Narrowboat Length: What Size Boat Is Best for You?

If you’re thinking about buying or hiring a narrowboat, one of the first things you’ll probably wonder is: how long should my boat be?

Narrowboats come in all sorts of lengths, from compact boats around 30ft long to much bigger 70ft+ boats. And while it might be tempting to go for the biggest boat you can afford, bigger isn’t always better — especially when you’re trying to navigate some of the UK’s tighter canals and locks!

So, what size narrowboat is right for you? Let’s take a look.

How long is a typical narrowboat?

Most narrowboats are somewhere between 40ft and 70ft long, although you’ll find boats outside this range.

As a rough guide:

• 30–40ft – Small and easy to handle
• 40–50ft – Compact but comfortable
• 50–60ft – A popular all-round size
• 60–70ft – Spacious and capable of travelling much of the network
• 70ft+ – Large boats with plenty of living space, but more restrictions

The ideal length really depends on how you plan to use your boat.

30–40ft narrowboats – Small but perfectly formed

If you’re looking for something easy to handle, a boat around 30–40ft could be a great option.

These smaller boats are particularly appealing if you’re new to boating. They’re generally easier to manoeuvre, easier to turn around and can access more of the canal network.

The downside? Space.

You’ll have to be a bit clever with your storage and interior layout. A 35ft boat isn’t going to give you the same amount of room as a 65-footer.

That said, if you’re planning weekend trips or shorter holidays, a smaller boat can be a lot of fun without feeling like you’re constantly trying to manage a floating house!

40–50ft – A great compromise

A narrowboat around 40–50ft gives you a little more room without becoming difficult to handle.

You can usually fit a decent bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, although the exact layout will obviously make a big difference.

This can be a particularly good size for couples or small families who want to spend longer periods on board.

It’s also worth remembering that a shorter boat will generally be easier to find moorings for, which can be a big advantage if you’re planning to live aboard.

50–60ft – The popular all-rounder

If you’re looking for a boat that offers a good balance between space and cruising flexibility, 50–60ft is worth considering.

There’s enough room for a comfortable interior, while the boat remains manageable on most waterways.

A 55ft or 57ft narrowboat is a popular choice for a reason. You get plenty of living space without making the boat excessively long.

For many people, this is the sweet spot.

60–70ft – More room, more restrictions

Once you get into the 60–70ft range, things start getting interesting.

A 65ft narrowboat can provide a surprisingly spacious interior. There’s room for bigger bedrooms, more storage, larger kitchens and even features such as fixed dinettes or additional sleeping areas.

The trade-off is that you need to pay more attention to where you can cruise.

Some canals and locks simply aren’t long enough for larger boats, and winding holes (places where you can turn the boat around) can become more of a consideration.

If you’re planning to explore a particular part of the canal network, check the maximum boat length before buying.

What about boats over 70ft?

Boats over 70ft are getting towards the larger end of the narrowboat world.

They can make fantastic liveaboards if you value space, but your cruising options will be more limited.

A long boat can also be more challenging to manoeuvre, particularly if you’re new to boating.

There’s nothing wrong with having a big boat — you just need to be comfortable with the fact that you won’t necessarily be able to take it everywhere.

Don’t forget about width

Length isn’t the only thing that matters.

Most traditional narrowboats are around 6ft 10in wide, allowing them to fit through the standard narrow locks found across much of the network.

However, some boats are wider, and even an extra few inches can make a difference on certain waterways.

If exploring as much of the network as possible is important to you, it’s worth considering both the length and width of the boat.

Where do you want to cruise?

This is probably the most important question to ask yourself.

If you have dreams of travelling all over the UK canal network, a shorter boat gives you more options.

But if you already have a particular cruising area in mind, you can choose a boat based on the restrictions in that area.

For example, there’s little point buying a 70ft boat if your favourite cruising route contains locks or winding holes that won’t accommodate it.

Before buying, have a look at the waterways you want to explore and check their maximum boat dimensions.

How many people will use the boat?

Think about how you actually plan to use the boat.

A couple who mainly spend weekends aboard probably won’t need the same amount of space as a family of four planning to spend several weeks cruising.

If you’ve got children, extra sleeping space and storage can make a huge difference. If it’s just you and your partner, you might prefer a shorter boat that’s easier to handle and cheaper to run.

And don’t forget guests. That spare bedroom might sound like a great idea until you realise it takes up a large chunk of your living space for most of the year!

Is a longer narrowboat more expensive?

Generally, yes.

A longer boat will usually cost more to buy, and there can also be additional costs associated with mooring, maintenance and blacking.

You’ll also have more boat to maintain.

That doesn’t mean you should automatically choose a shorter boat, though. If you need the extra space and intend to spend a lot of time aboard, the additional cost could be well worth it.

So, what is the best narrowboat length?

There isn’t really one answer.

For many people, around 50–60ft offers the best balance between space and cruising flexibility. It’s long enough to provide a comfortable interior but short enough to access a large proportion of the UK’s waterways.

If you’re a couple looking for something easy to handle, a 40–50ft boat could be ideal.

If you’re planning to live aboard with a family, you might want to look at something closer to 60–70ft.

And if you’re a keen explorer who wants to reach as much of the canal network as possible, going shorter can make sense.

The best advice? Hire before you buy.

If you’re not sure what size boat you want, hire a few different lengths before making the jump.

Spending a week on a 45ft boat and then trying a 65ft boat will quickly show you what works for you — and what doesn’t.

You might discover that you love having loads of space. Or you might realise that you’d rather have a smaller boat that’s easier to manoeuvre and gives you more cruising options.

At the end of the day, the best narrowboat isn’t necessarily the longest or the biggest.

It’s the one that suits the way you want to use it.