Widebeam or Narrowboat: Which would you choose?
A most popular FAQ
Since launching our widebeam boat competition, one of our most frequently asked questions is whether we could build a narrowboat for the winner instead.
Considering we’re custom making the boat for the winner, we’re happy to make a narrowboat for the winner should they have a preference for a smaller vessel.
We believe that boats are a very personal choice, which is one of the reasons why we’re offering a custom build prize. We’ll make the boat to suit the winners lifestyle, preferences and personality!
We’ve loved living on a widebeam, and all of our previous narrowboats, so we definitely see the charm in both options. Each can suit a different lifestyle choice.
Whether you’d love a widey or a narrow, we’re going to explore the merits of each.
Some people choose a widebeam because…
- A widebeam boat has a similar feel to a house or flat, only it floats!
- Spacious and roomy with lots of storage space
- Widebeams feel very stable in the water and don’t wobble around when walking around
- There’s space for separate rooms with partitions
- Lots of space on the stern and bow for some alfresco dining and socialising
- They’re great to cruise on the river, because the rivers are vast wide open spaces generally occupied with bigger boats
- Bigger water tank (longer showers!)
- More roof space for extra solar panels and storage
- It’s a popular choice for families
- Bigger parties!
Some people choose a narrowboat because…
- Narrowboats up to 57ft long can fit along the whole of the UK’s canal network
- Some locks fit 2 narrowboats at the same time – great for cruising chit chats with fellow boaters
- They’re nimble to manoeuvre and easier to solo cruise
- Being charming and cosy, narrowboats really feel like a boat
- They can double moor in busy parts of the canals
- An annual CRT licence fee is lower for narrowboats
- Marina mooring fees are cheaper with a narrowboat
And then there’s campervans, but that’s a conversation for another day!
Which would you choose?
