I Do Canals Blog - Different Types of Canal Boat

Different Types of Canal Boat

The main types are: Traditional, Semi-Traditional (Semi Trad), Cruiser, Wide Beam and Tugs,

Below is a description of each...

The Traditional

Historically, this boat type was made for maximum cargo with as little wasted space as possible. So a small stern of about 2 to 3 feet in depth, just enough to stand and steer.
A traditional (trad) would be anything from 40 feet to 70 feet in length. The longer boats were restricted to canals with locks that could handle them. There are several canals that simply cannot take boats over 57 feet in length. For example, the Leeds Liverpool Canal is limited to 63' 6" at the Greenberfield Locks and even less on the Leigh Branch.

The Semi Traditional (Semi Trad)

Basically a hybrid of the 'Cruiser' and the 'Traditional'. The stern deck is a little larger plus there is usually a walled roofless section between the stern deck and the cabin entrance. This is a great spot to have a few chairs or benches where fellow passengers can sit and enjoy the cruising and chat with the steersman.

Many Semi Trad's have a covering called a 'Pram Hood'. These very often have transparent section for cruising in the rain. However, they are often too high to pass under some bridges. It's well to check headroom before setting off so that you can lower the hood when required. The pram hood also provides a dry storage area for logs or other winter fuel.

Very often, the 'Cockpit' or well deck is larger than the Traditional boat. In almost all canal boats, the cockpit has a 'Cratch Locker'. This is a very good use of the space in the very front of the bow. Often used to store gas cylinders and or coal or ropes, hoses and various other items.

The Cruiser

Usually a large stern deck,sometimes 2 metres or more and very often with a safety rail left, right and at the rear. The cockpit can also be enlarged and rather like the pram hood, the cockpit can have a removable cover, also with transparent sections. These can be an excellent place for 'Live-Aboard's' to keep plants safer from the winter weather.

Lot's of holiday canal boats are cruisers. They are popular because they offer the Narrow Boat experience but with that extra outdoor space to enjoy the scenery and weather.

The Widebeam

Narrowboats are no more than 6' 10" wide. This is so they can navigate all the canals in England, Wales and Scotland. As the canal network grew, wider canals were constructed. Canals like the Aire and Calder Navigation which is 61 miles in length has a minimum beam (width) 16: 6" (at the River Aire).

Most Widebeam's are betwen 10 feet to 14 feet wide. However, anything over 7' 1" is considered a widebeam. They offer a much larger living space but are not able to cruise the entire canal network. Cruising between the southern and northern ends of the network is not possible without lifting your Widebeeam out of the water and transporting by lorry from one end of the network to another. There are several canals in the UK that has has a maximum beam of 7 feet prohibiting Widebeam's.

The two canals that connect the North and South 'The Grand Union (Leicester Line)' and the 'Oxford Canal' both have beams that are down to 7 feet wide.

There are many 'Narrow Canals' that are no more than 7 feet wide at the locks, hence the term 'Narrowboat'.

The Tug

Usually not much larger than 50 feet, the tug often has a long and low front deck underneath of which, the engine can be found. Historical tugs that have been modernised, very often have a low ceiling over the bedroom. The image here is of an historical Tug called Hector owned by Armada Boat Hire.