Narrowboats

Narrowboats

Narrowboats and Canal Boats for Sale

Browse our full selection of narrowboats for sale and canal boats for sale, including 40ft, 50ft, 55ft, 57ft and 60ft narrowboats, plus widebeam options. Whether you’re buying your first canal boat, upgrading your current vessel or looking for a liveaboard narrowboat, we stock a mix of styles from traditional to cruiser stern and semi-trad designs. Our selection includes new narrowboats, used narrowboats and second-hand canal boats, with listings updated regularly as boats become available.

What are canal boats for sale?

Canal boats for sale are boats designed or adapted for cruising inland waterways such as canals and navigable rivers. They can include narrowboats, widebeams and other canal-going vessels, with new and used options available in different lengths, layouts and specifications. The right boat depends on your intended waterways, accommodation needs and how you plan to use it.

Buy a Canal Boat with Confidence

At Tingdene Marinas & Boat Sales, we list used narrowboats and new narrowboats for sale, alongside canal boats for leisure cruising, extended holidays and liveaboard use. Whether you’re searching for a narrow boat for sale, canal narrowboat for sale or canal boat for living aboard, compare boats by size, layout, condition, specification and location. Choosing the right narrowboat depends on how you plan to use it. Shorter boats can suit couples, solo cruising and shorter trips, while longer narrowboats can offer more accommodation and storage for extended cruising or living aboard. Consider your intended waterways, cruising routes, locks, moorings and navigation requirements.

40ft Narrowboats – Ideal for solo cruising or couples. 50ft–57ft Narrowboats – A balance of accommodation and manoeuvrability. 60ft & Over – More space for longer stays and accommodation. Widebeam Boats – More interior space, subject to suitable waterways. Cruiser Stern Styles – Open-deck space for sociable cruising. Traditional and Semi-Traditional Sterns – Different combinations of exterior style, deck space and accommodation.Use our filters to sort by length, price, year and location. Listings include specifications, photos and contact details to arrange viewings. When comparing new and used canal boats, consider the layout, hull condition, engine and systems, storage, heating, accommodation, water capacity, build year, hull construction and mooring availability to find a boat suited to your intended use.

Narrowboats for Different Lifestyles

A narrowboat can suit weekend cruising, extended holidays or full-time living, depending on its layout, facilities and intended use. Liveaboard narrowboats may include insulation, heating, fitted kitchens, bathrooms, larger water capacity and additional storage for year-round living.

If you’re buying your first canal boat, consider the length and layout, intended cruising area, residential or leisure mooring, and ongoing costs such as insurance, maintenance, fuel and mooring fees. Also consider the waterways you plan to use, storage and accommodation needs, and whether a narrowboat or widebeam is right for you.When buying a used narrowboat, arrange a viewing and inspect the interior, exterior, engine space and documentation. An independent hull survey can help assess the hull condition before purchase. Check the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) position, insurance requirements and applicable licence arrangements. The Canal & River Trust requires a valid BSS certificate or exemption before a boat licence can be obtained on its network.Licensing depends on where you use the boat. The Canal & River Trust requires a licence for boats using its canals and rivers, while the Environment Agency is responsible for registration on waterways including the River Thames, River Medway and Anglian waterways. If you plan to cruise across different navigation authorities, check the relevant requirements before buying.

Narrowboats Recently Sold or Under Offer

Our stock of narrowboats and canal boats for sale is updated regularly, and popular boats, particularly in the 45ft-60ft range, sell quickly. Recently sold or under-offer listings can also help buyers understand which types of boats are attracting interest, but an individual boat's condition, specification, location and history should always be considered rather than relying on size or asking price alone.

Selling Your Narrowboat?

If you’re looking to sell your narrowboat, canal boat or barge, Tingdene’s brokerage service makes it straightforward. We list boats across our marina network and bring your listing in front of serious buyers. We accept cruiser stern boats, traditional and semi-trad narrowboats, widebeam barges and Dutch-style narrowboats. Our team handles the process, from valuation to final sale. Whether your boat is moored at one of our wharfs or elsewhere, we can help. Our brokerage service can assist with marketing, photography, enquiries, viewings and negotiations, helping sellers present their boat to buyers looking for narrowboats and canal boats for sale.

Need Mooring or Finance?

We also offer mooring across our marina network and provide berthing quotes on request. Use our boat finance calculator to estimate monthly costs, with finance subject to eligibility and lender approval. Our team can also help buyers understand mooring options and the practicalities of owning a narrowboat or canal boat.

Mooring options include marina and long-term moorings, visitor moorings and, where applicable, continuous cruising. Canal & River Trust requirements apply to boats without a home mooring, while residential moorings require appropriate arrangements for residential use.For details about buying new and used narrowboats for sale, used canal boats or new canal boats, explore our used boats for sale or contact us. Whether you’re looking for a traditional narrowboat, cruiser stern, semi-traditional narrowboat or widebeam, our team can help you find a suitable boat and arrange a viewing.

Filters..

Filters

Dragon Boats 57′ Narrowboat – Dragon DB 005 New In Build

Year: 2026
Length: 57.0 feet
Price: £158,400 inc VAT
Full details

Dragon Boats 55ft Narrowboat – Dragon 4

Year: 2025
Length: 16.76 metres
Price: £145,950 inc VAT
Full details

Andicraft Fabrications 57” Semi Trad NB – Bailed Out

Year: 2017
Length: 17.37 metres
Price: £69,950 inc VAT
Full details

Dobsons of Shardlow 57′ Trad Stern – Phoenix (Under Offer)

Year: 2003
Length: 17.37 metres
Price: £54,995 inc VAT
Full details

Midland Canal Centre 51′ Semi Trad Narrowboat – Serondella

Year: 2000
Length: 15.54 metres
Price: £52,950 inc VAT
Full details

Rowan Narrowboats 57ft Narrowboat – Avalon (Under Offer)

Year: 2006
Length: 17.37 metres
Price: £52,450 inc VAT
Full details

John White 40′ Narrowboat – Storm Child

Year: 2000
Length: 12.19 metres
Price: £45,950 inc VAT
Full details

Colecraft 56 Narrowboat – Juniper

Year: 1996
Length: 17.07 metres
Price: £43,950 inc VAT
Full details

R&D Fabrications 50ft Semi Trad Narrowboat – George

Year: 1990
Length: 15.24 metres
Price: £39,950 inc VAT
Full details

Custom Narrowboat – Rosebud

Year: 2004
Length: 36.0 feet
Price: £32,950 inc VAT
Full details

R&D Fabrications 29′ Narrowboat – Cuddy (Under Offer)

Year: 1993
Length: 8.84 metres
Price: £27,950 inc VAT
Full details

Sea Otter 21′ Narrowboat – Tranq’ille

Year: 2006
Length: 6.4 metres
Price: £26,950 inc VAT
Full details

Mick Sivewright 25′ Narrowboat – Owl

Year: 1991
Length: 7.62 metres
Price: £20,950 inc VAT
Full details

Clubline 33′ Narrowboat – Rebecca

Year: 1985
Length: 10.06 metres
Price: £19,950 inc VAT
Full details

Frequently Asked Questions

The best narrowboat size depends on how you plan to use it. A 40ft narrowboat can suit solo boaters or couples, while 50ft to 57ft boats offer a balance between living space and manoeuvrability. If you’re planning to live aboard or spend extended periods on the canals, a 60ft narrowboat can provide additional accommodation and storage. The best size also depends on the waterways you plan to cruise, your preferred layout and how much accommodation and storage you need.

Yes. We offer a wide range of new and used narrowboats for sale from respected builders. Whether you’re looking for your first canal boat, a liveaboard narrowboat, or an upgraded vessel with modern features, our regularly updated listings include options to suit a variety of budgets and requirements. Our selection can also include used canal boats and second-hand narrowboats in a range of sizes, layouts and specifications.

Yes, many narrowboats can be suitable for full-time living, depending on their layout, facilities and intended use. Liveaboard narrowboats may include a kitchen, bathroom, heating, sleeping accommodation, storage and other facilities for extended stays. If you plan to live aboard, consider the boat’s layout, onboard systems, mooring arrangements and the waterways you intend to use before buying.

If you plan to live aboard, consider more than the interior layout. Think about heating, insulation, ventilation, water and waste systems, electrical capacity, storage, access to facilities and the mooring arrangement you intend to use. A residential mooring and continuously cruising arrangement are not the same, so check the requirements that apply to your plans before buying.

Yes. We can assist with finance options on many narrowboats for sale, subject to eligibility and lender approval. We also offer moorings across our marina network, making it easier to enjoy your new canal boat from day one. Our team can discuss available mooring options and help you understand the practical considerations of buying and owning a narrowboat or canal boat.

Our selection of narrowboats is updated regularly as new boats arrive and existing boats are sold or placed under offer. If you can’t find the right narrowboat today, our experienced brokerage team can help source a suitable vessel and notify you when matching boats become available. This includes new and used narrowboats, canal boats and different layouts, sizes and specifications.

When buying a used narrowboat or canal boat, consider arranging an independent hull survey and checking the boat’s Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certification. You should also review the engine service history, condition of the batteries and electrics, heating system, water systems, hull condition and any available mooring or licensing information.

Before viewing, make a simple checklist covering the hull, engine, stern gear, electrical system, heating, plumbing, fuel system, interior condition and documentation. During the viewing, compare what you see with the listing details and ask for evidence of servicing and maintenance where available. A survey is an independent assessment and can help identify issues that are not obvious during a normal viewing.

For boats using the Canal & River Trust network, a valid BSS certificate or exemption is required before licensing. The BSS sets safety standards covering areas such as fuel, electrical and gas-related installations, ventilation and appliances.

Narrowboats can be moored at marinas, residential moorings or on permitted sections of the Canal & River Trust network, subject to the applicable rules, availability and licences. Tingdene can also provide information about mooring options available across its marina network. The right option depends on how you plan to use your boat and where you intend to cruise.

Canal & River Trust guidance identifies long-term or home moorings, short-stay visitor moorings and winter moorings among the available options. If you plan to cruise without a home mooring, check the Trust’s current continuous cruising requirements before buying. On Environment Agency waterways such as the River Thames and Anglian waterways, boat registration requirements also apply.

A well-maintained steel narrowboat can remain in service for decades. Regular hull inspections and blacking, engine servicing, anode replacement and general interior maintenance can all help protect the boat and extend its useful life. The condition, construction, maintenance history and previous use of an individual boat should be considered when assessing a used narrowboat.

There is no single lifespan that applies to every narrowboat. The age of the hull is only one part of the assessment; hull condition, maintenance, corrosion protection, engine condition, previous use and the quality of repairs can all affect an individual boat. For that reason, buyers should assess the condition and maintenance history of the specific narrowboat rather than judging it by age alone.

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