Celebrating the changes at Whilton Marina through five decades!As Whilton Marina celebrates 50 years in Business this year (2021), we thought we'd look at the changes that have happened over those years at the marina. The ConstructionThe construction of Whilton Marina began in October 1970 and was completed in May 1971. It was built by David Steele who had a background in construction and civil engineering. The site was just a field which had been used as a cricket ground, with the canal on one s...

Weedhatch Explained. A weedhatch is a device used to gain access to the propeller and shaft, saving you from having to get in the water whilst on the inland waterways  A number of designs are installed depending       upon the stern type and engine configuration. Typically a large rectangular box is welded on the inside of the uxter plate, directly above the propeller. There is a water tight hatch over the tub which is commonly sealed by a replaceable rubber seal. &nb...

Top Tips for getting ready for summer cruising on your canal boatAs the summer time approaches, that long narrow boat cruise will be in your thoughts. It can be a fun filled experience; exploring new areas, discovering new sights, , meeting new people and generally having a great time.  BUT it won’t be such a great experience if you aren't prepared. Read our top tips for getting ready and what to take with you!Boating equipmentBoating equipment should include the followi...

Tips on checking your boats safetysystems ready for Spring cruisingVentillationVents can get dusty orgreasy over time and get clogged up so that they work inefficiently and reducethe airflow. It’s easy to overlook this thinking that your boat passed it’sboat safety examination a year or two ago. Ideally you should check your ventsat least once before the boating season. Vacuum out louvre door vents or use asmall brush to dislodge dust. Give mushroom vents and vents above the galley a...

Hatches, Vents and Cratch BoardsThere are various ways of getting extra light and ventilation in to your boat, below are just a few…. . Houdini HatchesHoudini hatches are fitted to the roof of a narrowboat and offer additional natural light and ventilation in to a boat.   These hatches have been in production for over 50 years now and are robustly constructed using quality materials and are fitted with toughened glass. Houdini hatches are extremely streamlined and cause minimum obst...

Why are boats namedThere are many reasons why boats are named, but they are mainly named for identification and communication purposes. They are also often named for sentimental, traditional, and even superstitious reasons as well. Naming a boat is just as much a part of owning a boat as it has ever been, and boat naming has become such a tradition that it’s hard to find a boat that does not have a name!Narrowboating becomes a way of life for a lot of people, and that way of life can becom...

Using a centre ropeA correctly deployed narrowboat centre line can make a massive difference to your cruising pleasure and safety particularly if you are a solo cruiser. Having a centre rope allows you to step ashore with a line in your hand to either hold the boat while somebody else secures bow and stern or secure it temporarily with said centre line while you yourself (possibly working single handed) secure the boat safely to your mooring point.   It is also useful for temporarily and...

There are three stern options on a narrowboat, Traditional, Semi-Traditional and Cruiser Style. Here we explain the difference between them in order to help you decide which is best for you.

We are excited to announce our 50th Anniversary in 2021!More news coming soon on competitions and offers that we'll be having throughout the year to help us celebrate our 50 years in business, so keep an eye on our website and social media for more details. . . We've all heard older members of the generation start a story with an eye roll prompting, "Back in my day," which is then followed by a seemingly endless list of ways that things have changed since the olden days (usually in a negative light...

Our gifting ideas for those narrowboat friends who can be difficult to buy forIf your list of friends or family to buy Christmas presents for includes someone who lives aboard a narrowboat, you'll probably find them rather hard to buy for, especially as storage space aboard a boat is much more restricted than living on the land. So we thought we'd compile a list of useful items and novel ideas for those boaty friends or family members who are difficult to buy for. In these days of campaigns to gi...