Narrowboat Cratch Covers
Bespoke narrowboat cratch covers from £429. Protect your bow area. Post your old cover for exact copy. No VAT.
Why Choose UK Boat Covers?
- No VAT - save 20% compared to VAT-registered competitors
- 6-day turnaround from booking
- Marine-grade PVC and Acrylic fabrics
- Postal copy service - post your old cover, we copy it exactly
- UK-wide service - we deliver anywhere in the United Kingdom
- Family-run business with personal service
- 4.9/5 customer rating from 127+ reviews
Our Services
- Full boat canopy - from £495
- Tonneau cover - from £289
- Cockpit cover - from £263
- Cratch cover - from £329
- Repairs - from £90
Popular Boat Models
We make bespoke covers for 170+ boat models including:
Get a Free Quote
Contact Ryan at UK Boat Covers for a free, no-obligation quote. We serve boat owners across the entire United Kingdom via our postal copy service.
Get a free quote | View our prices | Learn about our postal service
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you make covers for narrowboats and canal boats?
Yes, we specialize in custom covers for narrowboats including full-length tonneau covers, cabin covers, cratch covers, and bimini tops. We serve all UK inland waterways including the Grand Union, Oxford, and Leeds-Liverpool canals.
How much does a narrowboat cover cost?
Narrowboat cover pricing depends on length, coverage type, and fabric choice. Cratch covers and small sections start from around £250, with full-length tonneau covers priced individually. Send your old cover for an exact quote. No VAT charged.
What's the best material for a canal boat cover?
For narrowboats, we recommend either marine-grade acrylic (breathable, UV-resistant) or heavy-duty PVC (fully waterproof). Acrylic suits summer use, while PVC is better for winter storage. Both withstand UK canal conditions.
Can you copy my existing narrowboat cover?
Yes, we copy existing narrowboat covers exactly. Post your old cover to us and we'll create an identical replacement with improved materials and fasteners where needed. 6-day turnaround, UK-wide postal service.
Everything About Narrowboat Cratch Covers
The cratch area — the triangular bow section of a narrowboat between the bow deck and the cratch board — is one of the most exposed parts of any canal boat. On boats moored in the open, rain enters from both sides; on boats travelling in wet weather, spray and wash come from ahead. A well-fitted cratch cover keeps this space dry, reducing damp at the bow end of the saloon and protecting equipment stored under the cratch.
Design Options
Most cratch covers consist of two or three panels: a main top panel following the triangular profile from the cratch board to the bow rail, and one or two side panels that drop down to close off the open sides. Clear vinyl windows are fitted to the front-facing panel for helmsman visibility when backing into a lock. Zips allow sections to be opened independently. All attachment is via press studs to the cratch board and bow rail.
Cratch Boards
If your cratch board is damaged, warped, or missing, we also supply replacement cratch boards custom-cut to your bow profile. A new cratch board is the foundation for a properly fitting cratch cover, so it's worth replacing both together if the board is in poor condition.
Ordering Process
Post your existing cratch cover to us for an exact copy. If you have no existing cover, send photographs of the bow showing the cratch board profile and the bow rail positions — this gives us enough information to produce an accurate first cover for most standard narrowboat configurations. From £429. No VAT. Get a free quote.
