Tag: electric

Vlog 412: Tork of the town

Posted on September 20, 2026September 20, 2026 by David Johns

I was kindly invited aboard DB1, an all-electric prototype day boat for part of its journey along the length of the Thames, powered purely by the sun.

Vlog 368: Prop Forward

Posted on May 10, 2025May 10, 2025 by David Johns

Although lots of technical data about narrowboat propellers exists already, it largely relates to the traditional diesel engine. With electrically-propelled canal boats now becoming more commonplace, boat-builder Ortomarine held a practical trials day to see if changing prop made for a better or worse experience when your narrowboat has an electric motor.

Why don’t you get all-solar narrowboats?

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by David Johns

It sounds great, for sure. A narrowboat needs only 1-2kW to move along (once it has begun moving) thus a 20kWh battery pack could sustain 5-10 hours travel (presuming standard

Bonus video: realtime canal cruising (Slow TV)

Posted on January 26, 2024February 24, 2024 by David Johns

This is a bonus video, not a vlog or suchlike but the bow-camera recording as narrowboat Nautilus Enterprise cruised from Crick Marina to Yelvertoft while we filmed for video #322. There is intentionally no commentary, just the sounds from the (electric) boat.

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.

Vlog 313: Hip-Hip Hoo Wrey!

Posted on October 13, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

It’s 18 months since I sold my canal boat, “Wreyland”, but I’ve just been back to see what the new owner has done with it – and it’s had quite the makeover!

Vlog 312: Peace in a Pod

Posted on October 1, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

I was kindly invited aboard NB Tranquility to see its one-of-a-kind (on the canals) electric propulsion system as well as the many other technical features of this intriguing boat.

Bonus video: Slow TV cruise

Posted on April 10, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

This is not a vlog, there’s no talking or music (deliberately) – it is a “slow TV” uninterrupted recording from the bow camera of the electric day-hire boat seen in video 293 doing the return journey from Tamhorn Farm Bridge to Kings Orchard Marina on the Coventry canal near Lichfield.

Vlog 293: Amped Up

Posted on April 4, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

An all-electric narrowboat is now available for hire by the day so it’s a low-cost way to test the waters of near-silent narrowboating and leave no air pollution in your wake.

Vlog 286: Click and Collect

Posted on January 7, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

For single-handed canal boaters, shimmying up and down lock ladders or trying to get through swing bridges can be a huge nuisance. How much easier it would be if you could steer your boat with remote control! That’s exactly what Gill Gregory can do aboard “Desiderata” so I went to see the system in action.

Canal Life