sm-iw2vh]

The wide beams seem so liveable, if you had permanent moorings in a nice spot it seems a genuine alternative to house/flat living in real comfort.

[@MrCSutton]

There are a few people doing just that in our marina. They can never use the boats to cruise as we're on a narrow canal (ie the locks are only 7 feet wide), but they make lovely homes.

[@2KXMKR]

There are perma-moorings at Parbold on the Leeds & Liverpool with, last time I was there, two widebeams and one narrow with huge gardens. It seems like such a luxury lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. I do wonder how they went about it, whether they bought or rent the land, and the CRT must have been involved in some way to allow the moorings.

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Very interesting and, as always, very well presented--thanks, David! Two chuckles from your "Quick, somebody send in this registration!" quips.

[@paulpalmer7353]

Lovely build quality. Thanks for the coverage. Very interesting as always

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jpaulrice]

That was fun and interesting, thank you, David

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

Interesting as always David…keep them coming,,,

[@nilo70]

Thank you David for taking me along with you today ! I always enjoy your videos. Cheers From California 😎

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@lucindawilson5510]

Always worthwhile thanks again David...Mindblowing wow.

[@petermastenbroek7719]

Thanks a lot for thid beautifully filmed guided tourDavid, I sometimes had the impression that I was standing next to you. Really very well - and of course as usually professionally done 👍👍👍.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😀

[@stevegeorge6479]

Great to look around the the boats 👍

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this

[@ladygardener100]

Fab photography and narrative, wd David

[@randysneep]

Fascinating to tour various narrow boats.

[@leedavies3629]

Cheers Dave thanks for the tour Top vlog as always have a top week 🙂🎥🎤✌️

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video interesting to watch.

[@hughs591]

Very nice, gosh, what luxury on some of the craft !

[@hughcarson6837]

Enjoyed the vlog, interesting to see the range of internal layouts.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Beautiful boats. The wide beam was something else. Wow. Thanks David for showing these to us.

[@stephendavey329]

Excellent presentation and commentary.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@marleneyoung6575]

I love boat show tours of the boats. Coming from Fort Lauderdale, Florida our boat shows are the largest in the world with everything from a 20 footer to 250 ft Mega Ships. So much fun walking through them. Thanks for the tour of the little canal boats.

[@CruisingTheCut]

In that case you might enjoy also my recent video from the Southampton Boat Show!

[@davidhudson5452]

Looks nice David

[@Samstagskind]

It was interesting, indeed. Thank you so much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tuvia4082]

Thanks David, nice reviews. I thought the first one was the best but probably the most expensive in the narrow boat group. Stay safe out there.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers!

[@clearprop]

Thanks for this, David. A superbly documented summary of some very interesting boats. Anyone would think you were a pro. 😉

[@Rottingboards]

Thanks for the video.

[@markrund6292]

…maybe a third. Love your humor.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😉

[@janebrown3587]

@@CruisingTheCut ahahahahaa! Love your reaction here 👍

[@mattstephens6432]

Freaky-deeky

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks David 😊

[@Timcanniff311]

Very cool before I discovered your channel didn’t know these existed but have been intrigued by canal boats ever since, the first one was my favorite

[@CruisingTheCut]

Welcome aboard!

[@Conflictofinterest902]

I love these kinds of videos. Brilliant.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@wallyclark1895]

Very informative!

[@dennislindenpellinge]

Thank You ! 😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're welcome!

[@victorfebo2672]

Love it! Thank you for sharing. Cheers from Puerto Rico.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@grayfool]

You're always interesting David

[@lilitharam44]

Beautiful! Thank you so much for showing us all those great boats! One day we'd love to come over for a Summer and visit the canals. Until then, Love from Memphis, TN~

[@send2georgie_S2G]

Thanks for the video! I like the Stargazer design best. Cheers 😊✌🏻

[@txfotog]

Lots of different styles for different needs. Good stuff!

[@sidneybowerman558]

Great production video David. Now I am green with financial envy, and wishing I was half my age 😀😀

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thanks lee

[@recycle343]

Thank you, the headed towel rack wood be nice. If I were building a house I wood have one built in.

[@deltavee2]

Always good to hear from you again, David. I really enjoyed your coverage of the show and I was quite taken with the larger of the river boats. I could use one of those in Eastern Ontario's lake, canal and river systems. Cheerio from the Great White North.

[@gafrers]

Lovely tours. The first narrow boat and the Viking25 were my favorites. The Widebeam of course it's great but it's too big

[@RBarnett421]

I would love one of these boats in Canada, the canals and lakes through bobcageon through Muskoka would be magical, might get tense on the bigger lakes

[@gregbolitho9775]

Nice goin David, not to bad for this new stuff.

[@chorleycake7942]

The wide beam is stunning.

[@mw0lge]

very nice all of them. Need to win the lottery now. Cheers.

[@AnnetteCarolanFourie]

This is a lovely way of life for your Country very nice indeed

[@ironsam2381]

thats it! im moving to the UK. Its mind blowing that yall got water roads to go everywhere! im so jealous

[@KangoV]

It's what powered the industrial revolution :)

[@ashotofmercury]

Water roads!! 😆🤣

[@alplatt6705]

Would definitely like more new boat tours

[@free2roam674]

Agreed, I am presently in the Philippines but who cares, I love watching everything about the canal system in the UK.

[@joycefischer2761]

Beautiful

[@alexroy2928]

I really enjoyed watching your videos

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@ppo2424]

Im buying one in a year or so, second hand, this gives me ideas for upgrades.

[@raybame5816]

Very nicely done thank you. I always enjoy looking at new boats so I can go home and appreciate my 14 year old used, but totally fine for me, boat. But it is fun to look.

[@janebrown3587]

Oh my gosh - that first one was brilliantly designed.Those integrated solar panels - yes! All the newer canal boats are great, but that first one's use of space - whoa FABULOUS! The power boat - not so much. Lots of hob and oven space for which you'd presumably use pots and pans, but only a creepy little spit-sink to use for washing them? That's a big NOPE for me. The wide boat is the size for DH and my wide bodies, lol 😂 Thanks as always David - so many of us in other countries live the canal life vicariously through you. Thoroughly enjoyable always! ❤

[@davidbagley1783]

Wow...very nice David

[@myhillslife27]

WOW! that widebeam is huge! I would feel I was floating around in all the space, plus heating and cleaning.. Maybe good for a family, but very handsome

[@bilbp41]

Very interesting thank you

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kevinkohler2750]

Those widebeams just seem enormous inside!

[@bruceyoung1343]

I sure love the space of a wide beam but I know limited to locks can use. I thoroughly enjoyed the video of the show. Hope all is well with your brick & mortar home

[@HarryP457]

The kitchen in the wide beam is indeed bigger than our old galley style kitchen in the house we lived in for almost 30 years.

[@123gazs]

looks great

[@steveschlackman4503]

The magic moving tv is on a televator in US RV language.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I love that 🤣

[@steveschlackman4503]

A word probably made up by a marketing genius.

[@logicalChimp]

Televator? that's both brilliant and horrific at the same time :D

[@billwendell6886]

Redneck language....from a guy who lives in a superwide...trailer

[@MegaGzusTube]

Another fantastic and interesting episode. Thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Matt-kl1pg]

I like the little yellow one in the closing shot the best

[@petesmith8362]

Very interesting indeed!

[@LWJCarroll]

Thanks, it made me think “tiny home” layout and design using these canal boats- narrow boats. Laurie. NZ. 😊

[@jamesboardman7048]

Straight to the point presentation. Wish American boat and RV you tube presentations didn't think it's necessary to ramble on

[@MackemdownsouthF.T.M]

I work on these everyday as an Upholsterer... lovely 🙌🙌

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

Love the wide beam, I could live happily on that one.

[@wombatone5577]

Thank’s David , I enjoyed that. Best not to mention money, takes the fun out of it. Cheers!

[@seanym67]

Dishwasher may seem like a luxury but it's essential if you're looking to save on water consumption. I'm putting one in a bus I'm building and it only uses 1.5 gallons for 7 place settings.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Depends on your use. As a single person, I can wash my dishes and cutlery with far less water than a machine.

[@jeffebdy]

I live as frugally as possible. I wash up in cold water, just enough to cover a plate & the grey water goes down the loo 🙂​@@CruisingTheCut

[@stevenrix7024]

@@CruisingTheCutNot to mention: far more frequently!

[@sarahwatters5264]

I'd love you're recommendation on a model please?

[@omviuvenitlalumina]

maybe eat from paper plates

[@jamesellsworth9673]

I feel that a wide-beam boat would get me to wherever I needed to go. Watching your videos will do the rest.

[@MrSheckstr]

From what ive seen from videos, wide beams confine you to either the northern or southern portion of the river Trust because they cannot fit into any of the connecting canals between….. you have to have your widebeam shipped north and south and rewetted ….. ive often wondered why no one has proposed widening 2-3 of the connecting canals

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Cost... mainly resource consents... new bridges, tunnels, locks???@@MrSheckstr

[@colinstewart173]

Except it won’t because you are very restricted on where you can travel with a widebeam on the cut

[@pearlcarmichael622]

Love the wide bearth steel narrow boat the best

[@Debba521]

Oh good, the juicy bits. Thank you for the good look see through the boats! While I appreciate the space afforded by the widebeam, I still would never go for that. Just doesn't have the coziness of a narrowboat. Winced at the dishwasher. I don't even have one in my home! Mine is a very small kitchen, praps built for Hobbits. 😊

[@EmmaCruises]

I have no idea what you said, but I like how you said it! 🤣🤣🤣 This is so mind blowing to me, can't believe how nice these are inside, I'd love my house to be 1/10th as nice. 😂😅

[@CruisingTheCut]

I didn't realise I was that incomprehensible 🤣🤣

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Love that shower !!! ❤❤❤❤

[@scottsatterthwaite4073]

I must say, I truly miss your narrowboat excursions.

[@bumblebee-mygt867]

The first narrow boat was my favorite

[@michael769senett8]

Well done

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ta

[@jmd1743]

Alot of inspiration for tiny homes.

[@fredturk6447]

Always thought the reverse layout with either semi trad or cruiser stern was the best layout. Great to see these new boats built that way. Thanks for the viewing.

[@lukedaniel7669]

I think semi trad is much better for the steerer, you're more protected from the elements and there's still space for other people to sit. Cruiser sterns are held to be more sociable but when the weather is rubbish everyone else will be inside and you're stuck out with no protection at all. It's no wonder I see so many steerers wrapped up apparently for the Arctic.

[@JeghedderThomas]

Stargazer has a delicious well-deck, I've never seen such luxury on a narrow-boat before.

[@adriansowden138]

a great vid thanks

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-eb4ve7dy9r]

Very good thank you. Xx

[@debwandler9170]

A dishwasher, yes. Probably save water. Nice boats!

[@MrFroglips69]

Groovy episode. I love it when you do boat shows. You are so good at it.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks so much!

[@t1n4444]

​@@CruisingTheCut And all the other shows too. I still have a very hard job putting up with fact you aren't, as yet, featuring on MSM TV. I would suggest nobody, rpt nobody, gets close when it comes to your work featuring British waterways. Nobody.