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Sun shines on Crick again

2 June 2026

The 2026 Crick Boat Show sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, went off without a hitch over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. But the blazing, almost overwhelming temperatures – the Met Office said it broke records for the time of year – suggested that perhaps for the first time you can have too much fine weather! Initial estimates are that visitor numbers matched last year despite the heat, but we are waiting final confirmation.

Crick is – ultimately – a show about boats, and the standout trophy, for Favourite Boat in Show, brought a variety of together, including one striking new hire-boat like nothing ever seen afloat. But it was the quality of workmanship that took the prize, with boatbuilder Elton Moss Boatbuilders with Ortomarine carrying off this year's prestigious award for Dexter's Star.

DextersStar Crick 1.jpeg — *Dexter's Star*, Favourite Boat of Crick 2026, was built by Elton Moss – a modern serial hybrid with electrics from Ortomarine.

The narrowboat is the new pride and joy of YouTube vloggers Paul and Anthony Smith-Storey, veterans of two previous Crick best-in-show attempts from other boatbuilders. They were over the moon about finally carrying off the top prize in the show. In recent years the award has been decided by a combination of public vote and our technical writers’ opinions.

DextersStar Crick 2.jpeg — The interior of *Dexter's Star* - not necessarily ground-breaking, but simply exquisite craftsmanship combined with high technology.

A good number of first-time exhibitors were represented at the Show, from companies that had previously only ever been at seagoing yacht events to medical companies and even a Korean battery manufacturer exploring the UK marine market. A full list of exhibitors can be found at www.crickboatshow.com

Ecomar 3.jpg — Zero emissions marine specialist Ecomar, until now exclusively coastal boating specialists, were one of several first-time exhibitors at this year's Crick. Their 'toe in the water' of the inland boating market could be the sign of a big change.

Exhibitors that we spoke to seemed to have had a successful Show and the organising team are reporting a strong start to exhibitor re-booking for the 2027 Show.

But Crick, organised by Waterways World in conjunction with the Canal & River Trust, also retains its authority as a platform for discussion about the waterways - in technical masterclasses, boat ownership seminars and, notably, the future of the inland waterways.

One standout event was the interview session between new CRT Chief Executive Campbell Robb and WW Publisher and Show Director Peter Johns - giving the audience a real insight into the man chosen to lead the Trust at a challenging time of reduced government. The audience seemed greatly encouraged by Robb’s optimism and energy.

CRT Campbell Ross talk 2.jpg — On the Sunday, new CRT Chief Executive Campbell Robb was in conversation with WW Publisher Peter Johns.

Paul Knox-Johnston of headline show sponsors Haven Knox-Johnston hosted a Question Time-style discussion on ’The Current State of the Waterways’ with representatives from the IWA, boatbuilders, CRT management and our own Peter Johns.

IWA seminar 3.jpg — On the Saturday Paul Knox-Johnston (L) hosted a 'Question Time'-style session with Tiffany Gale-Haynes (Kingsground Narrowboats), Peter Johns, IWA Campaigns Director Charlie Norman and CRT Boating Manager Matthew Symonds at the 2026 Crick Boat Show.

Away from the exhibition pontoons and the exhibitor stalls and tents, the wider festival atmosphere remained central to the appeal of the event. Nearly 100 visiting boats lined the canal beside the showground, while over 300 campers and caravans stayed on site across the weekend, helping create the community atmosphere for which Crick Boat Show has become known.

The show’s Live Music Festival, sponsored by Vetus, featured thirteen acts across the weekend, including performances from Blondie tribute act Blondied on the Saturday headline night, and Madness tribute band One Step Behind on the Sunday. The Real Ale & Cider Festival, once again sponsored by LeeSan, was also a huge success, with many beers running out by the end of Sunday evening.

Seahopper folding boat folded.jpg — First-time exhibitors Seahopper demonstrated their folding dinghy...

Seahopper folding boat unfolded drawing a crowd.jpg — ...whose unfolding immediately drew a crowd without any ostentatious publicity. The Seahopper was actually invented over 70 years ago, but has never been seen on the canals – or at Crick – before. Versatile and compact, it can serve as a sailing dinghy or rowing boat, and folds up to fit on a narrowboat roof if required.

Aquavista boat sales Sylvester and Aventuras.jpg — Many new and used boats are on sale at Crick, as here at Aquavista's brokerage section.

Braidbar's Clover reflected in adjacent Stone Bespoke Narrowboats boat Bendragon.jpg — Braidbar's *Clover* reflected in Stone Bespoke Narrowboat's *Bendragon*

Food court 2.jpg — An unsung part of the Crick Boat Show experience is the Food Court, almost a dozen variety food and drink stalls.

Kings Lock Cup 7.jpg — Crick is now long-enough established to have acquired a 'fringe'. One of the popular side events is the King's Lock Cup, a kayak race for exhibitors only at the end of the day's trading on the the Sunday.
Steve Wedgwood, of King's Lock Chandlery has been organising this informal race around the marina for a decade now, and other exhibitors take part enthusiastically and seriously, if somewhat lightheartedly. This year's event had joint winners, after a 'technicality' in the final race led to them sharing the trophy.

CRT Doggy of the Day Sunday.jpg — Crick has always been dog-friendly. While it might not be *literally* true that every dog has his day, this year the CRT marquee held a Dog of the Day competition. On the Sunday it was the turn of a rotweiler,‘Tilly', whose photo was voted Top Dog by visitors. Her prize was a selection of treats from roving trader The Doggie Boat (doggieboat.co.uk)

Kings Lock Cup fave.jpg — Dogs are kept on leads, but can still have a good time.

Beer tent 2.jpg — Beer tent sponsors LeeSan lost no opportunity to promote themselves to thirsty 'Cricketers', as no-one has yet dubbed them (let us be the first!)

Accessible Waterways Association 1.jpg — The Accessible Waterways Association, now in their third year, were prominent in the CRT marquee. Here, AWA founders Tim and Tracey Clarke show off the new accessible mooring bollards, shortly to be installed at sites around the CRT network.