Narrowboat Side Cloths
Custom narrowboat side cloths and panels. Extend your cover protection with matching side panels. 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.
Narrowboat Side Cloths
Side cloths hang along the side of the narrowboat between the gunwale and the waterline, protecting the hull sides from rope chafe, debris, and minor collisions at canal locks. They also provide a degree of privacy at waterside moorings. While simpler than cratch covers or tonneaus, properly fitted side cloths make a significant difference to how well-protected a narrowboat feels at its mooring.
Standard Side Cloth Dimensions
Side cloths are typically 300–400mm deep and run the full length of the boat between bow and stern fixtures. They attach to the gunwale rail or top rail using press studs at regular intervals, with a weighted bottom hem to hang straight. The depth can be varied to suit different boat profiles — narrowboats with high freeboards benefit from deeper cloths that provide better splash protection at locks.
Materials
Marine PVC is the standard material for narrowboat side cloths: its stiffness means it hangs well and sheds water easily. Acrylic canvas is an option but tends to flap more in the wind when not weighted correctly. Both materials are available in all standard colours. We can match the colour of your existing cratch cover or other canvas if continuity across the boat's cover set is important to you.
Narrowboat side cloths from £289 per side. Full sets (both sides) from £449. No VAT. Get a free quote or read about our cratch covers and narrowboat tonneaus.
Ready to Order?
UK Boat Covers provides free quotes on all covers. To request yours, contact us with your boat's make, model, and the type of cover you need. If you have an existing cover to copy, use our postal copy service: remove your cover, post it to our Carterton, Oxfordshire workshop, and we'll return a new one in your chosen material within six working days. Your original is returned in the same parcel. No VAT is charged on any order.
We are a family-run business with over ten years of experience making bespoke covers for UK boat owners on rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal waters. All covers carry our guarantee of accurate fit and quality marine-grade workmanship. View our full price guide or browse covers for specific boat types at our boat types page.
