April 2024 issue
On the cover of the April issue… Review boat Stargazer, a 60ft bespoke narrowboat from JF Boat Building, cruises along the Trent & Mersey Canal at Kings Bromley.
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A Stellar Narrowboat
Boat Review
JF Boat Building is a new company gaining a reputation for high-quality, bespoke narrowboats. Mark Langley looks at its latest example: 60-footer Stargazer
From Warships to Canal Boats
Reader's Story
In 2002, Peter Hudson took command of newly built Royal Navy assault ship Albion. Twenty-two years later, he became the owner of a bespoke narrowboat. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, he says that the two experiences were surprisingly similar
Soldiering On
Liveaboard Life
Liveaboard Lee Wells has spent over 20 years on the K&A. He tells Amelia Hamson how living with arthritis impacts his boating and woodturning business
The Central Kennet and Avon
Cruising Guide
There’s no other waterway quite like the K&A – and the central section is the best bit of all. Steve Elliott explores the canal and its fascinating surroundings
Working Boats in the 1950s
Looking Back
Late former boatman Phil Garrett shared his diaries with Roger Mawby, giving a rich insight into operating boats in the twilight years of canal carrying
Boathouses on the Thames
Around the Waterways
Photographer Howard Davies captures the variety of boat shelters on the banks of the royal river
Boat Fires
Boat Ownership
Fires have killed 30 boaters in the last 20 years. Tony Jones provides invaluable advice on how to protect your boat and crew, and what to do in the event of an onboard blaze
Off-the-Cuff Cruise to Liverpool
Cruising the Waterways
After a traumatic meeting with a film crew, Emma Culshaw-Bell set off on a solo trip to Liverpool Docks
Refitting Sunbeam
Boat Ownership
Fifteen-year-old narrowboat Sunbeam looks as good as new, thanks to a recent repaint and completely new interior. Co-owner Ruth Smith describes the project
The Carrying 'start-up' of the '60s
Looking Back
At a time when commercial traffic was dying on the waterways, one young couple reintroduced canal carrying at Leicester. We look back on the history of Seymour-Roseblade
Accessible Boating Holidays
Accessible Boating
In the first of series of articles on accessible boating, Alison Cannon looks at holiday hire options around the network
A Tale of Two Solutions
Boating Forum
Chris Leader relates how he uncovered an issue with the raw water cooling system of his GRP cruiser and fixed it
A Decade of Roving Trading
Last Word
Andy and Helen Tidy reflect on their time travelling and trading on the inland waterways
