February 2025 issue
On the cover of the February issue… Narrowboat 'Our Time' at Abingdon on the River Thames in summer 2024.
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Cruising with a Crowd
Boat Review - Crafted Boats Ltd
Ivy is a bespoke, electric narrowboat that borrows many hire-craft elements to create a social space afloat. Mark Langley finds out more…
In Tom Rolt's Wake - part 3
Explore The Canals of the South Midlands
Boating from Leicester to Great Haywood – and taking in Loughborough, Shardlow and Burton along the way – Paul Miles continues his recreation of the author’s honeymoon cruise of 1939
The Rise and Fall of the Sankey Canal
Looking Back
The Sankey Canal Restoration Society celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Dr David Harrison tells the story of the pioneering waterways and efforts to revive its fortunes
An Accidental Boat 'Birder'
On The Waterways
Jenni Ratcliffe relates how she became a fully-fledged avian enthusiast after living afloat
WW Guide to the Four Counties Ring
Cruising Guide
This enduringly popular cruising circuit has never lost its appeal. Here’s why...
Rainbow Bridge
Looking Back
Chris M. Jones looks at two views of the same location, showing traffic on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation
The Popular Peak Forest
Explore Peak Forest Canal
Laid-back boating, breathtaking views and troublesome mink. Tracy and Neil Flanagan relate their adventures on the Peak Forest
Our Boat Our Time
Boat Review - Stroud Innovations
Our Time is a 57ft hybrid narrowboat built to the exact specifications of Phil and Marianne Purves. Bobby Cowling paid a visit to the Upper Thames to find out more…
Waterways of Southern Europe
Explore Portugal & Spain
Portugal and Spain don’t come to mind when you think of European inland navigations. Look closely enough, however, and you will – as our contributors reveal…
A Colour Conundrum
Boat-Ownership
With his narrowboat looking increasingly scruffy, Andrew Denny faced the toughest decision of his 25 years of boating – what colour to repaint it
The Green Team
Insight - The Rothen Group
With a fleet of 200 craft and contracts for a host of canalrelated work, the Rothen Group is a household name in the inland boating industry. Yet, the company is barely a decade old. Andrew Denny finds out more…
30 Years Afloat
Reader's Story
Now based on the Great Ouse, Sarah Young looks back on three decades of leisure boating across the network
Winter Woes
Last Word
Tony Jones discusses some of the hardships of living afloat through the cold season
