Narrowboat Sizes Guide
Guide to narrowboat sizes and beam widths. How size affects your cover requirements and pricing.
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.
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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.
How Narrowboat Size Affects Cover Choice
Narrowboats range in length from around 30ft (the minimum for comfortable cruising) to 72ft (the maximum length that fits all standard UK locks). Width is standardised at approximately 6ft 10in (2.08m) — hence the name narrowboat. Within this range, there are significant variations that affect cover design and cost.
Shorter Narrowboats (30–45ft)
Shorter narrowboats are more common as second or leisure boats and are easier to single-hand through locks. Cover requirements are the same as longer boats but at lower cost — a cratch cover and tonneau for a 40ft boat will cost significantly less than one for a 70ft boat simply because less material is required. Cratch covers from £429, full tonneaus from £649 for shorter boats.
Standard Cruising Narrowboats (55–65ft)
The most common length for private narrowboats is 55–65ft. This fits all UK canals and most rivers while providing sufficient living space for extended cruising. Tonneaus for this length range typically use three sections. Prices for this size range from £759 for a full tonneau set.
Full-Length Narrowboats (66–72ft)
The maximum lock length in the UK is 72ft. Full-length narrowboats provide maximum living space but are limited to wider canals and rivers. Tonneau sets for this length require four sections. Cratch covers and stern covers are sized the same regardless of length. Full tonneau sets for 66–72ft boats from £949. Get a free quote for your narrowboat's exact length.
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.
