Which boat you have is not as important as deciding where you want to go. Boats that are ideal for the canals are of no use at sea, and boats that are ideal for the sea are often too wide, too tall or too deep for the canals. If you have decided where you will spend the most time on the water, the choice gets a lot smaller.
Here is a short description of some of the main boats owned in the UK.
Narrowboats
A narrowboat is traditionally made from steel and built for the UK canals. They can be up to 70 feet long and less than 7 feet wide to fit through the narrow locks. You can hire or purchase a narrowboat for a boating holiday or live on one and cruise the canals at walking pace for long periods of time.
Length can sometimes make a difference. Some of the locks on the northern canals are shorter than others, therefore a longer narrowboat would not be able to travel on those canals. Check the lock sizes of the canals you want to cruise before buying a boat.
Narrowboats are made from steel and as a result the hull needs to be regularly blacked to prevent it rusting. They are not made for open water and should never be taken to sea.
Widebeams
A widebeam is similar to a narrowboat, but wider. This means more internal space. While more internal space is desirable, widebeams cannot use narrow canals, so your cruising limit will be broad canals and rivers. Unless your cruising limit is the broad canals and rivers, a widebeam will not work for you.
River cruisers
A river cruiser is a fibreglass boat, built for use on rivers like the Thames and Broads, and other wider waterways. Most have an open rear deck or flybridge and are faster than narrowboats. Many are suitable for canal use, but check the dimensions, as many are too wide and tall.
Dayboats and small motorboats
A dayboat is a cheap way to get onto the water, but offers no sleeping facilities, so is only usable for a day. Many can be towed on a trailer, so offer low cost transport and upkeep. A good choice if you want to use the waterways, but don’t want the commitment of a large boat.
RIBs
A RIB is very stable, fast and good through the rough water. It is why most rescue services use them. These qualities also make them good for coastal trips and other water activities. They are not good for long or uncomfortable trips and do not offer any protection from the elements.
Fishing boats
Open boats or cuddy cabins are the norm on fishing boats. While these boats are small, they often have a lot of deck space for fishing. Many boats in this class are trailered and launched from a slipway. If you are primarily going to fish and need a boat that can launch from a slipway, this class of boat would be a better choice than a sports boat that can fish. For more on boat fishing, see our guide to boat fishing kits.
Yachts
All boats use engines to get in and out of harbor, and yachts use sails to move under power. Depending on what your budget will allow, you can go from a small boat used for day trips to large boats used for long distance voyages. A yacht requires more skill than a motor boat, and our older guide to looking after a yacht will give you an idea of what owning a yacht involves.
Dutch barges
Dutch barges are large, steel, old work boats that have a lot of internal space. Like widebeams, they are also too large to use the canals, so will mostly be used for static moorings. They are heavy boats to handle and are generally purchased to be moored and lived on.
Whatever type you go for, have it surveyed before you buy. See Buying a Boat.