Whats the difference between a narrow boat and a canal boat?

Whats the difference between a narrow boat and a canal boat?

The standard beam of a narrowboat is usually around 6ft 10ins, but it is never more than seven feet. Canal boats come in all shapes and sizes, but a narrowboat’s modest beam of around 6ft 10in (just over two metres) will enable you to explore the entire UK inland waterways network.

What are the types of canal boats?

The Various Types Of Canal Boat You Will Encounter On The…

• The traditional narrowboat.
• Semi-traditional narrowboats.
• Cruisers.
• Tugs.
• Wide-beam boats.
• Dutch barges.
• The realms of the bizarre.

Do canal boats have toilets?

Narrowboat Toilet Systems – Pump-Out Toilets. In its most basic form, the pump-out toilet is a conventional toilet which sits on top of a stainless steel tank. If you want to transfer your waste to the steel box, you need to open a flap between the toilet and the reservoir.

How much diesel does a narrowboat use?

Typically, a narrowboat will achieve diesel consumption in the area of 1 to 1.5 litres per hour. If you work on an average of 1.3 litres per hour then you won’t actually be too far off.

Is buying a canal boat a good investment?

A narrowboat, or a widebeam boat should be considered as a second home from home, or, perhaps even as a new primary home for some buyers. The purchase of a narrowboat is indeed a large investment, however it’s an investment for your future, with happier and more peaceful times ahead.

How big are narrowboat water tanks?

An average size would be around 500l capacity but with advances in shell design and the requirements of customers used to baths and washing machines, 1000l tanks are not uncommon. For maintenance, a sealed access hatch is usually cut into the top of tank, which is usually the foredeck.

Where do canal boats dump sewage?

The Cassette Toilet/Porta Potti Emptying stations are dotted along the canals so it’s just a case of locating them, mooring up as close as possible, carrying your cassette (which separates from the unit) and emptying the waste into the hole beneath the stainless steel doors.

Is it cheaper to live on a narrowboat?

Living in a narrowboat can be cheaper in terms of bills due to the reduced energy consumption. However, there are a number of costs you need to consider; fuel. heating, cooking and toilet emptying. The boat’s main electrical system will be run off batteries which are re-charged when the engine is running – as in a car.

How long are English narrowboats?

The maximum length is about 72 feet (21.95 m), which matches the length of the longest locks on the system. Modern narrowboats tend to be shorter, to permit cruising anywhere on the connected network of British canals — including on canals built for wider, but shorter, boats.

Do you need a Licence for a narrowboat?

Pleasure licences are a requirement which cover the majority of narrowboat users on the inland waterways. Interestingly, there are options to choose which depend upon your narrow boats size, use and location.

Is it expensive to live on a canal boat?

‘Yes’ for most people. Although I often describe narrowboating as being either a very expensive hobby or a very cheap way of life. Sure moorings can be expensive, as can Waterway Licences, not to mention the initial cost of buying a narrowboat and kitting it out to be suitable for living aboard.

How big does a canal boat have to be?

Canal boats come in all shapes and sizes, but a narrowboat’s modest beam of around 6ft 10in (just over two metres) will enable you to explore the entire UK inland waterways network. The reason for this is that a craft of greater width would be unable to fit through the network’s narrower locks and bridges.

Why is a canal boat called a narrowboat?

The canal boat started its life in Britain, where it is still to this day called a narrowboat, so called because the boat is designed to navigate narrow man-made canals. Because British canals are narrow man-made stretches of water they tend to be straight and shallow in depth.

Where can I learn more about canal boats?

In the meantime, you can learn more about narrowboats and the UK’s inland network, by visiting the CRT’s excellent website: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.

How big was a packet boat on the Erie Canal?

Packet boats came in different sizes, but the most common size was 60-80 feet long by just over 14 feet wide. All featured the same basic accommodations: a multipurpose room which served as lounge, dining room, and sleeping room (with a curtain to separate the ladies and men), and a kitchen.