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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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February 2025 on sale from 27 December

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…

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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

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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

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An Accidental Boat 'Birder'

On The Waterways

Jenni Ratcliffe relates how she became a fully-fledged avian enthusiast after living afloat

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WW Guide to the Four Counties Ring

Cruising Guide

This enduringly popular cruising circuit has never lost its appeal. Here’s why...

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Rainbow Bridge

Looking Back

Chris M. Jones looks at two views of the same location, showing traffic on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation

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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

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My Forever Mooring

Around The Waterways

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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…

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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Winter Woes

Last Word

Tony Jones discusses some of the hardships of living afloat through the cold season

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