Category: Other Canal Topics

Vlog 352: Asking Price

Posted on November 30, 2024November 30, 2024 by David Johns

I asked a well-known narrowboat broker what used boats fetch these days, who’s buying and what the trends in the market are. Hopefully useful info if you’re thinking of buying or selling a canal boat in 2025!

Vlog 344: Otterly Delightful!

Posted on September 10, 2024September 10, 2024 by David Johns

There are a small number of aluminium canal boats which are a hybrid of traditional narrowboat style mixed with river cruiser design. I went to see two of these and chat with their owners.

Vlog 343: The Missing Link

Posted on August 30, 2024September 10, 2024 by David Johns

Despite the name of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal, it doesn’t actually go through the county town of Stafford so a group of volunteers are now trying to make that happen.

Vlog 336: If you build it…

Posted on June 20, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Formed in 1969, the Grantham Canal Society is undertaking the huge task of restoring a 33-mile canal dating from the Industrial Revolution, over 200 years ago. I went up to see how they’re getting along.

Vlog 334: Happy Trails

Posted on May 29, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

The annual IWA Trailboat Festival 2024 was held on the Ashby Canal at Moira in Leicestershire, a gathering of compact, lightweight canal boats that can be towed on a trailer behind a suitable car or van. These included Wilderness Beavers, Sea Otters and even a Caraboat!

Vlog 330: Going Dutch

Posted on April 20, 2024 by David Johns

Although I’ve been past several Dutch barges on the canals and rivers in my time, I’d never done a video about what they’re like until now. And this is a very nice one indeed…

Vlog 328: The steepest lock flight!

Posted on April 2, 2024April 2, 2024 by David Johns

Opened in 1774, the Bingley 5-Rise lock flight is the steepest in Britain and still going strong today. The Canal & River Trust held a media day to celebrate this milestone and I went along.

Vlog 327: The Stream in the Sky

Posted on March 24, 2024March 26, 2024 by David Johns

At 220 years old, the world-famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct in north Wales is doing very well for its age but it does need a lot of care and maintenance. Every 20 years it’s drained of water for a full inspection and I’ve been along to see what the Canal & River Trust’s engineers have found this time around.

Vlog 324: Dreamboats!

Posted on February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 by David Johns

Join me on detailed tours through three brand new luxury liveaboard narrowboats, one widebeam, two cabin cruisers and a narrowboat for hire, all at the BoatLife show 2024!

Vlog 322: Make It So

Posted on January 16, 2024February 24, 2024 by David Johns

In May 2022, I published a video about a narrowboat being built for a couple who had specific mobility and agility requirements following illness. This is a follow-up video to see how they’ve been getting on with it since launch.